Iceland Travel Guide:

      Travel Information

Iceland:  Add-on Destination (two of four Globes)

Iceland's main attraction is its landscapes, which vary from glacial to volcanic.  Parts of its coast and fjords are spectacular and its snow capped mountains are glorious.  During winter, the Northern Lights are worth a trip just for a view on a clear night. 

1. Iceland is a tough destination to categorize. If only Iceland were compact and conveniently located.  It is hard to use Iceland as an Add-on destination due to its remoteness and the time it takes to see the landscapes.  Conversely, the cultural landscape is limited, as the country lacks good quality attractions.



2. Iceland is a good place for independent travel but we recommend a tour or the use of a guide if you are going to travel off  the Ring Road encircling the country.



3. ThereArePlaces recommended travel destinations in Iceland are located at Iceland: Places To Visit.



4. Additional information on Iceland can be found at the country's official tourism sites http://www.icetourist.is or  http://www.icelandtouristboard.com.



5. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

Overall, Iceland is a safe destination for tourists.

1. No official health advisories, travel advisories, or specific terrorism warnings for Iceland have been posted by the U.S. Government at this time. 
   • Before you depart, always check with the Department of State and CDC . 
   • In addition, you will find that the  Foreign & Commonwealth Office  of the British Government provides excellent travel advisories.
   
   
   
2. The State Department's Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444 .



3. When visiting a foreign country, avoid public demonstrations (whatever the cause) and do not broadcast either your public opinions or your nationality.



4. If you have an emergency in Iceland, call 112. Dialing 112  provides telephone  contact for ambulance services, the police, the fire service, air and sea rescue. The 112-telephone number is designed for use in emergencies only. Calls are answered in Icelandic and English.



5. The U.S. Embassy is located in Reykjavik at Laufasvegur 21, tel. +354-562-9100; fax +354-562-9110. Information about consular services can be found in the Consular Section of the Embassy home page at http://iceland.usembassy.gov/

A passport is required for travel in Iceland. U.S. citizens do not need visas for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days.  Because Iceland is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement (that period begins when entering any of the following countries which are parties to the Schengen agreement: Austria, Belgium,  the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,  Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia Spain, and Sweden).

If you do not have a passport, see our article on the Ins and Outs of Passports.  Other important travel documents, including visas are covered in our Information Guide on Passport, Visas, Customs.

Icelandic law requires that foreigners obtain visas if they plan to stay in the country longer than three months or if they plan to study or work in Iceland. For further information in English concerning entry requirements for Iceland, please contact the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration via their website at www.utl.is. 

• The Royal Danish Consulate General in New York and the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Minneapolis process applications for Icelandic visas. The Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General of Iceland in New York do not process visa applications.
• For further information concerning entry requirements for Iceland, please contact the Royal Danish Consulate General via its web site at http://www.denmark.org .
  • Or check with the Royal Norwegian Consulate General via its web site at http://www.norway.org.
• Those travelers with dual U.S. and Schengen-member citizenship should enter Iceland on their Schengen-nation passports, and not their U.S. passports.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parents or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure

DUAL NATIONALITY:  In addition to being subject to all Icelandic laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Icelandic citizens

In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. For additional information, please see the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at
http://travel.state.gov for an explanation of dual nationality issues. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of 
any other nation are reminded that U.S. law requires they enter and
depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens.

Before you travel, read our articles on Pickpockets, Con Artists, and ATM safety in the ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Personal Safety for travelers.

Tourists should be aware that downtown Reykjavik can become especially disorderly during the late evening/early morning hours on weekends. Violent crime is rare, but it does occur, and appears to be increasing.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of any crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members of friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution for the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney

2.  Hikers and backpackers are well advised to stay on marked trails, travel with someone, let someone else know their travel plans, and check weather reports, as there are often no means of communication from remote locations. This is especially important as weather conditions in Iceland are subject to frequent and unexpected changes. Those planning visits to dangerous or remote locations in Iceland are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy before beginning their journey.

3.  Iceland is subject to natural disasters in the form of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, avalanches. and violent storms.  General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.

4. Taxis are readily available in Reykjavik and in the larger towns. There is a surcharge in the evenings and at weekends.

5.  The Faroe Islands' Smyril Line operates a weekly passenger-and car-ferry service during summer from Bergen in Norway and Hanstholm in Denmark to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. There are several domestic ferry services in Iceland, including the Westman Islands.

6.  Reykjavík operates an efficient bus line from 07:00-24:00 on weekdays (10:00-24:00 on weekends). Bus stops are marked SVR. Tickets may be purchased from the driver or from the main terminal at Hlemmur. There is no train system.

7. There is an extensive bus service to most  of the country and the highlands, as well as a large number of organized bus tours. Reservations are not necessary and tickets can be bought either at the bus station or from the driver. Children under 4 travel free of charge, and half price is charged for children from 4-11.

8.  Tax free shopping in the form of a refund of local VAT (value-added tax) is available to visitors to Iceland. The refund is up to 15% of the retail price, if departure from Iceland is within 3 months of the date of purchase. The purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per sales receipt, and all goods (except woollens) must be packed in sealed bags or containers.

9. ThereArePlaces makes every attempt to ensure that the travel information we present to you is current. Before you depart, be sure to check with official government sources to determine the status of critical information relating to a particular county.

While driving in Iceland, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Iceland is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good

Less than a third of the country's total road network is paved (2,262 miles of paved road vs. 5,774 miles of gravel or dirt road).

• Most of the 900-mile ring road (Highway 1) that encircles the country is paved, but many other roads outside the capital, especially those that run through the center of the country, are dirt or gravel tracks. Even those roads that are paved tend to be narrow and lack a shoulder or margin.
• Most bridges are only one-lane wide, requiring drivers to be cognizant of oncoming traffic.

Extreme care should be taken when driving in rural areas during the winter (October through March), when daylight hours are limited and the weather and road conditions can change rapidly.

• Many routes in the interior of the country are impassable until July due to muddy conditions caused by snowmelt. When driving in the interior, consider traveling with a second vehicle and always inform someone of your travel plans.
• For information on current road conditions throughout the country, please call the Public Roads Administration (Vegagerdin) at 1777 (local) or consult its web site.
•  For recorded weather information in English, call the Icelandic Weather Office ( Vedurstofa Islands , dialing from within Iceland ) at 902-0600, ext. 44.

Tourists driving rented vehicles should pay close attention to the provisions of their rental contracts.  Failure to do so could result in fines or confiscation of the car during your travels.  Make sure that you are familiar with the terms, restrictions and costs related to your car rental (see our article on Rental Car Costs).

Icelandic law requires drivers to keep headlights on at all times. Talking on cell phones while driving is prohibited except when using a hands-free system, and is subject to a 5000 Icelandic kronur (ISK) fine.

It is illegal to turn right on a red light. At four-way intersections, the right of way goes to the driver on the right; in traffic circles to drivers in the inside lane. Many intersections in the capital have automatic cameras to catch traffic violators.

Speed Limits in Iceland:

1. Built-up areas - 50 km/h (30km/h in residential areas)
2. Outside Built up areas (including  dual carriageways) - 80 km/h
3. Motorways - 90 km/h
4. In rural areas, the speed limit depends on the type of road. On dirt and gravel roads, the speed limit is 80 km/h. On paved highways, the speed limit is 90 km/h.

The use of seatbelts is mandatory in both the front and rear seats, and children under the age of six must be secured in a special car seat designed for their size and weight. Drivers are held responsible for any passenger under the age of 15 who is not wearing a seatbelt. No one who is less than 140 centimeters tall, weighs less than 40 kilograms, or is under the age of 12 is allowed to ride in a front seat equipped with an airbag.

ThereArePlaces recommends that you do not drink and drive.  In most foreign countries, especially in Europe and the UK, the maximum permitted blood alcohol levels are lower than those enforced in the United States. Penalties and punishments are significant. See our article on drinking and driving in foreign countries .

• Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a serious offense in Iceland . The threshold blood alcohol test (BAT) level is very low. Drivers can be charged with DWI with a BAT as low as .05%.
• Drivers stopped under suspicion for DWI are usually given a ``balloon" or Breathalyzer test. If the test is positive, a blood test is routinely administered.
• Under Icelandic law, a blood test cannot be refused and will be administered by force if necessary.
• The minimum punishment for a first offense is a fine of 50,000 Icelandic kronur (ISK) and the loss of driving privileges for two months.

U.S. citizens spending less than 90 days in Iceland may drive using their U.S. licenses.

For specific information concerning concerning driving in Iceland visit http://www.icetourist.is/displayer.asp?cat_id=520. 

For additional general information about road safety  including links to foreign government sites, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html.

Excellent medical facilities are available in Iceland.

To obtain emergency medical assistance anywhere in the country, dial (within Iceland ) 112. To obtain non-emergency medical assistance in the Reykjavik metropolitan area outside of normal business hours, dial (within Iceland ) 1770. The nurse who answers will offer advice on how to handle the problem, suggest that the patient come to an after-hours clinic, or send a physician to make a house call. For information on after-hours dental care, call (within Iceland ) 575-0505.

We strongly urge you to consult your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, you should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing medical service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your departure, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.

Your existing medical insurance carrier may cover "customary and reasonable" medical care while you are abroad. Usually, if reimbursement is provided, it is paid at a reduced rate (due to the use of an "out of system" provider). Check with your insurance carrier before you depart to determine the type and amount of coverage that may be provided. If coverage is provided, be sure to ask how claims should be filed and ask them to send some claim forms, in case you require any medical treatment while on vacation.

Read our article on  travel insurance to learn the factors that you should consider before you purchase or decline to purchase a travel related insurance policy.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.  ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Health contains valuable health related advice for the traveler considering a trip abroad.