What to pack for Iceland in December
Off-season · See the best time to visit Iceland
In December, Iceland has daytime highs around 3°C (37°F), nights near -1°C (30°F), and frequent rain (about 14 wet days). That's cold weather, so pack warm layers, an insulated coat, and gloves, a hat and a scarf. The categorised list below — essentials, travel documents, clothing, toiletries and more — is a complete week's starting point you can tick off in Alba until you're 100% ready.
Essentials
- Phone
- Wallet — cards & some cash
- Keys
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Any daily medication
Travel documents
- Passport or ID — check it's valid for the whole trip
- Boarding passes / tickets
- Booking confirmations — hotel, car, activities
- Travel insurance details
- A backup copy of key documents — photo or printout
Clothing
- Underwear ×8
- Socks ×8
- Sleepwear ×2
- T-shirts / tops ×5
- Shirt / nicer top ×3
- Trousers / jeans ×4
- Jumper / warm layer ×3
- Warm coat
- Comfortable shoes
Toiletries
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo & shower gel
- Skincare & moisturiser
- Razor
- Hairbrush / comb
- Any prescriptions — in your carry-on
- Painkillers & plasters
Electronics
- Phone charger
- Power bank — carry-on only — never checked
- Travel plug adapter — for the destination
- Headphones
Outdoors & hiking
- Hiking boots / trail shoes
- Moisture-wicking base layers ×2
- Waterproof jacket
- Daypack
- Hat & sun protection
- Blister plasters
Cold-weather extras
- Gloves
- Beanie / warm hat
- Scarf
- Thermal layers ×2
Questions
What is the weather like in Iceland in December?
In December, Iceland typically has daytime highs around 3°C (37°F), nights near -1°C (30°F), and frequent rain (about 14 wet days).
Is December a good time to visit Iceland?
December is one of the quieter, less comfortable months in Iceland — you can still go, but check the best time to visit Iceland to compare.
How many outfits should I pack for a week in Iceland?
This list is built for about a week. Pack tops for most days, bottoms you can re-wear, and layers to match December's weather. If you'll have laundry or are travelling carry-on only, you can safely bring less — Alba adjusts quantities for that.
Other months
This is a great starting point — Alba turns it into a live checklist for your exact dates, tells you what's still missing, and can even pack your bag from one photo. Get Alba — free on iPhone and Android.