Iceland’s solar eclipse on August 12 has triggered an extraordinary travel surge: accommodation across the country is fully booked and rental car fleets in Reykjavík and beyond are exhausted, according to multiple reports from tourism operators. Anyone still hoping to witness the partial eclipse from Icelandic soil faces an urgent, shrinking window of options.
Key takeaways
- Hotels and guesthouses across Iceland are fully booked for the August 12 partial solar eclipse.
- Rental car availability has effectively hit zero at major Reykjavík operators ahead of eclipse weekend.
- The Snæfellsnes peninsula and the Westfjords offer the widest eclipse coverage outside the capital.
- Last-minute travellers should look at day tours, campervan shares, and hostels in smaller towns.
- Iceland’s notoriously changeable weather means cloud cover is a real risk — have a backup plan.
Are there any hotels or rental cars still available in Iceland for the August 12 eclipse?
In short: almost none. Tourism operators and booking platforms report that standard hotel and guesthouse inventory across Reykjavík, the South Coast, and the Snæfellsnes peninsula is sold out for the nights surrounding August 12. The situation at rental car desks is equally stark. Major operators at Keflavík International Airport and on Reykjavík’s Borgartún strip — the city’s main commercial road where several large agencies cluster — have confirmed their fleets are fully reserved.
However, a handful of options remain for determined travellers. Small independent guesthouses in less-visited towns, particularly in the Westfjords and the East, sometimes hold back rooms from aggregator sites. Calling directly in Icelandic — or asking a local contact to do so — can still yield a result. Hostel beds in places like Ísafjörður and Egilsstaðir have been slower to sell, though that too is changing fast.
For transport, campervans with built-in sleeping are largely gone as well, but a small number of operators specialising in jeppar (4WDs) for highland access still have vehicles available through specialist sites. Ride-sharing within organised tour groups is another emerging workaround locals are using on social media.
Which parts of Iceland have the best view of the August 12 solar eclipse?
Iceland will experience a partial solar eclipse on August 12, meaning the moon covers only a portion of the sun’s disc as seen from the country’s surface. The eclipse coverage varies by location, and the further north and west you are, the greater the obscuration.
- Westfjords (Vestfirðir): Expected to offer the highest eclipse coverage of any easily accessible region in Iceland. The remote landscape around Ísafjörður provides wide, open sightlines with minimal light pollution.
- Snæfellsnes peninsula: The iconic glacier Snæfellsjökull, roughly 180 km northwest of Reykjavík by road, sits on a broad, flat lava field that gives unobstructed 360-degree horizon views — ideal for eclipse watching.
- Reykjanes peninsula: Closest to the international airport and easy to reach without a car. The lava fields near Grindavík and the ridge above Krýsuvík give clear western skies where the eclipse will be visible.
- Þingvellir National Park: About 50 km northeast of Reykjavík on Route 36, the rift valley floor offers expansive open skies and is a manageable day trip — though road traffic will be heavy.
- Akureyri and North Iceland: The north also sees good coverage and is significantly less congested than the southwest, making it a smart choice for anyone flying into the domestic airport.
For precise eclipse timing and coverage percentages at your specific location, TimeandDate.com’s interactive eclipse map allows you to enter any Icelandic coordinates and see exact start, peak, and end times.
What is the weather forecast for the eclipse on August 12?
This is Iceland, and the honest answer is: uncertain. Iceland’s national meteorological office, Veðurstofa Íslands (the Icelandic Meteorological Office), typically issues reliable five-day forecasts, but August weather along the western and southern coasts can shift within hours. The Reykjanes peninsula and Snæfellsnes are particularly exposed to Atlantic fronts that can bring cloud cover or fog with very little warning.
As of now, Veðurstofa Íslands forecasts for the August 12 period suggest a mix of cloud and clearer intervals across the west, with more settled conditions expected further north around Akureyri. That picture will sharpen significantly by August 9 or 10. Travellers should check en.vedur.is — the English-language portal of Veðurstofa Íslands — daily from the Wednesday before the eclipse.
A practical tip: eclipses in Iceland have historically rewarded travellers willing to drive two to three hours at short notice to chase clear skies. Without a rental car, that flexibility is gone — which is another reason the car shortage hurts so much this year.
What should last-minute visitors do if accommodation is sold out?
Options are tight but not zero. Here is a practical checklist for anyone arriving without confirmed lodging:
- Check Airbnb and private rentals in smaller towns. Inventory on platforms refreshes when hosts cancel or add last-minute listings. Set alerts for Stykkishólmur, Borgarnes, Selfoss, and Hvolsvöllur — all within reasonable distance of good eclipse viewing spots.
- Contact the Icelandic Tourist Board’s visitor information line. Staff can sometimes direct callers to accommodation that is not listed online.
- Consider camping. Iceland has a well-developed campsite network. Félag Íslenskra Tjaldsvæða (the Icelandic Campsite Association) lists open sites nationwide. A good-quality sleeping bag and a tent hired in Reykjavík can keep costs manageable — expect to pay around 2,000–3,000 ISK per person per night at official sites.
- Book a day tour from Reykjavík. Several operators run eclipse-specific excursions that include transport, a guide, and a planned viewing location. This sidesteps both the accommodation and the car rental problem entirely.
- Stay flexible on departure date. If the August 12 night is unavailable, arriving August 11 and leaving August 13 on back-to-back flights may open inventory that a longer stay search misses.
Are there organised eclipse viewing events in Reykjavík or Reykjanes?
Yes, and this is growing quickly. Several tour operators have announced guided eclipse excursions departing from Reykjavík’s BSÍ bus terminal on Vatnsmýrarvegur, heading toward Þingvellir and the Reykjanes lava fields. These typically run as half-day or full-day trips, with certified guides who carry eclipse glasses and can explain the astronomical context.
The University of Iceland’s science faculty (Háskóli Íslands) and the Reykjavík amateur astronomy society have historically organised public viewing events at Öskjuhlíð hill — the wooded rise in central Reykjavík topped by Perlan, the city’s landmark glass dome — for major celestial events. Whether a formal event is confirmed for August 12 should be checked directly with Perlan’s events office, as programme details were still being finalised at the time of publication.
On the Reykjanes peninsula, the Eldheimar volcano museum in Grindavík has hosted community science events in the past. Given how dramatically Grindavík has changed following volcanic activity in recent years, access to certain areas may still be restricted — verify current road and access status at Road.is before heading south.
Why is the demand so extreme this year?
Partial solar eclipses visible from Iceland occur periodically, but the August 12 event coincides with peak summer travel season, when Iceland already operates at near-maximum tourist capacity. International astronomy communities began flagging this date months ago, and social media amplified the interest dramatically. The result is a collision of regular summer visitors, dedicated eclipse chasers, and last-minute spontaneous travellers — all competing for the same fixed pool of beds and cars.
Iceland’s accommodation stock, while it has grown significantly since the tourism boom of the 2010s, is still concentrated heavily in Reykjavík and along the Ring Road (Route 1). So when demand spikes in a narrow geographic and time window, the system hits its ceiling fast.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the solar eclipse start in Reykjavík on August 12?
Exact local times depend on your precise location within Iceland, but for Reykjavík the eclipse is expected to begin in the late morning or early afternoon Icelandic time. Check the interactive tool at TimeandDate.com and enter your specific coordinates for accurate start, peak, and end times. Iceland does not observe daylight saving time, so the country runs on UTC year-round — factor that in if you are coordinating with contacts abroad.
Is the August 12 eclipse a total or partial solar eclipse in Iceland?
Iceland will experience a partial solar eclipse on August 12, meaning the moon will block only part of the sun’s disc. The degree of coverage — how much of the sun is obscured — varies by location, with the Westfjords and northernmost areas seeing the greatest effect. You will still need proper eclipse-viewing glasses; looking directly at a partial eclipse without protection causes serious eye damage.
Where can I buy solar eclipse glasses in Iceland before August 12?
Eclipse glasses have been selling out at bookshops, science shops, and larger supermarkets around Reykjavík. Mál og menning on Laugavegur — the capital’s main shopping street — and Eymundsson bookshops have carried them in previous years during astronomy events. If city shops are sold out, try hardware stores or opticians. Certified glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard; check the packaging before buying.
Can I see the eclipse from inside Reykjavík without travelling out of the city?
Yes, you can. The eclipse will be visible from anywhere in Iceland with a clear sky, including central Reykjavík. Öskjuhlíð hill near Perlan offers elevated, open ground with wide sightlines and is an easy walk or short drive from most city accommodation. The risk, as always in Iceland, is cloud cover — have a backup plan and watch Veðurstofa Íslands forecasts closely in the days leading up to August 12.
Are there any last-minute rental car options or alternatives in Iceland?
Conventional rental car inventory is effectively exhausted at major operators, but a few alternatives exist. Some travellers are coordinating shared rides through Icelandic Facebook groups and the app Samferða (Iceland’s main ride-share platform). Guided day tours departing from Reykjavík include transport and eliminate the need for a separate vehicle. Taxi firms operating larger minivans are also booking eclipse-day charters — prices will be high, but availability is better than the self-drive market.
