Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE NORRÖNA FERRY
Although it's possible to travel by sea to Iceland aboard the luxurious
Norröna ferry
(
W
smyril-line.com), the journey is recommended only to those with a cast-iron stomach - the
gales, storms and colossal swell of the North Atlantic will quash any romantic images of
following the Vikings' sea-road. One huge advantage, however, is that you can bring your own
vehicle into Iceland this way (see p.31).
The ferry departs once a week, year-round, from
Hirtshals
in Denmark, travelling via
Tórshavn
in the Faroe Islands to Seyðisfjörður, in Iceland's East Fjords. Facilities include en-suite
cabins, a swimming pool, a shopping arcade and even a fitness centre.
Sailing schedules
are complicated and times vary between even and odd-numbered
weeks.
High season
is defined as between 19 June and 23 August, when one-way fares from
Denmark to Seyðisfjörður are €571 per person for one vehicle and two people sleeping in a
couchette; a private cabin costs €726 per person.
China Eastern
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flychinaeastern.com
easyJet
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easyjet.com
Emirates
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emirates.com
Garuda Indonesia
W
garuda-indonesia.com
Icelandair
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icelandair.com
Iceland Express
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icelandexpress.com
Malaysia Airlines
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malaysiaairlines.com
Qantas
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qantas.com
Ryanair
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ryanair.com
Singapore Airlines
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singaporeair.com
Thai Airways
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thaiair.com
Virgin Atlantic Airways
W
virgin-atlantic.com
North South Travel
UK
W
northsouthtravel.co.uk. Friendly,
competitive travel agency, offering discounted fares worldwide. Profits are
used to support projects in the developing world, especially the
promotion of sustainable tourism.
Regent Holidays
UK
W
regent-holidays.co.uk. Good package
operator specializing in Iceland and Greenland.
Scanam World Tours
US
W
scanamtours.com. Group and
individual tours and cruises, plus cheap weekend breaks.
Nordic Experience
UK
W
nordicexperience.co.uk. Good deals on
city breaks and fly/drive holidays.
STA Travel
US
W
statravel.com, UK
W
statravel.co.uk, Australia
W
statravel.com.au, New Zealand
W
statravel.co.nz, South Africa
W
statravel.co.za. Worldwide specialists in independent travel; also
student IDs, travel insurance, car rental and more. Good discounts for
students and under-26s.
Taber Holidays
UK
W
taberhols.co.uk. With over thirty years'
experience, this company specializes in regional tours of Iceland as well as
city breaks to Reykjavík.
Trailfinders
UK, Ireland and Australia
W
trailfinders.com. One of
the best-informed and most e
cient agents for independent travellers.
Travel CUTS
Canada
W
travelcuts.com. Canadian youth and student
travel firm.
USIT
Ireland
W
usit.ie. Ireland's main student and youth travel
specialists.
SPECIALIST AGENTS AND TOUR
OPERATORS
Adventure Center
US
W
adventures-abroad.com. Cycling,
whale-watching and hiking breaks from this company, specializing in
small group tours.
Bentours
Australia
W
bentours.com.au. Handles Icelandair ticket
sales; also offers fly/drive and seven-day Iceland packages.
Borton Overseas
US
W
bortonoverseas.com. Adventure-vacation
specialists, offering a variety of Iceland tours with biking, hiking and
rafting activities, plus farm and cabin stays.
Discover the World
UK
W
discover-the-world.co.uk.
Well-established Nordic holiday specialist, with groups led by
naturalists to Iceland, plus city breaks, fly/drive holidays and
independent travel.
Explore
UK
W
explore.co.uk. Small-group tours and super-jeep
expeditions.
Iceland Adventure
US
W
icelandadventure.com. Small escorted
tours to Iceland, including rafting and horseriding holidays.
Iceland Saga Tours
US
W
reykjaviktours.com. Specializes in short
breaks to the Icelandic capital including trips out to the Golden Circle
attractions and the Blue Lagoon.
Nordic Travel
Australia
W
nordictravel.com.au. Icelandair agent and
representative for most Icelandic tour agents, this long-established
operator can book you onto pre-existing tours within Iceland or tailor
special-interest packages - from driving, hiking or cycling around the
highlights to snowmobiling across Vatnajökull.
Getting around
Iceland's small scale makes getting
around fairly straightforward - at least
during the warmer months. From
Reykjavík, it's possible to fly or catch a
bus to all major centres, and in summer
there are even scheduled buses through
the Interior. In winter, however, reduced
bus services and di
cult road conditions
might make flying the only practical way
to travel. It's also easy enough to hire
cars or four-wheel-drives, though those
