Top 5 Mistakes Tourists Make When Planning Meals in Iceland
Traveling through Iceland is unforgettable—volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls… and surprisingly high food bills. If you're planning to camp, hike, or road-trip across this wild and beautiful country, your meals can either elevate the experience or become an expensive, frustrating challenge.
Here are the top 5 mistakes tourists make when planning meals in Iceland—and how to avoid them.
1. Underestimating Grocery Costs
Iceland is expensive—yes, even for basic groceries. What looks like a cheap pasta dinner at home might cost double or triple here. Supermarkets in Reykjavik may offer better prices, but once you leave the capital, prices go up and selection goes down.
✅ Pro Tip: Bring some meals with you (if allowed), or stock up early. Even better, pack lightweight freeze-dried meals that save space and reduce costs over time.
2. Not Planning for Remote Days
Iceland’s beauty lies in its remoteness. But that also means no shops for hours, especially in the Highlands or Westfjords. Many tourists assume they’ll “grab something along the way”—only to find themselves hungry, tired, and isolated.
✅ Pro Tip: Always carry at least one backup meal. Our freeze-dried meals are ideal for this—no refrigeration, low weight, and ready in minutes with just hot water.
3. Relying Too Much on Gas Stations
Yes, gas stations in Iceland often double as snack bars or mini markets. But relying on them for real meals is a mistake. The food is often overpriced, limited in variety, and rarely satisfying after a long day outdoors.
✅ Pro Tip: Use gas stations for coffee and snacks—not for your main meals. A hot, protein-packed pouch meal in your backpack beats a soggy hot dog every time.
4. Forgetting to Plan Around Weather
Icelandic weather is famously unpredictable. Wind, rain, and cold can make cooking outside a nightmare—even if you brought a camping stove. Many travelers over-plan complex meals that become impossible in bad weather.
✅ Pro Tip: Bring food that doesn’t need prep. Our meals can be eaten straight from the pouch—just boil water (or even pour it cold, in a pinch) and wait.
5. Assuming Restaurants Will Always Be an Option
In major towns, restaurants are easy to find—but in the countryside, opening hours can be limited. And even when you find one, meals can cost anywhere from 3,000–6,000 ISK per person.
✅ Pro Tip: Mix restaurant meals with affordable, on-the-go options. Plan 1–2 reliable self-heating or freeze-dried dinners so you're never stuck without food—or with an empty wallet.
🥾 Final Thoughts: Eat Smart, Travel Better
Planning your meals in Iceland isn’t just about saving money—it’s about staying flexible, warm, and full in one of the world’s most rugged landscapes.
At Smakk IT, we offer tasty, made-in-Iceland freeze-dried meals built for outdoor adventures. Whether you're hiking the Laugavegur Trail, chasing waterfalls, or parked beside a glacier, we’ve got your next meal ready—no kitchen required.
👉 Browse our meals here and fuel your trip the easy way.