Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland and the world’s northernmost capital, is a unique year-round destination positioned between North America and Europe. Iceland is consistently recognized as one of the world’s safest countries and Reykjavik’s compact center is known for being safe, clean, and filled with restaurants, shops, cultural attractions, and lively nightlife. In June, Reykjavik’s northern latitude provides continuous daylight – Meaning you will get to experience midnight sun!
Venue
IDC2025 will be held at Reykjavik University, conveniently located near the city center. The university is set in one of Reykjavik’s most scenic areas, adjacent to the city’s only geothermal beach. It boasts a highly automated campus designed to create an energy-efficient, optimal working environment.
Menntavegur 1
102 Reykjavik
Iceland
Travel to Reykjavik
Keflavik International Airport is Icelands main transportation hub. In 2023 the airport served 7.8 million passengers, which is expected to rise to 8.5 million this year. The airport is particularly well positioned as a connection hub between Europe and North America. Today the airport serves 85 destinations, including 20 in North America, and another 60 across Europe. (Businessfocusmagazine, 2023)
The airport is situated about 50 km from Reykjavik. The travel from the airport to the city center takes approximately 45 minutes and regular airport buses operate in sync with flight arrivals:
- The Flybus service (https://flybus.is/) takes passengers to the BSÍ bus terminal in downtown Reykjavík, within walking distance of numerous city center accommodations. Shuttle connections to various hotels and guesthouses can also be arranged through Flybus.
- Another option is Airport Direct (https://airportdirect.is/), whose Reykjavík terminal at Skógarhlið 10 is located slightly farther from the city center.
Accommodation
The local chairs recommend participants book hotels well in advance, since Reykjavík could be quite crowded during the conference period. They can recommend the following three hotels
- Hotel Natura is 10 walk to the university/conference site: https://www.icelandhotelcollectionbyberjaya.com/is/hotel/reykjavik/reykjavik-natura-hotel
- Student hostel is less expensive and 30 minutes walk to the university, and 10 minutes to the city – https://www.studenthostel.is/
- Center hotel Arnarhvoll – has a really nice view and is central, but 45 minutes walk to the conference: https://www.centerhotels.com/en/hotel-arnarhvoll-reykjavik
Getting around
- Walking: Reykjavik is highly walkable, making exploration easy.
- Electric scooters: Electric scooters from companies like Hopp (https://hopp.bike/) and Zolo (https://en.zoloiceland.is/) are widely available throughout central Reykjavik. If you plan to use these, it’s advisable to bring a bike helmet, follow traffic rules, and prioritize safety for yourself and others.
- Taxi service: Hopp also provides taxi services bookable via their app, while Hreyfill is a well-known taxi operator (+354-588-5522). Keep in mind that taxi fares are significantly higher than in many other countries.
Some practical info
Iceland is a volcanic island at the edge of the Arctic Ocean, so you should consider bringing a rain- and windproof jacket. It’s a good idea to have layers of clothes to react spontaneously to changing weather conditions.
Don’t rely on foreign weather apps as they tend to interpolate forecasts without a clue about Icelandic topography. You can find the Icelandic Met Office’s forecast in the Veður app or at https://en.vedur.is/, which is reasonably reliable for the next 24-48 hours.
You will be in Iceland in June, meaning you get to experience midnight sun! This however means your hotel room may not get fully dark depending on the window shades. Sleeping masks can be useful for maintaining a regular sleep schedule.