HEALTH/PHARMACIES/EMERGENCY
MEDICALHELP:
Icelanders enjoy a healthy life, thanks to clean air and water and quality
fish. Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland. Pharmacies are called
"Apótek" and are open during normal business hours. Many are open at night.
Reykjavík has a great many general practitioners, as well as specialists,
many of whom will receive patients at short notice. There are also many
Health Centres in Reykjavík, with officially appointed family doctors who
receive patients at short notice during the day.
MEDICAL HELP:
There is a medical centre or a hospital in all major cities and towns in
Iceland. The emergency phone number (24 hours) in Iceland is 112.
HEALTH INSURANCE:
Citizens of Scandinavia have to show passport
in case of medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the E-111
form, otherwise the patient will be charged in full. Citizens of other
countries must be charged in full. For further information contact:
State Social Security Institute
Laugavegur114 · IS-105 Reykjavík
Tel.: +354-560-4400 · +354-560-4520
Fax: +354-562-5053
Office hours 08:05-15:30
VACCINATIONS:
Vaccinations are not required.
VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES:
Visitors with disabilities can make
travelling in Iceland fairly easy by planning their vacation in advance.
They may also find it necessary to travel with a companion, for although
there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to people with
disabilities, they do not always provide full assistance. A number of hotels
in Reykjavík and Akureyri have rooms specially designed for guests with
disabilities. Larger department stores are generally accessible to
wheelchair users. The coastal ferry Baldur is accessible to people with
disabilities and so is the ferry Herjólfur. All airlines flying to and from
Iceland are equipped to accommodate travellers with disabilities. A few
domestic buses equipped for wheelchair users are available for special tours
upon request. For accessible hotels and tourist attractions, see
www.sjalfsbjorg.is
POLICE:
Reykjavík police, for information only,Tel.:+354-569-9020.
Emergency phonenumber in Iceland is 112. (24
hours).
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Businesses, banks and most stores are closed
on these holidays:
2002 |
|
2003 |
Jan. 1st |
New Year´s Day |
Jan. 1st |
Mar. 28th |
Maundy Thursday |
Apr. 18th |
Mar. 29th |
Good Friday |
Apr. 19th |
Mar. 31st |
Easter Sunday |
Apr. 20th |
Apr. 1st |
Easter Monday |
Apr. 21st |
Apr. 25th |
First Day of Summer |
Apr. 24th |
May 1st |
Labour Day |
May 1st |
May 9th |
Ascension Day |
May 29th |
May 19th |
Whit Sunday |
Jun. 8th |
May 20th |
Whit Monday |
Jun. 9th |
Jun. 17th |
National Day |
Jun. 17th |
Aug. 5th |
Bank Holiday Monday |
Aug. 4th |
Dec. 24th |
Christmas Eve (from noon) |
Dec. 24th |
Dec. 25th |
Christmas Day |
Dec. 25th |
Dec. 26th |
Boxing Day |
Dec. 26th |
Dec. 31st |
New Year´s Eve (from noon) |
Dec. 31st |
RELIGION:
The established religion in Iceland is Lutheran.
LANGUAGE:
Icelandic is a Teutonic language ofthe Nordic
group. It is believed to have changed little from the original tongue spoken
by the Norse settlers. English is widely spoken and understood. Icelandic
has two letters of its own: Þ/þ pronounced like th in "thing" and Ð/ð
pronounced like th in"them."
NEWS IN ENGLISH:
A short news broadcast in English is made on State Radio, FM 93.5 and FM
92.4, every morning Mon-Fri at 07:31, from June 1st to Sept. 1st. A
telephone recording of the broadcast can also be heard, Tel.: +354-515-3690.
TIPPING:
Service and VAT are invariably included in prices in Iceland.
ELECTRIC CURRENT:
The electric current in Iceland is 220volts,
50 HZ AC.
DRIVING IN ICELAND:
Most mountain roads and roads in the interior of Iceland have a surface of
loose gravel. The same applies to large sections of the national highway,
which also has long stretches of asphalt. The surface on the gravel roads is
often loose, especially along the sides of the roads, so one should drive
carefully and slow down whenever approaching an oncoming car. The mountain
roads are also often very narrow, and are not made for speeding. The same
goes for many bridges, which are only wide enough for one car at a time. In
addition to not having an asphalt surface, the mountain roads are often very
winding. Journeys therefore often take longer than might be expected. For
information on road conditions, Tel.: +354-1777, daily 8:00-16:00.
www.vegagerdin.is. The total length
of the Ring Road around Iceland (national highway) is 1.339 km.
The general speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads
in rural areas, and 90 km/h on asphalt roads.
PLEASE NOTE:
Special warning signs indicate danger ahead,
such as sharp bends, but there is generally not a separate sign to reduce
speed. Please choose a safe speed according to conditions. Motorists are
obliged by law to use headlights at all times day and night. In Iceland all
driving off roads or marked tracks is prohibited by law. Passengers in the
front and backseats of an automobile are required by law to use
safety-belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of
alcohol.
MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE:
A “Green Card” or other proof of third-party insurance is
mandatory for motorists driving their own cars in Iceland, except from the
following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Channel Islands, the Czech
Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany,
Gibraltar, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway,
Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the
Vatican. Drivers without a “Green Card” (or equivalent) must buy a separate
third-party insurance policy on arrival.
FUEL TAX:
Vehicles that run on fuel other than gasoline must pay a weight tax in
accordance with special regulations specifying a certain amount for the
start of each week while the vehicle is in Iceland. For further information
contact the Directorate of Customs via e-mail:
tollstjori@tollur.is or view their
web site http://www.tollur.is
FILLING STATIONS:
In the greater Reykjavík area most filling
stations are open every day to 23:30. Opening hours around the country,
where the pumps are privately operated, can vary from place to place. Many
stations in the Reykjavík area and larger towns of Iceland have automats in
operation after closing, which accept visa and euro credits cards as well as
notes.
OPENING OF MOUNTAIN TRACKS:
Most mountain roads are closed until the end
of June, or even longer because of wet and muddy conditions which make them
totally impassable. When these roads are opened for traffic many of them can
only be negotiated by four-wheel-drive vehicles. For some mountain tracks it
is strongly advised that two or more cars travel together. Also, before
embarking on any journey into the interior collect as much information as
possible regarding road conditions from a travel bureau, tourist information
office or the
Public Roads Administration
Tel.: +354-1777 · daily 8:00-16:00
www.vegagerdin.is
Always take along a detailed map.
Average opening dates of some mountain tracks:
FJALLABAKSLEIÐ NYRÐRI (F208): |
|
Sigalda – Landmannalaugar |
Jun. 17th |
Landmannalaugar – Eldgjá |
Jul. 28th |
Skaftártunga – Eldgjá |
Jun. 8th |
FJALLABAKSLEIÐ SYÐRI (F210) |
Jul. 5th |
LANDMANNALEIÐ (F225) |
|
(DÓMADALUR) |
Jun. 19th |
KJALVEGUR (F35) |
Jun. 15th |
SPRENGISANDSLEIÐ (F26) |
Jul. 1st |
EYJAFJARÐARLEIÐ (F82) |
Jul. 9th |
UXAHRYGGJAVEGUR (F52) |
Jun. 6th |
KALDADALSVEGUR (F550) |
Jun. 15th |
ASKJA (F88) |
Jun. 20th |
KVERKFJALLALEIÐ |
Jun. 20th |
MAPS:
Ask for road maps and maps of Iceland at tourist information centers,
bookstores or filling stations |