GENERAL INFORMATION
FOR TOURISTS
BUSINESS/SHOPPING/BANKING HOURS
Office hours are generally 09:00-17:00. Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week or even 24 hours in the largest towns. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
The Icelandic monetary unitis the "króna." Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr.,1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00. Central Bank of Iceland - Exchange rate
TRAVELLERS' CHEQUES, DEBIT and CREDIT CARDS
Are widely accepted in Iceland. The major cards in Iceland are EUROPAY/MASTERCARD and VISA.
SHOPPING
The shops in Iceland are of international standard and carry a wide variety of merchandise. Local specialities are woollen knitwear (for example sweaters, cardigans, hats and mittens), handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewellery. Also available is a great variety of high-quality seafood.
TAX-FREE SHOPPING
A refund of local Value-Added Tax (VAT) is available to all visitors in Iceland. The refund will result in a reduction of up to 15% of the retail price, provided departure from Iceland is within 3 months after the date of purchase. The purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per store. All goods (except woollens) need to be shown at customs before check-in. At Keflavík airport this applies only to tax-free forms whose refund value exceeds ISK 5,000. All other forms can be refunded directly in cash at Landsbanki Íslands in the departure hall.
POST OFFICES
There are post offices located in all major communities in Iceland. General hours are: Mon-Fri 09:00-16:30. Many post offices in Reykjavik are also open during the weekends. Information on opening hours can bee found at http://www.postur.is/english/
POLICE
Reykjavík police, for information only,Tel.:+354-569-9020.
Emergency phonenumber in Iceland is 112 (24 hours)
TELEPHONES
Direct calls can be made to all parts of Iceland. The code into Iceland from overseas is +354 + seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialling 00 plus the country code, and the telephone number you wish to reach.
MOBILE PHONES
There are four GSM operators in Iceland: Siminn, Vodafone, TAL and Nova. Together they cover most of Iceland including all towns and villages with over 200 inhabitants. These telephone companies all sell pre-paid GSM phone cards and offer GSM/GPRS services. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country. GSM phones may be rented from Iceland Telecom, Ármúli 27, Reykjavík.