Getting There By Road
There is only one main motorway, Highway One, in Iceland – which was only completed in 1984 and traces the country’s coastline. Traffic drives on the right in Iceland. The use of headlights at all times of the day and night and fastening seatbelts – both in the front and the back seat – are obligatory legal requirements. Streets in towns are generally asphalt and have excellent surfaces. However, outside towns, the roads are often gravelled, so care must be taken. Drink-driving laws are strict and are also strictly enforced – the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%. The speed limit is 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, while outside urban areas it is 80kph (50mph) on unpaved roads and 90kph (56mph) on paved roads.
Drivers must carry the vehicle’s registration, proof of international insurance (ie a Green Card), plus a valid driving licence (foreign licences are valid for visitors to Iceland). The legal driving age in Iceland is 18 years.
Information on road conditions is available from the Public Roads Administration (tel: 563 1400; website: www.vegagerdin.is). Any foreign national involved in a traffic accident in Reykjavik must contact the police without delay (tel: 112 in an emergency or 569 9000). The Icelandic Automobile Association (FB) can be contacted (tel: 562 9999; fax: 552 9071; website: www.fib.is) for information.
Emergency breakdown service:
FB 511 2112
Routes to the city: A 1351km (840-mile) ring road (called Highway One) traces Iceland’s entire coastline (the interior is largely inhospitable). The main routes to the city are along this road from the east or the west. Akureyri and Isafjrdur are to the west, while Hfn is to the east.
Driving times to Reykjavik: From Akureyri – 6 hours; Hfn – 9 hours; Isafjrdur – 10 hours.
Coach services: The central bus station is located at Vatnsmrarvegi 10, near Reykjavik City Airport. It is run by BS Travel (tel: 591 1000; fax: 591 1050; e-mail: info@dice.is; website: www.bsi.is), which is a consortium of the bus lines offering an extensive bus service to most parts of the country, to destinations such as Akureyr, Hfn, Isafjrdur and Egilsstadir, as well as a large number of organised bus tours. Reservations are not usually necessary and tickets can be purchased at the bus station or from the driver.
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Getting There By Road