Transportation
Traveling by plane
According to top-medical-schools, the aircraft plays an important role in domestic traffic in view of the sometimes difficult road conditions. Air Iceland (NY) flies from Reykjavik to Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, among others. Eagle Air Iceland (VL) operates routes between Reykjavik and Vestmannaeyjar, Höfn, Húsavik, Bíldudalur and Gjögur. Air Greenland (GL) connects Reykjavik with various locations in Greenland. Air Atlanta Icelandic (CC) leases and charters its aircraft to other airlines; therefore serves different routes.
Traveling by car/bus
All localities, even the most remote places, are accessible by road. Unleaded petrol is available at every gas station. In Reykjavík and the surrounding area, most petrol stations are open until 11:30 p.m. every day. Opening hours vary in other regions of Iceland. After hours, most petrol stations in larger towns have self-service pumps that can be paid for with banknotes or cards.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Car rental
Rental cars can be booked through travel agencies and airlines, at airports or immediately upon arrival in Iceland. There is a wide range of models to choose from, from small cars to all-wheel drive vehicles. The minimum age for a booking is 20 years (may vary depending on the vehicle category). The driver must also have held a driver’s license for at least one year. A young driver fee is usually charged for drivers under the age of 25.
Taxi
Taxis are available at airports and in front of hotels. Various taxi companies can be reached by phone 24 hours a day in Reykjavik. All taxis in Reykjavik are metered and charge the standard rate.
Coach
The Strætó company operates the well-developed bus network that reaches almost all inhabited parts of the island. However, traffic may be restricted in winter. The city buses are yellow; Intercity buses yellow or blue. There are two bus routes all year round that circle the island on the ring road. Tickets for scheduled buses can be purchased both at the bus station and from the driver. Children up to the age of 5 travel free of charge, children and young people from 6 to 18 pay about half the fare for single tickets. Packages with 20 tickets include discounts for young people between the ages of 6 and 18 and for seniors aged 70 and over. With the round trip ticket Hringmiði you can travel on the entire ring road in one direction with any number of long breaks. The Tímamiði entitles you to unlimited travel on intercity buses throughout the country. It can be booked between one and four weeks. There are also a variety of organized bus tours: Reykjavik Excursions and Iceland Excursions offer a variety of tours where you can explore Iceland either by bus on your own or in a hired car or minibus, with or without a driver.
Note on travel by road
Traffic signs warn of danger spots, but often without speed limits, although it is advisable to reduce speed. For journeys into the interior of the country, it is advisable to inform yourself well in advance. Even in the summer months, some roads may be impassable or difficult to pass. Highland slopes can often only be driven on with all-wheel drive.
Traveling in the city
In Reykjavík, Strætó buses operate on weekdays from 7 a.m. to midnight and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to midnight. Outside of peak times there is often only one bus per hour. The bus network also extends to the greater Reykjavík area to Mosfellsbær, Sellfoss, Álftanes, Garðabær and Hafnarfjörður. The central bus station for city buses is Hlemmur, slightly smaller is Lækjatorg. City maps with the bus network and timetable are available at the bus station and in the tourist information. Tickets are paid for by depositing the appropriate cash in the large box by the driver. Change is not returned. You can get a transfer card directly from the driver on request. It must then be handed in on the next bus. With the inexpensive 20-ticket package, you throw one ticket in the box with the driver. The Reykjavik City Card entitles you to unlimited travel on the Reykjavik city bus network and on the ferry to Viðey island; it also includes free entry to many museums, galleries and all of Reykjavik’s swimming pools. The Reykjavik City Card is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours. The Children’s City Card costs about half for children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18.
Locally on the way by train
There is no rail transport.
Traveling by ship
Ferries to all coastal ports in summer; timetable restrictions due to weather conditions in winter. Car ferries connect the mainland with the islands of Vestmannaeyjar, Grímsey and Hrísey and with the Westfjords. In the summer additional boats operate to other islands and the Hornstrandir area. For example, Eimskip operates the Landeyjahöfn-Vestmannaeyjar route 4-5 times a day; Seatours Stykkishólmur – Brjánslækur 1 – 2x daily and Reykjavik-Akranes, 3x daily; Elding Reykjavík-Viðey Island, up to 8x daily. Reykjavík and Akranes are connected by a tunnel, which greatly reduces travel time.
