The main provider of bus services is the Reykjavik Bus Service (Strætó) (tel: 540 2700; website: www.straeto.is). The two main bus stations in Reykjavik are located at Hlemmur and Laekjartorg. Buses on the 27 routes operate Monday to Saturday 0700-2400 and Sunday 1000-2400. At the weekend, night buses run 0230-0400. The fare is paid to the driver (the driver is not permitted to give change). If transferring bus routes, the bus driver can provide a skiptimidi (a transfer ticket), which is valid for 45-60 minutes from the time of issue, otherwise tickets are not usually issued.

A number of passes are available, valid for one or three days, two weeks, a month, or for the whole summer. You can also purchase a book of 10 tickets. All are available at the bus terminals. The Reykjavik Card (see Tourist Information in Sightseeing) offers unlimited transport on buses in Reykjavik.

All taxis in Reykjavik are metered and charge standard fares. Tipping is not expected. Taxis can be hailed in the street or telephoned - operators include Borgarbíll (tel: 552 2440), BSR (tel: 561 0000), BSH (tel: 555 0888) and Hréyfill (tel: 588 5522). Taxis are expensive and taking a taxi on a short trip around town costs from IKr1,200. Most taxi stations also offer day tours to the main sights around the city.

With a small city centre and a very efficient bus service, it is not really necessary to use a car to get around Reykjavik. Furthermore, the cost of car hire is enough to put most people off. Those that do drive, however, will find it a pleasurable experience. Traffic is not heavy, there is little congestion (the heaviest build-up of traffic is around 2300 in the centre of the city, when the locals head out for a night on the town) and Icelandic drivers are considerate towards other road users.

Parking in the city is easy, with metered spaces. Alternatively, there are six multi-storey car parks and plenty of larger car parks.

Hiring a car in Reykjavik is prohibitively expensive. In addition to the hire price, VAT is charged at 24.5% and there are compulsory charges for insurance and petrol. Most car hire companies have a minimum age limit of 23 years and a foreign driver's licence is accepted.

Car hire companies include Avis, Knarrarvogur 2 (tel: 591 4000; website: www.avis.is), Budget, Vatnsmyravegur 10 (tel: 562 6060; website: www.budget.is), Europcar, Hjallahraun 9 (tel: 565 3800; website: www.europcar.is), Herz, Flugvallarvegi (tel: 522 4420; website: www.hertz.is) and Sixt, Suðurlandsbraut 2 (Hotel Hilton Nordica) (tel: 540 2222; website: www.sixt.is). The above companies also have desks at the domestic and international airports.

Reykjavik's flat topography makes cycling one of the best ways of getting around. The Icelandic Mountain Bike Club (tel: 562 0099; website: www.fjallahjolaklubburinn.is), based in Reykjavik, offers advice on cycling around the country, which is a tough and gruelling experience. Bikes can be hired from Borgarhjol Bike Rental, Hverfisgata 50 (tel: 551 5653; website: http://borgarhjol.net).