AKUREYRI   (see map) 
Akureyri is situated in north-east Iceland, in one of the longest fjords in the country (Eyjafjörður) and is surrounded by mountains reaching 1000-1500m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 20°C and winter temperatures down to -15˚C.

Hof Culture Center Hof Culture Center Akureyri is the second largest urban area after the capital area of Reykjavík, with a population of about 17500. Akureyri is the centre of trade and services in northern Iceland. It is also a town of culture and education, building on a firm foundation.

Akureyri is a popular tourist destination for short or long visits. The town offers a wide range of activities and interesting places, e.g. notable museums, the world's most northerly botanic garden, one of Iceland’s most popular swimming facilities, 18-hole golf course, the best skiing area in the country, good hiking trails and free city bus. Guests can choose between varied accommodation and excellent range of restaurants.

The town is also a good base for visiting many of Iceland’s most beautiful natural wonders, such as waterfalls, volcanic areas and canyons as well as exciting activities as river rafting, hiking, fishing, whale watching and horse riding. Ferðaskrifstofa Akureyrar-Akureyri Travel sells and issues tickets and organizes trips for individuals or groups.

 

The Tourist Information Bureau in Akureyri is located in Hof Cultural Centre (Strandgata 12, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) a new building by the sea. It is open dayly 07:30 -19:00. There you can get information, tips and details that are useful during your stay in Akureyri and surrounding areas.

University of Akureyri University of Akureyri Meeting venue
The congress will be in the premises of the University of Akureyri at Norðurslóð. The reception on Wednesday 22^nd  June and the congress dinner on Friday 24^th of June will be in Hof Cultural Center.

Getting around in Akureyri is easy. For the first it is a small town and conference guests should find that it does most often not take more than 10-15 minutes to walk where they want to go. Local busses are free, taxis cost (tel. 461 1010). It only takes a few minutes driving between places, also between the airport and center of town. There will be a conference bus to and from the conference venue twice a day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon when sessions are closed.

Acommodation has been reserved for conference guests in Hotel Kea, Hotel Norðurland, Hotel Akureyri , Hótel Edda and Guesthouse Akureyri. See details on the website.

Internet  
All hotels as well as the conference venue have  access to the internet. 

Food and beverages
There is  a good range of restaurants, coffe-shops and bars in Akureyri. To name a few: Hótel Kea Restaurant, RUB-23, Bautinn, La Vita é Bella, Strikið, Kung Fu sticks+sushi, Greifinn, Bláa kannan, Café Karolína, Te og Kaffi , Kaffi Akureyri, Café Amor etc. See these and more marked on the map.

Alcohol is sold in the state liquor store (Icelandic: Vínbúð), Hólabraut 16. It is not available in supermarkets.

 

ELECTRIC CURRENT  
The electric current in Iceland is 220 volts, 50 HZ AC. Most electrical outlets are DIN (the German industrial standard - two round pins), but many hotels also offer other variations.

 

HEALTH      

Disabilities
Visitors with disabilities can make travelling in Iceland fairly easy by careful planning. It may sometimes be necessary to travel with a companion, for although many hotels and restaurants are 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. Some ferries are accessible to people with disabilities. All airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate travellers with disabilities.

 

Emergencies
Call 112 countrywide for police, medical and fire emergencies.

Medical insurance
Citizens of Scandinavia have to show valid medical insurance and a 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 are charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute (Tryggingastofnun), tel.: +354 560 4400, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Office hours: 08:30-15:30.

 

Pharmacies
Pharmacies (Icelandic: apótek) are open during normal business hours  

 

Vaccinations
For visitors arriving in Iceland, no vaccinations are required.

 

 

LANGUAGE 
Icelandic is a Germanic language of the Nordic group. It has changed little from the original tongue spoken by the Norse settlers in the 9^th century. Icelandic has two distinctive letters: Þ/þ pronounced like th in thing and Ð/ð pronounced like th in them. Other non-English letters are the following: Á, É, Í, Ó, Ú, Ý, Æ, Ö. Read more. English and Danish are widely spoken and understood.

MOBILE TELEPHONES
The GSM mobile telephone systems in Iceland operates in most parts of the country, including Akureyri and Reykjavík.  Telephone companies sell pre-paid GSM phone cards, which visitors may find convenient to use with their own GSM phones. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country. GSM phones may be rented at several locations.

 

MONEY MATTERS    

Currency
The Icelandic monetary unit is the "krona" (ISK). All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency which may be brought into Iceland.

Cash and credit
Most stores accept debit cards. Cash can be obtained against these cards in all banks and ATMs. All major credit cards are widely used in Iceland and accepted by most establishments, including hotels, restaurants, car rentals and shops.

Shopping
Shopping hours are Mon-Fri  09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00, varying from one shop to another. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Many shops are closed on Saturdays during the summer - June, July and August. Shops outside Reykjavík in service centres or filling stations are often open all day (09:00-22:00/23:00/23:30) every day.

 

Banks

There are four banks in Akureyri: Landsbankinn, Íslandsbanki, Arion banki and BYR, all situated in the centre of town. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00.

Tax-free
Shopping tax-free in Iceland is easy. See details at EuroRefund. 

 

Tipping
Service and VAT (Icelandic: VSK) are invariably included in prices in Iceland. Tipping is not customary. 

 

 

SMOKING     

Smoking and the use of other tobacco products is banned in public spaces in Iceland. This includes all enclosed spaces in common ownership, all public land intended for use by children, all public transport and all services; including restaurants, bars, clubs and cafés.

 

 

SWIMMING POOLS   
Iceland has many outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs, usually with geothermally heated water. Hence, a visitor should bring a swim suit. The Akureyri swimming area with two swimming pools, two water slides, splash-pool, an indoor pool, four hot-tubs, steam, sauna and a massage parlour is very popular with both locals and tourists. If travelling you can also find accessible natural springs to bathe in.


TIME 

Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year and does not go on daylight saving time. When it is noon in Reykjavík during the summer, the time is 08:00 in New York City, 13:00 in London, 14:00 in Copenhagen, Paris and Rome and 21:00 in Tokyo.


TRANSPORTATION     
International flights
There are daily flights to and from Iceland and mainland Europe and North America. Flying time is 2-4 hours from mainland Europe and 5 hours from North America. Icelandair and Iceland Express have daily flights.

Domestic flights
The major domestic air carrier in Iceland is Air Iceland. There are many daily flights between Reykjavík and Akureyri.

Bus travel
There is an extensive bus service to most parts of the country and to the highlands, as well as a large number of organized bus tours.

Bus in Akureyri
The local bus in Akureyri  has been free of charge since 2007.
There will be free conference busses from the centre of town to the conference venue; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Taxis are readily available in Akureyri (tel. 461 1010) and Reykjavik. There is a surcharge in the evenings and at weekends.

Car rental
Local and international car rental companies operate throughout Iceland. Cars can be booked through their websites, a travel agent or an airline, and  at airports. Many types of cars are available, from small family cars to powerful 4-wheel-drive vehicles. 

Ferry service
Smyril Line operates a weekly passenger-and car-ferry service during summer from Hirsthals in Denmark to Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. There are several domestic ferry services in Iceland, e.g. to Hrísey, Grímsey (Eyjafjörður) and Heimaey in the south.

Driving in Iceland
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. The total length of the Ring Road around Iceland (national highway) is 1,351 km. 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 back seats of an automobile are required by law to use safety-belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of alcohol. Many country roads are unpaved. Some are often very narrow and are not made for fast driving. The same goes for many bridges, which are only wide enough for one car at a time. Drivers should be aware of sheep or even horses that can appear on the roads, although not common any more. Road maps are available at local tourist offices, bookstores or gas stations. See more at The Road Traffic Directorate website.

Mountain roads
All mountain roads and roads in the interior of Iceland have a surface of loose gravel. Care must be taken when driving on gravel roads, espcially when approaching an oncoming car. Most mountain roads are closed except in summer. When these roads are opened for traffic, it may be necessary to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle on some of them. 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 Icelandic Road Administration.

Car 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, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Vatican. Drivers without a"Green Card" (or equivalent) must buy a separate third-party insurance policy on arrival. 

 

TRAVELLING TO ICELAND                                                                
Passports and visas

A valid passport is necessary for visitors to Iceland, except for citizens of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Citizens of the following countries may enter Iceland using, instead of passports, national identity-cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Visitors from many countries are exempted from tourist visa requirements. See Passports & Visas.  For further information contact a local Icelandic Embassy, local Consulate (see Diplomatic Relations) or the Directorate of Immigration .

Customs rules
Customs Rules are similar in Iceland as in most other countries in Western Europe. 

 

From Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík
A bus service is operated between Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík city in connection with all arriving and departing  flights.  The drive takes about 40-50 minutes. Taxis are available, but expensive.

 

NB! From Keflavík International Airport to Akureyri

On June 21^st 2011 there will be a special offer of  guided bus tours from Keflavík International Airport to Akureyri, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, both in connections with flights arriving from Europe and North America. We need a minimum of 40 persons to register for these tours. Look for this offer when you register for the conference.

 

Travel Agency

Ferðaskrifstofa Akureyrar - Akureyri Travel sells and issues tickets and organizes trips for individuals or groups. If you need more help than your local travel agent can give, please contact them This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

USEFUL WEBSITES    

Akureyri 

North Iceland

North East Iceland 

Vatnajökull National Park

Icelandic climate

Weather forecasts

The Icelandic language

Practical tourist information

Visit Iceland 

 

WATER 
Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland and is very good quality. 

WEATHER 
Iceland enjoys a much milder climate than its name and location adjacent to the Arctic circle would imply. A branch of the Gulf Stream flows along the southern and the western coast greatly moderating the climate. However, this brings mild Atlantic air in contact with colder Arctic air resulting in a climate that is marked by frequent changes in weather and storminess. Furthermore this leads to more rainfall in the southern and western part than in the northern part of the island.

Average  June temperature in Akureyri  is 13°C (55F) and average rainfall is 0.87 cm (0.34 in). In Reykjavík the temperature is 12°C (53F)  and average rainfall 1.95cm (0.77 in). The summer nights are bright in all of Iceland. In June the sun never fully sets in the north. There are special excursions to the island of Grímsey where you can experience the midnight sun on the Arctic Circle. The day before ICASS VII starts is summer solstice so you will enjoy long days in Akureyri!

When travelling in the Icelandic countryside you should bring along lightweight woollens, a rainproof coat and sturdy walking shoes, not to forget gloves, a shawl and a cap/earmuffs. Travellers who are camping or heading into the interior will need warm underwear and socks, rubber boots and a warm sleeping bag. Tourists should be prepared for the unexpected and visit  the Icelandic Met Office for  weather information in English.

WINE AND SPIRITS
Apart from most hotels, restaurants and bars, alcohol is sold in state liquor stores (Icelandic: Vínbúð)  throughout Iceland. It is not available in supermarkets.