Getting to Iceland
By Air
Most of our educational groups travel from the United Kingdom and the information here reflects this. There are, of course, many other options for European or North American groups.
There are three main carriers and travellers from the UK can choose between airports in London (Heathrow. Gatwick and Luton), Glasgow or Manchester for their trip to Iceland.
Airlines
Icelandair
Flies daily from London Heathrow and less regularly from Glasgow and Manchester.
Iceland Express
Flies daily from London Gatwick.
easyJet
Flies three times a week from London Luton
Icelandair and Iceland Express have groups’ departments (the above links take you to their pages) and are very used to dealing with educational groups. easyJet has recently entered the market and has fewer flights per week but is offering discount fares.
Booking is remarkably straightforward; simply contact the airline and let them know when you’d like to travel and the number in your group. They’ll quickly provide you with an offer which is guaranteed for a week or so. During this time you need to let them have a seat reservation fee (between £25 and £50 depending on airline) which once paid confirms you flight. This is all the money you need ‘up front’.
Alternatively, your local travel agent will be pleased to do this for you. Of course, they’ll charge a small fee for the service.
By Sea
It’s possible to travel by sea to Iceland from Denmark via the Faroe Islands using the Smyril Line ferry. For groups that intend to spend a long time (at least a month) in Iceland and want to travel with their own vehicle then this is a cost effective way of organising field work.