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WHAT TO PACK

ESSENTIALS: All travellers should bring a fleece jacket or lightweight woollen sweater and a rainproof (weatherproof) coat and trousers. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots with good traction are also a must, especially for gravel trails and slippery paths near waterfalls. Travellers who are heading into the interior highlands will need thermal underwear, warm socks and waterproof boots.

Gloves, scarves and hats are also ideal to have year-round, particularly for activities such as whale watching tours or boat tours at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. And don’t forget your swimsuit! Iceland’s outdoor thermal swimming pools and hot tubs are popular in all seasons. It is also ideal to bring a fast-drying towel for visits to pools and hot tubs although many facilities rent towels for a small fee.

SUMMER: Eye shades may be helpful for sleeping due to the presence of the midnight sun. It is also recommended to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Although there are few insects in Iceland, midges do thrive in the summertime, especially by lakes, streams and horse trails. Those spending time in the Lake Mývatn area of North Iceland from June to August may wish to bring insect repellent.

IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING: Several outdoor apparel stores and second-hand clothing shops can be found in downtown Reykjavík along with Tiger, a budget variety store with cheap accessories like sunglasses, gloves, ear plugs, batteries, luggage accessories, phone chargers and more.

Another good option for toiletries, clothing and other general items is Hagkaup, a large grocery and department store located at Kringlan shopping mall (open 10:00 – 20:00 weekdays, 12:00 – 20:00 Sundays) and in the Skeifan area of Reykjavík (open 24 hours, every day).

FOR LIGHTER LOADS: For those on self-drive tours or guided group tours around the country, we recommended bringing along a rucksack or small backpack for your daily essentials (e.g., camera, wallet, medications, extra clothing layers or other personal items) since you may not have easy access to your suitcase during the day as you travel between accommodations. It can also come in handy for hiking excursions or picnics.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Iceland is a safe country with low levels of crime and pollution, a modern infrastructure, first-rate emergency services and an excellent health care system. Overall, Icelanders enjoy a high standard of living and visitors can expect a safe, enjoyable holiday if common sense and usual safety precautions are followed while travelling.

SAFE TRAVELLING TIPS: www.safetravel.is

Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance/Fire): dial 112

PHARMACIES/CHEMISTS: These are called apótek or lyfjaverslun in Icelandic and can be found in most towns around Iceland. Hours of operation are normally 10:00–18:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00–16:00 on Saturdays.

MEDICAL CLINICS/HOSPITALS: There is a medical centre or a hospital in all major cities and towns in Iceland. The emergency phone number in Iceland is 112.

HEALTH INSURANCE: We urge all travellers to have comprehensive travel insurance. (Insurance is not available through Nordic Visitor.) In the event of a medical emergency, Scandinavian citizens must present their passport while citizens of EEA countries must present a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC card) or be charged in full. The free EHIC card replaces the E-111 form and ensures the same rights for citizens of participating countries. Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries will be charged in full at hospitals or clinics. For more information, contact the Icelandic Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun) in at +354-560-4400 during the hours of 8:00-15:30 GMT.

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SHOPPING IN ICELAND

Stores in Iceland are similar to those in Europe and North America, with a wide variety of merchandise. Noteworthy local specialities include woollen knitwear with unique patterns (e.g., lopapeysa sweaters), handmade ceramics and glassware, silver jewellery, crafts made of lava stones or fish leather, high-quality seafood products, liquorice candies and Icelandic designer clothing.

BUSINESS HOURS: Most shops in Iceland are open between 09:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday, and between 10:00 and 16:00 on Saturdays. Many shops are closed on Sundays with exception of shopping malls in Reykjavik and some shops on Reykjavik’s busy downtown streets.

TAX FREE REFUNDS: A refund of local Value-added Tax (VAT) is available to all visitors in Iceland. The refund results in a reduction of up to 15% off the retail price, provided that departure from Iceland is within three months after the date of purchase. The purchase amount must be no less than 4.000 ISK (VAT included) per store, purchased in the same day. If the refund value of the tax-free forms exceeds 5.000 ISK, the goods (except woollens) may need to be shown at customs before check-in. All other forms can be refunded directly in cash at Landsbanki Íslands in the departure hall of Keflavík Airport. See http://www.eurorefund.com/iceland for more information.

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CURRENCY & BANKS

The Icelandic monetary unit is the Króna (ISK). The coins in circulation are 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 Krónas. The notes are 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 Krónas. Currency exchange is available at all banks around the country. Banks in Iceland are generally open 09:00 – 16:00 Monday through Friday, except on public holidays.

Exchange services outside regular banking hours are available at Landsbankinn at Keflavík International Airport during the hours of 05:30-18:00 (downstairs) or 05:30-08:30 and 13:00-17:00 (upstairs).

Please note that in Iceland, periods are used as thousands separators and commas are used as decimal marks. (e.g., 5.000 ISK, 25,5% VAT, etc.)

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PAYING BY CARDS & TRAVELLERS CHEQUES

Credit and debit cards are very common forms of payment in Iceland. In fact, cash use among the locals is rare since most merchants accept credit and debit cards even for small purchases. Travellers cheques, though less common, are also accepted at banks and major hotels or tourist centres.

CREDIT CARDS: VISA and MasterCard are the major credit cards in Iceland; both are serviced by all banks in Iceland. MasterCard is the agent for Diners Club and JCB. Please note that there might be a difference between the official currency exchange rate in Iceland and the exchange rate that the credit card companies use for transactions.

Cash advance services for cardholders is available as follows:

• VISA, MasterCard and Diners Club – at all banks and ATMs
• JCB – at MasterCard Iceland, Ármúli 28-30, 108 Reykjavík (tel: 550-1500)

DEBIT CARDS: Electron and Maestro cards are commonly accepted.

ATM: ATMs are widely available in Iceland and require a PIN number. Cash can be obtained for Electron and Maestro cards at all ATMs and banks, as well as for Cirrus and Euro cheque ATM-only cards. Diners Club and JCB cardholders with Cirrus acceptance have access to all ATMs.

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PHONES & MOBILE SERVICE

Iceland has one of the highest rates of mobile phone usage in the world, and mobile phones work in all towns and virtually all main travel routes. Vodafone offers 98% national coverage of GMS services.

PRE-PAID SIM CARDS: If you wish to use your mobile phone for local calls during your stay, you can purchase a pre-paid SIM card from Síminn or Vodafone. You can also purchase credit refill cards at most gas stations or convenience stores in Iceland (usually in denominations of 500, 1000, or 2000 ISK). Please note: Nordic Visitor provides all self-drive customers with a temporary mobile phone for use during the stay in Iceland.

With a pre-paid Icelandic SIM card, incoming calls are not charged, so your friends and family can call you on your mobile phone without using up your credit. Only they will pay the international call charges. Please note that your phone must be GSM compatible.

Most European mobile phones work on Iceland’s GSM network. However, many North American phones use a different standard. It may also be necessary to contact your telecomm provider to “unlock” your phone for international use (this also applies if you plan to use your phone on your regular service without a pre-paid SIM card). Otherwise, it is possible to rent mobile phones from Iceland Telecom at Ármúli 27 in 108 Reykjavík.

INTERNATIONAL CALLS: The code into Iceland from overseas is 354 plus the seven-digit number. 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.

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INTERNET ACCESS

Don’t let Iceland’s remote location fool you! Tech-savvy Icelanders rank among the top internet users in the world, so travellers with laptops or other web-enabled devices should not encounter many problems with finding internet connection. Also, tourist information centres often provide many types of services, including faxing, mailing or Internet access.

In Reykjavik: There are several ways to go online in Reykjavík. Many cafés, coffee houses, hotels, bookstores and even bars with Wi-Fi access can be found throughout the city centre, often with free connection. This list shows you some of places that offer free Wi-Fi hotspots from Vodafone, one of Iceland’s major telecomm providers: http://www.vodafone.is/internet/heitirreitir

In the smaller towns and countryside: Many hotels and guesthouses outside of the Capital Area offer internet connection, either free of charge or for an additional fee. Some also have computers for guest use in the reception or lounge areas. Major petrol stations, such as N1, also offer Wi-Fi connection in locations across the country.

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POST OFFICES & STAMPS

Post offices are located in all major communities in Iceland. Business hours in the Reykjavik area are usually 09:00 – 18:00 Monday – Friday, but post offices in smaller communities may open between 10:00-12:00 and close at 16:00. Many hotels, grocery stores, bookstores or tourist centres also sell stamps. Call 580-1200 or see http://www.postur.is for more information.

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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Businesses, banks and most stores are closed or have limited business hours on these days:

	2013	2014	2015
New Year‘s Day	January 1	January 1	January 1
Maundy Thursday	March 28	April 17	April 2
Good Friday	March 29	April 18	April 3
Easter Sunday	March 31	April 20	April 5
Easter Monday	April 1	April 21	April 6
First Day of Summer	April 25	April 24	April 23
Labour Day	May 1	May 1	May 1
Ascension Day	May 9	May 29	May 14
Whit Sunday	May 19	June 8	May 24
Whit Monday	May 20	June 9	May 25
National Day	June 17	June 17	June 17
Bank Holiday Monday	August 5	August 4	August 3
Christmas Eve (from noon)	December 24	December 24	December 24
Christmas Day	December 25	December 25	December 25
Second Day of Christmas	December 26	December 26	December 26
New Years Eve (from noon)	December 31	December 31	December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

LOCAL INFORMATION & NEWS: When in Iceland, we recommend picking up a copy of The Reykjavík Grapevine, a publication in English available for free at coffee houses, book stores and other locations. This is a good source of art and cultural events, music and restaurant reviews and amusing articles on local topics.

The Iceland Review is another good option (online only) for Icelandic news in English and German. 

TIPPING: The cost of service and VAT is included in all prices at restaurants, hotels, taxis, hairdressers, etc. Tipping is therefore not customary in Iceland, but is nonetheless appreciated when offered.

LITTERING: Please help us keep Iceland clean! We urge everyone to please leave all areas in the same or better condition than they found them.

SNACKS: If you’d like to stock up on cheap snacks for the road before heading out on your tour, we recommend visiting one of Iceland’s budget grocery chains: Bónus or Krónan. These stores are typically open from 10:00 to 18:00 although weekend and holiday hours vary. Bónus has two locations in downtown Reykjavík at Laugarvegur 59 and at the corner of Hallveigarstígur and Ingólfsstræti. Krónan is located just past the old harbour in the shopping centre at Fiskislóð 15-21.

In small towns and villages in rural areas, the most common grocery chain is Samkaup. Most major gas stations around the country such as N1 also include convenience stores with basic food items and small cafeterias serving hamburgers, fries, hot dogs, etc.

LAUNDRY: Self-service laundromats are not common in Iceland, but most hotels (typically 3-star or higher) throughout the country offer some laundry or dry-cleaning services for a moderate fee. In downtown Reykjavík, self-service laundry facilities can be found at the Laundromat Cafe on Austurstræti 9 (for dining guests) or at KEX Hostel on Skúlugata 28 (open to the public).

WINE & SPIRITS: Aside from bars, restaurants and some hotels, alcohol is only sold at state liquor stores called Vínbúð throughout towns and villages in Iceland. Most locations are open between the hours of 11:00 and 18:00 Monday - Saturday with no service on Sundays or holidays. Please note that rural locations often have more limited service hours.

ICELANDIC LITERATURE & MUSIC: We recommend visiting bookstores like Mál og Menning (Laugavegur 18) or Eymundsson (Austurstræti 18 or Skólavörðustígur 11) for Icelandic literature in English.

For Icelandic music, many bookstores carry a small selection of CDs and larger selections can be found at record stores at the Kringlan or Smáralind shopping malls in the suburbs or in downtown Reykavík at independent music stores like 12 Tónar (Skólavörðustígur 15) or Smekkleysa (Laugavegur 35).

WATER: When travelling in Iceland you may notice a “rotten egg” smell when running hot water in a sink or shower—that is simply a naturally occurring smell from the geothermal water source, and it poses no health risks. As for drinking water, it is perfectly safe to drink cold water from the tap in Iceland.

DRESSING FOR A NIGHT OUT IN REYKJAVIK: Establishments in Reykjavik generally don’t enforce a dress code. However, it may be a good idea to bring a nicer outfit and a smart pair of shoes for restaurants or bars in the city as they tend to have a cosmopolitan atmosphere much like bigger European cities.

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ELECTRICITY

Iceland has Northern European electrical standards (50 Hz/220 volts) so some customers may need adapters for plugs or converters for electrical devices brought from home. These are available in many major hotels and guesthouses, electronic stores and some souvenir shops and bookstores.

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WEIGHTS & MEASURES

Like other countries in Europe, Iceland uses the metric system.

1 inch (UK and US)	= 2.54 cm
1 foot (UK and US)	= 12 inches (30.48 cm)
1 mile (UK and US)	= 1.609 km
1 acre (UK and US)	= 4,047 m2
1 knot (International)	= 1.852 m
1 pint (UK)	= 0.473 cm3
1 pint (US)	= 0.568 cm3
1 pound (lb UK and US)	= 0.45359237 kg
1 ounce (oz UK and US)	= 28.35 g

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ICELANDIC LANGUAGE

Icelandic, the official language, is a North Germanic language similar to Old Norse that has changed little since Iceland’s settlement period. For this reason, the words and pronunciation can seem quite challenging for visitors.

Fortunately, most Icelanders know English and some Danish since these languages are mandatory subjects in primary schools. Many Icelanders are also proficient in one of the other Nordic languages or in German, French, Spanish or Italian. You generally don’t need a phrasebook to get around, but it doesn’t hurt to know a few simple Iceland words and phrases:

Já = Yes
Nei = No
Góðan daginn / Góðan dag = good day
Gott kvöld = Good evening
Hæ / Halló = Hi / Hello
Bless = Goodbye
Takk = Thank you