Iceland in September is the shoulder season: around 11 °C (52 °F) in the afternoon and 6 °C (43 °F) at night in Reykjavik, days of about 12 hours by the end of the month, the return of dark nights for the first northern lights, but also more rain than in summer. Verdict: ✅ a good compromise between summer and winter, with fewer people and falling prices. The catch: highland roads usually close from mid-September.
September suits a Ring Road trip very well, with autumn colours and a chance of northern lights. Wind and rain increase through the month: stay flexible. This page covers the month in detail; for the whole year, see our page on the best time to visit Iceland.
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Iceland in September: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ shoulder season, northern lights possible, fewer people
- Reykjavik: 11.4 °C (53 °F) in the afternoon, 6.2 °C (43 °F) at night, 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain
- North (Akureyri): 11.8 °C (53 °F), drier (53 mm (2.1 in))
- Daylight: about 12 hours around 21 September
- F-roads: usually closed from mid-September
- Time difference: Iceland is on UTC+0 all year; in September it is 1 hour behind London (UK summer time, UTC+1) and 4 hours ahead of New York (EDT, UTC-4)
Weather in Iceland in September by region
| Place | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavik (south-west) | 11.4 °C (53 °F) | 6.2 °C (43 °F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Akureyri (north) | 11.8 °C (53 °F) | – | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Vík í Mýrdal (south coast) | 11.5 °C (53 °F) | – | 265 mm (10.4 in) |
Temperatures stay close to those of May, but rainfall increases markedly: 87 mm (3.4 in) in Reykjavik against 65 mm (2.6 in) in August. The south coast is by far the wettest (265 mm (10.4 in) in Vík) and the north the driest. Wind becomes more frequent at the end of the month: storms can close roads and delay flights within a few hours.
Daylight, night and northern lights
Around 21 September, daylight lasts about 12 hours in both Reykjavik and Akureyri. Nights become dark enough again to see the northern lights, in practice from September to March. You need a sky that is at least partly clear and enough auroral activity: nothing is guaranteed. Get away from city lights and check the cloud-cover and aurora forecasts of the Icelandic Met Office.
Things to do in Iceland in September
- The Ring Road: south-coast waterfalls, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the East Fjords, Mývatn and Dettifoss in the north.
- The Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, accessible all year from Reykjavik.
- The first northern lights: on clear nights, especially in the second half of the month.
- Autumn colours: heathland and dwarf birch turn russet.
- Whale watching: trips from Húsavík and Reykjavik, depending on the operators.
- Hot springs: geothermal baths, pleasant as the air cools.
What to avoid in September
- The Highlands late in the month: according to Safetravel, F-roads are usually closed from mid-September until June or July. Check their condition on umferdin.is.
- A schedule with no slack: allow at least one buffer day in case of a storm. The UK FCDO notes that the weather can change quickly and make driving conditions challenging (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).
- Hiking at Landmannalaugar or Þórsmörk without checking: conditions and access change quickly in September.
Events and traditions in September
| Period | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| September | Réttir: the sheep round-up, when sheep are brought down from summer pastures | Countryside, especially in the north and south |
| Around 21 September | Equinox: days and nights of about 12 hours | Whole country |
| September to March | Northern lights viewing season | Away from towns |
Crowds and prices in September
September is one of the two recommended shoulder seasons, along with late May and early June: crowds are back to moderate and prices fall compared with June to August, although Iceland remains an expensive destination. Accommodation on the south coast and in the north is limited, so book 2 to 4 months ahead, and reserve your rental car at the same time. For a trip off the Ring Road, a 4×4 is only useful if the tracks are still open.
Practical information
- Documents: for passports and other formalities for US and UK citizens, see the entry requirements for Iceland in our country guide.
- Time difference: Iceland is on UTC+0 all year. In September it is 1 hour behind London (UK summer time, UTC+1) and 4 hours ahead of New York (EDT, UTC-4). After UK clocks go back in late October, Iceland is on the same time as London.
- Currency: the Icelandic krona. Estimate your budget with our currency converter.
- Roads: check umferdin.is and the Safetravel alerts every morning.
What to pack for Iceland in September
- A waterproof, windproof jacket and trousers
- A fleece or light down jacket, thermal underwear
- A hat, gloves and a neck gaiter
- Waterproof hiking boots
- A swimsuit for the hot springs
- A headlamp for northern lights outings
Itinerary idea: 10 days in September
- Days 1-2: Reykjavik and the Golden Circle.
- Days 3-5: the south coast (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík), as far as Jökulsárlón.
- Days 6-7: the East Fjords towards the north.
- Days 8-9: Mývatn, Dettifoss, Akureyri, Húsavík.
- Day 10: back to Reykjavik, keeping some slack for the weather.
Our advice for a September trip
- Go early in the month if you still want to reach the Highlands; late in the month if the northern lights are your priority.
- Fill up whenever you can: petrol stations are far apart in the east and north.
- Plan northern lights outings over several nights, and not the night before a long drive.
- Respect road closures and the authorities’ instructions, especially on the Reykjanes peninsula when there is volcanic activity (the UK FCDO reports a series of eruptions there; GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).
If September does not suit you
August is milder and less rainy, with F-roads open, but more expensive and without really dark nights before mid-August. October is better for the northern lights, but windier, with shorter days and F-roads closed. For northern lights in winter, aim for February to March instead. To compare, our page Iceland in August covers the previous month in detail.
Other destinations in September: Norway and the Lofoten Islands for fjords and the first northern lights, Scotland, or the Azores for milder volcanic landscapes. More ideas on our page where to go in September. To plan your road trip, read our Iceland travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Iceland in September?
Cool and changeable: around 11 °C (52 °F) in the afternoon and 6 °C (43 °F) at night in Reykjavik, with 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain. The south coast is very wet, the north drier.
Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in September?
Yes, it is possible as soon as nights become dark again, especially in the second half of the month, under clear skies. Nothing is guaranteed.
Are the F-roads open in September?
Usually until around mid-September, then they close gradually. Check their condition on umferdin.is before you leave.
Is September a good month for Iceland?
Yes, it is one of the best compromises: fewer people than in summer, lower prices, autumn colours and the first northern lights.
How many hours of daylight are there in Iceland in September?
Around 21 September, about 12 hours in both Reykjavik and Akureyri; more at the beginning of the month.
Our sources
- Veðurstofa Íslands (Icelandic Met Office): monthly data for Reykjavik, Akureyri and Vík
- Safetravel and umferdin.is: opening of Highland roads (taken from our best time to visit page)
- Safety information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Iceland (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026)
- Data taken from our page on the best time to visit Iceland
- Time rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
