Social ConventionsVisitors will find Iceland is a classless society with a strong literary tradition. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. An Icelander is called by his first name because his surname is made up of his father’s Christian name plus ‘son’ or ‘daughter’ (eg John, the son of Magnus, would be called John Magnusson, while John’s sister, Mary, would be known as Mary Magnusdóttir). People are addressed as
Fru (Mrs) and
Herra (Mr). Visitors will often be invited to homes, especially if on business, and normal courtesies
should be observed. Icelanders pay careful attention to their appearance and, as for most Western countries, casual wear is widely acceptable although unsuitable for smart and social functions.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe 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.
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsKeflavík 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.
Getting There by WaterMain 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.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Iceland by persons over 18 years (tobacco products) or 20 years of age (alcoholic beverages) without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco products;
1l of spirits and 1l of wine or 1l of spirits and 6l of beer or 1l of wine and 6l of beer or 2.
25l of wine. Note: Travelers may bring in up to 3kg (6.6lb) of food not exceeding kr13,000; and goods free of duty up to the value of kr46,000; the value of each single item must not exceed kr23,000.
Restrictions: All fishing and riding equipment must be disinfected and a certificate of disinfection issued by an official veterinary authority presented on arrival. Visitors may bring conventional medicines suitable for personal needs during their stay but may not exceed 100 days consumption. Customs officers can request a doctor’s certificate if appropriate. There are also restrictions on larger amounts of flowers and plants.
Prohibited ImportsUncooked meats, milk and eggs. Narcotics.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAir Iceland (NY) (website:
www.airiceland.is)
runs domestic services to all major airports in all parts of the country which link up with air/bus connections to over 40 towns.
Islandsflug (website:
www.islandsflug.is) operates scheduled flights, special day tours and sightseeing flights.
Getting Around by WaterA number of ferry companies, including
Herjólfur (tel: 481 2800; website:
www.herjolfur.is) car ferry and
Ferry Baldur (tel: 438 1450; website:
www.seatours.is), operate services to various islands and fjords. Regular sightseeing tours are also available by ferries during the summer.
Getting Around by RailThere is no railway system in Iceland.
Getting Around by RoadRoads serve all settlements. The roads are mostly gravel rather than tarred. Traffic drives on the right. The Icelandic Tourist Board provide maps, and a helpful online guide (in both brochure and video format) to driving in Iceland.
Bus: Services are efficient and cheap, connecting all parts of the island during the summer. In winter, buses operate to a limited number of destinations. Reservations are not necessary and tickets can be bought either at the bus station or from the driver. Children under four years old travel free and children under 11 pay half price. Various tickets and passes, including an Air/Bus Rover that allows visitors to fly one way and return by bus, are available with
BSÍ Bus (website:
www.bsi.is).
Taxi: Available from all hotels and airports.
Car hire: Car hire services are available from Reykjavík, Akureyri and many other towns.
Regulations: Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, while outside towns they are 90kph (56mph) on paved roads and 80kph (50mph) on gravel roads. Drivers must be over 20 years of age. It is obligatory to use headlights at all times of the day and night, and to wear safety belts, both in the front and back seats.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A temporary driving license is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid UK driving license.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from
Reykjavík to other major cities/towns in Iceland.
| Air | Road | Sea |
| Isafjördur | 0.50 | 9.00 | - |
| Saudakrokur | 0.45 | 3.30 | - |
| Akureyri | 0.55 | 5.00 | - |
| Höfn | 0.65 | 9.30 | - |
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