Daylight Saving in Iceland: Why Iceland Sticks to One Time All Year

Planning a trip to Iceland? Prepare for a small, yet significant, detail that often surprises visitors: Iceland never changes its clocks.

While most of Europe and North America switch between standard time in the winter and Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the summer, Iceland maintains a single, steady time zone from January through December. This means no spring forward, no fall back, and no confusing adjustments for travellers.

This consistency, while seemingly minor, influences travel planning far more than expected. The time difference between Iceland and your home country may actually shift, even though Iceland’s local time remains fixed. This guide explains why Iceland avoids seasonal clock changes, how it impacts your trip, and what you need to know, especially if you're planning a self-drive adventure.

A Year-Round Time Zone: How Iceland Keeps Things Simple

Iceland consistently operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)/UTC+0 throughout the year. Whether you arrive in the depths of winter or the height of summer, the official time stays precisely the same.

What This Means for Travellers:

• No Clock Changes: Iceland remains fixed on GMT/UTC+0.
• Your Time Difference Changes: If you feel "suddenly off" by an hour, it's because your country adjusted its clocks, not Iceland.
• Clear Consistency: The local time zone is typically displayed as "Atlantic/Reykjavík."

The country adopted this year-round approach in 1968, prioritizing simplicity over seasonal adjustments. 

Why Iceland Doesn’t Bother with Daylight Saving

Daylight saving time was introduced to provide an extra hour of evening light during summer. However, Iceland’s daylight patterns are unique and render daylight saving time mostly pointless.

The Reality of Icelandic Daylight

• Summer Sunlight Barely Fades: During June and early July, daylight stretches through the entire night. The famous Midnight Sun illuminates the sky long after most countries are dark. It's common to enjoy bright skies, perfect for road trips and photography, even at 1:00 AM.
• Winter Sun Hugs the Horizon: Conversely, in December and early January, daylight may last only 4–5 hours in Reykjavík, and even less further north. Changing the clock would not magically extend the sun's brief appearance.

Because the natural daylight pattern is already so dramatic, the hour gained from daylight saving time in summer would be minimal and hardly worth the disruption of changing clocks twice a year.

Practicality Always Wins

By avoiding daylight saving time, Iceland achieves greater real-world simplicity:

• Flight schedules maintain greater consistency.
• International connections become easier to manage.
• Broadcasting schedules remain aligned without seasonal shifts.
• Travellers have one less thing to worry about when planning.

This straightforward system aligns well with the Icelandic preference for clarity and practical, focused solutions.

Your Time Difference With Iceland: Why It Changes Even When Iceland Doesn’t

Iceland remains on GMT/UTC+0, but your home country likely shifts its time seasonally. This means your personal time difference with Iceland changes twice a year.

Here is a quick overview of how the seasonal changes affect common travel markets:

Time Changes Across Europe and North America

Common Time Differences Explained

United Kingdom

• Winter: Same as Iceland
• Summer: UK is +1 hour ahead

France / Germany / Italy / Spain / Central Europe

• Winter: +1 hour
• Summer: +2 hours

United States — Eastern Time (NYC, Toronto)

• Winter: Iceland is +5 hours ahead
• Summer: Iceland is +4 hours ahead

United States — Pacific Time (Los Angeles)

• Winter: Iceland is +8 hours ahead
• Summer: Iceland is +7 hours ahead

Quick Reference Table for Planning

This is especially useful when coordinating flights, tours, or remote work during your trip.

Travel Planning: How to Avoid Time Mix-Ups

A little preparation ensures a smooth trip. Here are essential tips for navigating Icelandic time:

1. Double-Check Airline Times: Airlines always use local time. If your country has just entered or exited daylight saving time, reconfirm your itinerary to ensure you know the correct departure and arrival times based on Icelandic time.
2. Tours and Day Trips Follow Local Time: Icelandic tour operators adhere strictly to GMT/UTC+0. Always verify whether the time on your booking confirmation is shown in your home time zone or the local Icelandic time.
3. Coordinate Rental Car Schedules: Ensure your car pick-up and drop-off times are locked in with the correct local Icelandic time, which is critical for early morning or late-night arrivals.
4. Remote Workers: Schedule Using UTC+0: If you need to work during your trip, setting all meeting invitations to UTC+0 keeps everyone aligned, regardless of seasonal clock changes in other countries.
5. Follow the Daylight, Not the Hour: This is the unwritten Icelandic rule. The clock is steady, but daylight varies enormously. Use the short, precious daylight hours (around 10:00–15:00) for winter driving and sightseeing, or take advantage of the endless summer light for late-night drives to avoid midday crowds.

Sunlight Patterns and How Locals Adapt to Them

The Icelandic way of life is dictated by the rhythm of the sun, not the hands of a clock. The steady time zone supports the vast seasonal differences in light:

• Summer Lifestyle: Characterised by long, energetic outdoor days. Locals enjoy hiking, sightseeing under the Midnight Sun, and festivals throughout the bright evenings.
• Winter Lifestyle: The atmosphere becomes calmer and more intimate. Life focuses indoors, with cosy evenings, soaking in warm geothermal pools during the dark hours, and evening excursions for Northern Lights viewing.

The country adapts to nature rather than changing the clock to impose control, a cultural perspective reflected in its straightforward communication and clear operational systems.

Self-Drive Travel: Why Understanding Icelandic Time Matters

If you’re planning to rent a car in Iceland and explore on your own — and many visitors do — knowing how time works helps you make better decisions on the road.

Arriving at Keflavík Airport

Make sure your pick-up time matches the local time your flight arrives. Lava Car Rental’s 24/7 system ensures you can collect your rental car anytime without stress, even if your flight is delayed.

Planning your road trip around daylight

The winter daylight window is short and valuable. Understanding Icelandic time helps you plan:

• safe driving hours
• ideal photography moments
• time at viewpoints without rushing
• northern lights outings

In summer, you can stretch your days as long as you like — the sun won’t stop you.

Iceland: A Steady Clock in a Landscape of Constant Change

Iceland may be a land of shifting colours, dramatic weather, and light that changes every hour—but the clock remains a consistent anchor. No Daylight Saving. No seasonal adjustments. Always GMT/UTC+0.

For travellers, this simplifies planning, ensures more consistent schedules, and offers fewer surprises. The only adjustment you need to make is understanding how your home country's clock change affects the overall time difference.

Understanding Iceland's fixed time system is essential for a fully enjoyable experience, especially when navigating the country on a self-drive road trip.