Which carriers matter, what buying a SIM involves, and when an eSIM is the smarter move.
Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Iceland is in the EEA, so EU roam-like-at-home applies to Icelandic SIMs, but providers cap the EU roaming allowance well below the domestic one (a pack can be 250 GB at home yet only 25 GB in the EU), so check the EU figure rather than the headline. Siminn credit expires 6 months after activation, service is blocked 6 months after the last top-up, and the SIM dies entirely at 12 months. Vodafone's and Nova's websites are Icelandic-only, which complicates topping up online.
The former state telco, with the best coverage and speeds nationwide, including the interior and rural roads. Slightly pricier, and the network locals tend to recommend first.
The cheapest entry point, with a starter kit around 1,790 ISK. Its website is Icelandic-only, which matters if you plan to top up online.
The highest data caps of the three (a 250 GB pack exists) and strong in urban areas.
Icelandic prepaid SIMs are anonymous: no ID and no registration are needed for tourist starter packs. Don't confuse this with the kennitala, the Icelandic national ID number, which is only required for resident-style accounts and regular subscription plans, never for tourist prepaid.
Mild to moderate, and less relevant than usual: airport prices run somewhat higher than city stores, but the airport is the only convenient point of sale for most arrivals and sells the same starter packs.
Guac eSIM covers Iceland with data plans starting from $1.50 per GB and instant activation, so your phone is online the moment you land. Airalo and Holafly are popular alternatives.
SIM cards and eSIM in Iceland