Climate

Owing to the Gulf Stream the climate is mild, with fairly mild winters, the average temperature for January, the coldest month is minus 1 degree centigrade (30 F) and rather cool summers with lowland temperatures between 12 and 15 C (54-60 F). Climate is considerably cooler higher up in the mountains. Bring warm clothes, windbreakers and rainwear. Normal townwear will do anywhere in the lowlands.

Airport and departure tax

On domestic flights and on flights to Greenland and the Faeroe Islands the airport tax currently amounts to ISK 165. For all other destinations, the international tax is ISK 1.250 which must be paid by the departing individual.

Road and traffic regulations

Driving on the right is the rule of the road in Iceland. It is obligatory to use headlights at all times of the day and night and the use of safety-belts both in the front and the back seat is also obligatory. Streets in towns are generally asphalted and have excellent surfaces, but outside towns, the roads are asphalted or gravel.

Gas stations

Gas stations in Reykjavík are open Monday through Saturday 07:30 - 20:00, Sundays 10:00 - 20.00 (09:00 - 20:00 June 1st- Oct 1st). Some stations in Reykjavík are open on weekdays from 07:30 - 23:30. Outside Reykjavík the opening hours are variable, but often till 23:30.

Banks/Currency exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged in all banks. Banks in Iceland are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 - 16:00. The following branches are open outside regular banking hours: Landsbanki at Keflavík Airport open daily around the clock. The Change Group, Bankastræti 2, 101 Reykjavík. Open daily May-Sep, 08:30- 20:00 and 09:00-17:00 during winter. The Change Group, Austurstræti 20, 101 Reykjavík open daily 09:00-23:00 May-Sep, 11:30-19:30 during winter, closed Mondays. Change Group is representative of Western Union - fast delivery of money. Most hotels provide their guests with exchangeservice should the need occur.

Payment cards

Credit cards: EUROCARD/Mastercard and Visa are commonly accepted. Other cards can be used in some places.

Eurocard/Mastercard

Cash can be obtained at every bank branch (over 170) throughout the country, as well as in all ATMs. EUROCARD/Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted by retail and service outlets throughout Iceland. EUROCARD Iceland, Ármúli 28-30, 108 Reykjavík. Tel: 550-1500, fax: 550-1515.

Visa

Cash advance services are available to Visa cardholders in over 170 banks and savings banks branches as well as all ATM's throughout Iceland including Leifur Eiríksson International Air Terminal Keflavík. International Visa cards are widely accepted as payment with almost every retail and service outlet in Iceland. An increasing number of merchants is equipped to accept either traditional Visa cards as well as electronic only (VISA Electron) cards. Visa-Island, Álfabakki 16, 109 Reykjavík. Tel: 354-525-2000, Fax: 354-525-2020. Debit cards: Electron, Maestro and edc debit cards are increasingly being accepted by merchants. Cash can be obtained against these cards in all banks and savings banks ATM's, as well as against Cirrus and eurocheque ATM-only cards.

Shopping

There are many excellent shops in Iceland, where one can purchase typical Icelandic products, such as popular woolen products, ceramics, silver and gold ornaments, skins and furs.

Shopping hours are Mondays through Fridays 09:00-18:00, Saturdays from 10:00-13/14/15/16 differing from one shop to the next. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Shops in the Kringlan Shopping Mall are open Mon-Thu 10:00-18:30, Fridays 10:00-19:00, Saturdays 10:00-16:00, Sundays 13:00-16:00, late night opening at the Hagkaup Food Store Fridays to 20:00. Hagkaup is open Sun 12:00-18:00 in Skeifan/Grafarvogur/Hólagarður. Florists and kiosks are furthermore open during evenings and weekends in all larger towns and villages.

News in english

Daily, during the summer, The Icelandic Broadcasting Corporation presents headline news, weather and information for foreign visitors on channel 1 (FM 93,5 or 92,4) at 07:30 am. People can call 354-515-3690 for a recording of the latest news bulletin.

Post offices

All major Post Offices are open weekdays from: 08:30-16:30. The Post Offices in Kringlan Shopping Center and in Ármúli are open Mon-Fri 08:30-18:00. The Post Office in Kringlan is also open Sat 10:00-16:00. Same opening hours for areas outside Reykjavík 08:30/09:00-16:30/17:00 in most larger towns and villages.

Tax free shopping

Purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4.000 (VAT 24,5 % included) on one sales slip, even though individual items in the total purchase do not amount to the minimum figure. The refund is approx. 15% of that amount. In the Duty-Free-Store/National Bank of Iceland at Keflavík airport, the passenger produces his Tax-Free Packages (except woolen goods), his passport and the Tax-Free Cheque and the VAT will be refunded to him in cash. At other departure points than Keflavík airport, the passenger must be sure to let the customs authorities stamp his Tax-Free Shopping Cheque to verify that his purchase has left the country. The stamped cheque must be sent within 3 months to ICELAND TAX-FREE-SHOPPING, P.O. BOX 1200, 235 Keflavík, Iceland/EUROPE TAX-FREE SHOPPING AB, Kontinentgatan 2, Box 128, 231 22 Trelleborg, Sweden. Then the cheque will be reimbursed in US dollars at the exchange rate current when thecheque is received.

Restaurants and entertainment

All types and classes of restaurants and snack-bars can be found in Reykjavík and around the country, serving all kinds of dishes, but especially Icelandic lamb and fish. The National Theatre and the Reykjavík Municipal Theatre close during the summer months, although quite a few independent theatre shows are to be found. Fancy dine-and-dance restaurants, discotheques and dance halls in Reykjavík and the larger towns are open on weekends until 03:00. A number of bars are in Reykjavík and in several towns around the country, open daily.

Health services

Citizens of Scandinavia must show valid medical insurance and passport in case of medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the E-111 form, otherwise the patient will be charged in full. Citizens of other countries must be charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute, Laugavegur 114, 105 Reykjavík, tel: 560-4400.

MEDICAL HELP: In Reykjavík there is a large number of general practitioners, many of whom will receive patients at short notice. There are also 8 Health centers (Heilsugæslustöðvar) in Reykjavík, with officially appointed doctors who receive patients at short notice during the daytime. From 17:00 to 08:00 on weekdays, around the clock during weekends and on public holidays patients can contact the Medical center (Læknavaktin) at Heilsuverndarstöðin, Barónstígur 47, tel: 354-552-1230 for appointments or doctors´ house call. In case of acute illness or accidents, patients should turn to the Emergency Ward (Slysadeild) at Sjúkrahús Reykjavíkur (The City Hospital) tel: 354-525-1000, which is open around the clock. There are Health Centers or general practitioners in all towns around the country, and in some villages as well.