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OVERVIEW

Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic close to the Arctic Circle. The landscape is wild, rugged and colorful, with black lava, red sulphur, hot blue geysers, rivers, waterfalls and green valleys. Its coastline is richly indented with bays and fjords. More than half the population lives in or around Reykjavík, the capital. Iceland is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Hekla, in the south of Iceland, has erupted no fewer than 16 times, and was once described by clergymen as the gateway to Hell. Reykjavík is set on a broad bay, surrounded by mountains, and is in an area of geothermal hot springs, creating a natural central heating system and pollution-free environment. It is a busy city combining old-fashioned wooden architecture and modern buildings. Local dishes include hangikjot (smoked lamb) and Icelandic sild (herring and salmon). Nightclubs and cinemas exist in major centers. During the tourist season there is an attractive light entertainment show called Light Nights with traditional Icelandic stories and folk songs.

Geography
Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic close to the Arctic Circle and includes islands to the north and south. The landscape is wild, rugged and colorful, with black lava, red sulphur, hot blue geysers, grey and white rivers with waterfalls and green valleys, its coastline richly indented with bays and fjords. The whole of the central highland plateau of the island is a beautiful but barren and uninhabitable moonscape - so much so that the first American astronauts were sent there for pre-mission training. Five-sixths of Iceland is uninhabited, the population being concentrated on the coast, in the valleys and in the plains of the southwest and southeast of the country. More than half the population live in or around Reykjavík, the capital. Iceland is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Hekla, in the south of Iceland, is the most famous and magnificent volcano of them all. It has erupted no fewer than 16 times since Iceland was settled, and throughout the Middle Ages was considered by European clergymen as one of the gateways to Hell itself. Another volcano, Snæfellsnes, fired Jules Verne’s imagination to use its crater as the point of entry for his epic tale, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Iceland’s highest and most extensive glacier is Vatnajökull; at 8500 sq km (3280 sq miles), it is the largest in Europe, although it is now reported to be melting.

Social Conventions
Visitors 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.

Tipping
Service charges are included in most bills and extra tips are not expected.

International Travel:

Air
The national airline, Icelandair (FI), operates direct flights all-year-round to Reykjavík (Keflavík) from Amsterdam, Baltimore, Boston, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Halifax, London, Minneapolis, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm and Washington, plus other destinations in the summertime only. Airlines include Air Greenland and Iceland Express . Other, predominantly Scandinavian, carriers also operate services. Some airlines, such as Condor and Corsair, operate flights during the summertime. Flights are operated to the Faroe Islands and Greenland during the summer months.

Approximate flight times
From Iceland to London is three hours; to Paris is three hours and 25 minutes; to Frankfurt is three hours and 45 minutes and to New York is five hours and 30 minutes.

International airports
Reykjavík (Keflavík) (REK/KEF) is 51km (32 miles) southwest of Reykjavík (travel time – 45 minutes). Airport facilities include bus services, departing after the arrival of each flight; taxi services; a duty-free shop; banking and exchange facilities, open on arrival of all scheduled services; restaurants and bars and car hire (Avis, Europcar and Hertz).

Departure tax
None.

Sea
There is no longer a direct service between the UK and Iceland. Sea passengers must travel from Aberdeen, with a three-day stopover in the Faroe Islands on the return journey. This is a costly and aggravating route, not recommended by travel agents. A few ferry companies also operate services to Iceland from Denmark, Germany and Norway. Although most of these are mainly cargo ships, they have comfortable and modern facilities for passengers. Smyril Line, the Faroe Island’s ferry service, runs a weekly passenger and car ferry service between the Shetland Islands, Denmark, Norway and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland during the summer months. Many cruises also stop at Iceland. Operators include Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Orient Cruises, Princess, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn and Silversea.

Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Iceland by passengers aged 18 years and over (tobacco products) or aged 20 and over (alcoholic beverages) without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco products; 1l of spirits or 1l of wine or 12 bottles of beer (or a combination of two of these quantities).

Note
All fishing equipment, including waders and rubber boots, must be disinfected and a certificate of disinfection issued by an official veterinary authority should be presented on arrival.

Prohibited items
Drugs, firearms, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, poultry, eggs and uncooked meats.

Internal Travel:

Air
Air Iceland (formed through merging with Icelandair Domestic and Norlandair) runs domestic services throughout the island to 10 major destinations which link up with regional carriers in the west, north and east of the country. For further details, contact the local office or check online.

Departure tax
None.

Sea
Ferry services serve all coastal ports in summer, although weather curtails timetables in winter. There is a tunnel between Reykjavík and Akranes.

Rail
There is no railway system in Iceland.

Road
Roads serve all settlements. The 12,000km (7500 miles) of roads are mostly gravel rather than tarred. The Ring Road is approximately 1430km (894 miles) long, of which 80 per cent is tarred. Traffic drives on the right. 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. The Icelandic Tourist Board publishes a useful brochure, The Art of Driving on Icelandic Roads. 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. Holiday tickets (Omnibus Passport) and Air/Bus Rovers are valid for unlimited travel by scheduled bus services; also Full-Circle Passports are available, valid for circular trips around Iceland (without any time limit). Taxi: Available from all hotels and airports. Car hire: Car rental services are available from Reykjavík, Akureyri and many other towns. Documentation: Drivers must be over 20 years of age. 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.

Travel Times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Reykjavík to other major cities/towns in Iceland.