Arriving in a new country can be an exciting yet stressful moment and getting back to the airport after a visit just the same. The best medicine? Be prepared! Here is your guide on how to get to and from the airport in Iceland, Keflavík airport.
You’ve landed in Iceland; you have collected your bags and you’re ready to start your adventure in the land of ice and fire! The next leg of your journey will take you from Keflavik (or “Kef” as the locals call it), likely to the capital city to Reykjavik.
Keflavik is the only international airport in Iceland, taking its name from the town right next to it. It is pretty small and – because Iceland is so popular to visit – quite a busy hub!
So, here’s a guide to getting off on the right food when you land in our magnificent country…
We are frequently asked, “is Uber available in Iceland” and for now, the answer is a short and simple “No”. The same goes for Lyft. Don’t despair though, as there plenty of buses available, as well as taxis, so you won’t be left stranded!
Here are your transportation options:
The most popular option for travelers to the country, Fly Buses, are reliable and affordable. These are not to be confused with public buses, though (more on them later).
In fact, many visitors book the Flybus Keflavik Airport transfer while booking their trip to Iceland. If this option is available to you, we’d strongly recommend it. It’s a guaranteed seat on a bus after you land, so you’ll have peace of mind and one less thing to worry about on your holiday.
The buses take you to most of the hotels, hostels, and major guesthouses in Reykjavik, and they will also stop at certain bus stops. If you are staying at an Airbnb it’s a very good idea to research (via Google Maps) where the accommodation is in relation to the nearest bus stop.
Most visitors opt for a return ticket. The return bus drops you right in front of the departures hall for maximum convenience.
Ticket prices range 2,900 ISK – 4,499 ISK, or about US$25 – US$35.
The beautiful Blue Lagoon is situated between Keflavik and Reykjavik, and, if you book ahead, you will have the option to stop off on your way to or from the airport. A dip in Iceland’s most famous geothermal baths might be just what you need to unwind after your flight!
You can include the cover charge to the Blue Lagoon in the price of your Blue Lagoon transfer bus ticket, which we think is a good idea as it means one less booking to make.
The drive to Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes. It’s very common for visitors to arrange a rental car before boarding, or at least look at Self-Drive tour options before arriving at Keflavík airport. If you haven’t though, no worries, once you have passed through the tax-free shopping area, most of the car rentals have a stall or a small office where you can quickly write in your personal information and you should be on your way in no time. Just don’t forget your driver’s license!
The lowest cost would be around the US$20 mark, but expect to pay closer to US$50 per day.
The public bus is the cheapest option for those traveling from Keflavik International Airport, but it takes the longest by far. This is because it takes the most stops between Keflavik and Reykjavik, adding a substantial amount of time to the journey.
The public bus service starts bright and early at 6.35 am and runs throughout the day. It’s important to note that the bus can fill up at peak times, which might result in a long wait for the next empty seat on a bus, which can be a real pain if traveling in large or family groups.
In fairness to the public bus service, it is very affordable (roughly US$10).
As you might expect, taxis are the priciest option, but they’re very handy if you want to get somewhere in a hurry. The two biggest taxi firms are contactable by phone and their numbers are known to many locals, thanks to ad campaigns with catchy tunes! Those numbers are +354-561000 and +354-5885522.
There are usually taxis waiting outside the airport too.
Taxi drivers in Iceland have a good reputation for being friendly and honest, and most will accept major credit cards.
Fares vary, of course, according to the meter, but you can expect to pay roughly these prices: about 15,000 ISK or about US$142 for a regular 5-seater or about 19,000 ISK or about US$180 for an 8-seater.
The above tips should get you started, but we know there are some burning questions about that little journey from the airport to your vacation destination. So, let’s put your mind at ease some more…
On a good day, the drive itself takes only about 45 minutes.
With public buses, it can take up to 90 minutes though, due to stops at hotels, hostels, guesthouses and bus stops.
It is recommended that you get to the airport 3 hours before departure time. Keflavik International Airport is small for an international hub, and it is usually quite crowded due to te popularity of Iceland as a tourist destination. Don’t worry about the long pre-flight wait though; the departures terminal has some great shops, restaurants and bars so you’ll have plenty to do if you happen to arrive on a slow day!
Flight schedules are usually posted on the day of the flight, and they tend to be reliably updated in the event of a delay or change. Everything’s online, from arrivals at Keflavik Airport to all departure times from Keflavik Airport.
No, it is not. The domestic airport for the capital area is located in Reykjavík itself. It services all domestic flights as well as flights to the Faroe Islands.
Iceland has quite a few domestic airports throughout the country, but only one provides a range of international flights, so if you are arriving from a different country you will need to get a flight to Keflavik.
Anything else you would like to know?
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