Nordic Countries - Travel Advice regarding Iceland

Hello,
my parents have planned a vacation in Iceland from June 4th to June 20th. After the Vulcan eruption, they are now considering to cancel their travel and asked me for advice.
I have now two different questions
1. Do you think it is safe to travel in Iceland?
2. Do you expect any major limitation for leisure travel during these times?
Any advice would greatly appreciated.
cheers
757DUD

1. Do you think it is safe to travel in Iceland?

Yes! I was there last week and will be there again in July.

2. Do you expect any major limitation for leisure travel during these times?

No, no, no.

Hi,
thanks for your answer. In the other Iceland-Thread, I saw that you are in Iceland at the moment. Do you have any trip reports or recent pictures?
yours
757DUD

I'm headed May 11th-22nd ("Iceland Complete" with Icelandair - Trip Report promised) and no volcano will make me miss it!

Should the ashcloud close Keflavik, seeing Icelandair's contingency plans this week, I'm up for a delay on arrival/departure but no disruption of my actual travel there.

Actually, Icelandic media report that they're affraid for the summer. People have started cancelling reservations, others are likely to hesitate.

@757DUD: I'm back in Boston. I have some pictures but don't know how to post or link them here. But you contact me by email (click on my name), I'll email you some pictures of Mt. Esja (from my hotel room).

Tell your parents to buy Reykjavik Welcome Card available for purchase from BSI and Hlemur bus station, among others. They're definitely worth it if they're staying in Reykjavik for more than a day. The card allows unlimited bus rides in Greater Reykjavik area, all the geothermal pools, museums, ferry to Videy Island.

My only caveat is not to underestimate the weather. Bring warm winter clothes (gloves, hats, thermal underwear) and your parents will have a fun time.

For information purposes, you might like to cross reference the Trip Advisor Iceland Forum. If Keflavik is closed, Akureyri is being used as an international hub.

I'm headed to KEF Sunday arriving Monday. Hopefully the flight to SEA will be able to leave Saturday. The 752 spends almost 24 hrs in SEA and does not have the range to go GLA-SEA n/s so FI has been cancelling flights to SEA as long as KEF is closed (don't stop to refuel for whatever reason in places like YYT or YYR).

The only downside to going to Iceland is your departure may be delayed, and also a risk of a catastrophic volcano eruption. However, if your parents are returning to Germany, the inconvenience will probably be relatively slight.

If Keflavik is closed, Akureyri is being used as an international hub.

GLA is used as the int'l hub. AEY is used (or at least was this past few days) as the point of entry into Iceland. All flights were hubbing at GLA.

Hi,
thanks to all of your advice. My parents decided now, that they go to Iceland.
cheers
757DUD

My partner and I arrived in KEF this AM. All´s fine except for the weather, and KEF´s rather screwy system of all arrivals from non-EU/EEA origin having to clear security even if they´re terminating in Iceland due to the crappy layout of KEF airport.

My partner and I arrived in KEF this AM. All´s fine except for the weather, and KEF´s rather screwy system of all arrivals from non-EU/EEA origin having to clear security even if they´re terminating in Iceland due to the crappy layout of KEF airport.

Yet on their website, KEF claims it's because NA security procedures are different from Europe!

Hi I'm also due in Iceland from the 4th - 22nd of June. I've booked a trip with Exodus, which cost a lot of money. They've told me I won't get my money back if I can't get there. Does anyone know if there's any other way to get to Iceland from England, in case the planes aren't flying.
Thanks

Yet on their website, KEF claims it's because NA security procedures are different from Europe!

That's why we call it Icelandic saga.

Yet on their website, KEF claims it's because NA security procedures are different from Europe!

Europe does not recognise American security standards and vice versa. Due to the layout of the airport and the fact that many passengers are continuing on to Europe, everyone gets the security screening on arrival when coming from non-European (non-Schengen) destinations. Yet another manifestation of irratioanl airport security inspired by the US.

Europe does not recognise American security standards and vice versa. Due to the layout of the airport and the fact that many passengers are continuing on to Europe, everyone gets the security screening on arrival when coming from non-European (non-Schengen) destinations. Yet another manifestation of irratioanl airport security inspired by the US.

If Europe/NA doesn't recognise each other's security, then why aren't we checked on arrival everywhere?

It's largely due to the poor design and layout of the airport, where terminating passengers are forced to go through transit area before exiting the airport. Instead of admitting their mistake, Icelandic authorities blame it on incompatible security. That's why it's called Icelandic sagas.