Iceland in April: Guide to Road-Tripping Around in a Campervan

April is when spring officially knocks on the door here in Iceland, but this shoulder month offers many more perks than just decent weather. So, if you’ve been thinking about taking a road trip in Iceland in April, then you’ll want to read our extensive guide.

We dive into all the reasons why April is the perfect time to hit the road in a camper here in Iceland, we tell you exactly what to expect, provide some local insights on the weather and road conditions, and even give you some advise and tips on how to make this both a safe and memorable experience. So, if you’re itching to experience the charms of an Icelandic campervan road trip, read on to make your dreams come true!

The Weather in Iceland in April

Here’s what you can expect from the weather in Iceland in April:

The Temperature in Iceland in April

Things are clearly starting to heat up in Iceland in April, with temperatures ranging between 0 and 7 degrees Celsius (32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit). However, temperatures can sometimes seem slightly cooler due to a chill breeze. But this is also why cities and towns often seem to be warmer since the buildings provide shelter against the wind.

Is There Snow in Iceland in April?

This is a much more complex question than it looks. You could still encounter snow in Iceland in April, but for a couple of reasons:

• There can still be patches of snow and ice around the country that haven’t entirely melted from our winter season yet.
• You may still have some flurries of snow in our colder regions, such as the mountains in the Highlands and our northern regions, especially in early April.

How Much Rainfall to Expect in Iceland in April

You’ll be glad to know that April is not considered one of our wettest months. Although you may encounter some rainfall, you’re looking at a total of around 59 mm (2.3 inches) during the entire month.

What are the Wind Speeds Like in Iceland in April?

This is a question we often get from those who have heard about our legendary Icelandic winds. These winds are known to reach speeds of over 35 kilometers an hour and can (and have!) ripped car doors straight off their hinges! However, this is one of the perks of visiting Iceland in April since wind speeds are nowhere near that extreme, and you can expect wind speeds around 20 kilometers an hour (13 miles per hour).

Daylight Hours in Iceland in April

More daylight hours during April in Iceland mean more time to play! We’ve come a long way since having just 4 hours of daylight mid-winter. You can already expect about 13.5 hours of daylight at the beginning of April, which simply continues to increase throughout the month till it reaches more than 16 hours a day by the end of the month.

Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland in April?

Yes, you can absolutely see the Northern Lights in Iceland in April, especially during the first half of the month! April is actually the tail end of the aurora season, so while the nights are getting shorter and there’s more daylight, there’s still a good chance of catching those amazing lights dancing in the sky if conditions are right.

To increase your odds, focus on clear nights away from city lights, and keep a close eye on the aurora and cloud forecasts. Peak viewing hours are usually between 10 PM and 2 AM. Some of the best places to see them are Thingvellir National Park, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, or basically any rural area with low light pollution. If seeing the Northern Lights is high on your list, plan your trip for early April, stay flexible, and remember: a bit of patience and a dash of luck go a long way in Iceland!

Your Weather Cheat Sheet: A Quick Overview

As you may have already noticed, there are definite differences in the weather conditions of the various regions here in Iceland. That’s why we created this easy-to-reference cheat sheet if you’d like to have a quick overview of the weather and road conditions across the island during the month of April when planning your road trip:

Is April a Good Time to Visit Iceland?

As with most things in life, visiting Iceland in April has both pros and cons, and whether it’s a good choice for your planned road trip will ultimately depend on various factors such as personal preference, budget, and the Icelandic trip itinerary you’ve always dreamed about. Here are some of the most important pros and cons to consider when making your decision:

Pros

• April is one of the shoulder months before we hit our summer peak season. This means you don’t have to worry about two of our biggest peak season drawbacks: peak season crowds and peak season prices!
• Although it may not be summer yet, April still means the island is well on its way, so you can expect warmer temperatures and mild weather conditions overall.
• April has plenty of daylight hours to create a jam-packed trip itinerary.
• Plenty of daylight hours and nice weather mean you can take part in all the exciting outdoor activities the island has to offer, such as hiking and canoeing.
• Although some roads are still closed due to our annual road closures, overall road conditions are not too shabby, so you don’t need to worry about trying to drive in extremely challenging weather and road conditions.
• April is synonymous with impressive wildlife here in Iceland. The Icelandic Puffins start to arrive in late April, and our official whale season begins, with many migratory whale species calling our coastline their temporary home. Spring is also a popular time for avid birdwatchers to visit since this is when the island is absolutely teeming with a wide variety of interesting bird species.

Cons

• Since April falls outside of peak season, you’ll need to check the operating hours of our various attractions, activities, and campsites, since they may not be operating at full capacity yet.
• Unfortunately, April falls in between the times you can experience some of our most famous natural phenomena here on the island. It’s too late for our Northern Lights (only visible during our colder and darker months), and it’s also still too early to experience our Midnight Sun, which only occurs over a couple of days mid-summer.
• Since roads such as the F-roads will still be closed when visiting Iceland in April, it could throw a spanner in the works of your ideal road trip, especially if you’ve always dreamed about exploring the Highlands and the Westfjords, which will not be possible due to the road closures.

Crowds and Prices in Iceland in April

Some of the Best Things to Do in Iceland in April: The Ultimate Campervan Road Trip Inspiration

April in Iceland is filled with opportunity, and there’s so much to see and do that you may not even know where to start. Our recommended must-sees below can help you prioritize:

The Golden Circle: A Classic Campervan Road Trip Route

The Golden Circle is a loop road that begins and ends in the capital city of Reykjavik. Although a short road trip route, it’s still packed with many of our most famous sites, making it a great option for those with limited time on the island. Some of the highlights on this route include:

• Thingvellir National Park (which is also the original site of the first Icelandic parliament).
• Geysir Geothermal Area (where you can see the OG of all geysers and watch geysers shoot hundreds of liters of boiling water meters into the air).
• Gullfoss Waterfall (visiting during April means all the winter meltwater makes this waterfall roar extra loud with all the water rushing over its cliff walls).

The South Coast Way

The South Coast Way is a part of the larger Ring Road route that runs down the coastline in the south of the country. This route is renowned for its spectacular water and ice displays. Some of its must-sees are:

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall (also known as the waterfall you can walk behind).
• Skogafoss Waterfall (you can actually park your camper at Skogar campsite and wake up to this incredible sight every morning!).
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (a 3-kilometer stretch of black sand with dramatic black basalt cliffs lining the shoreline).
• The Village of Vik (close to Reynisfjara, this village plays host to Iceland’s southernmost church).
• Additional add-on: You can include a ferry ride with your camper to the Westman Islands (also known as Vestmannaeyjar), which is an exceptionally extraordinary experience once the Puffins have arrived.

Go On a Whale Watching Boat Tour

With our official whale season kicking off, you won’t be disappointed when going on one of our whale watching boat tours. Some of the go-to places for these boat tours are Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Husavik (although we’ll always be avid promoters of Husavik since it’s known as the whale capital of Iceland). Some of the whales you can look forward to spotting in Iceland in April are Orcas, Minke Whales, and Humpback Whales.

Hike a Glacier

Although it may seem very counterintuitive, our glaciers are open to the public all year round, and while things might be heating up on the island, you can still have a cool adventure traversing the frozen landscape. We have a number of glaciers on the island, which offer glacier hiking tours.

This includes Skaftafell, Solheimajökull, and Vatnajökull (the latter being the largest glacier in all of Europe). Please note that, for safety reasons, you can only go on a glacier hike via a guided tour.

Have a Relaxing Soak in Our Hot Springs

Iceland is famous for our natural hot springs, the result of the volcanic activity on the island heating up our underground water supply. These hot springs can be found in their original settings or where they’re used in our geothermal resorts. Some of our most famous hot springs to take a dip along your road trip include the Blue Lagoon, Seljavallalaug, Kvika Foot Bath, Laugarvatn Fontana, and Sky Lagoon.

Tick Off a Few More Species On Your Birders Bucketlist

As we already mentioned, April is a favorite among avid birdwatchers. Some of the best places to go birdwatching include the Dyrholaey Cliffs, the Londrangar Cliffs, and Lake Myvatn.

Explore Our Lava Caves

Even though the last of the ice caves may have closed by early April, it doesn’t mean the end of your cave explorations here in the Land of Fire and Ice. You’ll still be able to check out some of our impressive lava caves (which don’t melt in the heat).

Some of the most popular lava caves to visit include Vidgelmir and Vatnshellir. Just keep in mind that, as with the glaciers, these caves can only be explored via guided tours to ensure your safety.

What to Wear in Iceland in April

Packing for a shoulder month like April may seem tricky, but if you follow our checklist below, you’ll come well prepared for your campervan road trip through Iceland:

• Base layers: This includes thermal underwear, t-shirts, and long-sleeved shirts.
• Mid-layers: Fleece and wool are materials proven to keep the Icelandic cold at bay. We recommend you purchase some traditional Icelandic Lopapeysa sweaters once you arrive on the island. That way, you’ll not only be warm throughout your trip, but also have some lovely souvenirs to take home with you.
• Outer Layers: Except for a warm and windproof jacket, you’ll also need waterproof clothing and a raincoat. This is not so you can combat any possible rainfall, but so you can also keep dry on our wet and muddy hiking trails, trails leading to our hot springs, as well as when viewing our powerful waterfalls that can leave you completely drenched in their mist and spray.
• Footwear: A pair of warm, waterproof hiking boots (to take on trails and other exciting outdoor activities) as well as a pair of informal, comfortable shoes for exploring the cities and towns. An optional extra would be a pair of formal shoes if you plan on a night out on the town, celebrating a special occasion.
• Warm Accessories: A woolen hat (we recommend a beanie), gloves, and a scarf.
• Fun in the Sun Extras: Swimwear and quick-drying towels (for those hot springs), flip-flops (for use at our hot springs, but also to use at public showers). Sunglasses and sunscreen (this is more to combat glare and the burns you can get from sunlight reflecting off water and ice).
• For Day Outings: A backpack so you can comfortably carry your things around while out and about.

Tips for Iceland in April: How to Road Trip Iceland in Your Campervan Like a Pro!

Whether this is your first trip to the island or just the first one you’ll spend your time road tripping around in a campervan, the following tips and advice will be helpful:

• Keep a close eye on our weather forecasts and road conditions, especially before heading out onto the road each day. Use websites and apps like Vedur, Umferdin, and SafeTravel.
• If you’d like to experience an unrestricted road trip with the ultimate peace of mind, get yourself a 4x4 campervan that you know can take on a variety of roads and whatever else a road trip adventure can throw at you.
• Ensure that you adhere to our rules:
• Keep to Iceland’s speed limits (which may not be what you’re used to back home).
• Do not park or camp anywhere other than designated and clearly marked parking and camping spots.
• At one-lane bridges, the rule of thumb is that whoever arrives at the bridge first gets to cross.
• Always be vigilant for any of our free-roaming wildlife (which can range from sheep to reindeer) that can unexpectedly cross the road.
• Gas prices in Iceland can vary between gas stations as well as regions, and while you may find plenty of gas stations in our densely populated areas, they can become pretty scarce in our remote regions. This is why planning out the refuels along your road trip route can not only keep you from being stranded next to the road, but also save you a few bucks.

Events in Iceland in April: Celebrate Like a Local

If you’d like to add a few of our local events to your social calendar, consider the following:

• Sumardagurinn Fyrsti (the “First Day of Summer”) – According to Viking tradition, the 18th of April is when winter’s spell over the landscape is officially broken, and the occasion calls for celebrations and fiery parades all across the island.
• The Children’s Culture Festival – This event is held in Reykjavik every year in April and promises to be fun for the whole family. This festival has many exciting events and exhibitions, which include the art of the children of Iceland!
• Aldrei for eg Sudur (Music Festival of the South): This music festival is held in Isafjördur every year over Easter. Initially, it started out as a one-night event, but it ended in what is now a four-day event jam-packed with musical performances!

Popular Iceland Tours You Can Take On Your Campervan Road Trip in April

If you’re looking to do a few guided tours along the way, consider the following:

• Reykjavik Food Walk
• Snorkeling in Silfra
• Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Kayak Tour
• Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike
• Snowmobile Adventure on Langjökull Glacier

FAQs About Road-Tripping Around Iceland in a Campervan in April

Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about road-tripping around Iceland in a campervan in April:

Can You Explore the Ice Caves in Iceland?

The last of our ice caves close early April for the duration of our warmer months, so if you plan a trip for early April, you may still catch a couple that’s open. Just remember that you can only explore the ice caves via a guided tour due to safety concerns.

Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland in April?

April is definitely not one of the go-to times to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland. This is best done in the colder months of the year (November to March) when conditions are ideal.

Will There Be Snow On the Roads During My Campervan Road Trip in April?

You may still find small patches that haven’t melted yet. However, it’s only in the north, where winter tends to stay longer, that you may actually still experience some snowfall, especially in early April.

Will My Campervan Still Need Winter Tires When Driving in Iceland in April?

If you’re planning on road-tripping around the island in the first half of April, studded winter tires will still be mandatory for all vehicles here in Iceland. However, your rental agent will ensure that your camper is compliant before you drive off the lot.

Iceland in April: When Campervan Road Trip Dreams Come True

April in Iceland is synonymous with spring, glistening glaciers, powerful waterfalls, a ton of outdoor adventures, an abundance of wildlife, and much, much more! And there’s no better way to experience all of this than behind the wheel of a campervan.

Use our guide for insights and inspiration, come and rent your campervan in Iceland, and be amazed at the wonders and magical moments that await you when road-tripping around Iceland in April.