Island

Top 5 Orte

1. Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) · South Iceland

   Classic day loop: rift valley national park, erupting Strokkur geyser and a huge waterfall.

2. Blue Lagoon · Grindavík area

   Geothermal spa near the airport; book ahead and check volcanic alerts on the Reykjanes peninsula.

3. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon · Southeast Iceland

   Icebergs floating from a glacier, with nearby Diamond Beach.

4. Reynisfjara and Vík · Vík

   Black sand beach and basalt columns; famous for dangerous sneaker waves.

5. Hallgrímskirkja and downtown Reykjavík · Reykjavík

   Landmark church tower with city views, plus the harbour and Harpa concert hall.

Unterwegs vor Ort

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

  Strætó (Klappið app)

  Reykjavík capital-area buses; pay in the Klappið app or with exact cash (drivers give no change). Tickets are valid for 75 minutes. Long-distance Strætó buses are infrequent.

• Mietwagen

  Car rental

  The most common way to see the country. Buy gravel and sand/ash protection: wind-blown sand and gravel damage has led to large repair bills. F-roads need a 4x4 and are open only in summer. Check road.is and safetravel.is daily.

• Busse

  Flybus / airport buses

  Scheduled buses link Keflavík Airport with Reykjavík bus terminals and hotels; much cheaper than a taxi.

• E-Scooter

  Hopp

  Local app for e-scooters in Reykjavík and other towns; Hopp also offers taxi rides in the capital area. Uber and Bolt do not operate in Iceland.

• Taxi

  Licensed taxis (Hreyfill, BSR)

  Metered and expensive: a taxi from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík costs roughly 20,000-25,000 ISK (varies).

• Busse

  Organised day tours

  Many visitors without a car use bus tours from Reykjavík to the Golden Circle, south coast and northern lights. Compare operators and read cancellation terms.

Geld und Bargeld

Währung: ISK · Icelandic króna

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis, petrol stations, souvenir stands and remote cafes, so most visitors never need cash. Unmanned petrol pumps need a card with a PIN or a prepaid fuel card. Always choose to pay in ISK.

Wechselkurs nach ISK prüfen

Trinkgeld

Tipping is not customary in Iceland. Service and VAT are included in all prices, and staff are paid full wages. Some tourist places now show tip options, but leaving nothing is completely normal.

Nützliche Sätze

• Get ég fengið reikninginn? Can I get the bill?
• Má ég borga með korti? May I pay by card?
• Takk fyrir. Thank you.

Umgangsformen

• Shower without swimwear before entering public pools and lagoons; this is strictly expected and staff will remind you.
• Icelanders use first names for everyone, including officials.
• Take your shoes off when entering homes and some guesthouses.
• Never go off-road: driving off marked tracks is illegal and fined heavily.
• Do not stop on the road to take photos; use pull-outs.
• Do not walk on moss or stack stones; nature is fragile.
• Bargaining is not done.

Maschen und wie du damit umgehst

• Rental car damage bills

  Wo: Car rental companies, especially at Keflavík Airport

  So funktioniert’s: Travellers are charged large sums for sand, ash or gravel damage or for scratches that were already there.

  So vermeidest du es: Photograph and video the car at pickup and return, buy gravel and sand/ash cover, and keep the damage report signed.

• Overpriced taxis

  Wo: Keflavík Airport, downtown Reykjavík at night

  So funktioniert’s: Unofficial drivers or unclear fares lead to very high charges for airport trips.

  So vermeidest du es: Use the official taxi rank or prebook, or take the airport bus.

• Parking app and private car park fines

  Wo: Tourist sites with private paid parking

  So funktioniert’s: Cameras record plates and fines are later charged through the rental company with admin fees.

  So vermeidest du es: Look for parking signs and pay in the stated app (often Parka or EasyPark) as soon as you park (varies by site).

• Petty theft in bars

  Wo: Downtown Reykjavík bars and clubs

  So funktioniert’s: Phones and bags left on tables or chairs are taken, especially late at night.

  So vermeidest du es: Keep valuables on you and watch your drink.

• Dynamic currency conversion

  Wo: Card terminals, ATMs and exchange desks

  So funktioniert’s: You are offered your home currency at a poor rate.

  So vermeidest du es: Always choose ISK.

Sicherheit

• Crime is very low; nature and weather are the main risks.
• At Reynisfjara and other south coast beaches, stay far back from the water: sneaker waves have killed several visitors.
• Never walk on glaciers or approach glacier fronts without a certified guide.
• Leave a travel plan and check alerts at safetravel.is and the SafeTravel app; check road.is for road closures.
• The Reykjanes peninsula has had repeated volcanic eruptions since 2023; obey closures near Grindavík.
• Wind can rip off car doors: hold the door firmly when opening in strong wind.

Wie verbreitet Englisch ist

Very high. Almost everyone speaks English, and signs at tourist sites are in English.

Quellen

• GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Iceland, safety and security
• Wikivoyage: Iceland
• Safe Travel Iceland
• Wikivoyage: Reykjavík
• Hopp

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