Iceland in October at a glance
October is a month of short transitions. Reykjavík has 11 hours and 20 minutes of daylight on 1 October and 9 hours and 49 minutes by the 15th. Sunset moves from 18:56 to 18:07. Typical highs fall to about 8 °C (46 °F) in Reykjavík and about 7 °C (45 °F) in Akureyri, and the air is clearly colder than in September.
For travelers, October means three things. The nights are long enough for good aurora hunting. Glacier tours switch to the winter season. And the summer highlands are closed, so your plans stay on paved roads and the Ring Road. If you want winter scenery without the deepest darkness, this month is the gentle start.
October weather and daylight
Typical averages for 1991–2020, rounded. Lows are averages of the daily minimum, not record cold.
| Station | Typical daily high | Typical daily low | Typical rain in the month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík (south-west) | 8 °C (46 °F) | 3 °C (37 °F) | about 80 mm |
| Akureyri (north) | 7 °C (45 °F) | 1 °C (34 °F) | about 74 mm |
| Reykjavík, 2026 | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October | 7:36 | 18:56 | 11 h 20 min |
| 15 October | 8:17 | 18:07 | 9 h 49 min |
Rain gear matters in both places. Compared with September, the north gets much more rain, and its typical lows are close to freezing. Daylight shrinks by about an hour and a half within the month. The weather by month page shows how October fits into the year.
Our picks for October
Northern lights by bus or boat and a blue ice hike at Skaftafell.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Northern lights cruise from the old harbor
A two-hour yacht trip with Wi-Fi, blankets and seasickness tablets. Drinks and souvenirs are extra, hotel pickup comes only with the matching option, and a sighting is not guaranteed.
Check availability →
Blue ice glacier hike from Skaftafell
A certified glacier guide, crampons, ice axe, helmet, harness and the 4x4 transfer to the glacier, with the national park fee included. Hiking boots, food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Northern lights bus tour with hot cocoa
A guide, transport, hot cocoa and photo stops, with a free repeat if no lights show. It runs in the winter months and depends on the weather, so a sighting is not guaranteed.
Check availability →Tours and day trips in October
Glacier hikes, ice cave trips, northern lights tours, whale watching and day trips from Reykjavík, with live prices and availability.
Ice caves start in October
One glacier tour operator lists the start of its 2026/2027 ice cave season for 1 October 2026. The trip takes 5 to 6 hours from the main parking lot at Jökulsárlón, with a glacier transfer of up to 40 minutes. Guide and equipment are included. Clothing, shoes and food are not.
Be careful with expectations. A cave the same operator visited last winter has melted, so photos and cave names do not predict the cave you will see. There is no single national ice cave season that runs from November to March, and no cave, color or day is guaranteed. Book flexibly and keep a spare day.
For a first glacier walk without a cave, the Sólheimajökull hike runs all year. The listed price starts at 128 EUR, the minimum age is 10 and it takes about 3.5 hours, with 1 to 1.5 hours on the ice. Guide and safety gear are included.
What works in October, and what does not
Boats and caves yes, highlands no.
Northern lights
Nights are long and the sun sets between 18:56 and 18:07, so the dark hours start early. You need a dark, at least partly clear sky. No tour or forecast can promise a sighting, and the Kp number alone does not tell you how bright it will be. Watch the cloud map and the activity scale from 0 to 9 on the Icelandic Met Office forecast.
Boats at Jökulsárlón
The amphibian boat season runs from May to November and the Zodiac season from May to October, so October is the last month for the Zodiac. The 2026 Zodiac price is 16,600 ISK for ages 13 and up and 8,300 ISK for ages 10 to 12. From October to 15 November the boat tours run 10:00 to 17:00, and cancellation up to 24 hours before is refunded in full. Read the Jökulsárlón guide for the lagoon and Diamond Beach.
Highlands are closed
SafeTravel says the highland roads are usually closed from mid-September until June or July, and winter weather can arrive early. Plan Landmannalaugar for another year. Stay on the Ring Road, the Golden Circle and the South Coast.
Reynisfjara
High waves and bad weather can limit access to the viewpoint only. Obey closures and warnings. Read the South Coast guide before you plan the beach.
Costs, crowds and volcano news
About 201,000 foreign departures were counted at Keflavík in October 2025, down from about 224,000 in September and 142,000 in November. These are rounded counts of people leaving, not guests at one sight, and they do not prove low prices.
| 2025 | Foreign departures at Keflavík, rounded |
|---|---|
| September | 224,000 |
| October | 201,000 |
| November | 142,000 |
If you rent a car, the distance fee is 6.95 ISK per km for cars up to 3.5 tonnes since 1 January 2026, and the rental company may pass on extra charges. The Ring Road section at Hornafjörður charges 1,500 ISK per passage. The studded tire season starts on 1 November, so ask your rental company about tires and winter equipment.
On a wet city day, the Hallgrímskirkja tower costs 1,500 ISK for adults and 200 ISK for ages 7 to 16. Tickets are sold in the church shop, and you cannot reserve in advance. The Blue Lagoon is open 8:00 to 22:00 from 21 August to 31 December, with pre-booking required.
On the Reykjanes peninsula, the Icelandic Met Office report of 30 September 2026 describes slow uplift at Svartsengi and says a further magma intrusion is possible, with no way to predict timing. Check the current status before you visit the area.
Next to read
The months on either side, the season and the topics that matter most in October.
Iceland in September
Long days, returning aurora and the end of the highland season.
Iceland in November
Short days, a festival in Reykjavík and the first real winter driving.
Iceland in winter
Darkness, ice and what a winter trip needs.
Northern lights
When the dark returns and what a good night needs.
Tours by season
Which tours run in which months.
Iceland in October: common questions
Is October a good month for the northern lights?
It is a good month to try, because the dark hours start early in the evening. You still need a clear sky, and nothing is guaranteed.
Do ice cave tours run in October?
One operator lists its 2026/2027 season from 1 October 2026, and caves change from year to year. A cave visited last winter may be gone. Do not count on a particular cave, color or day, and keep a spare day.
Can I drive into the highlands in October?
No, plan on staying off the highland roads. SafeTravel says they are usually closed from mid-September until June or July. Special guided trips are no proof that a normal rental car may go there.
How much daylight does Iceland have in October?
In Reykjavík about 11 hours and 20 minutes on 1 October and 9 hours and 49 minutes on 15 October, from sunrise to sunset.
Is October cheaper than summer?
There are fewer visitors than in the summer months, but a lower headcount does not prove lower prices. Compare your own flight, room and rental car quotes, and see the cheapest time page for the fees that apply all year.