Practical Tourist Information

Camping in Reykjavík
Source: Iceland Tourist Board

See also "Practical Info" at the Iceland Tourist Board website, www.icetourist.is/

Excerpts and additions:

Passports
A valid passport is necessary for visitors to Iceland, except for citizens of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Citizens of the following countries may enter Iceland using, instead of passports, national identity-cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Visas
Visitors from many countries are exempted from tourist visa requirements. See "Passports & Visas". For further information contact a local Icelandic Embassy, local Consulate (see "Diplomatic Relations") or the Directorate of Immigration (E-mail: utl@utl.is).

Arrival
A bus service is operated between Keflavík International Airport and Hotel Loftleiðir in Reykjavík. The drive takes about 40-50 minutes. Buses from Reykjavik leave 2 hours before departure. Taxis are available.

Currency
The Icelandic monetary unit is the "krona" (ISK) Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5,000 kr., 2,000
kr.,1,000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00. There is no limit on the amount of foreign
currency which may be brought into Iceland.

Cash and Credit
Travellers' cheques are widely accepted in Iceland. Most stores accept debit cards. Cash can be obtained against these cards in all banks and ATMs. All major credit cards are widely used in Iceland and accepted by most establishments, including hotels, restaurants, car rentals and shops.

Shopping
Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00, varying from one shop to another. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Many shops are closed on Saturdays during the summer - June, July and August. Shops outside Reykjavík in service centres or filling stations are often open all day (09:00-22:00/23:00/23:30) every day of the week. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00. Office hours are generally 09:00-17:00 but some offices change to 08:00-16:00 during the summer.

Tax-free
A refund of local VAT (value-added tax) is available to visitors to Iceland. The refund will result in a reduction of up to 15% of the retail price, provided departure from Iceland is within 3 months after the purchase is made. The purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per sales receipt, and all goods (except woollens) must be packed in sealed bags or containers.

Duty-free
The duty-free store at Keflavík Airport is open to coincide with flight departures and arrivals.

Laundry
Laundry and dry cleaning services are available at most hotels throughout the country. There are many laundry services in Reykjavík and at least one self-service laundry.

Mail
There are post offices located in all major communities in Iceland. General hours are: Mon-Fri 08:30-16:30. The post office in Austurstræti (Reykjavík centre) is open June-August on Saturdays 10:00-14:00.

Telephone
Direct calls can be made to all parts of Iceland. The country code from overseas is +354 + a seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialling 00 plus the country code, the area code, if applicable, and the telephone number you wish to reach. If assistance is required, dial 114 for information and 115 to place a call. Coin and card operated public phones are found at post offices and telephone exchanges around the country. Phone charges vary when calling within Iceland depending on the time of day. Rates may also be higher at hotels than in public phones.

Mobile telephones
There are two mobile telephone systems in Iceland, GSM (operates in most communities) and NMT (operates both in towns and much of the countryside). Telephone companies sell pre-paid GSM phone cards, which visitors may find convenient to use with their own GSM phones. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country. GSM phones may be rented at several locations.

Telefax
Fax service is available at most post offices aroundthe country. The fax code into Iceland is +354 + a seven-digit number.

Telegrams
Telegrams may be sent from private or public telephones by dialling 146.

Weather
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a mild ocean climate. It is cool in summer (Reykjavik July average 10.6°C - 51°F, maximum 24.3°C - 76°F) and fairly mild in winter (Reykjavik January average 0.5°C - 31°F, maximun 9.9°C - 49°F) . However, the weather is very changeable and tourists should be prepared for the unexpected.
For weather information in English, tel: +354-902-0600, extension 44, e-mail: office@vedur.is, www.vedur.is. When travelling in the Icelandic countryside you should bring along lightweight woollens, a rainproof (weather-proof) coat and sturdy walking shoes. Also bring a swim suit because geothermally heated public pools (and natural springs) are widely accessible. Travellers who are camping or heading into the interior will need warm underwear and socks, rubber boots and a warm sleeping bag.

Midnight sun
The summer nights are bright in all of Iceland. In the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north. There are even special excursions to the island of Grímsey on the Arctic Circle where you can experience the midnight sun.

Northern lights
During the winter nights, the northern lights are often visible in Iceland. Also called aurora borealis, they occur in the upper atmosphere during periods of solar activity. They take many forms and colors, often appearing as greenish rippling drapery.

Time
Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year, and does not go on daylight saving time. When it is noon in Reykjavík during the summer, the time is 08:00 in New York City, 13:00 in London, 14:00 in Copenhagen, Paris and Rome and 21:00 in Tokyo.

Water
Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland and is very good quality.

Pharmacies
Pharmacies are called "Apótek" and are open during normal business hours. Some are open for extended hours.

Medical help
There are Health Centres or general practitioners in all towns around the country. Doctors will make house calls. In case of serious illness or accidents in Reykjavik, patients should turn to the Emergency Ward at Landspítali University Hospital in Fossvogur (district), tel.: +354-525-1000, which is open around the clock.

Medical insurance
Citizens of Scandinavia have to show valid medical insurance and a passport in case of medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the E-111 form, otherwise the patient will be charged in full. Citizens of other countries are charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute, tel.: +354-560-4400, fax: +354-562-4302. Office hours: 08:05-15:00.

Vaccinations
For visitors arriving in Iceland, no vaccinations are required.

Visitors with disabilities
Visitors with disabilities can make travelling in Iceland fairly easy by careful planning. It may sometimes be necessary to travel with a companion, for although there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to people with disabilities, they do not always provide full assistance. A number of hotels in Reykjavík and Akureyri have rooms specially designed for guests with disabilities. Larger department stores are generally accessible to wheelchair users. Some ferries are accessible to people with disabilities. All airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate travellers with disabilities. Some buses for wheelchair users are available for special tours upon request.

Emergencies
Call 112 countrywide for police, medical and fire emergencies.

Public holidays
Businesses, banks and most stores are closed on these holidays:

2007		2008
Jan 1	New Year's Day	Jan 1
April 5	Maundy Thursday	March 20
April 6	Good Friday	March 21
April 8	Easter Sunday	March 23
April 9	Easter Monday	March 24
April 19	First Day of Summer	April 24
May 1	Labour Day	May 1
May 17	Ascension Day	May 1
May 27	Whit Sunday	May 11
May 28	Whit Monday	May 12
June 17	National Day	June 17
Aug 6	Bank Holiday Monday	Aug 4
Dec 24	ChristmasEve (from noon)	Dec 24
Dec 25	ChristmasDay	Dec 25
Dec 26	Boxing Day	Dec 26
Dec 31	New Year's Eve (from noon)	Dec 31

Religion
The established religion in Iceland is Lutheran. There are many Lutheran churches in Iceland and services are usually held every Sunday at 11:00 or14:00. There are Catholic churches in Reykjavík, Hafnarfjörður, Stykkishólmur, Ísafjörður, Akureyri, Hvergerði and Keflavík and a number of churches for other groups. Holy Mass in English or German is held in the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Reykjavík every Saturday at 18:00, and in English on Sundays at 18:00.

Language
Icelandic is a Germanic language of the Nordic group. It has changed little from the original tongue spoken by the Norse settlers in the 9th Century. English and Danish are widely spoken and understood. Icelandic has two distinctive letters: Þ/þ pronounced like th in "thing" and Ð/ð pronounced like th in"them." Other non-English letters are the following: Á, É, Í, Ó, Ú, Ý, Æ, Ö.

News in English
A short news broadcast in English is made on State Radio, FM 93.5 and FM 92.4, every morning during the summer months, June, July and August, Mon-Fri at 07:31. One can listen to the broadcast by telephone:
+354-515-3690.

Reykjavik card
The Reykjavík Card is valid for free, unlimited travel on the city buses, and free admission to swimming pools and municipal museums.

Dining
Restaurants in Iceland offer a wide variety of dishes, ranging from Icelandic seafood and mountain lamb to international and Oriental cuisine. There are also places that offer pizza, hamburgers and other less expensive dishes.

Wine and spirits
Apart from most hotels, restaurants and bars, alcohol is sold in state liquor stores throughout Iceland. It is not available in supermarkets.

Tipping
Service and VAT (value-added tax) are invariably included in prices in Iceland.

Electric current
The electric current in Iceland is 220 volts, 50 HZ AC. Most electrical outlets are DIN (the German industrial standard - two round pins), but many hotels also offer other variations.

Driving in Iceland
The general speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas, and 90 km/h on asphalt roads. The total length of the Ring Road around Iceland (national highway) is 1,351 km. Motorists are obliged by law to use headlights at all times day and night. In Iceland all driving off roads or marked tracks is prohibited by law. Passengers in the front and back seats of an automobile are required by law to use safety-belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of alcohol. Many country roads are unpaved. Some are often very narrow and are not made for fast driving. The same goes for many bridges, which are only wide enough for one car at a time. Road maps are available at local tourist offices, bookstores or gas stations. See also the Icelandic Traffic Council.

Mountain roads
All mountain roads and roads in the interior of Iceland have a surface of loose gravel. Care must be taken when driving on gravel roads, espcially when approaching an oncoming car. Most mountain roads are closed except in summer. When these roads are opened for traffic, it may be necessary to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle on some of them. For some mountain tracks it is strongly advised that two or more cars travel together. Also, before embarking on any journey into the interior collect as much information as possible regarding road conditions from a travel bureau, tourist information office or the Public Roads Administration. A booklet called "Mountain Roads" can be obtained at tourist information centres and the offices of the Icelandic Tourist Board.

Car insurance
A "Green Card" or other proof of third-party insurance is mandatory for motorists driving their own cars in Iceland, except from the following countries: Austria, Belgium,
Croatia, Channel Islands, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Vatican. Drivers without a"Green Card" (or equivalent) must buy a separate third-party insurance policy on arrival.

Petrol
Many gasoline pumps in Iceland accept credit cards or cash 24 hours a day. In the greater Reykjavík area filling stations are open Mon-Sat 07:30-19:30, Sun 09:00-19:30 (Oct-May 10:00-19:30). Some have extended hours.

Embassies and Consulates
For a listing of foreign embassies and consulates, see Foreign Embassies under Diplomatic Relations.

Storage
Baggage may be left in Reykjavík at the BSÍ bus terminal off Hringbraut.

Public transportation
There is an efficient bus system in Reykjavík that operates from 07:00-24:00 on weekdays (10:00-24:00 on weekends). Bus stops are marked SVR. Tickets may be purchased from the driver or from the main terminal at Hlemmur. There is no train system.

Bus travel
There is an extensive bus service to most parts of the country and to the highlands, as well as a large number of organized bus tours. Reservations are not necessary and tickets can be bought either at the bus station or from the driver. Children under 4 travel free of charge, and half price is charged for children from 4-11.

Taxis
Taxis are readily available in Reykjavik and in the larger towns. There is a surcharge in the evenings and at weekends.

Car rental
Local and international car rental companies operate throughout Iceland. Cars can be booked through a travel agent or an airline, at airports or directly after arrival in Iceland. Many types of cars are available, from small family cars to powerful 4-wheel-drive vehicles.

International flights
There are daily flights to and from Iceland from 20 cities in mainland Europe and North America. Flying time is 2-4 hours from mainland Europe and 5 hours from North America. Icelandair has daily flights year around. Iceland Express provides daily flights to London and Copenhagen. Other airlines offer seasonal services.

Domestic flights
The major domestic air carrier in Iceland is Air Iceland. Other airlines services are also available.

Ferry service
The Faroe Islands' Smyril Line operates a weekly passenger-and car-ferry service during summer from Bergen in Norway and Hanstholm in Denmark to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. There are several domestic ferry services in Iceland, including the Westman Islands.

Customs rules
Customs rules are similar in Iceland as in most other countries in Western Europe. See "Customs Rules".

Tourist information
For detailed information during your visit to Iceland please contact your local Icelandic Embassy or Consulate, an Icelandic tourist information centre abroad, or: