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Iceland Mini Guide
Source: World Travel Guide
Overview
Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic close to the Arctic Circle. The landscape is wild, rugged and colourful, with black lava, red sulphur, hot blue geysers, rivers, waterfalls and green valleys. Its coastline is richly indented with bays and fjords.
Iceland is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Hekla, in the south of Iceland, has erupted no fewer than 16 times, and was once described by clergymen as the gateway to Hell. Certainly, Iceland's seething mountains contribute towards this sense of otherworldliness.
Yet around the coastal regions, Iceland is a bustle of activity, particularly in the capital city, Reykjavík, where more than half of Iceland's population lives. Reykjavík is set on a broad bay, surrounded by mountains, and is in an area of geothermal hot springs, creating a natural central heating system and pollution-free environment. It is a busy city combining old-fashioned wooden architecture and modern buildings. Despite being a relatively small capital city, Reykjavík has managed to forge a reputation for partying, and its nightclubs and bars are regularly filled with hordes of fun-loving citizens.
Whether you wish to quietly watch for birds or whales, or prefer to get active and ski, glacier skidoo or horse ride, Iceland amply provides for both.
Note
Icelandic consulates no longer issue visas. For visa information, contact the Royal Danish Embassy (tel: 09065 540 755 for appointments. For further details see Denmark section).
Passport/Visa
|
Passport Required? |
|
British |
Yes |
|
Australian |
Yes |
|
Canadian |
Yes |
|
USA |
Yes |
|
Other EU |
Yes/1 |
|
Visa Required? |
|
British |
No |
|
Australian |
No |
|
Canadian |
No |
|
USA |
No |
|
Other EU |
No |
|
Return Ticket Required? |
|
British |
No |
|
Australian |
Yes |
|
Canadian |
Yes |
|
USA |
Yes |
|
Other EU |
No |
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden who are only required to produce national identity cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin.
Passport Note
Iceland is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals of referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
2. EU nationals staying longer than 90 days will need to apply for a residence permit from the directorate of immigration in Iceland.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
A stay in another Schengen-Zone country counts as the same as a stay in Iceland.
Money
Currency
Icelandic krona (ISK; symbol kr) = 100 aurar. Notes are in denominations of kr5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 10. Coins are in denominations of kr100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged in all major banks, some of which (such as the Landesbankí at Reykjavík airport) are open 24 hours. Most hotels also provide their guests with exchange services. Exchange services are also available from The Change Group, which has offices at Reykjavík airport, the tourist information centre and in central Reykjavík.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, Europay, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are available throughout the country.
Traveller's Cheques
Widely used. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions
Restrictions apply.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0915-1600.
Exchange Rate Indicators
|
Date |
Jul 08 |
|
£1.00= |
kr156.35 |
|
$1.00= |
kr78.79 |
|
€1.00= |
kr125.03 |
Health
Vaccinations
|
|
Special Precautions |
|
Diphtheria |
No |
|
Hepatitis A |
No |
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Malaria |
No |
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Rabies |
No |
|
Tetanus |
Yes |
|
Typhoid |
No |
|
Yellow Fever |
No |
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Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be required, depending on the season and region visited. |
Health Care
The emergency number for medical assistance is 112 (24 hours). For European visitors who are taken ill or have an accident, free or reduced-cost treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid.
Getting There
Getting There by Air
The national airline, Icelandair (FI) (website: www.icelandair.net), operates direct flights all year round to Reykjavík (Keflavík) from London and New York. Iceland Express (website: www.icelandexpress.com) and British Airways (website: www.ba.com) also fly from London.
Approximate Flight Times
From London to Iceland is 3 hours; and from New York is 5 hours 30 minutes.
Main Airports
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) (website: www.keflavikairport.com) is the main international hub, 48km (30 miles) southwest of Reykjavík (journey time – 45 minutes). To/from the airport: Flybus (website: www.re.is) operates after each flight, making trips to all major hotels in Reykjavík, the camping ground, the youth hostel in Laugardalun and the domestic terminal. A taxi service is also available. Facilities: Duty-free shop, banking and exchange facilities, information desk, post office, restaurants, bars and car hire.
Departure Tax
None.
Getting There by Water
Main ports: Keflavik, Rekjavík and Seyðisfjörður.
A few ferry companies operate services to Iceland from Denmark, Germany and Norway. The Faroe Islands' Smyril Line (tel: 472 1111 or +44 1595 690 845, in the UK; website: www.smyril-line.com) operates a weekly passenger- and car-ferry service from Norway, Denmark, the Shetland Islands and the Faroe Islands.
Many cruises also call at Iceland.
Climate
Iceland’s climate is tempered by the Gulf Stream. Summers are mild and winters rather cold. The colourful Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) appear from the end of August. From the end of May to the beginning of August, there are nearly 24 hours of perpetual daylight in Reykjavík, while in the northern part of the country the sun barely sets at all. Winds can be strong and gusty at times and there is the occasional dust storm in the interior. Snow is not as common as the name of the country would seem to suggest and, in any case, does not lie for long in Reykjavík; it is only in northern Iceland that skiing conditions are reasonably certain. However, the weather is very changeable at all times of the year, and in Reykjavík there may be rain, sunshine, drizzle and snow in the same day. The air is clean and free of pollution.
Required Clothing
Lightweights in warmer months, with extra woollens for walking and the cooler evenings. Medium- to heavyweights are advised in winter. Waterproofing is recommended throughout the year.
Contacts
Icelandic Tourist Board
Laekjargata 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: 535 5500.
Website: www.visiticeland.com
Embassy of Iceland in the UK
2A Hans Street, London SW1X 0JE, UK
Tel: (020) 7259 3999.
Website: www.iceland.org/uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1600.
There is currently no Icelandic tourist board in the UK, but the embassy can deal with all enquiries. There is also a brochure request line based in the UK, tel: (020) 7636 9660.
Embassy of Iceland in the USA
1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: (202) 265 6653.
Website: www.iceland.org/us
Icelandic Tourist Board in the USA
c/o The Scandinavian Tourist Board, 655 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 885 9700.
Website: www.icelandtouristboard.com
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