Guide for International Students 2013 - 2014 - University of Iceland

Time
Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
throughout the year and does not go on daylight
savings time. When it is noon in Reykjavík during
the summer, it is 08:00 in New York City, 13:00
in London, 14:00 in Paris, 14:00 in Oslo, 14:00 in
Luxembourg, 14:00 in Rome and 21:00 in Tokyo.
Public holidays
1 January, New Year’s Day
Maundy/Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
First day of summer, usually the third Thursday in April
1 May, Labour Day
Ascension Day
Whit Sunday
Whit Monday
17 June, National/Independence Day
First Monday in August, Commerce Day (Bank Holiday)
24 December, Christmas Eve, from noon
25 December, Christmas Day
26 December, Boxing Day
31 December, New Year’s Eve, from noon
Currency and banks
The unit of currency used in Iceland is the króna,
abbreviated ISK. You can check the rate of the ISK
at www.sedlabanki.is. All banks will exchange
the most common currencies, and it is a good idea
to change your currency, as there are very few
shops in Iceland that accept foreign currency. Most
shops and businesses accept all major credit cards,
even taxis. Credit and debit cards are commonly
used in Iceland, even for very small transactions.
Most banks are open weekdays from 09:15–16:00,
but some of them have branches with longer
opening hours. Please note that all banks are
closed on 2 January.
Cost of living
The estimated cost of living in Iceland for a single
person is ISK 163,635 per month (minimal support
guidelines set by the municipalities).
Bus fare from Keflavík Airport
to Reykjavík ISK 1,950
Overnight stay at a hostel ISK 3,100
Rent for a single room ISK 40 – 60,000+
Access to a swimming pool ISK 550
Movie ticket ISK 1,200
Theatre ISK 3,900+
Daily newspaper ISK 390+
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