Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PRACTICALITIES
Discount Cards
Students and seniors qualify for discounts on internal flights, some ferry
and bus fares, tours and museum entry fees, but you'll need to show proof of student
status or age.
DVDs & Videos
Iceland uses the PAL video system, and falls within DVD zone 2.
Laundry
Public facilities are tough to find. Campgrounds, hostels and guesthouses may
have a washing machine for guest use (for a fee). Business hotels may offer a pricey ser-
vice. Some apartments include a washing machine.
Newspapers & Magazines
The daily paper Morgunblaðið(
www.mbl.is
) is in Icelandic; its
website has local news in English. For excellent tourist-oriented and daily-life articles
about Iceland in English, check out the freebie newspapers Iceland Review
(
www.icelandreview.com
) and Reykjavík Grapevine(
www.grapevine.is
).
Radio
RÚV (Icelandic National Broadcasting Service;
www.ruv.is
)
has two radio stations:
Rás 1 (news, weather, cultural programs) and Rás 2 (pop music, current affairs). BBC
World Service is available at FM 103.5.
Smoking
Illegal in enclosed public spaces, including in cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants and
on public transport. Most accommodation is nonsmoking.
Weights & Measures
Metric
Post
The Icelandic postal service (
www.postur.is
) is reliable and efficient, and rates are com-
parable to those in other Western European countries.
A postcard/letter to Europe costs Ikr180/310; to places outside Europe it costs Ikr240/
490. A full list of rates is online.
Public Holidays
Icelandic public holidays are usually an excuse for a family gathering or, when they occur
on weekends, a reason to rush to the countryside and go camping. If you're planning to
travel during holiday periods, particularly the Commerce Day long weekend, you should
book mountain huts and transport well in advance.
