Getting around Iceland is easy, with car travel the most common mode of transport for visitors. The Icelandic road systems is extensive and easy to navigate, with Highway 1, known as the Ring Road being the most travelled route. Most major highways are paved, but a large portion of the road system is made up of gravel roads, particularly in the highlands. Domestic airlines provide daily flights between Reykjavik and most major destinations around the country. Iceland has no railways, but bus companies and ferry dervices connect the towns and cities. Travellers should always be sure to drive carefully and monitor weather forecasts, particularly in winter. 

Please consult a medical practitioner or contact The Travel Doctor for your specific risk to these preventable diseases and the appropriate avoidance measures. Australians travelling to Iceland should also ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover the length of their stay. For further information please visit the Smartraveller website

Icelandic. Most people also speak very good English. 

Shops generally open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with reduced hours on Saturdays and Sundays in major shopping centres. Some supermarkets may open seven days a week until 11pm. Local specialities include woollen knitwear, handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewellery. Visitors can obtain a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund upon departure on purchases over 6000ISK, subject to regulations.

Tips are not expected in Iceland since service charges are included in the bill. However, locals occasionally leave change left after paying the bill or one or two euros if they were satisfied with the service quality.

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel tool.
 

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR TRIP

Official travel advice is available by calling 04 439 8000 or visiting www.safetravel.govt.nz

Country Code: +354

Emergency Services: 112. The emergency services may not always have English speaking staff. 

Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, and the last in Europe to be settled. The culture and customs of Iceland have largely been shaped by isolation and the extreme forces of nature, with a strong sense of tradition coupled with a bond with nature. The nation enjoys a high standard of living and society is modern and progressive with a strong commitment to sustainable development and the environment. 

Over time, Iceland has developed a unique tradition of storytelling and literature, with the Icelandic Sagas of the tenth and eleventh centuries inspiring writers to this day. This tradition has been recognised by UNESCO with Reykjavik the first non-English speaking city in the world to be named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2011. 

Music has also been a central cultural focus with a long tradition, and with global attention for modern performing artists such as Björk and Sigur Rós putting Iceland on the world stage. There has been a growth in acclaimed film and television emerging from Iceland, and several locations around the island have been used in popular series such as Game of Thrones. 

Electrical Plug type: European

Voltage: 220-240 volts