Iceland travel money tips
Heading to Iceland? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Icelandic Krona (ISK, kr).
Tipping
Not expected anywhere. Service and tax are always included.
Cards vs cash
100% card country. Even remote gas stations and parking meters take cards. You won't need cash.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
Landsbankinn and Íslandsbanki ATMs are reliable, but most travelers won't need cash at all.
Heads-up
- Bring a chip-and-PIN card — many self-service pumps and parking machines require a PIN code.
- Iceland is very expensive — a casual lunch is often ISK 3,000–5,000.
About the Icelandic Krona (ISK)
The Icelandic Krona (ISK, symbol kr) is the official currency of Iceland. Knowing the live ISK rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.