eSIM for Iceland — The land of fire and ice connected

Traveling to Iceland is an incredible experience, but arriving without data can ruin the first moments: no Google Maps to leave the airport, no way to find your hotel, no way to contact whoever is waiting for you. The solution is simple and has been the standard among experienced travelers for years: an eSIM for Iceland.

In this guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know before traveling to Iceland: what coverage you can expect in Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, how many GB you actually need, how to activate your eSIM, and the best connectivity tips from those who have already traveled there.

Spoiler: with PuraSim, you have local data from the moment the plane lands, with no contracts, no physical SIM, and no bill surprises.

Why do you need an eSIM to travel to Iceland?

International roaming from European and Latin American operators can cost you between 10 and 30 euros or dollars per day in Iceland. A local eSIM gives you data at local prices, with no absurd daily limits and with 4G or 5G speeds where the network allows it.

The difference between roaming and using a PuraSim eSIM is huge:

• Traditional roaming: fixed daily rate even if you barely use data, speed often limited to 3G, surprise bills upon return.
• PuraSim eSIM for Iceland: you only pay for what you contract, full local data at maximum available speed, activation in 5 minutes from anywhere.

Additionally, with an eSIM, you can keep your original phone number active to receive calls and SMS, as the eSIM operates in a separate virtual slot. You don't have to choose between local connectivity and your usual number.

For Iceland, where the Ring Road (Route 1) has coverage in major cities, but in the Highlands, the signal can be non-existent, stable data is especially important. Coverage in Reykjavik and the Golden Circle is generally good, but there are areas where, without a well-configured local eSIM, you would be blind.

Data coverage in Iceland: what you can expect

Coverage in Iceland varies quite a bit depending on the area. In urban areas and main tourist spots (Reykjavik and the Golden Circle), you'll find 4G and in some cases 5G networks. The experience is comparable to what you would have at home.

However, as in any destination, there are areas where the signal is more limited:

• Major cities: stable 4G/5G, perfect for streaming, browsing, and video calls.
• Rural and nature areas: coverage may drop to 3G or even lose signal in remote spots.
• Transportation: trains, ferries, and intercity buses have variable coverage; generally good in cities.

Key tip: The Ring Road (Route 1) has coverage in major cities; in the Highlands, the signal can be non-existent.

To maximize coverage in Iceland, PuraSim uses local networks with the best available infrastructure through local roaming agreements. This means your eSIM automatically connects to the network with the strongest signal at all times.

How many GB do you need for travel to Iceland?

This is the million-dollar question. The short answer: 6-8 GB for 1 week. The long answer depends on how you use your phone during the trip.

Here's a guide to actual consumption by type of daily use:

• Basic use (maps, messages, occasional queries): 300-500 MB/day
• Moderate use (social media, photos, continuous browsing): 800 MB-1.5 GB/day
• Intensive use (remote work, streaming, video calls): 2-4 GB/day

For a trip to Iceland lasting 1 week, our recommendation is to contract 6-8 GB for 1 week. This is sufficient for most travelers with normal use: Google Maps constantly running, Instagram, WhatsApp, and some occasional searching.

If you're going to work remotely or plan to make frequent video calls, upgrade to the next plan immediately. PuraSim plans allow you to top up data if you run out, so it's not a problem if you fall short: you won't suddenly lose coverage.

PuraSim offers specific plans for Iceland with different data and duration options. See the full collection at our plans for Iceland.

How to activate your eSIM for Iceland step by step

Activating a PuraSim eSIM is as simple as scanning a QR code. There's no need to go to a store, no need to wait for any shipping. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes:

1. Purchase your plan on purasim.com for Iceland. You will receive an email with the QR code.
2. Install the eSIM: go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add Data Plan (on iPhone) or Settings → Connections → SIM Manager (on Android).
3. Scan the QR code or manually enter the activation details.
4. Configure mobile data: make sure to select the PuraSim eSIM as the default data line.
5. Activate data roaming in the PuraSim eSIM settings (necessary for it to work on local networks).

You can install the eSIM before leaving home and configure it to activate automatically when you arrive in Iceland, or activate it manually when you land.

Important: verify that your phone is eSIM compatible before purchasing. Most iPhones from XS onwards, Samsung Galaxy from S20 onwards, and Google Pixel from 3 onwards are compatible. Check the full list on purasim.com.

Local connectivity tips for Iceland

Beyond getting the right eSIM, there are a few tricks that make a difference in staying connected throughout your trip to Iceland:

• Download offline maps before you leave. Google Maps and Maps.me allow you to download maps of all of Iceland or specific cities. This way, you can navigate without using data when you're in areas with weak signal.
• Use airplane mode strategically. On long flights, trains, or ferries, activating airplane mode preserves battery and data. Connect to available Wi-Fi if there is any.
• WhatsApp and Telegram over data. Calls through these apps consume much less than an international call. Configure them for high-quality calls only when you are on Wi-Fi.
• Share connection carefully. Hotspot consumes data quickly, especially if other devices are connected (laptop, tablet). Use it only when necessary.

And the most important tip: The Ring Road (Route 1) has coverage in major cities; in the Highlands, the signal can be non-existent.

With these tricks and a good PuraSim data plan, your trip to Iceland will have the connectivity you need without unnecessary expenses.

Frequently asked questions

Escrito por Marc González Sáez Fundador de PuraSim y especialista en eSIM y conectividad para viajeros. Lleva años ayudando a viajar conectado por todo el mundo sin pagar de más por el roaming, y prueba personalmente las eSIM en cada destino antes de recomendarlas.