Iceland: some travel information
Formalities, visas
Tourists are only allowed to enter the country if they have a return ticket and sufficient financial resources to finance their stay in the country themselves. German citizens need a passport or identity card to enter the country. The document must be valid for at least three months after the stay. Tourists are allowed to stay in Iceland for up to three months. For a longer stay, the immigration authorities: www.utl.is must be contacted.
Issuing of visas in Germany
Embassy
Visa Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Iceland
Opening times: Mo-Fr: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Rauchstr. 1
10787 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 50504000
Email: icemb.berlin@utn.stjr.is
Foreign exchange, goods
Local currency
The national currency of Iceland is the Icelandic krona (Ikr) = 100 aurar
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currency: Up to 8000 Ikr may be exported.
- Foreign currencies: Unrestricted import. The export is limited to the amount of the imported amount.
Departure fee
There is no fee for leaving Iceland.
Cheap goods, souvenirs
Many branded items are cheaper in Iceland than in Germany. There is a wide range of Icelandic specialty shops.
Knitwear such as traditional and fashionable sweaters, cardigans, hats and gloves are listed as country-specific goods. Artful ceramics and glassware, as well as silver jewelry, can also be bought in Iceland.
The traditional Icelandic sweater, which is hand-knitted with its round pattern, can be described as trendy.
You can also buy excellent outdoor goods here.
For tourists there is a tourist discount on purchases of over 4,000 kroner.
And last but not least, you can buy CDs and books very cheaply.
Icelandic horse riders will find a wide range of equipment for rider and horse here.
Import and export of goods The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals that are protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties. The following rule applies to dogs, cats, birds, ferrets and small animals from all countries:
An import permit is required for each animal, which can be applied for from the Ministry of Agriculture (Arnarhvolur, Reykjavik, Fax: (00351) 552 11 60. In addition, there is a quarantine requirement for Dogs for about eight weeks prior to entry.
Duty Free
Foreign customers will be refunded VAT up to 15% on certain Icelandic goods. Provided you leave Iceland no later than three months after the purchase. The purchase amount including VAT must be at least 4,000 ISK per receipt. If the purchase amount is more than 40,000 ISK, the purchased goods, except woolen goods, must be shown to customs.
How to get to Iceland
The quickest way to get to Iceland is by plane. However, there is also the possibility to travel there by ship.
Flight connections In
addition to the normal single or return flight tickets, there are a number of different offers that depend on the time of year. Icelandair has scheduled flights to and from the following cities:
All year round: London, Glasgow, Copenhagen, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Hailfax, Boston, New York and Minneapolis. Summer only: Zurich, Barcelona, Milan, Hamburg, Madrid.
Average flight time
Copenhagen-Reykjavík 3 hours 20 minutes
Frankfurt-Reykjavík 3 hours 45 minutes
Icelandair – Germany
Roßmarkt 10
D-60311 Frankfurt aM
Tel: (069) 299978
Fax: (069) 283872
Email: germany@icelandair.is
www.icelandair.de /
Travel in the country
Bus
There is a well-developed network of regular bus routes in Iceland and there are also many organized bus trips. Tickets can be purchased either at the bus station or directly from the driver. Children under the age of four travel for free, children up to the age of eleven pay half price.
Excursions:
Reykjavík Excursions
Street: Vesturvör 6 (Main Office)
City: IS-200 Kópavogur
Phone: + 354-580-5400
Email: main@re.is
www: http://www.re.is/
Iceland Excursions Allrahanda Street: Funahöfði 17 City: IS-110 Reykjavík Phone: + 354-540-1313 Email: ie@icelandexcursions.is www: http://www.icelandexcursions.is/
Destination Iceland
(BSI Travel, Come-2 Iceland DMC, Iceland Safari and Icelandic Adventure)
Vatnsmýrarvegur 10
Reykjavík
Phone: + 354-591-1020/+ 354-591-1000
Email: travel@dice.is
www: http: // www.dice.is /
www: http://www.adventure.is/
www: http://www.bsi.is/
Rail
There are no railways in Iceland.
Highland Routes
There are two tracks across the Icelandic highlands: the Kjölur and Sprengisandur routes. The Kjölur route can be used by all “robust” vehicles – although cars with four-wheel drive are preferred and recommended.
The Sprengisandur route, on the other hand, is only passable in summer.
Information on road conditions
Tel. 354 – 1777, daily 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Homepage: www.vegagerdin.is/english
The total length of the ring road (National Road 1) is 1,390 km. The maximum speed in built-up areas is 50 km/h, 80 km/h on gravel roads and 90 km/h on asphalt roads.
Rental
cars Rental cars are available from various Icelandic car rental companies and can be booked through travel agencies, airlines, airports or directly in Iceland. There is a choice of different car models from small cars to powerful all-wheel-drive vehicles. Roads marked with an “F” may only be driven on with four-wheel drive rental vehicles.
Alp Car Rental
Vatnsmýrarvegur 10
IS-101 Reykjavík (bus station)
Phone: + 354-562-6060
Email: alp@alp.is
AvisCarRental Knarrarvogur2 IS-104Reykjavík Phone: + 354-591-4000 Email: avis@avis.is www: http://www.avis.is/
BudgetCarRental Dugguvogur10 IS-104Reykjavík Phone: + 354-567-8300 Email: budget@budget.is www: http://www.budget.is/
AGCarRental
Tangarhöfði8-12
IS-110Reykjavík
Phone: + 354-587-5504
Email: carrental@ag-car.is
www: http://www.ag-car.is/
BílaleigaAkureyrar-Nationalcarental
Tryggvabrau12
600Akureyri
Phone: + 354-461-3000
Email: info@nationalcar.is
www: http://www.nationalcar.is/
IcelandairHertzCarRental
ReykjavíAirport
IS-101Reykjavík
Phone: + 354-50-50-600
Email: hertz@hertz.is
www: http://www.hertz.com/
www: http://www.hertz.is/
RAS CarRentall
Víkurbraut17
IS-240Grindavík
Phone: + 354-426-7100
Email: ras@ras.is
www: http://www.rascar.com/
Ferry/ship connections
The Faroese Smyril Line maintains weekly passenger and car ferry traffic to Iceland during the summer months. Timetable: from Hanstholm/Denmark, Bergen/ Norway and to Lerwick/Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður/ Iceland.
SMYRIL LINE Germany
J.A. Reinecke (agency)
Jersbekerstraße 12
D-22941 Bargteheide
Phone: 0 45
32/65 19 Email: smyril-line@jareinicke.de
www: http://www.jareinecke.de/
International license plate
Iceland’s international license plate is:
| IS |
Tourist offices
Icelandic Tourist Board
Geirsgata 9
101 Reykjavík
Tel: 00354 – 535 55 00
E-mail: info@icetourist.is
Icelandic Tourist Board
Strandgata 29
600 Akureyri
Tel: 00354 – 535 55 10
E-mail: info@icetourist.is
Visit Iceland – Icelandic Tourist Office in Germany
Rauchstrasse 1
10787 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 50 50 42 00
E-mail: info@icetourist.is
Infectious diseases
In Iceland, no diseases that are not common in Germany or Central and Western Europe are to be expected:
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Iceland are still recommended the following usual in Germany vaccinations:
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
- Hepatitis B.
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.
There is no compulsory vaccination.
Hazards and current warning notices
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizen Service
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de
Iceland: embassies, consulates
Representations of Iceland in Germany
“Each for himself and yet together”. That is the motto of the five Nordic embassies that have combined their messages in this ensemble of buildings. In addition to the embassy from Iceland, this also includes the embassies from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. A wide “copper band” consisting of individual slats connects all five embassy buildings around the outside. The ensemle is bordered by Rauchstraße – the official address – as well as Klingenhöferstraße and Stülerstraße.
The Icelandic embassy is the smallest embassy in the ensemble. The building was designed by the architect Pálmar Kristmundsson from Reykjavik and is particularly eye-catching with its facade made of reddish ryolite from the east coast of Iceland.
The Felleshus (community center) is used by all five embassies, where concerts, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions or conferences take place – there is also a canteen that is accessible to all visitors.
You can reach the five embassies with the bus lines 100, 106, 187 and the night bus N 26, whose stop is in Klingelhöferstraße directly in front of the embassies, and with the bus line 200, whose stop is on the other side at the beginning of Stülerstraße.
Embassy in Berlin
Rauchstrasse 1
10787 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 50 50 40 00
Email: icemb.berlin@utn.stjr.is
Web: http://www.botschafter-berlin.de/island/
Honorary Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main
Weißfrauenstrasse 12-16
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 2 99 97 24
You can find further honorary consulates in: Bremen, Cuxhaven, Erkrath, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, Warnemünde and Wissen.
German representations in Iceland
Embassy in Reykjavik
Laufásvegur 31
101 Reykjavík
Tel: 00354 – 530 11 00
Email: info@reykjavik.diplo.de
Web: www.reykjavik.diplo.de
Honorary Consulate
Oddeyrargata 8
600 Akureyri
Tel: 00354 – 562 80 62
E-Mail: agust@unak.is
Honorary Consulate
Túngata 16
710 Seydisfjördur
Tel: 00354 – 472 14 02
Email: adolfgullberg@eldhorn.is
Honorary Consulate
Seljalandsvegur 73
400 Ísafjördur
Tel: 00 354 – 450 45 00
Email: thorsteinn@fsi.is
Austrian representations in Iceland
The embassy in Denmark is responsible.
Honorary Consulate General in Reykjavik
Orrahólar 5
111 Reykjavik
Tel: 00354 – 557 54 64
E-Mail: arni-siemsen@simnet.is
Representations of Iceland in Austria
Embassy in Vienna
Naglergasse 2/8
1010 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 533 27 71
E-Mail: emb.vienna@mfa.is
Honorary Consulate General in Vienna
Naglergasse 2/5
1010 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 533 24 98
E-Mail: info@schubrig.co.at
Honorary Consulate General in Salzburg
Imbergstrasse 25
5020 Salzburg
Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 88 34 78 – 0
E-Mail: office@erikeibl.at
Swiss representations in Iceland
The embassy in Norway is responsible .
Consulate General of Switzerland in Reykjavik
Laugavegi 13
101 Reykjavik
Tel: 00354 – 551 71 72
E-Mail: jvh@ruv.is
Representations of Iceland in Switzerland
Embassy in Brussels
Rond-Point Schuman 11
1040 Brussels
Tel: 0032 – 2 – 238 50 00
Email: emb.brussels@mfa.is
Consulate in Bern
Münzgraben 6
3000 Bern 7
Email: hirt@kglaw.ch
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 326 27 28
Consulate General in Geneva
Rue du Mont-de-Sion 8
1206 Geneva
Tel: 0041 – (0) 22 – 703 56 56
Email: consulat-is@nbh-law.ch
Consulate General in Zurich
Bahnhofstrasse 70
P.O. Box 1130
8021 Zurich
Tel.: 0041 – (0) 58 – 258 10 00
E-Mail: is.cons@bratschi-law.ch
Web: www.mfa.is
