Good to Know in Iceland

Good to Know in Iceland

Here you’ll find the nitty-gritty nuts and bolts of life in Reykjavík. Althoug the capital of Iceland is a relatively small place, it may take some time to figure out how to navigate the city. Most of downtown can be covered by foot, but when you leave the centre things get a little trickier.

Domestic Air Terminal

Air Iceland Connect maintains a domestic network based in Reykjavík with destinations around the island and links to the Faeroe Islands and Greenland – Reykjavík Domestic Airport + 354 570 3000.

From & To the Airport

The airport bus service is the staightforward option, taking you from the airport to the BSI bus terminal at Vatnsmyrarvegur 10, downtown, or, for an added fee, straight to your hotel. You could also grab a taxi that takes you from door to door. Driving time through the mossy laval fields of Reykjavík peninsula to the capital is about 50 minutes. There are no trains in Iceland. Flybus (flugrutan) – +354 562 1011. Airport Express + 354 540 1313, takes you from Keflavik to the center of Reykjavík.

Taxis in Reykjavík

Taxis are normally summoned with a phone call or by going to a taxi stand. Taxis in Iceland accept both cash and cards. Hreyfill-Baejarleidir + 354 588 5522. Bifreidastöd Reykjavíkur + 354 561 0000.

Driving in Reykjavík

Speed limits: On city streets the speed limit is generally 50 km/30 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted.

Seatbelts: Wearing seatbelts is mandatory and children under the age of five must be strapped into an approved child seat.

Parking: Free parking can be hard to find in the city centre, and violators are towed away literally within minutes. The city uses both parking meters as well as dashboard slips for metered parking.

Cell phones: If you get caught using your cell phone while driving, you’ll get a ticket.

Drunk driving: If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .05 or more, you will be charged and your car will be impounded.

Rush hours: Weedays from 7:30 to 9:30 and from 17 to 18:30.

Gas stations: Most gas stations are open every day from 8 to 23:30 – many with 24-hour pay at-the pump facilities.

City bus (Straeto)

Bus maps are available at bus stations and tourist information centers. Most bus stops also include a route map. You can download the Straeto mobile app and get precise directions about which buses to take.

Operating hours : Daily from 6:30/7 until midnight, except on Sun period and most holidays, when it runs from 11:30/noon until midnight. There is no bus service on Good Friday, Easter, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Fares and tickets : Singl trip ticket can be bought from the driver (who does not give change) or the mobile app. If you need to change buses remember to ask for a transfer or skiptimidi.

Weather

Be sure to check the weather forecast regularly while in Iceland, especially if you’re driving out of the city, hiking, cycling, sailing or otherwise exposing yourself to the elements. The weather in Iceland is famous for changing at a moment’s notice, so plan accordingly. Weather forecast : + 354 902 0600.

Phone Home

Dialing: When dialing internationally, dial 00 for a line out of the country, select the appropriate country code, then the number.

Cell Phones/GSM: Cell phones work almost all over Iceland and you can get an Icelandic pre-paid (Frelsi) SIM card and use a pre-paid. There are four major service providers in the country : Nova, Siminn, Tal and Vodafohe. You can top up your phone through the company’s service number or buy cards from convenience stores.

Phone Centre: There is a phone centre at the tourist office at Adalstraeti 2.

Internet Access & Hot Spots: The tourist office at Adalstraeti 2 offers Internet Access on their own computers for a fee. If you have your own device, you can use Wi-Fi at almost any café or bar downtown for free (sometimes you have to buy a coffee). Many hotels and guesthouses also offer free Wi-Fi.

Phonebook & Online Maps: the Icelandic phone book lists people by their first names and offers an interactive searchable map.

Directory information and international assistance: Dial 1818 or 1819 the 24/7 service for information about names, addresses and numbers, Yellow Pages, be connected to international numbers or make collect calls.

Useful numbers: The emergency number in Iceland is 112. Use it in any emergency for ambulance, fire department, medical help, police and doctors.

Doctors on duty: 1770.

Dentists on duty: + 354 575 0505.

Police non-emergency: Hverfisgata 113, + 354 444 1000.

A typical Icelandic landscape. Photo by Olga.

Opening hours

Public Institutions: Monday – Friday 10 to 15 or 16.

General office hours: Monday – Friday 9 -17.

Banks: Most banks open Monday – Friday from 9 to 16. The Arion and the Islandsbanki bank branches at Kringlan shopping mall have longer hours and are open on S