Iceland in March - help with what to pack

[al320]

Pretty please!

Im going for a long weekend. Wont be hiking or anything, but we are doing a night time drive to see the northern lights and a tour of the golden circle. I was planning to pack like its winter in the northeast (i live in nj)..but everything ive read says to wear waterproof pants and coats and things like that...as though im going skiing.

I bought waterproof hiking shoes...but cant i just layer (like fleece lined under armour cold gear underneath heavy stuff, with a wool coat, hat, scarf, etc.)? has anyone been there that time of year and have any advice?

Thank you!!

[judyramone]

I'm so glad that you started this thread - I am going this month (the 19-23) and have been wondering the same thing. We weren't sure if we were meant to pack the kind of clothes we wear for skiing/snowboarding or...? (I also live in NJ.

Not to hijack your thread, but quick question for you - are you renting a car or going with a tour for the Golden Circle? We're on the fence. We're doing the Northern Lights tour, too, and will probably join up with a tour of some sort for our second full day, but we were thinking it might be nice to go at our own pace for one of the days.

Thank you!!!

[rupertpenny]

I don't think you need to pack like a NE winter. Iceland is quite mild, and I'd be surprised if you dealt with temperatures below freezing in March.

I think layers are a good idea, but I don't think you really need waterproof clothes. At least not skiing level of waterproof. Even when it rains it rarely rains very hard or for very long. It can be VERY windy though, so take that into account.

Really, for the Golden Circle and the like you can just wear normal clothes and shoes. I've always just worn jeans and my normal, non-heavy duty boots.

judyramone I have driven the Golden Circle myself and it's easy and well marked. I like Thingvellir a lot more than Geysir and Gullfoss so I wouldn't want to be rused away by a tour group. If you have a car you can do some other scenic rides. If you drive down the southern part of the Ring Road you can see Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. On the way back it's possible to drive south a bit to the coast, and then drive back to Reykjavik along the coast. On a very clear day I think you can even see the Westman Islands from part of the highway.

[GilliC]

It should be hovering around freezing, so not brutally cold. However, it can be very windy, so I'd be sure to have a good windproof outer layer. March is generally still wetter than the spring and summer months, and with temps around freezing point, you could be facing sleet, which might be the source of the waterproof recommendation.

Honestly, when we were there, my waterproof outer layer was a godsend, and my boyfriend ended up buying some waterproof pants while we were there. Although we did have one unbelievably rainy day during our trip, it was still nice to have the waterproof layer around the waterfalls, since there's quite a lot of mist in the air. I'd typically just throw on my rain pants before getting out of the car, and take them off when I got back. That said, I don't think you need hardcore waterproof gear. Just a good outer layer. Personally, I'd pack a mid-weight fleece and a good rain/wind shell and bring along my rain pants.

If you're going to be outside all night on your Northern Lights tour, you'd probably want something warmer, since you won't be moving around much.

Also ditto the PP. The Golden Circle was extremely easy to self-drive. We drove around quite a bit of the country, and that was by far the easiest area to drive.

[al320]

Feb 9, 2015 21:52:25 GMT -5 judyramone said:

I'm so glad that you started this thread - I am going this month (the 19-23) and have been wondering the same thing. We weren't sure if we were meant to pack the kind of clothes we wear for skiing/snowboarding or...? (I also live in NJ.

Not to hijack your thread, but quick question for you - are you renting a car or going with a tour for the Golden Circle? We're on the fence. We're doing the Northern Lights tour, too, and will probably join up with a tour of some sort for our second full day, but we were thinking it might be nice to go at our own pace for one of the days.

Thank you!!!

We are doing tours. Im sure its easy enough to drive, but its one less thing to worry about, you know?

[clseale]

No experience with Iceland, but I am going to want a detailed report. Are you going for your anniversary? I am suddenly kicking myself for not planning something larger for ours. This trip is definitely on our list!

[al320]

Feb 10, 2015 10:27:54 GMT -5 clseale said:

No experience with Iceland, but I am going to want a detailed report. Are you going for your anniversary? I am suddenly kicking myself for not planning something larger for ours. This trip is definitely on our list!

No im not even going with mh lol but yes. I will report back for sure!!

[judyramone]

Thanks, all!  This is super helpful.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

I went to Iceland during March and I remember it being very chilly. FWIW, I'm from Bostom and I still thought it was unbelievably cold. It didn't rain while I was there so I had no need for waterproof clothing. I would just bring warm layers, a hat, and a good down coat. Oh, also comfy hiking shoes.

[al320]

Thanks everyone! This is helpful!

[Deleted]

I've been twice in January and didn't find it super super cold. Sure, it was cold, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe I got lucky.
Definitely take a windproof/waterproof layer, hat and gloves, decent walking shoes.

I also rented a car both times which allowed me to get out of town at night to see the northern lights - though you can do this with the tours as well. I find renting a car gives you more flexibility. I like to go with my own timetable.