Getting Around
Boat
Hitching
Car & motorcycle
Bus & tram
Air
Bicycle
Boat
The main car ferries operating in Iceland are Herjólfur, between Þorlákshöfn and Vestmannaeyjar; Baldur, between Flatey, Stykkishólmur and Brjánslækur; and Sæfari, between Dalvík, Hrísey and Grímsey.
Hitching
Lonely Planet does not recommend hitching. Summer hitching is possible but can be inconsistent. The best idea is to find a petrol station, then try to charm drivers who have stopped for a break. At least if waits are long, you can get a coffee! See Hitching in the Transport chapter.
Car & motorcycle
Hire
Although rates are expensive by standards, prices compare favourably against bus or internal air travel. The cheapest vehicles, such as a Toyota Yaris, normally cost around Ikr8900 per day, with unlimited mileage and VAT included. Rental charges for 4WD vehicles are at least twice that. The Reykjavík tourist office keeps details of special offers.
You must be at least 20 years old to hire a car, and will need to show a recognised licence (most firms are happy with your home licence, although you could bring an driving permit to be on the safe side) and pay by credit card.
Bus & tram
Bus
Iceland’s long-distance bus network is divided between several private companies who provide routes in different areas of the country. They’re overseen by BSÍ (Bifreiðastöð Íslands; 562 1011; www.bsi.is), based in the BSÍ bus terminal on Vatnsmýrarvegur in Reykjavík. The booking desk sells tickets, and distributes the free Ísland á Eigin Vegum (Iceland on Your Own) brochure, which contains timetable information for some southern journeys. From June to August, there are regular buses to most places on the Ring Rd, and to larger towns in the West fjords. During the rest of the year, the service is limited or nonexistent: check with BSÍ or the companies below for details. The main bus companies include the following:
Austurleid+-Kynnisferðir (545 1717; www.austurleid.is) South and east Iceland.
Flybus (562 1011; www.flybus.is) Reykjavík to Keflavík airport.
SBK Travel (420 6000; www.sbk.is) Keflavík and Reykjanes.
Stjörnubílar (456 3518, 893 6356; www.stjornubilar.is) Westfjords.
Trex-Hópferðamiðstöðin (587 6000; www.trex.is) West and north Iceland.
Air
There’s an extensive network of domestic flights in Iceland, the fastest way to get from place to place. Flexible travel plans are essential, though, since schedules are dependent on the weather.
Flight prices given in the chapter are for full-fare one-way tickets; however, there are often internet offers, and you may be able to snap up standby tickets for up to half-price. There are significant discounts for senior citizens, students and children.
The main domestic airline, Flugfélag Íslands (Air Iceland; 570 3030; www.airiceland.is), has daily flights in summer between Reykjavík and Akureyri (Ikr10, 565, 45 minutes), Egilsstaðir (Ikr11, 975, one hour) and Ísafjörður (Ikr10, 565, 40 minutes). Landsflug operates flights to smaller airstrips in Iceland, including several flights daily from Reykjavík to Vestmannaeyjar (Ikr7180, 30 minutes) : book tickets through Flugfélag Íslands.
Bicycle
Cycling is one of the best ways to view Iceland’s incredible landscape. However, gale-force winds, sandstorms, sleet and sudden flurries of snow add to the challenge! Bring the best waterproofing money can buy; and remember, you can always put your bike on a bus if things become intolerable. A mountain bike is probably more practical than a touring rig – you can get off the Ring Rd onto minor roads and unsurfaced tracks. It is wise to bring plenty of spares and several puncture repair kits. The Kjölur Rte through the interior has bridges over all major rivers, so it’s accessible to cyclists.
Domestic airline flights charge Ikr3200 per bicycle. You can carry bikes on the long-distance buses for Ikr600 to Ikr1000, but space may be a problem at busy times.
In areas best suited to cycling, such as Mývatn, Reykjavík and Akureyri, bicycle hire costs around Ikr1700 per day, plus deposit. Children under 15 must wear a helmet by law.
The Icelandic Mountain Bike Club (562 0099; www.mmedia.is/~ifhk/tourist.htm; Brekkustígur 2) and Icebike (www.icebike.net) have lots of information and links about touring in Iceland. |
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