NOTE ON ICELAND’S TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE
Iceland is one of the most spectacular destinations on earth, yet the tourism infrastructure remains underdeveloped relative to other European destinations and typical American standards. With a population of less than 400,000 people, Iceland is still trying to keep up with the ever-increasing number of visitors and continues to face staffing issues. In particular, the hotels in Iceland are much more basic in their amenities and typically have smaller rooms. Additionally, porterage service requires a hotel to bring in outside help which isn’t always possible, and if possible, is incredibly expensive. Please prepared to carry your own bags in and out of hotels, at the airport, as well as to and from the bus. No exceptions can be made. That said, smarTours has planned an exciting, breathtaking trip to Iceland with clean, comfortable and centrally located hotels to help you enjoy your stay!
BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS
Booking your own flighs has advantages like flying from your home airport, choosing your own seats, upgrading your seats, and using and collecting airline miles.
- Fly into KeflavÃk International Airport (KEF) with enough time to meet the group on Day 1 at 1 PM at the hotel
- Fly out of KeflavÃk International Airport (KEF) at your preferred time
Some cities have multiple airports, and depending on your plans, you may wish to fly into an alternate airport.
OPTIONAL PRE-NIGHT
Before booking your flights, consider purchasing our optional pre-night at the hotel and arriving in Iceland one day early or to enjoy early check-in on Day 1. Note that many overnight flights from the U.S. to Iceland arrive between 6 AM – 9 AM. Our first day begins at 1 PM and may continue through 12:30 AM if the weather permits, and the optional pre-night allows travelers to approach the day well rested for the day’s excursions.
BOOKING YOUR OWN TRANSFERS
Taxis and buses are a reliable way to get to/from the airport in Iceland. The Reykjavik Excursions Flybus operates between KeflavÃk Airport and Reykjavik’s BSI Bus Terminal. From the BSI Bus Terminal, you can transfer to a smaller shuttle bus or taxi to reach your hotel. The journey from the airport to Reykjavik takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
TOUR MEETING POINT & ENDING POINT
We recommend you arrive with enough time to meet the group for our welcome orientation at the hotel on Day 1 at 1 PM followed by our afternoon touring in Reykjavik. Hotel check-in is generally not before 4 PM. Travelers arriving today can store luggage with the hotel until their rooms are ready for check-in. The tour ends after breakfast on th elast day. Generally, hotel check-out is prior to 12 PM (noon).
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
Travelers must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders. Effective for travel in 2025, all visitors who do not require a visa to enter Europe will be required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. The application must be completed online and there is a small fee. Once approved, an ETIAS can be used for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Before your trip, review travel requirements and restrictions by country including passport and visa requirements. You can also learn more about passport and visa services. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Final instructions, documents, and travel tips will be emailed to you 10–14 days before the scheduled start of your tour. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required, however, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local health authorities for their suggestions. The CDC recommends you stay up to date on routine vaccinations, and consult your physician at least one month prior to travel. Learn more about the CDC’s destination-specific recommendations.
CLIMATE
During the winter months, temperatures range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s. In the spring and fall, expect temperatures from 30-50 degrees. Daylight hours vary greatly depending on the time of year, with 9-13 hours of daylight in September, October and March, and 4-7 hours of daylight November through February. The windchill in Iceland can make temperatures feel much colder. We recommend packing warm winter layers including a waterproof jacket, sturdy shoes, thermal layers, a winter hat, scarf, gloves, and warm socks for colder days.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
The official currency in Iceland is the Icelandic krona (kr). Hotels and stores accept major credit cards (Mastercard, Visa). You may obtain local currency at an ATM or exchange bank. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
Electricity
Iceland operates on 230 volts/50 Hz and uses plug types C & F. Learn more about plug types, adapters, and converters.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage and one carry-on piece. Please check with the airline for the maximum weight and size for luggage. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.
