Transportation  Getting to Iceland | Getting Around Iceland

Getting To Iceland
By Air 

Approximate Flying Times From Several Cities: 

From: To: Time:
London Reykjavík 3h. 5m.
Copenhagen Reykjavík 3h. 20m.
Frankfurt Reykjavík 3h. 45m.
Luxembourg Reykjavík 3h. 30m.
Paris Reykjavík 3h. 15m.
Amsterdam Reykjavík 3h. 15m.
New York Reykjavík 5h. 30m.

 

Transportation to Iceland for North American travelers is possible by air only. Icelandair offers non-stop ser-
vices from Bostson, Baltimore, Halifax, Minneapolis, New York, and Orlando. Icelandair's route network is a hub and spoke system with Keflavik in Iceland as the hub. Flights depart from the six North American cities in the evening and arrive in Iceland early the next morning, approximately 60 to 90 minutes before departures to ten destinations in Scandinavia, the UK, and Central Europe. In the afternoon, flights arrive in Iceland from Europe and the UK shortly before the Icelandair fleet takes off for North America. 

Leifur Eriksson Terminal at Keflavik International Airport is a joy to behold for the mega-airport weary traveler. A restaurant, a bar and shops with Scandinavian delicacies, wines and liquors, and luxury items from around the world are all close at hand in this well-designed and unusually quiet building characterized by an untrestrained emphasis on passenger comfort. Unveiled in April 1987, the Leifur Eiriksson Terminal is small by international standards but remarkable both for its ease of use and its comfort, warmth, and spaciousness. Many travelers passing through this terminal opt for a one to three day Awesome Iceland Stopover Package. 

Airline fares are subject to constant change, so check with the airlines or your travel agent for the best fare when you plan a visit to Iceland. In addition to normal one-way and return fares a number of attractive excursion and family fares are available, as well as group fares for various sizes of groups. Air fares also differ between seasons. For full details of fares and services contact your local travel agent or any airline office. 

IcelandAir 
IcelandAir maintains regular scheduled flights to Iceland from the following cities: 
(All Year:) London, Glasgow, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Faroe Islands, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Halifax, Boston, New York, Orlando and Baltimore. 
(Summer Only:) Paris, Zurich, Vienna, Barcelona, Milan, Cologne and Berlin. 
Click here to see IcelandAir's contact information. 

Scandinavian Airline System 
SAS maintains regular scheduled flights to Iceland from Copenhagen from early spring to late autumn. Kindly contact your SAS sales agent in your country for further information. 


By Sea Smyril Line 
The Faroe Islands' Smyril Line operates a weekly passenger- and car-ferry service during summer from Bergen in Norway and Esbjerg in Denmark to the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. For further information contact the following office: 

Norröna Travel 
Smyril Line Island 
Laugavegur 3 
IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland 
Tel: +354-562-6362 

Eimskip 
Braurfoss, Eimskip's flagship, sails every two weeks from Reykjavik to the Faroe Islands, Hamburg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Gothenburg and Fredrikstad. Although primarily designed for cargo transport, the Braurfoss has comfortable and modern facilities for passengers. There are altogether six cabins on board, each accommodates two passengers. For further information: 
Úrval-Útsýn 
Travel Bureau 
Tel: +354-569-9300 


Getting Around in Iceland
By Air | By Bus | By Car
By Air Air Iceland and Islandsflug offer scheduled service to most parts of the country. For further information please contact the following: 
Air Iceland 
Reykjavik Airport 
IS-101 Reykjavik 
Tel:+354-570-3030 
Fax:+354-570-3001
Islandsflug Reykjavik Airport 
IS-101 Reykjavik 
Tel: +354-570-8090 
Fax: +354-570-8091 
E-Mail: salesdep@islandsflug.is

Air Iceland Passes 
Two-, four-, five- and six-sector passes valid on any segment operated by Air Iceland. This arrangement is valid year round. There is no minimum time limit but the trip must be completed within 30 days. The Air Iceland Pass is sold by all Icelandair offices. Price from US$ 180. Also look for "Fly As You Please" which offers 12 days unlimited travel on all Air Iceland domestic routes at US$ 470. 

 Air Bus Rover 
Fly one way, drive the other. An air service operated in connection with a bus service, offered by Air Iceland and BSI Travel. Air Bus Rover is valid from 1 June until 30 September. There is no minimum time limit, but the round trip or circle trip must be completed within 30 days. It can be purchased at all Icelandair offices, BSI Travel, or any other travel agency. For a typical fare, Reykjavik/Akureyri costs US$ 150. 

 Sector Pass Arrangement 
Islandsflug offers tourists the opportunity of traveling between two and four of their destinations in scheduled domestic flight. Islandsflug has ten different destinations in their schedule, with offices and agents at each of these destinations and they all sell and provide information on the Sector Pass. The Sector Pass is valid for 30 days from the time of the first flight, any time of the year. 

 


By Bus There is extensive bus service to most parts of the country, and to the highlands, as well as a large number of organized bus tours. Reservations are not needed, 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. A few main routes and fares (one way) are as follows: 

 

Route Frequency Fare Distance
Reykjavik-Akureyri daily (duration 6 hrs) US$ 65 436 km
Reykjavik-Hofn daily summer (duration 9 hrs.) US$ 73 476 km
Reykjavik-Isafjorður 2 times weekly (duration 10 hrs.) US$ 93 537 km
Akureyri-Egilsstaðir daily summer US$ 56 280 km

The Full Circle Passport 
Passage around Iceland on the main road (the ring road) with scheduled buses. There is no time limit, and an unlimited number of stops may be made, although only along a continuous route (Valid May-Oct). 

 Omnibus Passport 
Unlimited travel on all scheduled coach routes, main roads and secondary roads. The time limit is 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks, chosen by the traveler. Stop-overs can be made anywhere on the route and as often as one likes. 

 Highland Passport 
Valid on interior and highland bus tours. 

 Travelers with the above mentioned passports are given various discounts. They can be purchased from airline offices or travel agencies in Iceland or abroad, or at: 
BSI Travel 
Vatnsmytatvegur 10 
IS-191 Reykjavik 
Tel: +354-552-2300/562-3320 

 


By Car 
 
 
 
 
 
Please Note:  
Special warning signs indicate danger ahead, such as sharp bends, but there is generally not a separate sign to reduce speed. Please choose a safe speed according to conditions. Motorists are obliged by law to use headlights at all times day and night. In Iceland all driving off roads or marked tracks is forbidden. Passengers in the front and back seats of an automobile are required by law to use safety belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of alcohol. 

 

 

The general speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas, and 90 km/h on asphalt roads. 

 Motor Vehicle Insurance 
A "Green Card" or other proof of third-party insurance is mandatory for motorists driving their own cars in Iceland, except from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Channel Islands, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Vatican. Drivers without a "Green Card" (or equivalent) must buy a separate third-party insurance policy on arrival. 

 Mountain Tracks 
Most mountain roads are closed until the beginning of July, or even longer because of wet and muddy conditions which make them totally impassable. When these roads are opened for traffic many of them can only be negotiated by four-wheel-drive vehicles. For some mountain tracks it is strongly advised that two or more cars travel together. Also, before embarking on any journey into the interior collect as much information as possible regarding road conditions from a travel bureau, tourist information office or the Public Roads Administration, Tel: +354-563-1500. A booklet called "Mountain Roads" can be obtained at Tourist Information Centers and the offices of the Icelandic Tourist Board abroad. Always take along a detailed map.

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