Road Trip in Iceland: Apps You Actually Need for Your Iceland Adventure
Planning a trip to Iceland? Cool.
Now delete half the apps on your phone and make room for the ones that might actually save your trip – and possibly your life (and no, we're not exaggerating!).
You see, Iceland is wild, beautiful and full of surprises.
We’re talking weather mood swings, sneaky road closures, and Northern Lights that love to play hard to get.
That’s where your phone becomes your best travel buddy – if you’ve got the right apps.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best travel apps for Iceland, the ones we actually use when we’re not busy chasing volcanoes or fighting with the wind.
No fluff, no ads, just solid tools to help you stay safe, find epic spots, avoid trouble, and maybe catch that green sky dance.
Iceland weather apps: trust issues, but worth it
If there’s one thing you should never trust in Iceland, it’s the sky.
Sunshine? Cute. It’ll probably snow in 15 minutes. That’s why you need a proper Iceland weather app – not the basic one that came with your phone.
Veður (by the Icelandic Met Office)
This is the official Iceland weather app. Straight from the meteorology gods.
It gives you local forecasts, wind speed, road conditions, storm warnings – all the fun stuff. Plus, it’s not sugarcoated. If there’s a storm coming, it’ll tell you straight.
- Super local
- Updated constantly
- Also works in the middle of nowhere (if you have signal!)
Windy / Ventusky / Vedur Radar
If you’re the kind of person who wants to see exactly where that wall of wind is coming from, welcome to weather nerd paradise.
These apps show live maps of wind, rain, snow, and other drama in real time.
Great for planning your route – or deciding to stay put and drink hot chocolate in the van.
Safety apps: Iceland doesn’t mess around
Here’s the thing: Iceland looks peaceful, but it’s got a spicy side.
One minute you’re hiking under a rainbow, the next you’re face to face with a road closure, a volcano alert, or winds that could yeet your van into next week.
That’s why you need a couple of safety apps that keep you in the loop, so you can explore with your brain switched on.
Safetravel.is
Run by Iceland’s search and rescue teams (yep, those heroes), this app gives you real-time alerts about storms, closed roads, eruptions, and other lovely surprises.
You can check the map, get push notifications, and even leave your travel plan before a big hike – just in case.
- Road alerts and warnings
- Travel plan feature
- Actually useful notifications
112 Iceland
This one’s for emergencies. You can use it to send your exact location to Icelandic rescue services if something goes south – even if you’re out of mobile coverage.
It also lets you check in before heading off the grid, so if you don’t come back… well, they know where to look.
- Works offline
- Sends your GPS location
- Icelandic rescue teams love it (and so should you)
Aurora forecast apps: for sky chasers and dreamers
Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Congrats, you're officially in the green glow cult. But spoiler: It's not just about luck – it’s about timing, patience and, yes, the right app!
My Aurora Forecast / Aurora Forecast
These apps do the heavy lifting for you. They track KP index, cloud cover, and your exact location to tell you if tonight’s the night.
You’ll get alerts when conditions are looking good – and you can obsessively check the map to see where the aurora is dancing.
- Real-time aurora forecasts
- Cloud cover maps (crucial!)
- Push notifications so you don’t miss the show
But a friendly reminder: the apps show potential, not guarantees.
The sky might be clear, the KP high, and still… nothing. Welcome to the magic (and frustration) of aurora hunting.
Driving and parking apps: because Iceland is not a board game
Driving in Iceland is an adventure on its own.
One road takes you through a lava field, the next one just… disappears under a snowstorm.
Add in random sheep, gravel traps, and parking rules that love surprises, and you’ll be glad you downloaded these!
Google Maps (offline, always offline)
Yeah, we know – you already have it.
But in Iceland, you need to download the map before you leave Wi-Fi behind! Trust us, signal gets sketchy fast.
Offline mode still shows you where you are, what’s nearby, and how to get there, even in the middle of nowhere.
- Works without signal
- Shows gas stations, hot pots, and random attractions
- Saves you from “where the heck are we?” moments
Parka.is
Reykjavík may be cute and small, but parking rules still exist.
Some paid parking zones require this app – and honestly, it’s better than guessing.
You can use it in other popular spots too (like national parks), so it’s handy even outside the city.
- Pay for parking without coins or drama
- Works in multiple locations
- Saves you from unexpected parking tickets
Public transport in Iceland: for city days and bus believers
Sure, Iceland is all about road trips.
But maybe you’re spending a few days in Reykjavík, or maybe your van needs a break.
Either way, it’s good to know how the buses work – and these apps make it way less confusing.
Straeto / Klappið
Straeto is the national bus service, and Klappið is the app you’ll use to check timetables, plan your route, and buy tickets.
It covers city buses in Reykjavík and longer routes that connect towns and remote areas – not always frequent, but solid when you need them.
- Live bus schedules
- Mobile ticketing (no cash, no problem)
- Good backup if you’re van-less or tired of driving
Pro tip: Rural buses don’t run every day, so always check the schedule in advance unless you want a surprise stay in a random fjord town (which may very well become the highlight of your trip... just saying!)
Bonus apps: not essential, but seriously helpful
These aren’t life-or-death level apps – but they’ll make your trip smoother, smarter, and a little less “wait, how much is that in euros?”
Google Translate
We know: Icelandic looks like someone leaned on a keyboard, but some road signs and info boards are only in the local lingo.
With Google Translate, you can point your camera at a sign and get an instant translation. Handy when you spot a word like “Ófært” (which means “impassable” – aka, turn around).
- Camera mode for live translation
- Works offline if you download Icelandic
- Saves you from pretending you understand
Currency & unit converters
Because “ISK 1,500” means nothing until you convert it and realize you just paid 10 euros for a hot dog.
Apps like XE, Currency, or even Google help you figure out prices, fuel costs, and just how much you’re spending on Skyr.
- Converts ISK to your currency
- Some work offline
- Good for avoiding surprise overdrafts
Spotify / Podcasts / Audiobooks
Long drives need good soundtracks – and when the landscape turns alien, the right playlist hits hard.
Download your music and shows before hitting the road, because streaming with no signal = awkward silence.
Ready to roll? Download the apps, start the engine
Iceland isn’t the kind of place where you just wing it. The weather plays games, the roads don’t care about your plans, and the aurora is a total diva.
But with the right travel apps in your pocket, you’ve got a serious advantage – and fewer reasons to panic.
And hey, speaking of solid travel choices: We’re KuKu Campers, and we’ve been doing the Iceland road trip thing since before vanlife was cool.
Our campers come with unlimited mileage, free extra drivers, amazing support, and vibes included. Basically, the perfect partner for your weird, wild Icelandic adventure.
So go on – download those apps, pack some snacks, and hit the road with us.
Iceland’s waiting. Just don’t forget that windproof jacket.