ICELAND AIR STOP OVER PROGRAM
Our 48-Hour Stopover
Why Choose a Stopover in Iceland?
If you’re flying between North America and Europe, Icelandair’s stopover program lets you add a few days in Iceland at no extra flight cost. Instead of rushing through on a layover, you get a chance to explore waterfalls, hot springs, and stunning landscapes that feel like another planet all without a huge detour. We flew from Pittsburgh to London with a 48 hour “layover” in Iceland.
We stayed for two full days, and honestly? I wish we had more time. A week would be ideal, but even a quick stopover is better than skipping Iceland entirely.
The Costs (and How to Save)
Here’s what our 48-hour stopover cost:
🏨 Hotels: ~$200 per night (depends on comfort level). We stayed at Hotel Selfoss and Stracta Hotel and we loved them both because they are centrally located.
🚗 Car rental: $175 for 48 hours (worth every penny to skip crowded tours). I booked through booking.com but in the past I used Blue Car Rental. They were both great. I just book whatever is cheapest. Tip: Make sure you buy insurance because credit cards don’t always cover cars internationally.
🍴 Meals: $20–$30 per person at restaurants.
💡 Grocery stores are your friend. Snacks are familiar but generally healthier than in the U.S.perfect for kids.
⚠️ Note: Icelandair’s luggage policies are strict. While I didn’t get flagged, I did see other travelers stopped for oversized backpacks so just be mindful while you’re packing.
Do you need a visa to travel to Iceland
If you are visiting from the United States - no.
If you are visiting from a different country, check their official site here to see if you need a visa.
Immigration & Solo Parents
If you’re traveling alone with your child, immigration will ask for a travel consent form signed by the other parent that is not traveling with you. Make sure you have it. I was asked both when entering and leaving Iceland.
FAQS:
Is there in-flight entertainment?
Yes, all seats have personal screens with movies, TV, and games. The kids’ section is limited in English, so bring your own tablet with downloaded shows.
Does Icelandair Include meals?
No — meals aren’t included in economy, but you can pre-order or buy onboard. Kids always get a free snack, drink, and a small toy. We brought a sandwhich on board and some snacks and skipped the meal service.
Do kids get discounts on Icelandair?
Yes — children ages 2–11 get 20% off adult fares, and infants (under 2) fly for about 10% of the adult fare.
Can families sit together on Icelandair?
Yes, but seat selection costs extra. Paying for seats is recommended if you want to guarantee sitting together. Children’s seats are free but to pay for the adult next to them its starts at $16 USD per flight.
Baggage / Kids items
You can bring a car seat, stroller, and children’s travel airplane bed for no cost. I tried the FlyAway design for this trip and it is approved by this airline and worked great so my daughter slept on the redeye.
All fares come with a carry on and personal item. Some fares include the checked baggage, but the economy flights do not and cost $80 more so just be mindful when booking to include that in your price if you need a checked luggage.
Legroom felt pretty typical compared to other domestic economy flights (smaller than international). For reference, I’m 5’5” and had enough space to sit comfortably without feeling cramped.
Taller travelers might want an aisle seat or consider paying for extra legroom
Must-Sees for a Short Stopover
Activities:
If you only have 2–3 days, here are my top picks:
Laugarvatn Fontana – Try the geothermal bread, then soak in the hot springs.
🐴 Bru horses – Stop by and let kids feed the horses.
Open-Air Museum – Tons of space for kids to run.
💦 Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls – Hike behind both waterfalls for the ultimate Iceland moment.
Food
🍴 Farmers Bistro – Delicious, locally grown food with a playset outside. Which is so nice to have a minute to sit down while your kids play.
☕ Freya Café – Cozy, fresh, and family-friendly. Right by Seljalandsfoss and easy to access from the highway. You can even purchase a post card and mail it home from here.
On the flight, my daughter slept most of the way (thank you, red-eye 🙌), but she also loved listening to local Icelandic children’s music. We always bring our own iPad with downloaded shows, since English options onboard were limited.
She got a complimentary activity pack with snacks and toys, which helped pass the time.
What I’d Pack Again Next Time
WayB Pico Car Seat - U.S. car seats aren’t officially approved for driving abroad due to different regulations we feel comfortable using ours instead of a rental or no carseat, but do your research and choose what feels best for your family.
Rain pants (for kids for the waterfalls) I snuck them inside our stroller bag.
Hiking boots (so worth it can be very slippery)
FlyAway Inflatable bed is approved on Iceland Air but I also love the packable AirCot (use code Passport10 for 10% off)
Stroller: For this trip I used the Guava Roam which was so nice with the terrain - it is a compact folding full size jogger. We even brought it on one of the waterfall hikes.
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend Icelandair to families?
Absolutely. It’s simple, affordable, and kid-friendly. Icelandair makes it easy for families to explore one of the world’s safest and most magical countries.
