Important tour information from Guide to Iceland

Welcome

Prepare for your holiday to Iceland by reading the useful information below. We really hope you will enjoy your time in this incredible country, and wish to help you get the most out of your trip. 

When you arrive

If you are here on a self drive tour, there will be a car rental representative waiting at the arrivals hall. They will carry a sign with their rental name on it, so please look at your voucher and check the name of your car rental. If you do not spot them, please call the number provided on your voucher first, then us directly if problems arise.

For more information on driving in Iceland and information about rental cars, please check below. For more information in regards to picking up your car, driving in Iceland and road conditions please read Finding Your Way in Iceland: Your Rental Car, Road Information and Driving Help.

If you are here on a package tour, you will have been given a Flybus voucher to Reykjavík. The Flybus leaves 45 minutes after all departures, but your voucher is an open voucher, so you can take whichever bus best suits you and your arrival time. You do not need to worry over flight delays. If you need any assistance with the bus, please get in touch with the staff at the Reykjavík Excursions.

About your tours

If you are booked on tours which include a hotel pick-up in the city, please read your voucher carefully. You will need to wait at the listed pick-up time outside your hotel, as the drivers will not come to your rooms and will not come into the lobby.

Occasionally, the pick-up line on your voucher will be different to an actual departure time, so the bus or jeep you are waiting for might be a bit late. If you have been waiting for more than 20 minutes, please call the number stated on the voucher. It will give you direct contact with the people handling the pickup. If you cannot reach them or other problems arise, please call us.

If you are on a self-drive tour and plan to arrive at a site yourself, please read your voucher carefully, so that you arrive at the correct time and location. Please aim to arrive at your destination 20 minutes earlier than the start of your tour. If you are ever confused, ask your travel planner.

To get all the information about tour pick-ups, please read the article Getting On Your Way: Hotel Pick-up and Meeting Places for Tours.

About your itinerary

Your itinerary will come to you ready with all vouchers. It comes both in a mobile form which you can easily use on any smart device, as well as a PDF document. There will be two PDFs. One of them will hold the entire tour (identical to the mobile version) and the other will hold the vouchers in chronological order.

We urge you to print at least the PDF with the vouchers and have it with you. The itinerary will list all timings and locations both for tours and accommodation, along with other information you might need. Please read it over carefully before embarking on your trip. 

If you are doing a package tour or a guided tour, the itinerary will have a small listing of interesting places you will visit with some tidbits of information. Of course, you can also always ask your guide. 

If you are doing a self-drive tour, you will notice that your itinerary has a listing of locations, along with practical information under each location. There you will find driving times, addresses (where applicable) and GPS coordinates for your destinations. In the mobile itinerary, you can always press the GPS coordinates and then you will be directed to a map of the location

Please note that self-drive tours are meant to offer you a choice of many beautiful and interesting locations all over Iceland. These are only suggestions for sites of interest. There are too many included in the itinerary to comfortably drive to each day. Please read through the included information and decide for yourself which attractions would be the most fun for you and your family to visit.

We encourage you to check driving distances between the locations of your choice and plan your driving to ensure you have enough time to rest, eat and enjoy each attraction to the fullest.

Important notice

Please note that if you run into any sort of problems during your travels, with your vouchers, your accommodation, your tour operator or any other services you booked through Guide to Iceland, contact us right away. Our front service desk can be reached at +354-519-7999.

This number also will give you access to a 24-hour emergency hotline outside of opening hours; we will be ready to assist around the clock, every day of the year. If we are contacted immediately, we can solve the problem efficiently and will do so in the shortest possible amount of time. However, if we are not contacted, there is little that can be done. Please allow us to help you if you need it.

About Iceland

Iceland was founded by the Norwegian Ingólfur Arnarsson when he sailed to Reykjavík in 874 AD. He saw the steam rising from the ground all around, and mistaking it for smoke, named the city Reykjavík, which translates to 'Smoky Bay'. 

The country is best known for its volcanic activity and dancing Northern Lights, but there are many other features we are proud of. For example, Iceland has the longest-running, ongoing parliament in the world, founded in 930 AD in Þingvellir National Park. We were also the first nation in Europe to elect a female head of state, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, in 1980, and an openly gay prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardottir, in 2009. 

Language

Icelandic is the only official language of Iceland. In the ears of many, the Icelandic language sounds like the world’s biggest tongue twister, with its long words and complicated grammar rules. It is a fascinating language and has remained almost unchanged since the country was founded more than a thousand years ago.

It is still taught in its original form in local schools, where kids read the Icelandic sagas just as they were written in the 11th century. Icelanders are very proud of their language and are constantly creating unique Icelandic expressions for new words from other languages generated most often by technological advances. For example, 'computer' in Icelandic is 'tölva', a portmanteau of the words for 'number' and 'prophetess'.

Do not worry if you find the language intimidating; most Icelanders speak English at some level and the Icelandic youth are almost all fluent in English due to language learning requirements at school.

Icelandic has a few characters that look unfamiliar to visitors. These are Þ / þ (pronounced like ‘th’ in ‘thing’ or ‘thief’), Ð / ð (pronounced like ‘th’ in ‘there’ or ‘then’), Æ / æ (pronounced like the word ‘eye’) and Ö /ö (pronounced like ‘u’ in the word ‘urn’).

Here are some words that might help you during your trip:
Halló  - Hello
Bless – Goodbye
Takk – Thank you

Skál - Cheers (when raising your glass)

Já - Yes
Nei - No

Hvað segir þú gott? – How are you doing?
Allt gott, en þú? All good, how about you?
Talar þú ensku? – Do you speak English?
Getur þú hjálpað mér? – Can you help me?

Hvar er næsta búð / bensínstöð? – Where is the next store / gas station?

The People

The Icelanders are known for being helpful and caring towards foreigners. With a population of only 330,000 in a country that is 103,000 square kilometres, Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. 

We do not really have family names; most people’s last name notes their relation to their father, or sometimes their mother. For example, Óli Jónsson would translate to Óli (given name), the son of Jón (last name). Same goes for Sigga Jónsdóttir; her name translates to Sigga (given name), the daughter of Jón (last name).

If you met these people, it is fine to call them Óli and Sigga, even on the first meeting with them; Icelanders even refer to authority figures, such as teachers and elders, in this manner.

What to do in Reykjavík?

When you reach the city, there's plenty to do. Check out some of the adventurous possibilities.

ATV Tours

ATVs are tough enough to handle the raw landscapes of Iceland, full of black lava fields, creeping green moss, and vast expanses of snow. From the seat of a big-wheeled ATV, you can safely navigate rocky roads, cross small streams, and climb to the top of the mountains to take in some stunning panoramic views. Fill your lungs with the frosty air and immerse yourself in nature.

To find ATV tours in the Reykjavik area and elsewhere in Iceland, click here.

Horse Riding

The Icelandic horse is a wonderful creature, small but strong, and well suited to the cold and barren landscapes of Iceland. The area around Reykjavík offers many beautiful places to go riding, both short and long tours, all based on your ability and time allowance. You could choose to remain in the grassy lowlands, or take a tour in the black lava landscapes, to enjoy the company of our four-legged friends.

To find horse riding tour in Reykjavík and around Iceland, click here.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is a great activity to participate in. The most popular tours leave from the Old Harbour area of Reykjavík, as well as the harbour at Húsavík on the shores of Skjálfandi bay in north Iceland. Húsavík is widely considered the capital of whale watching in Europe. 

There are generally two options for whale watching: sedate and relaxing, or speedy and exhilarating. You can choose from a large boat with a comfortable viewing deck, and a RIB (rigid-inflatable boats), which are light, low, and zip over the water at high speeds. The choice is yours.

To find more whale watching and puffin watching tours, click here.

Puffin Tours

Many tour options will take you around the islands near Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to enjoy the sea air and to spot the charming local puffins which are small, black-and-white birds with colourful orange beaks. The arrival of these adorable creatures each year reminds the native Icelanders that they have made it through the long, cold winter. Please note that puffins only reside in Iceland over summer. The first puffins arrive in April and by late August they leave.

Puffins can be seen all along the coastline of Iceland. The largest puffin colonies are in the Westman Islands and at the Látrabjarg cliff in the Westfjords. Other good locations to spot them include Snæfellsnes peninsula, Flatey island, Dyrhólaey and Borgarfjörður Eystri. You can choose to go on boat tours to see them, or simply go for a walk where they reside - just be careful around the coastal cliffs!

To find more whale watching and puffin watching tours, click here.

Of course there are multiple other options, such as snorkelling in Silfra fissure or lava caving near Reykjavík.

Time Zone

Iceland does not push the clocks forward or backwards but uses GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) all year long.

In winter

During the summer the days are long and you can experience the midnight sun in June and July.

If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes. This little joke is often told at the expense of the Icelandic weather, considering that it changes rapidly and regularly.

Despite its name, Iceland has surprisingly mild winters for a country this far north, owing to the warming effect of the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Compared to Russian locations on the same latitude, it's almost tropical. 

Iceland enjoys a maritime temperate climate and the winters are often compared with those of New England. You can check the weather anytime during your stay on vedur.is.

Electricity

Iceland became the world's largest electricity producer per capita in 2009. 100% of the electrical power that’s used comes from geothermal or hydropower energy. Iceland has 220v/50Hz and uses standard European plug sockets, with two round metal pins. Converter plugs can be found at the airport, and in many shops in Reykjavík.

Telephones

The national phone code is +354 and the phone numbers are an additional 7 digits. The biggest phone companies are Vodafone, Síminn and Nova and if you want to buy a SIM card they offer some prepaid cards with a local number for a good deal.  

Useful Phone numbers in Iceland are:

Emergency: 112

Police: 444-1000

Emergency dentist: 575-0505

Information: 118

Weather hotline: 902-0600

Road condition hotline: 1777

Taxi: 588-5522 or 561-0000

Water

Iceland has the luxury of having the cleanest water in the world running from its taps. All the running water comes from groundwater or melted snow from the mountains, and it is safe to drink water from the tap all over the country. The most convenient option is to carry a bottle with you and fill it at gas station’s bathroom taps during your stay. This is both better for the environment to use less plastic, and it’s also free.

Hot water also comes directly from the ground, and it is normal that it smells a bit like rotten eggs. This is due to sulphur in the hot springs where the water comes from. It is safe to drink the hot water from the tap, but it will taste of sulphur so we don’t recommend it.

When you are getting cold water from the tap, let the water run for a while first. Take care when running hot water, as it can be quite scolding.

Driving in Iceland

The speed limits are 50 km/h (31 mph) in towns, 80 km/h (50 mph) on gravel country roads and 90 km/h (56 mph) on hard-surfaced country roads. Many roads, both in the city and in the countryside, are guarded by speed cameras. The Icelandic police are strict about the speed limits; they normally do not give warnings and instead will fine you on the spot if they catch you going over. 

Most roads are only two lanes, and in the countryside, you may encounter domestic animals crossing the road (most likely sheep). If you strike one, you are liable to pay the farmer who owns the animal damages, so we strongly recommend driving slowly and carefully. When there is heavy snow and ice on the road, you will want to go even slower.

Roads marked with an F in front of their road number are mountain roads and are only accessible with a good four-wheel-drive car, and only in summertime. Rental cars that are not 4WD are not allowed on those roads by law; rental 4WD are allowed at the own risk of the driver.

Always check the road conditions before driving on road.is.

The F roads are closed during the winter, so confirm with the locals if the road you are entering is open (some of them may not open until July!).

Off-road driving is ALWAYS illegal in Iceland and you can be fined from 350,000 ISK or be given up to 4 years in jail. Protect the country's beautiful nature, and your own wallet, and stay on the roads.

How to Care for Your Rental Car

When you get your rental car:

1. Check the car for scratches and dents: The rental agent will likely examine the car as well, so you want to be sure you will not be held liable for anything they have missed.

2. Start the car: Allow the car to run for 1 or 2 minutes just to see how the engine is running or if there are any problems starting the car.

3. Check the air conditioner/heater (if included): With a wide range of temperatures and conditions in Iceland, visitors will be grateful to have a working air system. Some cars may not have an air conditioner.

4. Adjust your mirrors: Make sure you can see all the necessary spots around your car so that you can drive safely. Most important are the rearview mirror and the side mirrors.

5. Figure out how the radio and windows work: Changing the controls of these two things while driving is a leading cause of accidents on the road. Make sure you know how they work before you drive.

6. Locate the turn signals: Ensure you do this before you start driving.

7. Make sure you can turn the windshield wipers on and off: Sudden rainstorms can happen in Iceland at any time.

8. Locate the lights: Make sure you can turn the high beams on and off.     

9. Find the fuel hatch and check whether your car takes regular or diesel fuel: This will save you time at the gas station.

10. Check the emergency/handbrake: This will help you when parking on an incline or on uneven ground. Make sure you are not driving with it on.

11. Ask your rental agent any questions you have about the items above.

12. Ask your rental agent how to return your car to the rental company.

With all the above criteria ticked off, you are ready to set out.

Before you drive

There are a few things to note before you set out on your journey. In Iceland, people drive on the right-hand side and pass on the left. It is also a law in Iceland that motorists must have the headlights on all the time, no matter the time of day or year. When you change from a paved road to gravel, slow your speed to about 30km/h or less. Many accidents occur because the change in road surface causes them to lose control. 

Bridges in Iceland are often single lane. To cross safely:

1. Slow down when approaching the bridge.

2. If there is someone already crossing the bridge, you must stop and wait.

3. If someone else has crossed the bridge, you may now cross.

4. If you are not sure what to do, wait before crossing.     

You should always be aware of road conditions before setting out. Even in summer, roads in the highlands can be icy or snowy. Look online at www.road.is or telephone 1777 to see if you will encounter any problems. 

If you have an accident or need help on the road

In a scenario where you have an accident on the road, follow these steps:

1. Call Emergency Services at 112

   • Ask for the police department

   • Tell them what is wrong, e.g. 'I was in an accident'

   • Tell them where you are

   • Tell them if anyone is injured

2. Contact your car rental agency to let them know what is happening and they will make arrangements to help you.

3. If you're having communication problems and need help translating your information, get your car rental to call Guide to Iceland.

Car Return

Make sure you have enough time before your flight departure to return the car. Car return can take up to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the rental office is. 

Ask about your car return when you get your car. If you are having trouble returning your car, contact the phone number that is on the car rental agreement that you got upon arrival.

Food, drinks and snacks

Feeling peckish? We've listed our favourite restaurants and eateries below.

Budget:

Dirty Burger & Ribs - Address: Austurstræti 18, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 546-2222

This is a no-frills restaurant that dedicates itself to exactly what the name says: great burgers and ribs, at a reasonable price. Add fries and a soda, and you have the perfect meal.

Íslenski Barinn (The Icelandic Bar) - Address: Pósthússtræti 9, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 517-6767

Try many different varieties of local and popular imported beer, lager, ale and stout in a setting which reflects authentic Icelandic charm. The full menu emphasizes Icelandic favourites like dried fish and fresh seafood.

Hverfisgata 12 - Address: Hverfisgata 12, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 437-0203

This pizza eatery with no name also has chicken and fish on the menu, along with traditional Icelandic dishes.

Mid-range Treats:

Ostabuðin (The Cheese Shop) - Address: Skólavörðustígur 8, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 562-2772

Ostabuðin is a beautiful deli that offers a broad range of Icelandic and foreign cheeses in Iceland. In addition to cheese, try offerings such as handmade biscuits, chutney and pesto.

Tapas barinn (The Tapas Bar) - Address: Vesturgata 3b, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 551-2344

The menu has many varieties and combinations to suit your taste, with special tapas packages designed for those who are hungry for traditional foods such as Icelandic seafood, lamb, and other native treats.

Sushi Social - Address: Þingholtsstræti 5, 101 Reykjaví­k - Phone: +354 568-6600

Sushi Social offers assorted varieties of sushi, including crunchy tempura, nigiri and sashimi.

Splurging on a Meal:

DILL - Address: Hverfisgata 12, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 552-1522

Note: DILL restaurant is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 6:00 PM. You will need to make a reservation well in advance.

Each week, the restaurant designs a 5­- and 7­-course meal and pairs each course with a meticulously selected wine. Dishes are chosen based on which ingredients are freshest and of the highest quality that week. The restaurant uses only Nordic ingredients, down to the rapeseed oil which is used in place of olive oil.

Aalto Bistro - Address: Sturlugata 5, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 551-0200

Aalto Bistro offers a lunch, dinner and a weekend brunch menu. Ask about the vegan special of the day!

Fiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market) - Address: Aðalstræti 12, 101 Reykjavik - Phone: +354 578-8877

Fish Market uses Iceland’s freshest ingredients to prepare original fish, meat and sweet dishes with a modern twist.

Coffee & Nibbles:

Reykjavík Roasters - Address: Kárastígur 1, 101 Reykjavík and Brautarholt 2, 105 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 517-5535 (Kárastigur); +354 552-3200 (Brautarholt)

Reykjavik Roasters roasts their own beans on-­site five days per week to guarantee the freshest coffees. The richest flavours are selected and blended for each roasting batch.

Te og Kaffi - Address: Laugavegur 27 and Skólavörðustígur 11, 101 Reykjavík, inside Smáralind and Kringlan shopping centres, and more! - Phone: +354 527-2880 (Laugavegur location)

The Starbucks of Iceland, you'll see this local favourite coffee shop often. They have dozens of coffee and tea varieties for you to try. Stop in for a snack or a meal to accompany your coffee.

Brauð & Co. - Address: Frakkastígur 16, inside the Mathöll at Hlemmur, 101 Reykjavik, Fákafen 11, 108 Reykjavík  - Phone: +354 776 0553 (Frakkastígur location)

Brauð & Co. offers artisanal bread all created by the baker, Gústi, guaranteed freshly baked every day.

For more ideas, check out Guide to Iceland’s blog posts about The Best Restaurants in Reykjavik and The Top 10 Best Value Places to Eat in Reykjavik.

Bars & Nightlife:

Skúli Craft Bar - Address: Aðalstræti 9, 101 Reykjavík - Phone: +354 519-6455

Skúli Craft Bar is the place to choose from a variety of craft beers in a quiet environment.

Mikkeller and Friends - Address: Hverfisgata 12, 101 Reykjavik - Phone: +354 437-0203

This microbrewery offers a variety of approximately 20 craft brews which changes as new flavours are introduced.

Dillon - Address: Laugavegur 30, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland - Phone: +354 568-2424

Specifically a whiskey bar, Dillon showcases varieties from around the world, in addition to a full menu of blended drinks and wine to choose from.

Please note that the legal age to purchase alcohol in Iceland is 20. To know more click here to read about Reykjavík Nightlife

Healthcare

Iceland has a universal health care system and the two main hospitals in Iceland are located in Reykjavík and Akureyri. Most other small cities or villages have local clinics with an emergency number for off-hours care. Unlike other developed nations, Iceland has no private hospitals. In case of an emergency, call 112, the Icelandic emergency number. Pharmacies are marked with the name 'Apótek'.

Currency, Shopping and Tipping

Iceland is an expensive country, as you will notice very quickly upon arrival. The local currency is the Icelandic 'Króna' and it is possible to exchange other currencies for króna at the airport, in banks, and in many hotels. Credit cards and most major debit cards such as MasterCard and Visa are accepted in Iceland, although American Express and Diner's Club cards are not yet accepted everywhere.

All stores, taxi cabs and other services accept cards. Tipping is not expected in Iceland, though it is not considered rude; some restaurants and bars have tip jars. On average, with medium restaurant meals, drinks, snacks and occasional souvenirs, you can expect to spend approximately 20,000 ISK per person per day on your journey.

Postal service

Postal service can be found in most towns and villages around the country. There are three types of postal stamps in Iceland; Domestic ones, stamps for Europe and stamps for outside Europe. Each stamp includes the sending fee of a small envelope 50 grams and lighter. The prices of non-priority stamps are 180 ISK for domestic, 200 ISK for Europe and 250 ISK for outside Europe. Most guesthouses and hotels offer free postal service.

Tax-Free Refunds

Value Added Tax (VAT) may be refunded to persons that are residents abroad on goods that they have purchased in Iceland. In order to receive this tax refund, according to regulations, the buyer of the goods must be a permanent resident of a country other than Iceland.

In order to obtain a refund, all of the following conditions must be met:

1. The buyer needs to be a resident of another country

2. The buyer brings the goods out of the country within three months from the purchase date

3. The purchase price of the goods with VAT is a minimum of ISK 6,000

4. The buyer needs to be able to produce the articles at departure

5. The buyer of the articles is the one departing

Passengers will have to finish the tax refund procedure before going through security check.

The location for a tax refund is located in the arrival hall across from the rental car booths.

More information can be found here.

Northern Lights

When there are clear skies at night it is absolutely recommended to leave the hotel and drive out of light-polluted areas to catch a glimpse of the stunning Northern Lights, also called the Aurora Borealis. A good way of finding out the probability that there will be Northern Lights is by checking the Aurora Forecast.

If the activity is high (usually levels above 2 or 3 are good enough to spot them) and the cloud cover is low (white or light green areas on the map) then the chance to see them outside the city boundaries is high. The phenomenon is active all year but is only visible when it is dark enough, approximately from September to April.

You can read more about the Northern Lights here.

Airport Departure Time

Keflavík International Airport is quite small and is under constant construction to provide better service. As the service can be slow, it is recommended to be at the Keflavik International Airport two hours before the departure time of your fight, especially if you have a flight in the morning.

Grocery Shopping

In Iceland, you will find different shops to do your grocery shopping. The cheapest is Bónus. There are also Kronan, Nettó and Hagkaup. All are chain stores you will find in many locations. For late-night grocery shopping, there is 10-11, which is more expensive, but good for emergencies. Find more links to their locations in the table below.

Gas

Gas stations are located in every small city or town in the country and are easy to use. Most of them have a self-service option where you pay with a credit or debit card. When using the self-service option, you put your card in the payment machine and then follow the instructions that come up on the screen on the machine.

The most common in the country are the N1 gas stations. The cheapest gas stations are 'Orkan' and 'Atlantsolia'. Atlantsolia is only found in the southwest of Iceland, Egilsstadir and Akureyri, as they do not provide any assistance at the pump. Below you can find the location for Orkan and N1 gas stations.

ORKAN gas stations:

N1 gas stations:

All gas stations in Iceland: