8 Reasons Iceland Is the Perfect Destination for Solo Travelers

How exciting that you’ve chosen to visit Iceland alone! While it may seem like a daunting adventure, let us assure you, a solo trip to Iceland can be one of the best journeys you’ve ever taken.

If you have doubts, we’re here today to dispel them and give you all the reasons you can do it on your own. You need to plan, but let’s get you started in the right direction.

Here are some of the top reasons a solo visit to Iceland can be memorable.

1. You Can Travel There on Points and Miles

Since you’re only looking for affordable flights for 1 person, finding a flight should be easy.

One of the best options for using miles for flights to Iceland is to book Icelandair flights through Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards or JetBlue TrueBlue (as shown above). However, there are several alternatives.

Last summer, I used 37,400 Delta SkyMiles to book a round-trip flight from Detroit (DTW) to Keflavik, Iceland (KEF), Iceland’s international airport. The flight was just 5 hours and 20 minutes, so I was fine with Comfort Plus seating. It’s possible to book the flight for less, but I wanted a specific weekend.

Business and first class seats to KEF are limited, and with such a short flight from the eastern U.S., the extra cost is seldom justified, especially on a narrow-body plane. Flying from the western coast of North America may be an exception and worth it.

If you don’t have a stash of miles or points, there are inexpensive nonstop flights on Icelandair from several major U.S. cities, including Boston (BOS), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (EWR, JFK, LGA), Portland (PDX), Seattle (SEA), and more.

We’ve found that earning flexible reward points can help you see the world affordably. We like the Platinum Card^® from American Express because it earns flexible rewards that you can transfer to airline and hotel partners, where you receive the best potential value.

The card also includes worldwide lounge access and money-saving credits that can deliver value to travelers.

BEST LOUNGE CARD

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted. 

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

 

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

 

2. You Can Book Lodging With Hotel Loyalty Points

While you won’t find a large footprint of major hotel chain properties across Iceland, there are several properties where you can book with hotel loyalty points.

Here are some of the hotels in Iceland our writers and staff have booked using hotel loyalty points. Note that some hotels have changed hotel brands, but all are still bookable with the new associated program’s points.

• 101 Hotel, Reykjavik, a Member of Design Hotels (Marriott)
• Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre
• Hilton Nordica Reykjavik
• Hotel Rangá (Small Luxury Hotels of the World is now in the Hilton portfolio)
• Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Kvosin Hotel (Mr & Mrs Smith, now bookable with World of Hyatt)
• The Reykjavik EDITION (Marriott)
• Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Sand Hotel (Mr & Mrs Smith, now bookable with World of Hyatt)

Hot Tip:

The Reykjavik EDITION can be booked through The Edit by Chase Travel and through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. The Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, can be booked through The Hotel Collection, also available through American Express. These programs offer hotel statement credits and benefits for certain cardholders and are included on cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and Amex Platinum card.

Another option for finding affordable lodging for 1 person is to use Google. You can filter your results to your desired budget. The shoulder seasons of May and September offer great value.

A quick search for lodging in late May for under $150 per night yielded several hotels, hostels, and guesthouses suitable for solo travelers.

Since there are 6 Hilton hotels available, having a Hilton-branded card can give you an advantage when booking lodging in Iceland. We like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card for its generous welcome offer, the ability to earn free nights faster, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status. Plus, if you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, you receive an award night certificate. Since these certificates are not capped, they could be used for a typical 80,000-point hotel room in Iceland.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome Offer

Earn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.

130,000 points + 1 Free Night Reward

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $650

Annual Fee

$150

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
• 6x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
• 4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases

Cons

• $150 (rates & fees)

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Card Highlights

• Earn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Terms and Limitations apply.
• Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist^® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
• Pay It Plan It^®: Pay It^® lets you tap in the American Express^® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It^® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
• Points don’t expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card is active and in good standing.
• $150 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Hilton Honors

3. Navigation Is a Breeze

It’s easy to catch the Flybus or public transportation buses from the airport to reach the Reykjavik city center. Buses wait outside KEF airport and leave frequently. Once you’re in Reykjavik, you’ll find the city is compact and walkable.

The city is laid out well and is easy to explore. When it’s time to visit the countryside, the public bus can take you there, but there are better options.

4. You Can Meet Other Travelers and See the Countryside

Renting a car is a common way to see the Icelandic countryside, but for a solo traveler who pays the full cost, it can set you back hundreds of dollars. An alternative for solo travelers is to join a small group tour.

As a solo traveler, you can book the classic Golden Circle tour for around $85. You visit sites including the national park, Kerid Crater, waterfalls, geysers, and more. Visiting the south shore, with its glacier, waterfalls, black-sand beach, and the seaside town of Vik, is a longer journey and can cost around $100.

Tours include pickup at designated tour bus stops strategically located throughout the city or directly at your hotel. Either way, catching a small group tour from Reykjavik is easy.

Small-group tours allow you to see many key sites in a short time, learn more about the area, meet other travelers, and have someone else do the driving.

Hot Tip:

You can earn triple rewards by booking your tours through Viator. Earn points for spending on your travel rewards card, cash-back, or Membership Rewards points through Rakuten, and Viator rewards after your purchase.

You can also book activities using transferable rewards points, including Ultimate Rewards points, Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Points, and Capital One miles.

One of our favorite cards for earning flexible rewards points is the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card. We like that the card earns 2x points on travel, has flexible redemption options, and provides valuable travel insurance.

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

6. Dining Is Casual

You can feel very comfortable dining alone in Iceland. And if you show up in a restaurant in your hiking clothes, you’ll fit in just fine. The exception may be when dining at high-end restaurants, but overall, eating out in Iceland is a laid-back experience.

For this reason, don’t hesitate to eat out alone when in Iceland. You’ll find the atmosphere casual and welcoming. You may even meet a new friend.

5. English Is Widely Spoken

Although language can be a problem when traveling, you can set those worries aside when visiting Iceland. Nearly everyone in Iceland speaks fluent English because they are taught from a young age. You will have no problem communicating in the country.

7. You Can Do Iceland Affordably

Iceland is expensive. However, if you’re visiting for a short 3-to-7-day trip, you can still stick to a budget if you do your research in advance. Fortunately, when you’re traveling solo, you only need to feed 1 person.

Here are some tips for keeping costs down:

• Hit the supermarket. Bonus supermarkets and neighborhood stores are everywhere, even in the city center. You can find quality ingredients like smoked salmon, artisanal breads, and skyr (Icelandic yogurt).
• Use the Strætó public bus system. It is easy to manage and will take you anywhere you want to go. You can purchase a multiday pass on the Strætó website and download the Klappid Straeto app to use it on your phone.
• Consider the Reykjavik City Card. Good for 24, 48, or 72 hours, the card includes admission to the city’s top attractions, such as swimming pools, museums, and galleries, as well as discounts. The card includes unlimited public transportation (excluding the airport bus)!
• Take advantage of happy hours. You’ll see signs everywhere, so keep a lookout during your day travels or ask at your hotel. Discounted food and drinks can save your budget, and you’re sure to meet friendly locals.

• Purchase alcohol at the airport duty-free before you leave the airport. Alcohol is expensive in restaurants and can only be purchased directly at regulated locations, where hours are very limited.
• Skip the Blue Lagoon if it’s not on your bucket list. Basic admission has reached $100 per person. There are 18 geothermal pools and spas in and around Reykjavik, with entrance fees starting at less than $10.
• Visit the weekend flea markets for souvenirs rather than at the main street shops. Plus, the markets are a lot of fun and offer affordable food.
• Try the e-scooters. Bookable through the Hopp or Bolt app, e-scooters are popular in Reykjavik and a great way to get around. It costs around 11 cents a minute to rent an e-scooter.

8. Iceland Is Extremely Safe

When traveling solo, you’re obviously on your own when something goes wrong. While there’s no guarantee of uneventful travel in Iceland, you can count on it being one of the safest countries in the world to visit.

According to the Institute for Economics & Peace, Iceland is consistently ranked No. 1 on the Global Peace Index. It has extremely low crime rates and no animal predators that harm humans, and it is well prepared for natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions.

Final Thoughts

Having traveled to Iceland solo more than a dozen times, I can tell you with great confidence that it is the perfect destination for the single traveler.

The ease of navigation, communication, safety, and planning activities all contribute to the reasons to try Iceland solo. Securing flights and lodging with points and miles can seal the deal.

If you’ve considered traveling to Iceland on your own, by all means, go. Anytime is the perfect time to start planning your trip.