World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
The main provider of bus services is the Reykjavik Bus Service – SVR, Borgartun 35 (tel: 540 2700; website: www.bus.is). The two main bus stations in Reykjavik are located at Hlemmur and Laekjartorg. Buses on the 35 routes operate 0700-2400 Monday to Saturday and 1000-2400 Sunday. On weekdays, buses run every 20 minutes; while in the evening (after 1900) and on weekends buses run every 30 minutes. At the weekend, night buses run 0230-0400. The fare is IKr220 and is paid to the driver (the driver is not permitted to give change). If transferring bus routes, the bus driver can provide a skiptimidi (a transfer ticket), which is valid for 45-60 minutes from the time of issue, otherwise tickets are not usually issued.

Passes of ten fares are available and can be purchased at the bus terminals. The Reykjavik Card (see Tourist Information in Sightseeing) offers unlimited transport on buses in Reykjavik.

Taxis
All taxis in Reykjavik are metered and charge standard fares. Tipping is not expected. Taxis can be hailed in the street or telephoned – operators include Borgarbll (tel: 552 2440), BSR (tel: 561 0000), BSH (555 0888) and Hryfill (tel: 588 5522). Taxis are expensive and taking a taxi on a short trip around town costs from IKr1000. Most taxi stations also offer day tours to the main sights around the city.

Limousines
Limousine operators include Limousine Service (tel/fax: 555 3225). Private transfer is also available from Private Tours (tel: 862 9152; website: www.privatetours.is).

Driving in the City
With a small city centre and a very efficient bus service, it is not really necessary to use a car to get around Reykjavik. Furthermore, the cost of car hire is enough to put most people off. Those that do drive, however, will find it a pleasurable experience. Traffic is not heavy, there is little congestion (the heaviest build-up of traffic is around 2300 in the centre of the city, when the locals head out for a night on the town) and Icelandic drivers are considerate towards other road users.

Parking in the city is easy, with metered spaces costing IKr50-150 per hour. Alternatively, there are six multi-storey car parks and plenty of larger parking lots costing around IKr40-100 per hour. These are Vitatorg, Hverfisgata, Kolaportid, Kalkofnsvegur, Bergstadir, Bergstadastraeti, Tradarkot, Hverfisgata, City Hall Basement, Tjarnargata, and Vesturgata 7, Vesturgata. Other parking lots are located at Hlemmur, Tryggvagata, Tjarargata and near the harbour.

Car Hire
Hiring a car in Reykjavik is prohibitively expensive. In addition to the hire price, VAT is charged at 24.5% and there are compulsory charges for insurance and petrol. Most car hire companies have a minimum age limit of 23 years and a foreign driver’s licence is accepted.

Car hire companies include Avis, Knarrarvogi 2 (tel: 591 4000; fax: 591 4040; website: www.avis.is), Budget, Malarhfdi 2 (tel: 567 8300; fax: 567 8302; website: www.budget.is) and Herz, Flugrallarvegur (tel: 505 0600; fax: 505 0650; website: www.hertz.is).

Bicycle Hire
Reykjavik’s flat topography makes cycling one of the best ways of getting around. The Icelandic Mountain Bike Club (tel: 562 0099; website: www.mmedia.is/~ifhk/tourist.htm), based in Reykjavik, offers advice on cycling around the country, which is a tough and gruelling experience.
Bikes can be hired from Borgarhjol Bike Rental, Hverfisgata 50 (tel: 551 5653) and cost 1700IKr per day.