Iceland

Iceland

No matter how much you hear about the awe-inspiring natural phenomena on this island on the edge of the Arctic circle, nothing can prepare you for the jaw-dropping spectacle that is Iceland. Dubbed “the Land of Fire and Ice”, this small island nation is characterised by contrasts and contradictions. It is a place where steaming geysers burst forth from icy glaciers, where molten hot lava spews out of icy snow-capped peaks, where the astonishing aurora borealis blaze across the night sky and where continuously dark winters are offset by summer’s magnificent midnight sun. With the exception of Reykjavik, the country’s population centres are small, with diminutive towns, fishing villages, farms and minute hamlets clustered along the coastal fringes. The interior, meanwhile, remains totally uninhabited. What the Icelanders lack in numbers, they certainly make up for in warmth, quirkiness, and boundless creativity. Add to this, one of the highest standards of living on earth and you have, quite simply, one of the world’s most intriguing destinations.

Read More: Iceland

Regions


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  • Hof
  • Mývatn
  • Reykjanes Peninsula

Travel Information


General

Language:The official language is Icelandic; English and Danish are widely spoken.National Emergency Numbers:The Iceland emergency number for services…

Electricity

Plug Type: Type C, Type F Voltage (V): 230V Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz *Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending…

Banking

Currency Local currency: Icelandic Krona Symbol: kr ISO code: ISK Subunit: Aurar Banknotes: kr500, kr1000, kr2000, kr5000, kr10000 Coins:…

Cuisine

Food and water safety: Can you drink the tap water: Yes Fresh fruit and veg: Yes Ice: Yes Meat: Yes Street food: Limited Local…

Climate

Annual rainfall: Varies across regions Average temperature: 1-10°C Summer: Average highs: 10-15°C Average lows: 5-10°C Winter: Average…

Transport

Air: Main airlines: Icelandair International Airports: Keflavík International Airport Domestic Airports: Reykjavík Airport, Akureyri Airport Road: Driving…

Dress

Spring and Summer Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes Lightweight warm clothes: Yes Winter and Autumn Jerseys, cardigans,…

Health

We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check…

Safety

Iceland is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in…

Visa

U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.


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General

Language:The official language is Icelandic; English and Danish are widely spoken.National Emergency Numbers:The Iceland emergency number for services such as police, fire and ambulance is 112.Public Holidays:Jan 01 - New Year’s DayMar 24 - Maundy ThursdayMar 25 - Good FridayMar 28 - Easter MondayApr 21 - First Day of SummerMay 01 - Labor DayMay 05 - Ascension DayMay 16 - Whit MondayJun 17 - National DayAug 01 - Commerce DayDec 24 - Christmas EveDec 25 - Christmas DayDec 26 - Boxing DayDec 31 - New Year’s EveTime Zone:Iceland is on UTC/GMT time and is 5 hours ahead of USA Eastern Time Zone.Tipping Suggestions:In general, it's not common to tip in Iceland. Certainly, not as common as in other countries. The main reason is that many bills already have the gratuity or service charge added into the total. Another reason is that most workers make decent wages. Even though tipping in Iceland may not be expected, it is still always appreciated mostly in restaurant settings.RestaurantsIn Iceland, your restaurant bill will probably already include a service charge, so you don't need to tip. If there isn't a service charge, then a 10% gratuity is perfectly fine.HotelsIt is not customary to tip hotel staff in Iceland, whether it is the maid or the bellman. Their services are included in your bill and nothing more is expected from you. However, if you did want to leave a small tip for your maid, it would certainly be appreciated. The same will be true for other services around the hotel: e.g. for bar staff and waiting staff in the hotel restaurants.TaxisTaxi drivers do not expect tips in Iceland. The price of the ride will cover any service charge. However, if there was heavy traffic (which is unlikely throughout most parts of Iceland) or the taxi driver was especially helpful you should feel free to tip them. Another option is to round up the price to the nearest even dollar.US Embassy:Mailing Address: 21, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandTel: +354 562 9100Website: https://is.usembassy.gov/

Electricity

Plug Type: Type C, Type F 
Voltage (V): 230V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Banking

Currency 

Local currency: Icelandic Krona 
Symbol: kr 
ISO code: ISK 
Subunit: Aurar 
Banknotes: kr500, kr1000, kr2000, kr5000, kr10000 
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 kr 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: Yes 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Cuisine

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: Yes 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Limited 

Local cuisine: 

Icelandic cuisine is known for its seafood, lamb, and dairy products. Traditional dishes include fermented shark (hákarl), lamb soup (kjötsúpa), and skyr (a type of yogurt). Notable local drinks include Brennivín (a type of schnapps) and Icelandic craft beer. 
Tipping: Not customary 

Climate

Annual rainfall: Varies across regions 
Average temperature: 1-10°C 

Summer: 

Average highs: 10-15°C 
Average lows: 5-10°C 

Winter: 

Average highs: -1 to 4°C 
Average lows: -5 to 0°C 

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit Iceland is during the summer months (June to August) when the weather is mild, and outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing are popular. 

Transport

Air: 

Main airlines: Icelandair 
International Airports: Keflavík International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Reykjavík Airport, Akureyri Airport 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: No 
Subway System: No 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Dress

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Health

We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Medical care in Iceland is of high quality, but limited services are available outside large, urban areas. The Icelandic medical system offers coverage only for people who live in Iceland. Non-residents are expected to pay their own medical costs, and you should be prepared to pay your bill in full before leaving the hospital or clinic.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Iceland to ensure the medication is legal in Iceland. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Safety

Iceland is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas. Don’t flash wealth. If you have items of sentimental value, leave it at home. Visitors should avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations.

Visa

U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.