Iceland in October

In October 49% of nights reached Kp 3 (1996–2026), Reykjavík averages 5.0°C and gets 9h55 of daylight on the 15th: the easy month, with strong aurora odds and milder weather than midwinter.

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What's special about October

It's the month where an aurora trip and a road trip still fit together.

• By day: close to 10 hours of daylight for waterfalls, the Golden Circle and the south coast.
• By night: about 9 hours of full darkness, from around 20:48 to 05:41 in mid-October. That's early enough to see the aurora before midnight and still sleep.

October in numbers

In short On 15 October Reykjavík gets 8h52 of full darkness and 9h55 of daylight, averages 5.0°C, and 49% of October nights reached Kp 3.

Aurora odds in October

In short Good: 49% of October nights reached Kp 3 over 1996–2026, against 38% in December, though Reykjavík's sky averages 71% covered by cloud.

Geomagnetic activity is high around the equinoxes, and October is still in that window. Over 1996–2026, 49% of October nights reached Kp 3, against 38% in December (our calculation from GFZ data; how we work it out). Cloud is the same story as every month: Reykjavík's sky averages 71% covered.

Counting cloud, measured from Reykjavík and Keflavík airport weather reports 2012–2026: three nights in Reykjavík gave a 56% chance of a proper display (Kp 2 or more plus a clear hour) and 33% for a strong show (Kp 3 or more plus a clear hour); at Keflavík, the conservative figure, 46% and 24%. An 80% chance of a proper display took 7 nights in Reykjavík, 10 at Keflavík. The reports miss thin high cloud, so these are slightly optimistic, and they are for staying put: driving to clear sky should do better, by an amount we haven't measured.

Plan around the moon.

• New moon, 10 October 2026: the darkest skies are in the first half of the month.
• Full moon, 26 October: it will wash out faint displays for a few nights either side.
• Tours run all month: buses from late August and boats from 1 September, with Elding sailing at 21:00.

What to do in October

In short Take a northern lights tour on night one, drive the Golden Circle in daylight, whale watch in Húsavík until 30 November, and check whether ice caves have opened.

A northern lights tour on night one

Bus from ISK 8,999 (Gray Line) · 3h30

Autumn activity is high and nights start early. A guided tour on your first night gives you retry nights later in the trip.

Check dates on GetYourGuide

The Golden Circle in daylight

7–8 h day · Coach from ISK 9,999

With nearly 10 hours of light you can add Kerið crater or the Secret Lagoon, which switches to winter hours (10:00–19:00) from 1 October.

Whale watching in the north, while it lasts

Húsavík: ISK 12,490–12,990 · Until 30 Nov

Gentle Giants and North Sailing in Húsavík run until 30 November, then stop for the winter. From Reykjavík, Elding sails daily all year.

The first ice caves

From ISK 19,990 · Operators list Oct starts

Some natural ice cave tours at Vatnajökull list an October start, but caves are re-scouted each autumn and open only once it's cold enough. Check before you plan around one.

What's open, what's closed

Almost everything on the main tourist routes is open. The exceptions and hours:

• Highland F-roads: usually closed from mid-September until June or July, so the interior is off the table.
• Sky Lagoon: moves to winter hours, 10:00–21:00, from 21 October.
• Blue Lagoon: open 08:00–22:00 until the end of January.
• Hallgrímskirkja's tower: winter hours, 10:00–17:00.

What to pack

In short Above all a waterproof, windproof shell, plus a warm mid-layer, hat and gloves, grippy waterproof boots, a swimsuit and a red-light headtorch.

October in Reykjavík averages 86.5 mm of rain, and wind is what makes it feel cold.

• A waterproof, windproof shell: the most important thing
• A warm mid-layer under it
• A hat and gloves for standing still at night
• Waterproof walking boots with grip
• A swimsuit for the pools
• A headtorch with a red light, so you don't ruin your night vision

Iceland in October: common questions

Other months, and planning the trip

• Iceland in November
• Iceland in February
• Iceland in March
• Best time to see the northern lights in Iceland
• Iceland northern lights tours, compared
• An Iceland winter itinerary for the northern lights