Travel - Internal
Air
Air Iceland (formed through merging with Icelandair Domestic and Norlandair) runs domestic services throughout the island to 10 major destinations which link up with regional carriers in the west, north and east of the country. For further details, contact the local office or check online (website: www.airiceland.is).
Departure tax
None.
Sea
Ferry services serve all coastal ports in summer, although weather curtails timetables in winter. There is a tunnel between Reykjavík and Akranes.
Rail
There is no railway system in Iceland.
Road
Roads serve all settlements. The 12,000km (7500 miles) of roads are mostly gravel rather than tarred. The Ring Road is approximately 1430km (894 miles) long, of which 80 per cent is tarred. Traffic drives on the right. It is obligatory to use headlights at all times of the day and night and to wear safety belts, both in the front and back seats. The Icelandic Tourist Board publishes a useful brochure, The Art of Driving on Icelandic Roads. Bus: Services are efficient and cheap, connecting all parts of the island during the summer. In winter, buses operate to a limited number of destinations. Holiday tickets (Omnibus Passport) and Air/Bus Rovers are valid for unlimited travel by scheduled bus services; also Full-Circle Passports are available, valid for circular trips around Iceland (without any time limit). Taxi: Available from all hotels and airports. Car hire: Car rental services are available from Reykjavík, Akureyri and many other towns. Documentation: Drivers must be over 20 years of age. An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A temporary driving licence is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid UK driving licence.
Travel Times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Reykjavík to other major cities/towns in Iceland.
| Air | Road | Sea | | Isafjördur | 0.50 | 9.00 | - | | Saudakrokur | 0.45 | 3.30 | - | | Akureyri | 0.55 | 5.00 | - | | Husavik | 1.00 | 6.00 | - | | Höfn | 0.65 | 9.30 | - | | Westmann Is. | 0.30* | 1.00 | 6.00 | | Egilsstadir | 0.70 | 14.00 | - |
Note
*To Thorlakshofn, then sea crossing.
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