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COSTCO ICELAND????? YES, 100%!!!!!
You might be thinking…why would I need to visit Costco Iceland? I don’t need a giant aisle of household items (read: toilet paper) when I’m really in Iceland for the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights.
Well, what if you do need to add Costco Iceland to your vacation agenda? Thermal pools? Check. Icelandic Costco? Check.
This Costco location in the capital region of Iceland just might be a necessary addition to your trip! It was such a combo of familiarity and uniqueness that I had to pay a visit!
SBT Highlights
- Costco Iceland provides a wide range of products and services at competitive prices, similar to its US counterparts.
- Customers can enjoy a variety of departments, from a pharmacy to a food court and a tire center.
- Membership offers access to exclusive deals and discounts in this budget-friendly shopping destination. (SPOILER ALERT: Yes, you can use your U.S. Costco membership there!)
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Costco Iceland
Costco, the popular American warehouse club, expanded its presence to Iceland in mid-2017.
Located in Garðabær, Costco Iceland offers a shopping experience similar to its US counterparts, providing a wide range of products at competitive prices.
Shoppers in Iceland can now enjoy the benefits of membership and take advantage of the store’s variety of goods and services.
At Costco Iceland, customers can find quality brand-name merchandise as well as a pharmacy, food court, gas station, optical department, tire center, and more.
For tourists and locals alike, this shopping destination offers a convenient and budget-friendly option.
We thought it would be fun to check out something familiar from home that is rather new in Iceland.
We didn’t intend to purchase much in-store (though we do tend to shop at Costco warehouse locations around the world).
We did, however, want to test the process and also purchase (hopefully) cheaper gas for the rental car.
The setup is very similar to the American stores, so the large store had a familiar layout. All the consumer goods you would expect were available.
Check out this video for a sneak peek!
Exploring Costco Iceland
Location and Hours
Costco Iceland is located in Garðabær, about 10 km (6.2 miles) south of Reykjavík proper. It’s not hard to get to and is a 15-20 minutes drive from downtown Reykjavík, depending on traffic.
From our vacation rental, however, it was only 6.2 km (3.9 miles) away. It is located by IKEA, several car dealerships, and a Bónus store (one of many locations and our choice for grocery shopping in Iceland).
The warehouse and trade hours may vary, so it is advised to check their official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on their individual hours.
At the time of our visit, the opening hours were as follows:
- Monday through Friday = 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday = 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday = 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
We flashed our Costco card and entered the Costco Iceland warehouse without issue.
Other than some Icelandic words here and there, the inside of the warehouse looked very familiar to us.
The set-up and feel were similar to our local Costco in the U.S. And just like at home, Christmas trees were already for sale in early October.
Membership Details
Like other Costco locations, to shop at Costco Iceland, you will need a valid membership. BUT, yes, you CAN use your U.S. Costco membership card!!!!!
Departments and Specialty Items
Costco Iceland houses a variety of departments, including:
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Home appliances
- Clothing and accessories
- Fresh groceries
- Food court
- Pharmacy
- Optical
Shopping at Costco Iceland provides you with access to well-known international and local products.
Food at Costco Iceland
The Food Court
Just like the Costco warehouses in the United States, Costco Iceland Reykjavik has a food court. And right in the middle of the menu, per usual, is the famous hotdog and soda combo. Instead of $1.50, however, it will cost you 299 Icelandic króna (which, at the time of this writing, is approx. $2.62).
Yes, the famous hotdog and soda combo exists at Costco Iceland! #travel #iceland #costco Click To TweetHot dogs are a popular street food in Iceland, so this Costco food court staple fits right in!
Looks like the elusive mango smoothie is available, as well as Costco Iceland pizza!
In conclusion, the Costco Iceland food court offers a blend of the traditional US food court items, street food, and cafe offerings, catering to different tastes and moods. Make sure to give their food court a visit when you’re shopping at Costco Iceland.
Prices and Comparison
Costco vs Other Markets
In Iceland, Costco competes with grocery chains like Bónus and Krónan, as well as stores like IKEA that sell furniture and home goods.
When it comes to basic consumer goods such as fish, milk, or pasta, you may find slight price differences between Costco and these other markets.
For example, when shopping at the Icelandic Costco location, you might notice that prices are slightly higher than at US Costco stores, mainly due to local taxes and import fees.
In comparison to other Icelandic supermarkets, Costco sometimes offers lower prices on certain products.
Truth be told, we did most of our grocery shopping at the discount Bónus grocery store.
Most helpful, Costco stands out with its competitive pricing on gasoline. Costco’s gas prices in Iceland are significantly lower than their competitors like N1 and Olís gas stations.
Unique Items and their Costs
Apart from the usual grocery items, Costco Iceland offers a variety of unique and specialized products. Some examples include:
- Fish: Iceland is known for its high-quality seafood, and at Costco, you can find various fish portions such as salmon and cod at competitive prices, which can be more affordable than in other grocery stores.
- Glasses: Costco in Iceland provides good quality eyeglasses at affordable prices, making it a popular choice for those looking to update their eyewear.
- Tents: Given Iceland’s beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities, many opt to camp out during their visit. Costco Iceland offers a selection of tents at different costs, which can provide savings in comparison to prices from other local outdoor retailers.
Our Favorite Costco Iceland Trip Finds – What to Buy at Iceland Costco
Half the fun of visiting stores in other countries is seeing the different products that they carry. Here are some of our Costco Iceland finds, including plenty of unique food items.
Awesome Snow Sled
This was hands-down the coolest snow sled we’ve ever seen.
What can we say? We live in Southern California, and snow sleds aren’t very necessary there.
Anyway, this sled had grip handles for two people, as well as a pull rope.
Cold Weather Gear
There were racks of cold weather gear, as far as the eye could see.
Again, we don’t see much of this type of item at our US locations in SoCal.
Nando’s Sauce!
This might not mean anything to a lot of people.
However, we ate at a Nando’s restaurant in Kuching, Malaysia, last year.
So, seeing this sauce at Costco Iceland brought back fond memories of a previous trip to a different continent!
Icelandic Butter
Whereas people in SoCal head to Costco for Kerrygold butter, this Icelandic butter is where it’s at!
So good! Wish we could’ve brought some home!
Additional Services
Pharmacy and Opticals
At Costco in Iceland, you can conveniently access services like the pharmacy and optical departments.
Similar to other international Costco locations, the pharmacy offers a variety of over-the-counter medications and prescription services to cater to your needs.
The optical department offers a wide range of eyewear products, such as prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses.
Gas Stations (& Gas Prices)
Costco in Iceland also features gas stations for your convenience. The petrol stations are designed to cater to both local and international members, ensuring that you can fuel up your vehicle at affordable prices.
Our next test at Costco Iceland would be to get gas for our rental car.
We drove right up to the pump (sooooo unlike the infinitely long Costco gas lines at home), and we were “prepared for the privilege” with our Costco membership card.
However, we couldn’t get this scanner to scan our Costco card.
It turns out we were holding the card too close. Through trial and error, we held the card farther away from the scanner beam, and voilà, we were able to pump the gas with no further issues.
Here are the gas prices (per liter) for the day we were there, as well as the Costco gas hours in Iceland.
Have you heard that gas is expensive in Iceland?
Well, it’s true. I thought SoCal gas prices were crazy, but Iceland is on another level. We put gas in our rental car four times in Iceland…twice at Costco and twice elsewhere.
I converted from liters to gallons and from ISK to USD…and here’s how it shook out…the gas price at Costco Iceland vs. elsewhere.
Price per gallon at Costco Iceland = $6.53/gallon
Average price per gallon NOT at Costco Iceland = $7.58/gallon
That’s a significant difference! It’s an even bigger (equivalent) difference than Costco gas prices in the U.S. Any way you look at it, gas prices in Iceland are steep, but it looks like Costco Iceland is definitely the way to go, if at all possible.
Reactions from Icelanders
When Costco first opened its doors in Iceland in spring 2017, the response from the local population was overwhelming. The store’s big opening in Garðabær, Iceland, became Costco’s biggest opening in 24 years, with a large number of members signing up even before the store officially opened.
Icelanders were particularly excited about the competitive prices offered by Costco.
In the early days of the store opening, enthusiastic shoppers formed long queues outside the store, and local reporters covered the event with excitement, describing the product selection and attractive prices in detail. The opening of Costco had a profound impact on Icelandic society and brought significant attention from the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the popular items to buy at Costco Iceland?
Popular items at Costco Iceland include food, clothing, and electronics. You can find an expanded selection of products compared to other local stores, often at lower prices. Locals frequently share their purchases on Icelandic Facebook groups, where you can get an idea of what is popular and seek advice from fellow shoppers.
What is available at the Costco Iceland food court?
The food court at Costco Iceland offers a smaller menu compared to US locations, but you can still find some familiar options. However, prices might be slightly higher than in the US due to regional factors.
Can I use my US Costco card in Iceland?
Yes! Your US Costco membership can be used at the Icelandic location. Costco membership cards are accepted in all of their warehouses worldwide.
According to the Costco U.S. website, on their Member Privileges & Conditions page, it says, “Your membership card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide.” So, we decided to test it out!
Our sole purchase from the Costco Reykjavik Iceland warehouse would be this Tropicana Orange & Mango Juice. (Spoiler Alert: It was delicious, and we bought it because the grocery store “juice” we bought was actually just sugar water.) The cost of the juice in USD was $4.92, so that was a solid good deal…more than just a reasonable price in my book.
Which European countries have Costco stores?
Costco currently has stores in various European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Spain.
SBT Summary: Costco Iceland
Located in Garðabær, Costco Iceland is a mere 6 miles away from Reykjavik’s city center. Despite the distance, the store’s similarities to American Costco locations is what makes it quite remarkable. As a member, you would appreciate the familiar layout and extensive range of products available in the store.
When it first opened in 2017, Costco Iceland attracted massive crowds and made major waves in the country’s business sector.
In terms of products offered, you’ll find that much of the selection mirrors that of US-based Costco warehouses. A few of the notable offerings include:
- Food: Expect a wide variety of local and international products, including gourmet cheeses and fresh seafood.
- Gasoline: Costco’s Iceland store is known for offering the cheapest gasoline in the area, generating somewhat of a revolution in the local fuel market.
- Food Court: Costco’s famous food court is also present, with some unique Icelandic twists to cater to local tastes.
So, pay a visit to Costco Iceland when you’re on the island. It’s a fun experience, and you may even save a few króna on things you need to purchase for your trip (especially lower prices on gas for the rental car).
P.S. Read about how we got to Iceland (and back)!
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Do you need the physical card for the pump or could you use a digital one from the app?
That’s a good question. I’m not exactly sure. We used our physical card, but it functioned by holding the card up to a scanning beam, not actually swiping the card.
Can I use my Costco card for gas at other stations ? Will I need to use a pin for the card transaction? With the Costco card ?
It sounds like you’re referring to a Costco credit card? This article is only talking about utilizing one’s Costco membership card. Most places that we used any major branded (VISA, etc.) credit cards in Iceland did not require a PIN.
thank you for your blog. I am planning a trip next year with my sisters and got a Costco executive membership for this purpose. I am so excited. If you have any other tips it would be really appreciated.
How fun! Check out this post for more ways to save in Iceland: https://semibudgettravel.com/iceland-semi-budget-how-much-does-a-trip-to-iceland-cost/