The Ultimate Iceland Road Trip Grocery Guide: Where to Shop and How to Save

Quick answer: The cheapest grocery stores in Iceland are Bónus and Krónan, both budget-focused chains found across the country. Bónus is usually the cheapest overall. To save money on your Ring Road trip, stock up at these supermarkets in larger towns, check opening hours before you drive, and pack foods that travel well in a car or camper.

Food is one of the biggest expenses on any Iceland road trip. Restaurant meals often cost 3,000–5,000 ISK per person, and prices climb even higher in remote areas. For budget travelers driving the Ring Road, self-catering is the single best way to cut costs without cutting the experience short.

The good news? Iceland has reliable, affordable supermarkets. Once you know which chains to trust, where they're located, and what to buy, you can eat well for a fraction of the restaurant price.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know. You'll learn which supermarket chains offer the best value, where to restock along the Ring Road, what opening hours to expect, and which foods hold up best on the road. Let's help you spend less on groceries and more on the trip itself.

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What Are the Main Supermarket Chains in Iceland?

Iceland has a handful of major grocery chains, and knowing the difference between them saves you real money. Not all stores are priced the same, and some are far easier to find on the road than others.

Here's a breakdown of the main players:

• Bónus – The most popular budget chain, marked by its yellow pig logo. Widely regarded as the cheapest supermarket in Iceland.
• Krónan – Another strong budget option, often with a wider selection of fresh produce.
• Nettó – A mid-range chain with some 24-hour locations, useful for late-night or early-morning stops.
• Krambúð and Samkaup – Smaller convenience stores found in rural areas. Handy in a pinch, but more expensive.
• 10-11 – A convenience chain found mostly in Reykjavík. Open long hours but among the priciest places to shop.
• Hagkaup – A larger store with a broad range of goods, including non-food items. Prices sit above Bónus and Krónan.

For budget travelers, Bónus and Krónan should be your main stops. Save the convenience stores for emergencies only, since their prices can be double what you'd pay at a discount chain.

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Bónus vs Krónan: Which Is the Cheapest Supermarket in Iceland?

When it comes to bónus vs krónan, both are excellent budget choices—but they have small differences worth knowing.

Bónus is generally the cheapest supermarket in Iceland. It focuses on low prices over selection, so you'll find the essentials without much frills. It's the go-to for staples like bread, pasta, canned goods, dairy, and snacks. The trade-off is shorter opening hours and a slightly smaller fresh produce range.

Krónan is very close in price and often wins on variety. It tends to stock better fresh fruit and vegetables, a wider range of ready-made meals, and more vegetarian and vegan options. Krónan also has a useful app with digital coupons.

Which should you choose? If your priority is the lowest possible price on basics, choose Bónus. If you want a bit more variety—especially fresh produce or plant-based options—choose Krónan. Many travelers simply shop at whichever appears first on their route, since the price gap is small.

One tip: prices for the same item can vary slightly between the two, but both are dramatically cheaper than convenience stores or gas station shops.

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Where to Restock Along the Ring Road

Stocking up for the Ring Road takes a little planning. Supermarkets cluster in towns, and long stretches of the route have no large stores at all. Buy enough to carry you between major stops.

Here are the key towns with reliable supermarkets along Route 1:

• Reykjavík – The best selection and prices. Stock up heavily before you leave the capital.
• Borgarnes – A common first stop heading north or west. Has a Bónus and Nettó.
• Akureyri – The largest town in North Iceland. Multiple supermarket options, including Bónus and Krónan.
• Egilsstaðir – The main hub in East Iceland. A good place to restock before quieter stretches.
• Höfn – A useful southeastern stop with a Nettó, handy after the remote eastern fjords.
• Selfoss and Hveragerði – Convenient stops in the South, close to popular sights along the Golden Circle route.

Between Egilsstaðir and Höfn, and across parts of the East Fjords, stores are scarce. The same applies to remote sections of the Westfjords if you detour there. Fill your cooler and pantry box before these gaps.

A simple rule: never let your food supply run low when passing through a large town. Restock even if you think you have enough.

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What Are Supermarket Opening Hours in Iceland?

Opening hours in Iceland can catch travelers off guard, especially in rural areas. Planning around them prevents arriving at a closed store after a long drive.

General guidelines:

• Bónus – Typically open around 11:00 to 18:30 on weekdays, with shorter hours on weekends. Bónus is known for closing earlier than other chains.
• Krónan – Usually open from around 10:00 or 11:00 until 19:00 or 20:00.
• Nettó – Longer hours overall, and some larger locations (including in Reykjavík) stay open 24 hours.
• Convenience stores (10-11, Krambúð) – Open early and close late, sometimes 24 hours, but at premium prices.

Hours are shorter on Sundays and public holidays across all chains. In small towns, a single supermarket may close for the evening with no alternative nearby. Always check current hours online before relying on a specific store, as times change seasonally.

If you arrive in a town late, a Nettó or convenience store may be your only option. Plan bigger shops for daytime hours at Bónus or Krónan.

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Which Foods Travel Well in a Car or Camper?

Self-catering on the road works best with foods that don't spoil quickly and need little or no cooking. If you're in a camper with a stove, your options widen. Either way, focus on simple, filling, and durable items.

Foods that need no fridge:

• Bread, crackers, and wraps
• Peanut butter, jam, and spreads
• Dried pasta and instant noodles
• Canned beans, soups, fish, and vegetables
• Nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, and trail mix
• Instant oatmeal and cereal
• Coffee, tea, and powdered drinks

Foods that keep well in a cooler:

• Cheese and butter
• Cured meats and hot dogs (a Icelandic favorite)
• Yogurt and skyr, Iceland's popular thick dairy product
• Eggs (they last well and cook easily)
• Fresh vegetables like carrots, peppers, and cucumbers

If you have a camper stove:

• Pasta with jarred sauce
• Instant rice and canned curry
• Soups and stews
• Scrambled eggs or omelets

A cooler box with ice packs makes a big difference. In cooler months, Iceland's climate helps keep food fresh, and you can often store items overnight in the car without spoilage.

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Tips for Eating on a Budget in Iceland

Eating on a budget in Iceland comes down to smart shopping and a few local tricks. These small habits add up over a long trip.

1. Shop at Bónus or Krónan whenever possible. Avoid gas stations and convenience stores for anything but emergencies.
2. Refill a water bottle from the tap. Icelandic tap water is clean, fresh, and free. Skip bottled water entirely.
3. Buy Icelandic hot dogs. A hot dog (pylsur) from a stand is one of the cheapest hot meals in the country, often under 700 ISK.
4. Bring a reusable cooler and containers. They let you buy in bulk and store leftovers.
5. Cook simple meals. If your rental is a camper, one-pot dinners save a fortune.
6. Use supermarket loyalty apps. Krónan and Nettó offer digital deals that lower prices further.
7. Buy alcohol at duty-free on arrival. Alcohol is expensive and only sold at state Vínbúðin stores. The airport duty-free shop is the cheapest option.
8. Avoid pre-packaged single meals when you can. Basic ingredients cost less and stretch further.

With these habits, many travelers keep food costs to a fraction of what they'd spend dining out—leaving more room in the budget for fuel, tours, and experiences.

See also: How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Road Trip in Iceland.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest supermarket in Iceland?

Bónus is generally the cheapest supermarket in Iceland. It focuses on low prices for everyday staples. Krónan is a close second and often has a wider selection of fresh produce and plant-based options.

Are Bónus and Krónan found all over Iceland?

Both chains are common in towns along the Ring Road, including Reykjavík, Borgarnes, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, and Selfoss. However, remote areas—such as parts of the East Fjords—may have no large supermarket, so stock up in bigger towns.

How much does groceries cost for an Iceland road trip?

Costs vary by diet and trip length, but self-catering typically costs far less than restaurants. A restaurant meal often runs 3,000–5,000 ISK per person, while a day of groceries per person can cost considerably less if you shop at Bónus or Krónan.

Is tap water safe to drink in Iceland?

Yes. Icelandic tap water is clean, safe, and free. Refilling a reusable bottle from the tap is one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce plastic waste on your trip.

What are typical supermarket opening hours in Iceland?

Bónus usually opens around 11:00 and closes by 18:30, earlier than most chains. Krónan often runs from around 10:00 or 11:00 to 19:00 or 20:00. Some Nettó and convenience stores stay open later or 24 hours. Hours shorten on Sundays and holidays.

Can I buy alcohol at supermarkets in Iceland?

No. Supermarkets only sell low-alcohol beer. Wine, spirits, and full-strength beer are sold only at state-run Vínbúðin stores. The cheapest place to buy alcohol is the duty-free shop at Keflavík Airport on arrival.

What foods are best for a camper trip in Iceland?

Durable, easy-to-prepare foods work best: bread, pasta, canned goods, oatmeal, nuts, and dried fruit. If you have a camper stove, one-pot meals like pasta, rice dishes, and soups are cheap and filling. A cooler keeps dairy, eggs, and vegetables fresh.

Do I need to bring a cooler for an Iceland road trip?

A cooler box is highly recommended, especially in warmer months. It lets you buy perishables in bulk and store leftovers. In cooler seasons, Iceland's climate often keeps food fresh in the car overnight.

 

Plan Your Groceries, Enjoy the Drive

Smart grocery shopping is one of the easiest ways to keep an Iceland road trip affordable. Stick to Bónus and Krónan for the best prices, restock in larger towns before remote stretches, and pack foods that travel well. A little planning frees up your budget for the moments that matter—chasing waterfalls, soaking in hot springs, and driving the Ring Road at your own pace.

Before you set off, map out the towns with supermarkets along your route and note their opening hours. With your cooler stocked and your pantry box full, you'll be ready to explore Iceland without overspending on food.

Renting a car or camper with Höldur gives you the freedom to shop, cook, and eat on your own schedule—the foundation of a truly budget-friendly Iceland adventure.

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