Iceland Reykjavik Weather in September — Climate Guide
September in Reykjavik is very-high
September is very-high for Reykjavik.
Best shoulder-season month. Aurora starts mid-month + still mild + autumn foliage colors. Most-balanced visit window of the year.
Travel score
Aurora returns + autumn foliage + crowds dropping
September Weather at a Glance
September averages 52°F / 11°C highs and 43°F / 6°C lows with 13 rainy days and 70mm. Sunshine 4 hours. Daylight 13h 45min — dropping fast. Sea 9°C. Aurora season officially restarts around Sept 15 — dark-enough skies + still-mild weather. Autumn colors in lowlands by mid-month. The best balance of weather + Aurora + price in the entire year.
September Travel Advice
Target Sept 15-30 for the perfect Aurora-plus-comfort window. Pre-book Aurora tours with re-try guarantees ($80-100). Réttir (sheep round-up) experiences from $50 (rural farms participate Sept 10-25). Golden Circle + South Coast self-drive still safe (no winter ice yet). RIFF film festival passes from $30.
Flying In from Overseas
Pre-winter Aurora chasers + autumn shoulder travelers from US East Coast + UK + Korea. Direct flights: NYC-KEF $400-650, London $250-450, Frankfurt $400-600. Korean Chuseok (varies, mid-Sept) adds brief Asian inbound spike. Best shoulder-season pricing of the year emerging.
September Pricing Trends
Shoulder-down pricing: Reykjavik 4-star $300-550/night, Hotel Borg $500-900, ION Adventure $550-1,000, Retreat at Blue Lagoon $1,800-3,200. Blue Lagoon $103-180. Aurora tour $80-100. 4x4 rental $120-180/day. Significant drop vs Jul-Aug peak.
Reykjavik September Weather Stats
Avg High
11°C
Avg Low
6°C
Rainy Days
13
70mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
79%
moderate
UV Index
2
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 50
Sea Temp
9°C
no swimming
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
September Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
8°C
Nighttime
3°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 50 km/h
Activities Recommended for September
September Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Aurora season starts (Sept 15)
- Daylight 12h
- Autumn foliage colors
- Crowds dropping noticeably
- Réttir sheep round-up cultural event
- RIFF film festival starts
Cons
- Variable weather increasing
- Rain 13 days/month
- Some highland routes closing late month
September Events & Festivals
- Réttir (sheep round-up, mid-September — traditional autumn cultural event, farms across Iceland)
- Aurora season starts (Sept 15)
- Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF, late Sept-Oct)
Reykjavik in September — Full Picture
Best shoulder-season month. Aurora starts mid-month + still mild + autumn foliage colors. Most-balanced visit window of the year.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Early autumn. Day 11°C waterproof shell + knit, evening 6°C add fleece + scarf. Like Korean late October. Bring hat + gloves for late-evening Aurora chases. Waterproof boots for muddy autumn trails.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
6.7°C
1.3°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
13.7°C
8°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
Current7.3°C
2.7°C
13/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
2.3°C
-2.7°C
13/mo
Reykjavik Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | -3° | 13d·75mm | 1h | 80% | 0 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 3° | -2° | 12d·70mm | 2h | 79% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -1° | 13d·80mm | 4h | 78% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | 1° | 12d·60mm | 5h | 75% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 10° | 4° | 11d·50mm | 6h | 73% | 3 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 13° | 7° | 10d·50mm | 7h | 73% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 14° | 9° | 10d·50mm | 6h | 75% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 14° | 8° | 11d·60mm | 5h | 78% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 11° | 6° | 13d·70mm | 4h | 79% | 2 | Busy | Peak |
| 7° | 3° | 13d·75mm | 3h | 80% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -1° | 13d·80mm | 1h | 81% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 2° | -3° | 14d·80mm | 0h | 82% | 0 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Reykjavik September Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is September a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Reykjavik in September is very-high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Reykjavik in September?
Reykjavik September averages a high of 11°C and a low of 6°C.
Does it rain much in Reykjavik in September?
Reykjavik September averages 70mm of rainfall over about 13 rainy days.
What should I wear in Reykjavik in September?
Early autumn. Day 11°C waterproof shell + knit, evening 6°C add fleece + scarf. Like Korean late October. Bring hat + gloves for late-evening Aurora chases. Waterproof boots for muddy autumn trails.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Reykjavik in September?
Reykjavik September sunrise is 06:15 and sunset is 20:00, with 13h 45min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Reykjavik in September?
Reykjavik September air quality (AQI) averages 28, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Reykjavik in September?
In September, Reykjavik is great for Aurora viewing (mid-month onwards), Golden Circle + South Coast, Snæfellsnes.
Is September peak season in Reykjavik?
Reykjavik September crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Reykjavik
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.