PRACTICAL THINGS TO NOTE
Practical things to consider when visiting Iceland and general facts about the people.
ARRIVAL IN ICELAND
The bus service between Reykjavik and Keflavik International Airport is connected to all arrivals and departures, and seats are guaranteed. Buses run to and from Keflavik every 45-60 minutes. The journey between the airport and Reykjavik takes approximately 45 minutes. For departing flights, it is recommended to board the bus at least 2.5 hours before the scheduled departure. It is possible to arrange a transfer from the hotel. Taxi services to and from the airport are available. The car ferry MS Norröna operates weekly between Denmark and Seidisfjördur in east Iceland, allowing visitors to bring their own car.
LANGUAGE
Icelandic is the national language. English is widely spoken and Danish is the third language taught in Icelandic schools.
HELP
Pharmacies are called “Apótek” and are open during normal business hours. Only some of them are open at night. Medical care can be obtained by visiting a health center called “Heilsugæslustöð” in Icelandic during working hours.
For more information, call +354-585-1300 or visit the Health Care website.
Medical Care : All major cities in Iceland have a medical center or hospital. Iceland’s emergency number (24 hours) is 112.
Health insurance: EEA citizens must have an EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) or they will be charged the full amount. Citizens who are not members of the EEA are not subject to EEA regulations and a full fee will be charged. No special vaccinations are required to enter Iceland.
For more information, contact Icelandic Health Insurance: Tel: +354-515-0100. Office Hours: 10:00-15:00.
Icelandic Health Insurance website
FLAG OF ICELAND
Blue with a red cross circled in white. The colors are symbolic of Iceland: red symbolizes volcanic fires, white resembles snow and glaciers, and blue – the sky above, the sea and the mountains. SIZE 103,000 km2 (40,000 sq mi).
POPULATION OF ICELAND
360,000. Average age: 38 years.
THE CAPITAL OF ICELAND
Reykjavik. The largest municipalities are Reykjavik* (125,000), Kopavogur* (37,000), Hafnarfjordur* (30,000), Akureyri (18,000) and Reykjanesber (18,000). * Cities of the Capital Region.
GOVERNMENT OF ICELAND
Parliamentary constitutional republic.
CURRENCY OF ICELAND
Icelandic Krona (plural Kronur) – ISK.
HOUR IN ICELAND
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) applies in Iceland all year round.
ICELAND’S HIGHEST POINT
Hvannadalshnyukur Peak at an altitude of 2110 m.
NATURAL RESOURCES OF ICELAND
Fish, hydropower, geothermal.
USEFUL ICELAND WEBSITES
EMERGENCY PHONES IN ICELAND
- Emergency number: 112
- Police: 444 1000
- Medical care: 1770