Arrival at an airport in Iceland
Airport Buses: A service is operated between Reykjavik and Keflavik International Airport. Buses leave Reykjavik from the BSI bus terminal 2,5 hours before flight departure. The drive frm the airport to Reykjavik takes about 40-50 minutes.
Airport Taxes: Cabs are always waiting outside the terminal.
Health / Pharmacies / Emergency Medical Help
Icelanders
enjoy a healthy life, thanks to clean air and water and good quality
fish. Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland.
Pharmacies are called
“Apótek” and are open during normal business hours.
Medical
help: There is a medical centre or hospital in all major cities and
towns in Iceland.
Emergency:
The 24-hour emergency phone number in Iceland is 112. See also
http://www.safetravel.is
Health
insurance: Citizens of Scandinavia must show their passport in the
event of a medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the
European Health Insurance Card (EU-card), otherwise the patient will be
charged in full. The EU-card replaces the E-111 form and ensures the
same rights. Citizens of other countries will be charged in full.
For
further information contact the State Social Security Institute,
Laugavegur 114, IS-105 Reykjavík Tel.: +354-560-4400/560-4460.
Office
hours: 08:05–15:30.
Vaccinations:
Vaccinations are not required.
The Midnight Sun
During summer the nights are bright all over
Iceland. In the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north.
Bear in mind, however, that the sun at midnight is not as warm as at
midday, so bring along a sweater.
Telephone
Direct
calls can be made to all parts of Iceland.The code into Iceland from
overseas is +354 + seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be
made to Europe and the USA by dialling 00 plus the country code, and
the telephone number you wish to reach.
Mobile
phones– Gsm: There are four GSM operators in Iceland: Siminn, Vodafone,
TAL and Nova. These telephone companies all sell pre-paid GSM phone
cards and offer GSM/GPRS services. Pre-paid cards are available at
petrol stations around the country. GSM phones may be rented from
Iceland Telecom, Ármúli 27, Reykjavík.
Business / Banking hours
Office hours are generally
09:00-17:00. Banking hours are Mon Fri 09:15-16:00.
Electric current
The electric current in
Iceland is 220 volts, 50 Hz AC.
Tipping
Service and VAT are invariably
included in prices in Iceland.
Climate
Thanks to the Gulf Stream,
Iceland enjoys a cool temperate maritime climate: cool in summer and
fairly mild in winter. However, the weather is very unpredictable and
tourists should be prepared for the unexpected.
Visitors with disabilities
Visitors
with disabilities can make travelling in Iceland fairly easy by planning
their vacation in advance. They may also find it 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.
All
airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate
travellers with disabilities. A few domestic buses are equipped for
wheelchair users are available for special tours upon request.
For
accessible hotels and tourist attractions, see
www.sjalfsbjorg.is
Weather and clothing
For weather information in
English, tel.: 902-0600, email:
office@vedur.is or their website
www.vedur.is.
When
travelling to Iceland you should bring along lightweight woollens, a
sweater or cardigan, a rainproof (weatherproof) coat and sturdy walking
shoes.
Travellers who are camping or heading into the interior will need
warm underwear and socks, rubber boots and a warm sleeping bag.
See
safetravel.is for more info about weather, equipment and safe traveling.
Tax-free shopping
A refund of local Value-Added
Tax (VAT) is available to all visitors in Iceland. The refund will
result in a reduction of up to 15% off the retail price, provided
departure from Iceland is within 3 months of the date of purchase.
The
purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per store.
All goods (except woollens) need to be shown at customs before
check-in.
At Keflavík airport this applies only to tax-free forms whose
refund value exceeds ISK 5,000. All other forms can be refunded directly
in cash at Landsbanki Islands in the departure hall.
Shopping
The shops in Iceland are of
international standard and carry a wide variety of merchandise. Local
specialities are woollen knitwear (for example sweaters, cardigans, hats
and mittens), handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewellery.
Also
available is a great variety of high-quality seafood. Shopping hours
are Mon Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00.
Some supermarkets are open to 21:00 seven days a week.
Currency Exchange
The Icelandic monetary unit is
the króna. Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10 kr., 5 kr.
and 1 kr. Banknotes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr., 1000
kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are
generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00.
Travellers' cheques, debit and credit cards
Widely accepted in Iceland. The major cards in
Iceland are EUROPAY/MASTERCARD and VISA.
Arrival in Seydisfjordur
From Seydisfjordur it is easy
to take a bus to all major destinations in Iceland. The trip from
Seydisfjordur to Reykjavík takes about 8–9 hours and from Seydisfjordur
to Akureyri about 5–6 hours.
For more information contact: tel.: +354-472-1551, email:
ferdamenning@sfk.is,
website:
www.sfk.is
Before departure
For information on passport
and visa requirements as well as the Schengen area regulations, please
view the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration:
www.utl.is