Iceland - Practical Information
We have listed a few practical tips that may help you prepare for your trip to Iceland.
Passport and visa regulations
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, allowing travel without border controls between most European member countries.
Travellers from outside the Schengen Area should ensure that their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure date.
For the latest passport and visa requirements, please visit the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
Airlines Flying to Iceland
Enclosed in the PDF you will find information about the airlines flying to Iceland. View PDF
In addition, Air China has recently confirmed that it will begin direct flights to Iceland in October this year, which will be beneficial for IGARSS attendees travelling from Asia.
Healthcare
Medical care is available at local healthcare centres.
Citizens of EEA countries should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Without it, medical services must be paid in full.
Visitors from outside the EEA are not covered by the EHIC scheme, and we recommend purchasing comprehensive travel and health insurance before travelling.
Emergency number: 112
No vaccination certificates are required to enter Iceland, and there are no snakes or dangerous wild animals.
Icelandic water and swimming pools
You may notice a slight sulphur ("eggy") smell when using hot water. This is completely natural and comes from Iceland's geothermal water.
Iceland has some of the cleanest drinking water in the world. It is naturally filtered and does not require chlorine.
Geothermal water heats homes throughout the country and supplies Iceland's famous hot springs, swimming pools and geothermal lagoons.
We highly recommend experiencing one of Iceland's many swimming pools or geothermal baths during your stay.
Climate
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a cool maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers.
The weather can change very quickly, so we recommend dressing in layers and being prepared for all conditions.
It is not unusual to experience sunshine, rain, wind and even sleet on the same day.
For current weather forecasts, please visit the Icelandic Met Office.
Money
The Icelandic currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK / kr. ).
Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted throughout Iceland.
Almost all shops, restaurants and services accept card payments, so there is generally no need to carry cash.
For visitors from the USA
Most U.S. credit and debit cards work without issue in Iceland. If you expect to use unattended fuel stations or self-service payment terminals, we recommend checking with your bank whether your card supports PIN verification.
Electricity
Iceland uses the European electrical standard of 220-240 V / 50 Hz.
The standard plug is the Europlug (Type C and Type F) with two round pins. Visitors from countries using different plug types should bring a suitable adapter.