Essential Apps Every Iceland Traveller Needs

When we first visited Iceland, we learned the hard way - we didn't know how public transportation worked, we didn't know the best local apps for weather/road conditions, we had NO idea how to determine if it was good conditions for Northern Lights, or how to pay for parking.

We learned the hard way and wish we had had a guide to prepare us for what we needed. So that's exactly what this guide is!

We hope you find this helpful 💚

Komoot: Komoot is a mobile app that helps you plan hikes around the world. The app gives you free access to trails within your home country, but you can unlock lifetime access to worldwide routes with a one-time purchase. You can view hikes completed by other users, estimate the time required based on your fitness level, view elevation details (incline and decline), and access a lot of additional features to enhance your outdoor experience.

My Aurora: My Aurora is an app that tracks Aurora activity worldwide. It shows the current KP index and the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights in your area or elsewhere. It provides a list of the best locations for viewing and a global map showing auroral strength based on data from the SWPC Ovation Auroral Forecast. The app also sends push notifications when auroral activity is high, ensuring you never miss the chance to experience the Northern Lights. We’ve used it several times to track the aurora, and it’s always been very accurate.

Safe.is: Safe.is is a web app that gives guidance for driving on Icelandic roads. The app provides real-time updates on road conditions, road closures, weather warnings, and volcanic/geological activity. It also provides emergency contacts and travel advice. We’ve found this very useful for checking road conditions, especially after extreme weather like a snowstorm.

XE: XE is a useful app for checking exchange rates and we frequently use it to check conversions from our local currency to Icelandic Krona. It stays up to date with live currency stock prices, so its data is very reliable. However, for iPhone users running iOS 18, the calculator app now includes a built-in currency converter. To use it, tap the calculator symbol in the bottom left corner and click "Convert" to calculate conversions directly in the app.

Waze: Waze is a global navigation app that provides directions to places all over Iceland. It also integrates directly with What3Words (W3W). By using real-time reports from other travellers, Waze alerts you to potential hazards, traffic conditions, and other road issues, keeping you informed and safe during your journeys. The app also displays speed limits and can notify you if you're speeding, making it a helpful tool for safe driving, around Iceland's unique roads and landscapes.

Vedur.IS: Vedur (or vedur.is) is the official web app of the Icelandic Meteorological Office. It provides real-time weather forecasts and information about current weather conditions around the island. This includes temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and detailed updates on storms, avalanches, and volcanic activity. It’s the most reliable weather forecast app in the country.

Parka: Parka is Iceland's most popular parking app. You can use it to pay for parking at all of Iceland’s chargeable parking spots, including many popular sights along the Ring Road. Simply scan QR codes in parking areas to instantly load the destination into the app and pay quickly and easily. There’s also an interactive which you can use to find available parking spots nearby. Plus, you can store your vehicle details and extend parking remotely, making it an incredibly user-friendly and efficient way to manage parking in Iceland.

BARHOPP: Alcohol is expensive in Iceland but Barhopp helps to combat this! The handy helps you find the best happy hour deals around the country. It provides detailed information about when happy hour starts and ends for different bars and restaurants on days, making it easy to plan your visits. You can browse a list of bars and sort them by variables like happy hour prices, drink availability, and other attributes. It’s a great way to go out for a drink more affordably in Iceland!

Klappid.is: Klappid is the companion app to Strætó, Iceland’s central bus system. It allows you to plan the most efficient bus routes using a customised map. By entering your current location and desired destination, the app provides clear directions, showing which buses to take, specific stops, and scheduled times. It makes navigating public transport in Iceland much easier.