Welcome to Iceland

Krona

Currency in Iceland

Today’s Weather

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Basic Country Profile

Iceland Google Map

Location: A sparsely populated North Atlantic island
Population: 330 000
Capital: Reykjavik
Major language: Icelandic
Major religion: Christianity
Currency: Krona
Dial code: +354
Time zone: GMT

Disability Legislations and Policies

Gavel on the background of vintage lawyer books

Iceland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol in September 2016. By law, people with disabilities are entitled to general services and assistance. They shall have equal rights and enjoy living standards comparable to other members of society.

Laws will have to be adjusted to conform to the CRPD, such as laws regarding services for people with disabilities and social services provided by municipalities.

The National Association of People with Disabilities in Iceland (Sjálfsbjörg) has an extensive database of topics concerning living in Iceland with a disability but unfortunately, most of the information is only available in Icelandic. However, they do have a small section about accessible tourism in Iceland which has some helpful information.

Travel Related Information

A few people left the Harpa Opera house in Reykjavik, Iceland. Photo: gilbertgoon / Shutterstock.com

Accessible museums

Most city and state run museums offer accessibility for persons with disabilities. There’s good accessibility at the National Museum, the Settlement Exhibition, Hafnarhus Art Museum and Kjarvalsstaðir to name a few. The only exceptions would be Arbær museum but most of the old buildings are not accessible and Asmyndur Sveinsson Art Museum. For more information, go to www.iheartreykjavik.net

Wheelchair accessible hotels

Loft Hostel
Loft Hostel is a great option for wheelchair users. They have 19 rooms, all of which are wheelchair accessible. The whole hostel was designed with accessibility in mind so wheelchair users should feel comfortable staying there.

Grand Hotel Reykjavík
Grand Hotel Reykjavík is a 4-star hotel with good access for wheelchair users on all floors. 15 rooms were specially designed with accessibility in mind.

Blue Lagoon Hotel in Iceland.

Hilton Reykjavík Nordica
The Nordica has 5 wheelchair accessible rooms and disabled parking. Braille is used in some rooms and aid equipment for deaf guests is available as well. This service may only be available in some of the rooms and fees may apply.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Blue Lagoon Iceland offers accommodation and a range of services and facilities for guests with disabilities. For more information, go to www.bluelagoon.com

Icelandair Hotel Marina
Icelandair Hotel Marina has good accessibility and 10-12 rooms available that are specially equipped for wheelchair users.

The Radisson Blu Hotels
Radisson Blue Hotel Saga and Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel have some rooms equipped for wheelchair users and offer disabled parking but fees may apply for certain services.

City bus en route in Reykjavik

Public transportation in Reykjavík

The Reykjavík City Bus system
All Strætó buses that drive within the city limits have accessibility for wheelchairs. However, the user has to be able to get in and out of the bus on their own accord and has to ask either their fellow bus users or the driver to help with the ramp. There’s a designated area for wheelchairs in all buses where there are seat belts that wheelchair users are expected to use. The buses are only equipped for one wheelchair user at a time though, which can be a problem if you are traveling with another wheelchair user.

Accessible taxis
There are a few taxis driving in Reykjavík that have accessibility for wheelchair users. It depends on the vehicle how much space they have but some can accommodate more than one wheelchair user at a time. They will have ramps and at least some of them are tall enough that they can accommodate big electric chairs without any problems.

Accessible day tours
Unfortunately, most of the big day tours companies can only accommodate wheelchair users if their chair is foldable and the person using it can make their way in and out of the bus on their own.