FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions And Useful Information

Icelanders enjoy a healthy life, thanks to clean air and water and good quality fish. Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland. Pharmacies are called “Apótek” and are open during normal business hours.

Medical help: There is a medical center or hospital in all major cities and towns in Iceland.

Emergency: The 24-hour emergency phone number in Iceland is 112. See also http://www.safetravel.is

Health insurance: Citizens of Scandinavia must show their passport in the event of a medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the European Health Insurance Card (EU-card), otherwise the patient will be charged in full. The EU-card replaces the E-111 form and ensures the same rights. Citizens of other countries will be charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute, Laugavegur 114, IS-105 ReykjavíkTel.: +354-560-4400/560-4460.

Office hours: 08:05–15:30.

Vaccinations: Vaccinations are not required.

For weather information in English, tel.: 902-0600, email: office@vedur.is or their website www.vedur.is.

When travelling to Iceland you should bring along lightweight woolens, a sweater or cardigan, a rainproof (weatherproof) coat and sturdy walking shoes. Travelers who are camping or heading into the interior will need warm underwear and socks, rubber boots and a warm sleeping bag.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool temperate maritime climate: cool in summer and fairly mild in winter. However, the weather is very unpredictable and tourists should be prepared for the unexpected. The north and east are often the warmest parts in the summer.

During summer the nights are bright all over Iceland. In the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north. Bear in mind, however, that the sun at midnight is not as warm as at midday, so bring along a sweater. For almost three months in summer there is continuous daylight, a phenomenon known as the “midnight sun”

The best season to see the northern lights in Iceland is from September to mid-April – these are the months where there are full dark nights. Some sources will recommend November to February, as they are the darkest months with the longest possible window to see the lights – See more at: http://www.northernlightsiceland.com/the-best-time-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-iceland-2/#sthash.N6iVt0tR.dpuf

Airport Buses: A service is operated between Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport. Buses leave Reykjavík from the BSÍ bus terminal 2.5 hours before flight departure. The drive from the airport to Reykjavík takes about 40-50 minutes. To Akureyri estimated driving time 5 hours.

Akureyri is Iceland’s second city and located on the northern side of the country. It is inhabited by superior beings who speak a higher form of Icelandic. They blame the whole banking mess a few years back entirely on the corrupt people of Reykjavík.

Lonely Planet: Akureyri is Best Place in Europe 2015
“The respected travel guide, Lonely Planet has presented its top ten European destinations of the year, with capital of North Iceland, Akureyri, coming out in number one spot.

Deciding how much better or worse Akureyri is than, say, the Azores, Leipzig, or the hundreds of great places that are not on the list, is inevitably unscientific and not to be taken too seriously. On the other hand, few organizations know more about rewarding travels to beautiful places around the world than Lonely Planet.

“We asked our team of Europe-based editors and authors to pick a list of 10 destinations looming large in their travel plans right now,” the article states.

Lonely Planet describes Akureyri as an “Easygoing place with more buzz than anywhere outside of Reykjavík.” The majority of the praise, however, goes to the natural surroundings, including the whale-filled bays, the volcanic features and the snow-capped peaks.

The article also points out that fewer people visit the north than the south, which makes Akureyri a good base for those seeking a little more serenity.”
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/lonely-planets-best-places-in-europe-2015

Icelandic electrical standards are the same as other Northern European countries (50Hz, 220-240 volts)

Visitors with disabilities can make travelling in Iceland fairly easy by planning their vacation in advance. They may also find it necessary to travel with a companion, for although there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to people with disabilities, they do not always provide full assistance.

Widely accepted in Iceland. The major cards in Iceland are EUROPAY/MASTERCARD and VISA.

2014 2015 2016
New Year’s Day Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1
Maundy Thursday Arpil 17 April 2 March 24
Good Friday April 18 April 3 March 25
Easter Sunday April 20 April 5 March 27
Easter Monday April 21 April 6 March 28
First Day of Summer April 24 April 23 April 21
Labour Day May 1 May 1 May 1
Ascension Day May 29 May 14 May 5
White Sunday June 8 May 24 May 15
White Monday June 9 May 25 May 16
National Day June 17 June 17 June 17
Bank Holiday Monday August 4 August 3 August 1
Christmas Eve Dec 24 Dec 24 Dec 24
Christmas Day Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25

What kind of question is that…of course we do, they are as real as we are… 🙂

The Icelandic sheep is a versatile creature. You can boil it, smoke it, ferment it, grill it, hit it with your car, etc. We however don’t recommend the last one.