Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [181]
Heading east, there are daily summer buses that run from Akureyri to Egilsstaðir (Ikr6700, four hours), calling at Reykjahlíð and Skútustaðir, at Mývatn (Ikr2800, 1½ hours). In high season expect up to four additional bus connections to Mývatn. From June to August there are three daily services to Húsavík (Ikr2500, one hour), from where you can connect to Ásbyrgi and Þórshöfn on weekdays.
Car
After Reykjavik, Akureyri is Iceland’s second transport hub – check out www.semferda.net for information about sharing rides with other travellers. There are several rental agencies in town – rates start at around Ikr17,500 per day for a small car with unlimited kilometres and insurance, to around Ikr27,000 per day for a small 4WD. For an extra fee of around Ikr10,000, most companies will let you pick up a car in Akureyri and drop it off in Reykjavík or vice versa.
Avis (Map Click here; 824 4010, 461-2428, national reservations line 591 4000; www.avis.is; Akureyri airport)
Budget (Map Click here; 660 0629; Akureyri airport)
Dollar Thrify/Saga (Map Click here; 461 1005; Tryggvabraut 5)
Hertz (Map Click here; 522 4440; www.hertz.is; opposite Akureyri airport)
National (Map Click here; 461 6000; www.holdur.is/en; Akureyri Airport & Tryggvabraut 12)
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GETTING AROUND
Central Akureyri is quite compact and easy to get around on foot. Take note of Akureyri’s quirky parking policies (below) if you plan to leave your car in the city centre.
Bicycle
The Viking Shop offers bike rentals during the summer for around Ikr1800/2400 per half/full day. If they’re out of bikes, try Skíðaþjónustan ( 462 1713; Fjölnisgata 4b), located northwest of the town centre. They primarily sell bikes, but sometimes have a few used cycles that they’ll lend out for around Ikr2500 per day.
Bus
Akureyri is easy to get around on foot, but there’s a free town bus service (running regularly from 6.25am to 11pm on weekdays and 12.15pm to 6pm on weekends). Unfortunately, it doesn’t go to the airport.
Car
Akureyri has the most bizarre parking restrictions in the entirety of Iceland. When parking in the city centre, you must put a plastic parking disk, or ‘clock’, (available free from all shops and banks) – marking time you parked – on display in your car (preferably near your steering wheel so as to be seen through the windshield). Sheets of grided paper are often dispensed in lieu of the disks, so make sure you have a pen. Spaces are signposted with maximum parking times (between 15 minutes to two hours). And although you’ll never have to actually pay for parking, you’ll be slapped with a fine (Ikr1000 if you pay within three days, then it goes up to Ikr1500) if you’re not back at your car before the time runs out. This is strictly enforced – we had a lovely little yellow slip waiting for us after ‘researching’ a tasty meal.
Taxi
The BSO taxi stand (Map Click here; 461 1010) is on the corner of Strandgata and Hofsbót. Taxis may be booked 24 hours a day.
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AROUND AKUREYRI (EYJAFJÖRÐUR)
If you have some extra time it’s worth getting off the Ring Road and exploring the region around Akureyri’s fjord, Eyjafjörður.
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AKUREYRI TO MÝVATN (GOÐAFOSS)
Travellers heading from Akureyri to Mývatn (or Akureyri to Húsavík if you take a small detour) will happen across heavenly Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods), which rips straight through the Bárðardalur lava field along Rte 1. Although smaller and less powerful than some of Iceland’s other chutes, it’s definitely one of the most beautiful.
The falls play an important part in Icelandic history. At the Alþing in the year 1000, the lögsögumaður (law speaker), Þorgeir, was forced to make a decision on Iceland’s religion. After 24 hours’ meditation he declared the country a Christian nation. On his way home