Traveling to Iceland

Your essential guide to this fascinating Nordic island.

Discover Iceland

Breath-taking landscapes and cosmopolitan cool, it’s not hard to see why Iceland is ever-growing as a must-see destination. Here are our tips on everything you need to know.

Bathe in the iconic Blue Lagoon

The most iconic landmark in Iceland, the blue lagoon has to be seen to be believed. A geothermal pool sat in a lava field, the lagoon heats naturally to around 38°C. The dreamy blue waters of the lagoon are said to have healing properties and the surrounding spa complex is the ideal way to unwind after a long day of exploring.

Explore Iceland's national parks

Iceland is known for its otherworldly landscapes, and there’s a plethora of national parks waiting to be discovered. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park is simply stunning, whilst Snæfellsjökull National Park was the inspiration for the Jules Verne book Journey to the Center of the Earth. Vatnajökull National Park is home to Europe’s largest waterfall (Dettifoss) and Landmannalaugar boasts rugged hills, excellent hiking trails and natural hot springs.

Wander the quirky streets of Reykjavik

The most northerly capital on Earth, Reykjavik feels like a magical enclave hidden away from the world. It’s here that the majority of Iceland’s population live, and the city is alive with a buzz of activity. Brightly coloured houses line its quirky streets, side by side with old book stores, chic cafes and independent boutiques. Even when the nights draw in, a lively music scene and a pub tradition known as rúntur means that the city never sleeps.

Money

The currency of Iceland is the króna (the plural is krónur), which due to inflation is no longer broken down into its sub units of aurar.

It’s also worth noting that Iceland uses a comma instead of a decimal sign, meaning that if you see ‘12,000’ written on a price, it actually means 12 and not twelve thousand, which would instead be written as 12 000 or 12.000.

One US dollar is currently worth krónur.

Here’s how much you can expect to spend in Iceland, with prices in British pounds:

Inexpensive meal for one – $14	Bottle of water – $1.40	0.5 litre beer – $7
Mid-range restaurant meal for one – $35	Cappuccino – $3.50	Local bus ticket – $2.80

Need to convert your pounds to krónur? Order them here!

Order your kronur

Traveling around Iceland

By car

The most convenient and flexible way to get around Iceland is by car and it’s best to hire one if you want to explore the island with ease. Rental prices can be fairly expensive, coming in at around 4 000 kr per day for a two wheel drive vehicle, and 12 000 per day for a four-wheel drive vehicle. Driving in Iceland is on the right hand side of the road and petrol stations are generally open 24 hours a day. The roads in Iceland are high quality, but it’s worth being prepared for the sometimes wild terrain and weather conditions, as well as familiarizing yourself with Icelandic road signs.

By bus

For long journeys, head to the BSI bus station in Reykjavik. Be advised though that these buses only travel once or twice a day, and that an internal flight is often cheaper. Around Reykjavik, the Strætó bs bus costs around 350 kr for a single fare, 700 kr for a day pass and 1 700 kr for a three day pass.

By taxi

Taxi prices start at around 660 kr, and are around 260 kr for every km.

Travelex in Iceland

It’s easy to pick up some Icelandic krónur from us before you head off to Iceland. All you need to do is place your order online and you’ll be able to pick up your foreign currency from us in store or choose to have it delivered right to your home. Check out our store locator to find your nearest Travelex.

Order your kronur