Best January Tours in Iceland
Discover the biggest selection of January tours and packages in Iceland. Find the best activities and experiences during the month of January.
Find a unique experience
Select starting location
Select dates
Starting dateFinal date
Add travelers
1 traveler
January Tours
Refine the results by using the filters
Popular
We offer so much more
Explore an unequalled wealth of tours and packages
Verified customer reviews
Read first-hand reviews by customers from across the world
Visiting Iceland in January
Iceland in January boasts enchanting landscapes. Long nights illuminated by the mesmerizing northern lights and pristine snow-covered landscapes under the vast Arctic sky paint a picture of ethereal beauty.
This month truly showcases why Iceland is often called the "land of ice and fire". You can soak in warm geothermal waters surrounded by a winter wonderland.
January provides a tranquil and less crowded experience for visitors. Daylight is limited to just 4-5 hours, typically from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but these shorter days are compensated by extended nights, increasing the chance of spotting the northern lights.
Major attractions like the Golden Circle driving route, Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, and the South Coast remain sought-after destinations, while specialized winter tours, such as ice-caving in Vatnajokull National Park, become a highlight for many.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best January day tour in Iceland?
One of the best day tours in January in Iceland is a small-group exploration of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a stunning land nicknamed Iceland in Miniature due to its diverse landscapes and wildlife. This excursion has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 460 travelers, lasts for 11 action-packed hours, and costs around 143 USD.
Another top January day tour in Iceland is a three-hour glacier hiking adventure up one of the spectacular glacier tongues that lead into the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, led by an expertly trained guide. The small group trip costs about 110 USD per traveler and has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 480 reviews.
An easy and spectacular ice-caving adventure under the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull, is another top-rated January day tour in Iceland, made even more special by the rareness of these features, and it only takes about three hours. The excursion costs around 159 USD and has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 1,300 travelers.
Another top January day tour in Iceland is a three-hour glacier hiking adventure up one of the spectacular glacier tongues that lead into the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, led by an expertly trained guide. The small group trip costs about 110 USD per traveler and has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 480 reviews.
An easy and spectacular ice-caving adventure under the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull, is another top-rated January day tour in Iceland, made even more special by the rareness of these features, and it only takes about three hours. The excursion costs around 159 USD and has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 1,300 travelers.
What is the cheapest January day tour in Iceland?
One of the cheapest January day tours in Iceland will have you explore the longest lava cave in Iceland for 90 minutes, where you can marvel over striking ice formations and lava sculptures from safe walkways and platforms. The affordable experience starts from around 61 USD and has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 100 reviews.
Another cheap day tour in January in Iceland is a glacier hike on the South Coast, which will see you ascend the slopes of the Solheimajokull glacier with an entertaining expert guide and includes all safety equipment. This tour has an excellent rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 180 happy travelers. The small-group excursion costs about 113 USD and lasts up to three hours.
This eight-hour exploration of the three major sites of the famous Golden Circle is another example of an affordable January tour in Iceland. The trip includes a visit to a dairy farm for locally sourced ice cream. This immersive trip only costs approximately 98 USD and has a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating from over 420 reviews.
Another cheap day tour in January in Iceland is a glacier hike on the South Coast, which will see you ascend the slopes of the Solheimajokull glacier with an entertaining expert guide and includes all safety equipment. This tour has an excellent rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 180 happy travelers. The small-group excursion costs about 113 USD and lasts up to three hours.
This eight-hour exploration of the three major sites of the famous Golden Circle is another example of an affordable January tour in Iceland. The trip includes a visit to a dairy farm for locally sourced ice cream. This immersive trip only costs approximately 98 USD and has a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating from over 420 reviews.
What is the best January vacation package in Iceland?
One of the best January vacation packages in Iceland is a highly-rated three-day small-group adventure that escorts you around the best attractions of the South Coast and Golden Circle in winter and includes glacier hiking and ice caving. The adventure costs around 869 USD and has a great rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 900 reviews.
The second example of a top-rated package tour in January in Iceland is a two-day ice caving tour that provides travelers with limited time a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the tunnels beneath Europe’s largest glacier and sites such as the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. This tour has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 380 travelers. You can book this package for approximately 582 USD.
Another best January vacation package in Iceland covers five days and takes you around the best South Coast and Golden Circle attractions, with a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon, the other-worldly Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, and the highly active Geysir geothermal area. The small-group experience costs around 1,058 USD and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 480 reviews.
The second example of a top-rated package tour in January in Iceland is a two-day ice caving tour that provides travelers with limited time a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the tunnels beneath Europe’s largest glacier and sites such as the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. This tour has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 380 travelers. You can book this package for approximately 582 USD.
Another best January vacation package in Iceland covers five days and takes you around the best South Coast and Golden Circle attractions, with a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon, the other-worldly Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, and the highly active Geysir geothermal area. The small-group experience costs around 1,058 USD and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 480 reviews.
What is the cheapest January tour package in Iceland?
One of the cheapest January tour packages in Iceland lets you experience the breathtaking Golden Circle route, South Coast, and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, providing plenty of opportunities to see the northern lights. The adventure costs around 673 USD, covers five days, and is highly rated among travelers, rated 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 120 reviews.
Another cheap January tour package in Iceland is a six-day winter self-drive covering the attractions of the five-day vacation at a slower pace, providing extra time on the breathtaking South Coast. The journey starts at around 737 USD, and travelers can rest assured knowing that all their trip details are covered. This excursion has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 120 travelers.
Another cheapest January tour package in Iceland is a two-day trip along the south, with glacier hiking, ice-caving adventures, and northern lights hunting included in the price. The cost is around 590 USD, and the tour has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 40 reviews.
Another cheap January tour package in Iceland is a six-day winter self-drive covering the attractions of the five-day vacation at a slower pace, providing extra time on the breathtaking South Coast. The journey starts at around 737 USD, and travelers can rest assured knowing that all their trip details are covered. This excursion has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 120 travelers.
Another cheapest January tour package in Iceland is a two-day trip along the south, with glacier hiking, ice-caving adventures, and northern lights hunting included in the price. The cost is around 590 USD, and the tour has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 40 reviews.
Is January a good time to travel to Iceland?
Yes, January is an excellent time to travel to Iceland. Long periods of darkness each night make January is a beautiful month for hunting the northern lights, and it is one of the few periods that the crystal blue ice caves under Vatnajokull are open.
Skiing is popular during January, as is dog sledding, which can be enjoyed on tours such as this two-hour trip in the landscape of Lake Myvatn and on packages such as this 11-day circumnavigation of Iceland’s Ring Road. Due to the festive season being over, January is one of Iceland’s quieter months, allowing you to enjoy your holiday without the crowds.
Skiing is popular during January, as is dog sledding, which can be enjoyed on tours such as this two-hour trip in the landscape of Lake Myvatn and on packages such as this 11-day circumnavigation of Iceland’s Ring Road. Due to the festive season being over, January is one of Iceland’s quieter months, allowing you to enjoy your holiday without the crowds.
Can you see the northern lights in January in Iceland?
Yes, January is a perfect time of year to view the northern lights in Iceland due to the long nights. The most reliable way to ensure a good aurora viewing in January is to book a tour away from the city lights of Reykjavik.
This four-hour super jeep tour that takes you out into the rugged wilderness and includes professional photos is a prime example. Vacation packages and self-drive tours will take you out into the countryside for several consecutive nights, maximizing your opportunities.
This 10-day January package around the whole country will provide you with nine chances to marvel over the aurora borealis in locations such as the rugged Eastfjords, the other-worldly Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, the unique Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the beautiful Lake Myvatn.
This four-hour super jeep tour that takes you out into the rugged wilderness and includes professional photos is a prime example. Vacation packages and self-drive tours will take you out into the countryside for several consecutive nights, maximizing your opportunities.
This 10-day January package around the whole country will provide you with nine chances to marvel over the aurora borealis in locations such as the rugged Eastfjords, the other-worldly Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, the unique Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the beautiful Lake Myvatn.
What is there to do in Iceland in January?
Despite the colder weather and short days, there is a lot to do in January. Tours such as Northern Lights hunting, ice caving, glacier hiking, snorkeling, whale watching, and horseback riding are all available. The Ring Road and Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s roads are also accessible throughout the month, allowing you to enjoy spectacular self-drive or vacation packages around the whole country.
Can I go whale watching in January in Iceland?
Yes, you can go whale watching in January in Iceland. From Reykjavik, you can set out on a three-hour boat trip from the easily accessible harbor to witness Minke Whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises in their natural habitat. From Akureyri, this three-hour tour with local transfer allows you to marvel over these creatures in the Eyjafjordur, a bay famous for its incredible passing visitors that include orcas and belugas.
What is the weather like in Iceland in January?
January is one of Iceland's coldest months. Expect average temperatures from 30 F to 14 F (-1 C to -10 C). Snowfall is frequent, and gusty winds are not uncommon, making it essential to bundle up.
What should I pack for a January trip to Iceland?
Prioritize warm clothing when traveling to Iceland in January. Bring layers, waterproof jackets, thermal underwear, and warm accessories like a hat, scarf, and gloves. Don't forget insulated, waterproof boots to keep your feet dry and warm.
Are Iceland's roads safe for driving in January?
Main roads are typically maintained, but they can get icy. Always consult road conditions and weather forecasts. Drive cautiously and consider daylight limitations.
Some travelers prefer to book tours and vacation packages with professional local drivers so they don't need to worry about driving in harsh winter conditions.
Some travelers prefer to book tours and vacation packages with professional local drivers so they don't need to worry about driving in harsh winter conditions.
Do I need a four-wheel drive vehicle to travel around Iceland in January?
Yes, renting a four-wheel drive vehicle for driving in Iceland during January is recommended. The added traction is crucial, especially if you're venturing beyond the main Ring Road or exploring snowy terrains.
How many hours of daylight are there in Iceland in January?
Daylight is limited in January. You can expect about 4-5 hours, roughly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's important to plan activities within this timeframe.
Are the geothermal pools and hot springs accessible in January?
Popular geothermal spots like the Blue Lagoon spa remain open. However, some remote hot springs might be challenging to access due to deep snow or icy paths.
Is January a crowded month for tourism in Iceland?
January is quieter compared to peak months. This makes it a serene time to visit, especially if you appreciate fewer crowds and a peaceful atmosphere.
What traditional or cultural events happen in Iceland in January?
Icelanders celebrate "Thorrablot," a mid-winter festival. This event, which can occur in January or February, features traditional foods, dances, and songs.
Are all Iceland's popular attractions open in January?
Most major attractions are open. However, certain areas or activities might be off-limits due to adverse weather or snow. Regions such as the Icelandic Highlands and Westfjords are mostly closed for travel during January.
How do Icelanders celebrate the New Year, and are there any special events in early January?
New Year's in Iceland is festive with fireworks, bonfires, and parties. The celebrations often continue into the early days of January with various events and gatherings.
