Difference between revisions of "General Information"

Latest revision as of 14:00, 22 August 2022

Getting from the airport to your hotels

Keflavik International Airport is located about 45 min. from Reykjavik. Isavia has an information web for Keflavik airport with the usual information on how to get to and from the place. There are three bus companies that service Keflavik International airport, Iceland Excursions, Gray Line and Airport Direct. They offer essentially the same kind of service: typical airport transfer with hotel drop off and pick up. We normally buy return tickets for the buses. Tickets can be bought online in advance, on Icelandair flights and at the ticket booth in the arrival hall upon arrival. Make sure you tell the staff to which hotel you want to go. It normally takes 1½ hours from the time the plane touches ground until you are in your hotel room. There is also a public bus.

If many of you are arriving together you might actually consider sharing a taxi. It will be slightly more comfortable and quicker than the bus.

During your stay in Reykjavik you will have enough time to ask the hotel reception to arrange for your transfer back to the airport, but make sure you book it no later than the night before departure.

Flights

For those of you who have not booked your flights yet, we can recommend www.dohop.com as a tool for multiple-airline searches. There are e.g. often rather inexpensive direct flights from OSL, ARN, HEL, CPH and many more airports.

Weather

In short, you can expect any kind of weather in September (or in any other season for that matter). It could be very nice but again it might be plain awful. Please prepare for windy, wet and cold weather; then you‘ll be fine. Bring good shoes.

If you intend to extend your stay or spend some time outside the workshop venue it makes sense to bring a windbreaker, rainwear, a thick pullover (wool or fleece) and sturdy walking shoes. Cap and gloves too, and sunglasses (the sun is low and in your eyes).

As a seasoned traveler, of course you check the weather forecast before setting off for Iceland.

Local information

inspiredbyiceland.com and visitreykjavik.is are good sources of information. Start there and you‘ll find everything you need.

Passports, Customs & Visas

A valid passport is necessary for visitors to Iceland, except for citizens of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, including Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. Please note that your airline may nevertheless require that you present a passport and may refuse to accept any other kind of ID! Citizens of the following countries may enter Iceland using, instead of passports, national identity-cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Again, do bring your passport as your airline may insist on it.

The participants are responsible for obtaining their own entry visas. For information on visas to enter Iceland see here.

Language

Icelandic is the official languages of Iceland. Most people speak English too.

Time Zones

Iceland operates on a standard time zone of GMT/UTC all year round.

Health & Well-being

Emergency Services (Fire, Police & Ambulance): Dial 112

All COVID19 / Coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.

There are no vaccinations required to enter Iceland but as with any country you are advised to get a tetanus injection and ensure that your boosters are up to date.

Smoking – Most public places do not allow smoking. Hotel rooms and all of the public spaces such as restaurants and bar areas are non smoking.

Weights and Measures system

Iceland uses the metric system of weights and measures. Distances are in kilometres, petrol is in litres.

Electricity

The Iceland supply is 230/240 volts (50 hertz). Plugs are two pronged with round pins (Europlug/Schuko-Plug (CEE types). This socket also works with plug types C and E.)

Money

The currency is the Icelandic krona (ISK). Icelandic notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10000. Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 50, and 100 kr.

Credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted virtually everywhere, except on the local buses within the Capital area. Charge cards such as Diners Club are not as widely accepted. ATM machines are available throughout but you really don't need to spend your time changing money - major credit cards work everywhere. Any card connected to the international banking network – Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Eurocard - should work, provided a PIN is keyed in.

Foreign currencies or cash can be readily exchanged at any bank or exchange bureau. A passport will need to be presented for identification when cashing them.

Tips are not expected.

The exchange rate of the Icelandic króna.

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