Iceland has seen a rise in popularity over the last decade. Today, many more travelers are arriving in the country to experience the drama and romance of Iceland's natural wonders. This unique island, next to the Arctic Circle, welcomes travelers from all over the world. And many of these visitors will arrive at Keflavík International Airport. In addition to its incredible landscapes, Iceland also has other features to offer. Iceland is ideally located halfway between Europe and North America, making it a great stopover. A three-hour flight separates London from Reykjavík, and in another five hours, you’ll be in New York. Many travelers enjoy a weekend or slightly longer stays in Iceland during their journey between two continents.
For these reasons, the traffic at Keflavík Airport has quadrupled in the last decade. Over nine million people used the airport in 2018! In any case, the airport staff has handled this unprecedented increase flawlessly. The airport has also been nominated for the Airport Council International ASQ Awards, an award for the best customer service. This is an honorable mention and another sign of hard work.
Airport Transfer Services
When travelers arrive at KEF Airport, most will want a transfer from the airport to downtown Reykjavík. Some visitors prefer to rent a car in Iceland directly at the airport, while others opt for a hotel outside the capital. However, most travelers choose the city to enjoy a few days in the interesting capital as their first choice.
The type of transfer chosen largely depends on your group and preferences. Below are the various options, including transfers by bus, taxi, and rental car. The journey from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík takes between 35 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and the transfer method you choose.
Shuttle Bus from Keflavík to Reykjavík
For a good balance of convenience and economy, shuttle buses from Keflavík are generally the best option. Several companies offer this service, and all are reliable. Some, however, may cause issues if your flight is delayed, preventing you from arriving in time for the scheduled bus departure.
The trip from the airport to Reykjavík takes approximately 45 minutes. However, since downtown Reykjavík has a "no-bus" zone, it could take an hour or more to reach your hotel. This happens because the company may need to take you first to their main office and then transfer you to a smaller bus that will take you to your hotel.
We recommend the popular Flybus shuttle service. This company has its official stops conveniently located directly outside the airport exit. You won’t have to walk with all your luggage searching for a distant bus stop. The company offers regular service and allows you to purchase a "day pass." This means that if your flight is delayed, you won’t have any problems with the bus schedule. You can simply board the bus and leave anyway.
Flybus also offers a Plus service with a direct connection to the hotel or a "drop-off" at the nearest bus stop. For transfers from Reykjavík to the airport, there are many convenient stops located in the city center. The company also offers the option of picking you up directly from your hotel if your departure time is feasible.
Keflavík Bus – Timetables
Several companies offer shuttle services between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík. Timetables vary and are subject to changes from season to season. In practice, they operate based on demand: there are more regular departures during peak hours. The service is less frequent during the off-season and much more regular during the high season.
Flybus is the company with the most regular timetable. The company offers at least one bus every hour, always 45 minutes after the arrival of a flight. Usually, you won’t have to wait more than about 30 minutes for the next bus. If you are visiting Iceland on a more limited budget, we recommend the shuttle transfer.
Taxi and Private Transfers
Another option is to take a taxi to the capital. It will be more expensive than taking the bus, but it has its advantages. If you're traveling with a group of three or four people and without too much luggage, it’s an option worth considering. The price of a taxi, in that case, would be equivalent to the cost of the bus ticket for all four people. Otherwise, booking a bus transfer is much cheaper. There's no need to worry about paying any extra fees for the taxi. This doesn’t mean it won’t be expensive, but Icelandic taxi drivers are very reliable.
If cost is not a concern for you, you can also opt for a private transfer to be booked in advance. This option is convenient if you arrive late at night and want to get to the hotel quickly. With a private transfer, the driver will wait for passengers at arrivals as soon as the flight lands and take them directly to the hotel. This is definitely the most convenient option, but also the most expensive.
The drive from Keflavík International Airport to a hotel in the city center takes about 35-40 minutes. It depends a bit on traffic, but it is certainly the fastest transfer option. For example, if you have an important meeting, then the taxi or private transfer is the right choice for you.
Rental Car from Keflavík
The final option available to you is to rent a car directly at the airport. We can easily ensure that your car is ready for you at Keflavík. This is a great option if you want to start your journey right away. In this way, you can choose to visit Reykjavík for a few days before your return flight.
If you pick up your rental car at the airport, you can load your luggage into the car and leave immediately. Some travelers prefer to bypass the city and head directly to their road trip, for example, heading south to the Golden Circle or west to observe the Northern Lights from the spectacular Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
