Visiting Iceland in September is an experience that combines the tail end of summer’s allure with the onset of autumn’s charm. Here’s what you can expect:

Length of Day: In September, the days start to get noticeably shorter. You can expect around 11 to 14 hours of daylight.

September 1st – The sun rises at 6:09 AM and sets at 8:44 PM, which is 14 hours and 35 minutes of day light

On September 15th – The sun rises at 6:49 AM and sets at 7:54 PM, for a total of 13 hours and 5 minutes of day light.

September 30th – The sun rises at 7:32 AM and sets at 7:01 PM, which means we have a total of 11 hours and 28 minutes of daylight.

Northern Lights: The diminishing daylight hours increase the chances of witnessing the Northern Lights, especially towards the end of the month.

My Ultimate Packing Checklist  will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the summer list. Just know that it can be a little chilly during the evening in July, especially in the north, so you will need some thicker layers.

If you are looking to avoid the crowds of summer, September is a lovely time to visit. There are still long daylight hours and, as I mentioned above, most, if not all, highland roads are open. Plus, you can potentially see the northern lights!

Even though this is a shoulder season month, I still highly recommend booking accommodations far in advance. More people have been finding out that September is a great time to visit, so there is spillover of people from the peak summer months. This means accommodations you want might be a little hard to snag.

If you plan to explore Iceland on your own when you visit, I highly recommend using Go Car Rental Iceland. They are a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car.

I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them. I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand.

If you plan to use a campervan, use my code Iceland7 to save 7% and get two free duvets with your GO Campers van rental. Also, I have a great episode coming up soon about how to choose the right camper van for your travels in Iceland, so keep an eye out for that.

Before hopping into the random fact of the episode, I want to share some Iceland trip planning resources. I’ve received many amazing emails from listeners of the podcast and followers on social media asking me for my advice on what to do in Iceland.

Due to the high demand for this information, I created some resources. All of the ones I will talk about are available through the tab at the top of this page called “Trip Planning Help”. Click on that and you will find links to everything I am about to share.

One of the resources is that if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via this link. After you fill out a survey and pick a time that is available for both of us, we do a one-hour video chat via Google Meet.

During this time, we chat about your interest, parts of the country you want to visit, how to get the most out of your time, helpful information to know about Iceland before coming, and any questions that you have. I always feel delighted when I hear at the end of the call that people feel even more excited about their upcoming trip because of the consultation.

Another great resource is to grab full access to my Iceland map. This map was created for those who want to pick out places and hidden gems around Iceland to make up their own itinerary or add to one that they already created.

With full access, you get over 250 places that I recommend in Iceland, along with four itineraries to use for planning your trip. Those itineraries include a 10-day Ring Road trip, a 3-day South Iceland trip, The Famous Golden Circle and a Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip.

A one-time purchase gives you lifetime access, which includes any updates I make to the map.

Here is a link to my Iceland map: rexby.com/jewells/Iceland.

A few years ago, I headed to Landmannalaugar in mid-September. I had a blast going toward the end of the season because, so few people were there. The one thing that reminded me that weather in the highlands is volatile is that the skies were clear, blue and lovely while we were in the natural hot spring there. In less than 10 minutes, the sky turned gray, cloudy and ominous.

The wind picked up and snow started to fall from the sky. There was no indication in the forecast I had checked that this would happen. It only lasted about 5 minutes or so but it stuck with me. We were in a safe location but there have been others who have underestimated Icelandic weather, which then put them in potentially dangerous, if not fatal positions. I don’t say this to scare anyone but rather to share an experience that is possible anywhere in the country, but especially in the highlands.

September – Yes, spelled the same as September in English but it is said differently in Icelandic.

Visiting Iceland in September offers a unique blend of late summer and early autumn experiences. With its dramatic landscapes transforming colors, fewer crowds, and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights, it’s a perfect time for those seeking a mix of adventure and tranquility. Always be prepared for variable weather conditions and enjoy the diverse range of activities that Iceland has to offer during this beautiful month.

Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega

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