Not sure what to wear in Iceland in October? The answer will depend on your Iceland itinerary, especially if you plan to visit see the Northern Lights. This Iceland in October packing guide will give you all the Iceland travel outfit tips you need to stay warm on your Iceland trip.
What to Wear in Iceland in October
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Weather in Iceland in October
Iceland in October is generally cold. Early October has more moderate fall like temperatures but it starts to feel like winter later in the month.
To get a general idea what the temperature will be like when you visit Iceland, check the weather at a website like weatherspark.com. For example in Reykjavik, the average temperature in October is 40°F – with an average high of 44°F and an average low of 36°F. In my opinion it usually feels colder than you would think looking at the average temperature especially when it is cloudy and windy.
However, the weather changes quickly throughout the day and can vary greatly depending where you go in Iceland.
October is one of the rainiest months so it is almost certain to rain during your trip. However it does not rain everyday. When it does the rain usually does not usually last very long so you might be able to wait it out.
There is also a possibility of snow especially in the north and if visiting later in the month.
The key to dressing in Iceland in October is to wear waterproof clothes and waterproof shoes.
Iceland gets very strong winds so you need to have windproof clothes.
Also because the weather is unpredicable and changes throughout the day – it is important to be prepared for different types of weather and dress in layers!
My Iceland in October Travel Outfit
As I mentioned earlier, because the weather in Iceland is unpredictable and changes quickly, the key is to dress in layers. That way if the sun comes out and the temperature warms up you can take off one of your layers so that you feel comfortable.
When I visited Iceland in October, this was my go to travel outfit when exploring:
I wore four (4) layers of clothing on top: a baselayer, turtleneck sweater, fleece jacket and thick winter coat.
You will need 2 or 3 layers for your legs depending on the temperature or if you can get wet. On my legs I wore fleece lined water resistant leggings and also had a pair of rainpants to wear over my regular pants. Personally, I did need thermal underwear or baselayer pants but I think they are a good item to pack for most visitors in October.
On my feet, I wore waterproof hiking boots and wool socks.
I also had a winter hat, gloves and scarf to keep warm.
I also packed a few other items of clothing and shoes (for dinner, swimming in the Blue Lagoon and lounging at the hotel or vacation rental) but most of the time I wore a variation of the outfit I described above.
What to Wear to Iceland in October: Essentials
Here is my list of suggested items of clothing to pack for Iceland in October.
• Baselayers Tops – I suggest packing at least 2-3 baselayer tops. I packed both a lightweight baselayer and a midweight baselayer top that I wore under my sweaters.
• Sweaters/Turtlenecks – Bring 2-3 sweaters or turtlenecks that you can wear on top of your baselayer shirt. I wore and recommend this turtleneck and it was both warm and lightweight.
• Fleece jacket or Hoodie – Pack at least 1 fleece zip up to wear over your sweater and baselayer to keep warm (this is was my 3rd layer). I usually kept my thicker coat off when in the car and would just run out in my fleece for quick photos.
• Rainproof Jacket/ Warm Coat – Make sure to pack a rainproof wind resistant jacket or coat. I prefer a jacket with a hood for maximum warmth. If you are visiting early October or have a high tolerance for cold you can pack a lightweight rain jacket or midweight rain jacket. If you are traveling late October or get cold easily, choose a thicker winter coat like this one. I would not bother with a travel umbrella as they are too hard to hold because of the wind.
• Pants – Bring at least 1 or 2 pairs of pants including hiking pants or warm leggings (for women). I wore this pair of water resistant fleece lined leggings whih come in different colors.
• Waterproof Pants – If your hiking pants are not waterproof, pack a pair of waterproof rain pants to wear over your pants. You can pull these out of your daypack if it starts raining or when visiting waterfalls where you can get wet like Seljalandsfoss.
• Baselayer Pant – Personally I did not need baselayer pants/thermal underwear pants because my leggings where thick and warm. My husband did wear a pair under his hiking pants. I would recommend most visitors pack a baselayer for legs especially if visiting Iceland late October or plan to spend time outside late at night waiting for the Northern Lights.
• Hiking Boots – Make sure to pack a pair of waterproof hiking boots. I wore this pair of hiking boots and found them comfortable and warm.
• Wool Socks – Bring a few pairs of warm hiking socks.
• Scarf – A warm scarf is a must in Iceland.
• Gloves – A pair of gloves is a must especially if visiting Iceland in October. I recommend bringing a pair of waterproof touch screen gloves like this pair so you do not have to take them off when using your smartphone for photos.
• Warm Hat – A warm hat is a must if visiting Iceland in the fall.
Other Things to Pack for Iceland in October
Below are other essential clothing items that need to be on your Iceland packing list.
• Swimsuits – Don’t forget to pack at least 1-2 bathing suits if you plan to visit a swimming pool or a geothermal spa like the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
• Flip-flops – You want to bring a pair of flip flops if plan to visit the Blue Lagoon or to use in hotel showers. I like my Havaianas flip flops because they have great traction and don’t slip when walking on wet surfaces.
• Comfortable walking shoes – If you have room, you can bring another pair of walking shoes in addition to your hiking boots that you can wear at restaurants or when walking around town. I brought a pair of black sneakers which I also wore on my flight. You can also pack a pair of black rainboots like this one.
• Shirts/tops – Pack at least 1 short sleeve shirt, like a t-shirt or a performance short sleeve tee for the hotel.
• Pants – Pack 1-2 extra pairs of pants to wear at dinner or your hotel.
• Sunglasses – Sunglasses are a must on sunny days! For optimum protection, I prefer polarized sunglasses with dark lenses like this pair for women.
• Underwear and bras – ExOfficio underwear is great for travel because it is breathable, quick-drying fabric and odor-resistant. Tip: Pack at least 1 of each in your carry on bag in case your checked luggage is lost or delayed.
• Extra socks – Bring a few pairs of extra socks to wear with your sneakers or other shoes. You might also want to pack 1-2 pairs of compression socks if you have a long flight.
For all your Iceland travel essentials, read my complete packing list for a trip to Iceland here.
Should You Visit Iceland in October?
October is a great time to visit Iceland and it is considered shoulder season.
Some reasons to visit Iceland in October include the following:
There are fewer crowds everywhere and somewhat lower prices because the busy summer season is over.
There is still plenty of daylight in October unlike the low season winter months. There are about 11-12 hours of daylight at the beginning of October and 8 hours of daylight at the end of the month. It is easier to sleep in October as you do not have to deal with the midnight sun in the summer.
There is a good possibility of seeing Northern Lights in October. There is too much daylight to see the Northern Lights in Iceland in the summer. The winter is a great time to see the Northern Lights but it will be much colder and have to worry about driving in snow conditions. However, the Northern Lights are never guaranteed so do not visit Iceland only for this reason.
Some drawbacks of visiting in October are:
It is less warm than summer and more likely to rain and be cloudy.
You cannot see puffins like you can in the summer.
Overall, I recommend visiting Iceland in October – especially early October when it is not as cold and there is more daylight than later in the month. You can still avoid crowds in October and have a good chance to see the Northern Lights.
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