Access

To Iceland by air
By far the most convenient and (due to advantageous flight prices) most economical way to reach Iceland. Travelling by boat is only reasonable if you come with your own vehicle and would like to stay for a holiday before/after the summer school.

Reykjavik has two different airports the City Airport close to the Centre (for domestic flights and flights to Greenland) and the Leifur Eiriksson International Airport at Keflavik (about 40 km southwest of Reykjavik at the Reykjanes peninsula).

A multitude of airlines offer services to Keflavik airport. Icelandair flies both to Europe and selected destinations, Iceland Express offers cheap direct flights from Europe. SAS might also be an economical choice.

To Iceland by boat
Smiryl line offers ferries from Hanstholm (Denmark), Bergen (Norway) and Scrabster (Scotland) to Seydisfjördur (East Iceland). Eimskip also carries passengers to Iceland from different European ports (albeit primarily being a goods transport company).  As said, taking the ferry only pays if you take your own/car for a holiday to Iceland. Stopovers at the Faroe Islands may be possible.  

 

From Keflavik airport to the hotel/city centre
After arrival of most flights, flight buses depart from Keflavik airport to the city centre.  The price for a one-day ticket is ISK 1500,-. For timetables and further informations follow this link. Travel time is 50-75 minutes.

Usually Flybus transports passengers to their hotels/accommodation. However, in the case of the conference hotel (Hotel Plaza) this might be difficult due to its central location. Bus drivers will probably drop passengers at Laekjartorg. From there take Austurstraeti to the west. After 300m you will emerge on a square, Hotel Plaza is on the opposite side at the right. For return trips after the summer school please contact the front desk of the hotel, they will organise a pick-up.

If you want a relaxing dip in the Blue Lagoon after your flight: Flybus offers several tours per day from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik City Centre that include a stop-over in the spa.

If you have a very early return  flight from Keflavik or a late arrival in Iceland, you might wish to stay at an airport Hotel. Motel Alex offers cheap dormitory and comfortable room or (very nice) camping hut accommodation including free transfer to and from Keflavik airport. Other airport hotels can be found here.

 

Accommodation + Meals

Reykjavik
Accommodation in Reykjavik will be at Hotel Plaza, located in the city centre and a 20 minutes walk from the university campus, where lectures, poster sessions and lab courses will be located. Students will liver in shared double rooms with facilities. There will be a possibility for them to upgrade to single room accommodation for a supplement payment. For lecturers, single room accommodation will be provided. The hotel has free internet access for guests at the room.

Breakfast will be served in the hotel, lunch at the university canteen (if not stipulated explicitly otherwise in the program). For dinners we will go to different restaurants in Reykjavik, allowing you to sample the Icelandic Cuisine. 

Excursion to Central Iceland
During the long excursion in the middle of the summer school, participants will be offered double rooms without facilities at the Hrauneyjar Highland Centre and teachers rooms at the nearby Hotel Highland. Both places are outposts in the Icelandic wilderness, so please do not expect the Ritz ! However, they offer free wireless internet connection for their guests.    

Breakfast will be served in the place where people live (Hotel Highland or Hrauneyjar Highland Centre). Lunches and dinners  (if not stated otherwise in the program) are served at Hotel Highland. To reach the dinner room, enter Hotel Highland, turn right in the corridor, go past the open kitchen, then turn left and walk past the bar.

Lectures will also take place in the dinner room at Hotel Highland.

Please note: Since the programme of the summer school is quite tight, there will be little room for touristic activies during course time. People who want to engage in sightseeing and other holiday pursuits should allow some time before or after the summer school.

 

Travelling in Iceland on your own

In Reykjavik
Schedules, line maps and other facts about public transport in Reykjavik and the surrounding cities can be obtained from the website of the website of the Strætó company, which runs these services.

Information about hotels and other accommodation in Reykjavik can be found here.  Since we will visit Iceland in the main tourist season, early booking of accommodation is very advisable.

Around Iceland
Air Iceland offers domestic flights to various Icelandic destinations from Reykjavik City Airport. The trips necessary for the excursions will be booked by the summer school organised and paid by the event sponsors.

Reykjavik Excursions offers round trips (with possibilities for stopovers) as wall as day excursions. Other Tour operators can be found here. For further information contact the  Icelandic Tourist Board.

 

Sponsors