Iceland
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Travel Tips
New Year's Eve is a fantastic time to visit Reykjavik. They fireworks on and around New Year's are worth the price alone. However, travellers should be aware that most shops and restaurants close early or do not open at all on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. If you go out for a late-evening dinner before the midnight festivities, nearly all restaurants will be closed. Pubs and nightclubs will open just after midnight (12:30am, usually), but will not serve food. Make sure you eat earlier in the day or if you're self-catering, make sure you have enough food to last until Jan. 2.
Nathan Girdner, USA (Jan 05)
DVDs are very new to Iceland. There are a lot of videos for sale on Icelandic mountains, volcanoes, wildlife, glacies, etc, but none are in DVD format.
Neil Q Smith, UK (Jul 02)
The Faroese Krona is not any longer valid in Denmark as it is now regarded as a foreign currency. It is because the Faroe Islands (together with Greenland) are not in the EU with Denmark. Since Denmark takes care of money in both Greenland and The Faroe Islands and the Danish and Faroese krona are worth the same, every bank in Denmark will exchange them free of charge. It is still no problem using Danish Kroner in The Faroe Islands...
Jakob Busch, Denmark (Aug 02)
Here's a fairly important travel tip concerning a problem I ran into in Iceland - but according to my bank it seems to be the norm for Europe as a whole: European ATMs may only recognise cheque accounts when handling transactions made using a foreign bank card. So even if the label on the ATM says your type of card is accepted, and even if it accepts your PIN - don't be surprised when the ATM refuses to spit out any cash if you are not accessing a cheque account. So if a foreign ATM is giving you trouble, one solution may be to phone up your home bank and check what type of account you have (it should be possible for a cheque account to be set up over the phone.
Eddie Powell, Canada (Nov 01)
If you're one of those people who got a cheap Icelandair fare to some place in Europe or the Americas, and you're waiting for your connecting flight in Keflavik airport, we would strongly recommend taking a gander at some of the exhibits in the airport. These displays provide an excellent introduction to Icelandic culture and art, and include some actual examples of the latter, (Our favourite artwork in the station is a large, gold-and-white, hexagonal piece of stained glass that seems to have a mythological theme.) This was a better use of our time than the overpriced duty-free shopping.
Tony and Jill Porco (Sept 01)
On the recommendation to visit Glymurfoss (Glymur waterfall), there are several options as to the route from the car park (parking lot):
- To see the entire waterfall from a distance, take the bridge to the right after the farmhouse and keep looking to the left (easiest trip). This is the trail to Thingvellir.
- For the best view, but the toughest hike, continue on the main trail until you see an arrow painted on a rock after the main river has turned and proceed through a 10m large lava tube to cross the river on a small bridge. Then proceed along the cliff above the canyon (glyfur). This route allows you to get on top of the waterfall. This has the best view but is not recommended if you have a fear of heights or if it is raining. You should have a good sense of balance and be in good shape for this route.
- Continue along the left side of the waterfall. You will be able to see the canyon under the waterfall, but will not be able to see the waterfall itself. This route is safe enough for children, unlike number 2.
Richard Gardner (Feb 01)
Moving About
Maersk Air do not have any flights from Iceland to the Faroe Islands any more.
Jann Kjærbæk, Faroe Islands (Oct 05)
There is no longer a scheduled bus from Reykjavik to Thingvellir; it stopped running about two years ago, about which the "interpretive center" host expressed some dismay. After walking/hitching from Nesjavellir to Thingvellir, we had to beg for an irregular seat on one of the Golden Circle package tour buses in order to get to Reykjavik. This took some doing, so we nearly had to resort to hitching.
The bus from Egilsdathir to Seythisfjorthur does not run at all on weekends. We got stuck in Egilsdathir for a Sunday afternoon.
And a suggestion for your "health" section: nowhere do you mention seasickness. The ferry from Thorlakshofn to Heimaey is a large, fairly smooth car ferry, but it crosses open ocean. You can't buy Dramamine (sea sickness drugs) on board; landlubbers should think of it beforehand.
Anonymous, USA (Sep 05)
Just want to say that taking the ferry from Denmark/Hantsholm is a good alternative for flying into Iceland. The atmosphere on board is very good among other travellers. It isn't very cheap compared to flying.
Geert De Copninck, Belgium (Aug 02)
Arriving in Iceland, you will land at Keflavik. If staying in Reykjavik, you then need to take the shuttle bus from the airport which costs 900 Ikr. Buy your tickets at the booth in the airport or when you board the bus. This bus will take you to the Hotel Loftleioir & Domestic Airport. If your flight arrives late at night and you are not staying at one of the major hotels, you will have to take a taxi which will cost up to 900 Ikr. See if the bus driver can drop you off. Taxis from the city center to Keflavik International airport cost around Ikr 7200.
Chris Louie (Jun 02)
Scams & Warnings
It can be dangerous to hike in the highlands of Iceland if you don't have good gear. This is because of the ever changing weather conditions in the region. The weather was actually so bad in July that specially equipped vehicles picked up some French tourists in the first hut, since they didn't dare to continue.
Thorir Tryggvason, Iceland (Jul 02)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
In Seljavellir there is a natural swimming pool in the mountains. It's made in 1923 and there is a pipeline and a natural spring that provides the hot water. It's free and the most spectaculair swimming pool I have seen in Iceland. There must also be a hot-tub about 50m above the pool, but we couldn't find it.
Martijn van der Krogt, Netherlands (Sep 05)
It is worth noting that there is a lovely waterfall, Fardagafoss, about 1/2 hour's walk up the road towards Seythisfjorthur. (It's a 30-40 minute walk from the town to the marked trailhead, then 1/2 hour walk through heathlands to the falls.) You can hike around behind the falls via a treacherous-looking path with fixed ropes. The heathlands in this area (in August) were full of ripe blueberries.
A suggestion for a point of interest: while hiking from Hveragerthi to Nesjavellir via the spectacular Reykjadalir path (with an off-trail shortcut across the interesting "Sandklettar" formation, to avoid climbing Hengilll) we came to some huge boiling springs at O:lkelduha'ls. We ran into a large bus tour group there, so it looks like you can reach this site via a dirt road which turns north Rt. 1 5-6km west of Hveragerthi. No idea about the access permissions or drivability on this road, though.
Anonymous, USA (Sep 05)
I thought that Hraunfoss (probably about a half hour or so from Borgarnes) was worth a mention in the book. It's quite an amazing place, with the water actually flowing out of a wall of lava into the river below. I'm glad I made the slight detour to visit the place.
Bernard Sayer, Australia (Sep 02)
Near the Bjarnarflag flats, 3 km east of Reykjahlid, is a blue lagoon, containing geothermal waters used by a nearby factory. The lagoon is about 10 meters from the road and is clearly visible from the road. There is a parking area but there are no changing facilities. There are no controls on access to the lagoon. It is about half the size of the Blue Lagoon of Reykjavik, with waters similar to the Blue Lagoon. The water is delightful, and the view of the surrounding geothermal areas is dramatic. One area is roped off that is too hot to swim in.
Anonymous (Aug 02)
Believe it or not, you can dive in Iceland. There are several dive sites available. Advanced and/or dry suit experience is required as the water stays at a chilly 3 degrees Centigrade. One such dive site is at Pingvellir National Park. You can navigate your way through caverns in fresh water where visibility is over 20 metres.
Kolaportio Flea Market - This flea market has lots of books, shoes, and second hand clothing. The building is not labeled but you can find it by walking toward the water past the post office.
Skogar Folk Museum - This museum has several treasures to see. Try to get the curator to give you a tour. He speaks several languages and has even more stories to tell.
Chris Louie (Jun 02)
Yarns, Fables & Anecdotes
We managed to get locked in the Einar Jonsson Sculpture Museum! The attendant left at 4.45 on friday when the museum was meant to close at 5.00...so we found ourselves locked in (museum opens again 2pm on tuesday!) and accidentally set the alarm off - quite scary! Eventually phoned the Icelandic police who came to get us out! Lonely Planet guide very useful for finding out the emergency police phone number.
Abigail Aiken, UK (Sep 05)
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