Clothing & Weather

The average temperature in Iceland in May is 7 °C, the average at the warmest part of the day is a surprisingly comfortable 10 °C, with the average low being 4 °C.There are a lot of fantastic outdoor swimming pools that are open from morning to evening so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit.

Restaurants

Here are few restaurants that we recommend in the city center of Reykjavík: Matarkjallarinn, Fiskfélagið, Steikhúsið and Kopar.

Volcano eruption 

A recurrent volcanic eruption started in a non populated area on Reykjanes Peninsula, 16. March, 2024.

All flights are operating and Iceland Travel is receiving our guests and operating our tours as normal.

Outside of the eruption area, life in Iceland is going on as usual.

You can find updated information on these media sources:

• Iceland National Broadcasting News in English
• SafeTravel: Important safety information updates for visitors to Iceland
• Information about flight departures and arrivals: Please note that the eruption has not affected flights to or from Iceland

Please note that the Blue Lagoon is temporarily closed. You can find information updates here.

Public Transport

From the Airport

Taxi

Taxis are avaible at the Terminal exit. Departing from the airport to Reykjavík city center fares on average will be between 15000-18000 ISK.

Bus

There are also buses available and as a rule there will always be buses going to Reykjavík 30 minutes or so after each arrival. The journey takes on average 1 hour, depending on the number of stops they will have to make, and will take you directly to your hotel. Flybus is the most frequent and can be booked through Reykjavík Excursions. This is by far the most economic option.

It is generally not necessary to book a space before hand though if you want to do so you can via the following: Link

Local transport

It is possible to get around Iceland without renting a car, and you don’t have to lose out too much on choice or price, though both do become slightly more limited. There are taxi tours available, but also taxis that mainly work within Reykjavik.Taxi

Taxi

Iceland currently doesn’t have either Uber or Lyft services, and you’re not supposed to hail an empty cab as it passes you on the street either. Instead, you have to book a taxi or go to one of the designated taxi ramps with the centre. Both of these services run 24 hours anywhere in the city. If you’re within Reykjavik you can just call and wait a short while for the taxi, but if you’re outside the main city it is advisable to prebook.

Their taxis also don’t have a particular style, such as a yellow cab or black taxi, but they come in a range that suit your needs. The thing that makes them uniform is the yellow taxi signs on the roof, unless its October, where the signs go pink for breast cancer awareness month.

For a general short journey, often only within the city, there are two major companies: Hreyfill Bæjarleiðir and BSR. Both their taxis can be booked online or by phoning: Hreyfill - +354-588-5522 I BSR - +354-561-0000

All taxis within Iceland run off similar prices, though they tend to be more expensive than other countries. What they don’t require is a tip at the end of the journey, which is a cultural aspect that extends throughout services offered in Iceland.

Bus

Strætó, the public bus, is recognizable by its yellow color

Strætó operates buses in Reykjavík and around the country. On www.straeto.is you can check timetables, plan routes, download the straeto app and buy tickets.

There is no hop-on / hop-off bus pass available that spans around the whole island. The bus network, however, is extensive and makes it possible to travel the whole circle. In addition to strætó, local bus networks operate in the East and the Westfjords of Iceland. Pay attention to the summer- and winter schedule when planning your trip.

E scooters

Zip through Reykjavík on an electric scooter for a unique sightseeing experience.

Download an app, scan the QR code, step on, and ride away into the sunset. For a few years, there is a new mode of transport in Reykjavík, and it is crazy popular: electric scooters!

Most popular electric scooter companys are Hopp, https://hopp.bike and Zolo, https://www.zoloiceland.is/

Other practicals

Currency

The currency used in Iceland is the Króna. It can be very difficult get this currency outside of Iceland. However, Iceland is a mostly cash free society so credit cards are accepted in all shops, hotels and restaurants. Cash-points are available across the city center with in a 5 minute walk. Bank branches, exchange desk offices and tourist information handle currency exchange transactions and traveller’s cheques. You may be able to change money at certain hotels though rates may be less favorable. We recommend taking out some money from cash-points for walking around while paying for most things with a credit card. Whatever you buy, prices are net.

Calls

To call abroad: 00 + country exchange number + number. The national telephone code for Iceland is “354″.

Electric Standards

220 Volts – 380 Volts / 50 Hertz

Tips

You are strongly recommended to respect smoking/no smoking signs in public places. Outside of bars and restaurants alcaholic beverages can only be purchased in a certain chain of stores called Vínbúð which closes at 18h daily.

"The world’s most northerly capital combines colourful buildings, quirky people, a wild nightlife and a capricious soul to devastating effect. Most visitors fall helplessly in love, returning home already saving to come back."

Quoted from Lonely Planet

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is the home of more than half of the country's 300 000 inhabitants. Named after the steam from the geothermal areas the city is now known for its clean air, water and beautiful surroundings. Iceland was settled from Norway in the 9th century. The native language is Icelandic, a version of Old Norse.

According to Lonely Planet; "The city’s charm lies in its many peculiar contrasts, which, like tectonic plates clashing against one another, create an earthquake of energy. Reykjavík offers a bewitching combination of village innocence and big-city zeal. It’s populated by darkly cynical citizens (a quality brought very much to the fore by the country's recent near-bankruptcy) who are, in spite of everything, filled with unstoppable creativity and enduring spirit. In summer the streets are washed by 22 hours of daylight; in winter they’re scoured by blizzards and doused in never-ending night. Reykjavík is a city that treasures its Viking past but wants the future – the very best of it – NOW!"

History

It is believed the first settlers arrived from Norway around 870 AD, choosing Reykjavik as the place to start their new life. Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s founding "father", is said to have decided the location of his settlement using a traditional Viking method; he cast his high seat pillars (Öndvegissúlur) into the ocean when he saw the coastline, then settled where the pillars came to shore. The steam rising from hot springs in the area is sad to have inspired Reykjavik’s name, which loosely translates to Smoke Cove.

Gastronomy

In recent years Reykjavik’s culinary scene has grown exponentially and now the city boasts an extraordinary number of high quality restaurants which fiercely compete to out do each other. Where as before Reykjavik’s night life was the most talked about when referring to Europe's northern most capital, now the quality and vast variety of restaurants is what catches tourist most by surprise. No city in the world of a similar size (and many who are up to 4 times larger) can match Reykjavik in shear number of top restaurants. Icelandic chefs, having worked in some of the finest restaurants all over the world, have brought their experience home with them to fuse popular world cuisines with old traditional Icelandic dishes and the result is no short of amazing. We urge you to try as many as you can during your stay.

Night-life

As mentioned above the Reykjavik night life is already world renowned and unique for a city of this size. Icelanders go out very late and stay out late and so the city centre can be very lively, especially on weekends where it is not uncommon to find nightclubs still full at 5 am. There are many types of bar, cocktail lounges and clubs making it easy for travellers to find the vibe they are looking for, however, if the weather is favourable the streets can be awash with people and so we recommend taking advantage as this is the ideal situation to get to know some of the locals.

Culture

Many fine museums are worth visiting, the biggest being the National History Museum which tells the story of the worlds oldest democracy and it's extraordinary past. For art lovers The Reykjavik Art Museum, housed in three separate locations, is definitely worth the visit while the unique (and slightly controversial) Phallic Museum is always popular.

To summarize, there is no place quite like this and do not forget your camera as the most spectacular thing about Reykjavik is the landscape. Mount Esja looms over the city just across the bay and your memory card will almost certainly be filled with images of Reykjavik’s most romantic mountain as well as such architectural masterpieces as the Harp,the new music hall, and colourful old town houses that continue to be the city's heart and soul.

We offer a selection of various tours that you can book as your pre- or post- conference tours. Please note that such tours can be booked via Iceland Travel website https://www.icelandtravel.is/. All inquiries regarding these tours are handled by our online sales department that can be contacted via the mentioned website.