How to Get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik
Are you looking for the best way to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik or vice versa? From the cheapest option, which is taking the public bus, the standard shuttle bus, taxi, or your rental car, we've got you covered. In this travel guide, you'll find practical information on getting from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik.
What is one of the things a traveler should not forget to research when traveling to a foreign country? In our experience, it is definitely the information on how to get from the airport to the nearest city or hotel.
Not doing so often ends up paying significantly more than necessary, or the transfer might take much longer than is acceptable.
For us, it is definitely the most tedious part of the whole adventure as we are usually super-excited to start exploring a new destination.
On the other hand, after so many years of traveling and finding the best ways to get from the airport, we know that the time dedicated to research is totally worth it.
When we were searching for information about our upcoming Iceland trip, we soon found out that everything costs much more than we are used to.
That's why we knew if we wanted to save money, we had to do it from the very beginning.
So the first task was to find the best way to get from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik.
We needed the service to be reasonably priced, non-stop (as we were landing around midnight), and flexible because our campervan company was located in Hafnarfjordur, a small town on the way to Reykjavik.
The important thing to realize is that Keflavik Airport is almost fifty kilometers from Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik, and the journey takes at least 45 minutes.
This is also an explanation of why the transfer is not that cheap.
Many people rent a car directly at the airport, set off for the trip around Iceland, and then visit Reykjavik on the way.
Quite a lot of travelers also decide to visit Blue Lagoon first instead of traveling to the capital.
If you are looking for thorough information on how to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik or vice versa, keep on reading.
This comprehensive travel guide includes all the transport possibilities (taxi, shuttle bus, private minibus, public transport, or rental car), so every traveler can choose the best option according to the required level of comfort, budget, and time.
Rental Car
If your rental company has an office at the airport, it is a win-win situation.
The majority of Iceland visitors rent a car or campervan and explore the country independently.
Public transport in more remote parts of Iceland is not reliable or almost non-existent, and renting a car makes sense to see as much as possible.
Pick-Up - Drop-Off Location
Before you rent a car, check out the location of the office first.
If you can rent a car directly at Keflavik Airport, getting from the airport to Reykjavik or any other attraction on your Iceland itinerary will be fast and efficient, and you actually have one thing less to worry about.
That's only the case if your flight lands within the opening hours, although the businesses are quite flexible.
If not, you can consider other airport transport options and get to Reykjavik (you can rent a car in the city center instead), or you might have to spend a night in one of the hotels near the airport and pick up the car next day.
Where to Go Next
Getting from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik by car is quite easy.
The traffic is not heavy, and even if you do not use GPS, the road is well-signposted.
And if you don’t know where to head first, check out our comprehensive guides on the Golden Circle, Iceland's South Coast, Reykjanes Peninsula or Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Get a 5% discount on Go Campers by using our unique promo code: "laidbacktrip".
Taxi
Currently, Uber is not available in Iceland, so you must book a regular taxi in case you want to get from the airport to Reykjavik this way.
Taking a taxi from the airport will set you back a whopping 110 EUR (minimum, it is not unheard of that a one-way ride can cost even 200 EUR), so we knew this is really not the option for us.
By the way, you can check out our Iceland Travel Budget.
Of course, we all know the perks of taking a cab, such as the flexibility and the fast service, but we found other options such as Flybus (more about it later) better, and we did not have to break the bank.
We would have probably used the taxi option only if we were in a hurry, for example, if we had to get to the campervan rental company before closing time.
On the other hand, most rental companies have their airport shuttles, so we really do not see a reason to use the most expensive service from the airport.
If you prefer your comfort and do not want to wait in line for a taxi, you can prebook Keflavik Airport Private Transfer.
A driver will wait for you in the arrival hall, and your Iceland trip will begin smoothly and in style.
Shuttle Bus
The best quality/price ratio when it comes to the transportation options on how to get from Iceland's main airport probably has shuttle buses providing transfer between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik.
At the moment, there are three companies running buses between these two locations.
And even though the price is often similar, services and drop-off and pick-up locations slightly differ.
We have opted for Flybus as we appreciate the flexibility, but you can check out each company and select the one that works for you and your needs the best.
Flybus
What did we like the most about Flybus, a service run by Reykjavik Excursions? It is not necessary to book a seat on a specific bus as the company meets every arrival at the airport.
That means that even if your flight is delayed, you can be sure there will be a bus waiting for your flight outside the terminal.
Buses can be quite crowded in the season, so we recommend making your reservation online and heading to the bus straight away, but in case you do not have time for that, there is a ticket booth right at the terminal.
There are no luggage restrictions, and you can sit anywhere you want.
Tickets
Flybus offers two different tickets.
We have opted for the regular one, which offers pick up at the airport and drop off at Reykjavik's BSI terminal.
Plus the bus stops on request in Hafnarfjordur, it is where we got off the bus as our campervan rental office was located there, and then in Gardabaer.
If you prefer this kind of service, purchase a Flybus Bus Ticket right now.
A slightly more expensive Flybus+ Ticket offers extra a drop-off or pick-up in your hotel or at the nearest bus station.
We walked from the center of Reykjavik to the BSI terminal, but in case you are short on time or you carry more luggage, it is a great option.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
When you are headed to the airport, make sure you call the agency and ask them where and when to wait for the bus.
Even though Flybus meets every arrival, it is a bit different when it comes to departures.
Our flight was at 2 AM, but the last bus was leaving the terminal at 9:30 PM, so it is worth it to know the schedule in advance.
Airport Direct
A similar service to Flybus that offers another alternative to the best Reykjavik airport transportation options is Airport Direct.
Luggage
The company runs smaller buses, but it also comes with a disadvantage, every traveler can have only one big suitcase and then one smaller carry-on bag.
Extra fees apply for any other additional bag.
The reason why we did not choose this company was simple. They do not meet every flight, so the service was not available late at night.
It is highly recommended to book your bus ticket in advance because Airport Direct must be booked for a specific time.
This might be a problem when your flight is delayed because you must wait for the next bus, but in this case, your seat is not guaranteed.
Tickets
Airport Direct also offers two types of tickets.
The regular and cheaper ticket - Economy Bus Transfer - offers a ride between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik Terminal at Skogarhlid 10.
The direct Keflavik Airport Transfer to/from Reykjavik offers door-to-door service.
Gray Line
Gray Line is yet another affordable way to get from Keflavik airport as it offers tours around Iceland. One of the services is also providing transport between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik.
The bus leaves every thirty minutes, but as with Airport Direct, you need to book an exact time.
Also, the location of the bus terminal is not great as it is a bit off the center of Reykjavik in Klettagardar.
Tickets
Even though we would prefer Flybus, you can check out the Gray Line tickets, and compare the services yourself.
Public Bus
When searching for the cheapest options on how to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik, it almost seems that public transport does not exist.
It is not advertised anywhere, and even though using public transport in Reykjavik's proximity is easy, few travelers opt for this possibility.
If you're traveling around Iceland on a budget, and time plays in your favor, taking a bus from the airport is worth considering.
We took only one bus from Hafnarfjordur to Reykjavik, and the cost of one ride was 490 ISK.
You will need to switch buses here, though, so we would say the bus ticket to get from Keflavik Airport to the center of Reykjavik should be around 1000 ISK per person.
To search for the bus schedule, you can use the official Straeto website.
From the airport (the bus station is outside the terminal on Kjoavollur street), take bus number 55 to Fjordur, and here switch to bus number 1 in the direction to Hlemmur.
One of the downsides is that it will take you more than an hour and a half to get to the center, the bus is not that frequent, and it also does not run to meet early or late flights.
Either way, it is for sure an alternative worth knowing about.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
How to Get From Keflavik Airport to Blue Lagoon
For many travelers, the first or the last stop on their itinerary is the famous Blue Lagoon, a hot pool with insanely milky blue waters.
Is there any way how to get from Keflavik Airport to Blue Lagoon?
The easiest and the most obvious way is to use your rental car.
Blue Lagoon is only twenty minutes drive from the airport, so there could hardly be a better place where to relax before or after your flight.
In case you do not have a rental car (yet or already), but visiting Blue Lagoon right after arrival or just before departure sounds appealing, another alternative is taking a cab for approximately 25 EUR.
Ticket
There used to be a possibility to take an official shuttle bus from the airport to Blue Lagoon, but this option does not work anymore.
The shuttle bus runs only between Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon.
You can either buy a Blue Lagoon Return Transfer from Reykjavik or Blue Lagoon Admission with Transfers from Reykjavik.
Where to Stay Near Keflavik Airport
Where to find accommodation for your first or last night in Iceland? There are several options to choose from.
You can either spend a night close to the airport, travel to Reykjavik (now you already know how to get there), or for example, in a small town Harnarfjordur.
We stayed there, as our campervan company, Go Campers, has an office there.
We've hand-selected the best hotel in every location to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
Keflavik Airport | Airport Hotel Aurora Star - Conveniently located within walking distance from the airport, this modernly decorated hotel is a perfect choice in case you arrive early in the morning or wait for a late flight.
Hafnarfjordur | Hotel Viking - Flybus stops in front of this hotel, so it is for many travelers choice number one in the town.
Reykjavik | Midgardur by Center Hotels - Close to all top attractions, this hotel offers its guests amazing services. Except for comfortable beds and a tasty breakfast, you can relax in an on-site spa.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
