One of the most worrying things for less experienced travellers arriving in a new country can be figuring out the best way to get from the airport to wherever they’re staying. And while you’re unlikely to encounter many airport scams in Iceland, it can still be incredibly useful to know how to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik before you arrive in the country.
Not only can planning this in advance save you some much-needed money in an expensive country but it will give you peace of mind to know that after a long flight you have one less thing to worry about!
Another popular route that travellers take in Iceland is to go directly from Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon due to the proximity of these two sites.
So whether you’re looking for the cheapest or most convenient way to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city or the Blue Lagoon, here’s everything you need to know about travelling these routes using a bus, car or private transfer.
How Far is Keflavik to Reykjavik?
The distance from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik is about 30.6 miles (49.2 kilometres) and takes only around 43 minutes of driving time if travelling on Route 41. The travel time for the bus from Keflavik to Reykjavik is around 45 minutes though the public bus will obviously take longer.
Please note that Keflavik Airport is not the same as Reykjavik Airport which is a small airport primarily used for domestic flights. Reykjavik Airport is located closer to the city center, however, if you’re flying into Iceland from overseas you will be landing at Keflavik Airport
Bus from Keflavik to Reykjavik
There are four ways to get from Keflavik to Reykjavik by bus: Flybus, Gray Line, Airport Direct and Public Bus Number 55. The first three are private companies that organise shuttles between the city and the airport while the last one is, as the name suggests, a public bus route.
By Flybus
One of the most popular and affordable options for travellers who want to take the bus from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is to organise a transfer with Flybus.
Flybus operates departures approximately every 30-60 minutes which are timed to coincide with airport arrivals.
Flybus guarantees that if your flight is delayed, there will still be a shuttle waiting for you when you arrive in Keflavik Airport if you’ve booked in advance. This is undoubtedly a huge benefit of booking with Flybus!
They aim to leave within around 40 minutes after your flight lands from right outside the terminal. There is also WiFi available on board the bus.
There are two options when booking a transfer with Flybus. The most affordable option is to book a transfer to its main BSI Bus Terminal from Keflavik Airport.
The second option is to book a transfer that also includes a drop-off at your hotel. I suggest seeing how close your hotel is to the bus terminal and then determining whether it’s close enough to walk from, factoring in how much luggage you area travelling with,
This can help you reduce the cost of travelling in Iceland. If you book the hotel pickup, you might need to transfer to a minibus.
By Gray Line
Gray Line also offers additional flexibility for travellers who want to use the bus as their airport transportation. You can board the bus at their bus terminal, or organise a pickup from your accommodation.
Similar to Flybus, the departures are scheduled to coincide with flights arriving and the buses are comfortable with free WiFi available. If you have booked in advance and your flight is delayed, they aim to put you on the next bus departure.
They recommend booking a departure approximately 60 minutes following arrival. Gray Line is a good affordable option. Click here to see the latest prices.
By Airport Direct
The third option for travellers who want to take an organised shuttle bus from Keflavik to Reykjavik is to book a transfer with Airport Direct.
They offer a similar service to the two companies listed above, with departures offered at fixed times which are increased in peak season. You also have the option of getting dropped off at their bus terminal or paying extra to get dropped off at your hotel.
The main disadvantage of booking with Airport Direct is that they don’t guarantee a seat on the next bus if your flight is delayed. This makes them less appealing for travellers who want to have extra peace of mind and not have to worry about rebooking their airport transfer once they arrive.
On the plus side, they offer USB chargers in addition to WiFi on every bus, which can be handy if you need to charge your phone after a long flight! Click here to see the latest prices.
By Bus 55
For travellers looking to save the most money on their airport transfer, then taking public transport is an option.
Bus number 55 leaves approximately every hour during the day but less often in the early morning or evening when many flights actually arrive at the airport.
The fares will be slightly cheaper than taking one of the private shuttles, however, the bus cannot be booked in advance, there is limited space and the schedule isn’t particularly friendly for arriving passengers. Click here to see the latest schedules.
Drive from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik
If you’re planning on doing a road trip through Iceland, then renting a car at Keflavik Airport makes the most sense to save money on airport transfers.
There are numerous rental car companies to choose from when renting a car in Iceland and the vast majority offer the ability to pick up your car from the airport. They also tend to be flexible with early or late arrivals as we ended up picking up our car well after midnight!
I suggest looking on Rentalcars.Com to find deals for your car rental. They aggregate results from a number of major car hire companies which allows you to find good prices for your travel dates.
It is also worth taking out a policy to cover excess insurance from a third party like iCarHireInsurance. This will ensure you don’t need to pay any deductible in the event of you having to make a claim and it tends to be significantly cheaper than getting similar insurance directly from the car hire company.
The distance from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is approximately 50 kilometres and takes 45 minutes along Route 41.
Transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik
If you’re looking for a private transfer from the airport to Reykjavik then there are a couple of options to consider including taking a taxi or pre-arranging a private driver.
Private Transfer
If you’re set on having private transport on your journey from the airport to Reykjavik, then your best option is to prearrange a transfer. This will ensure you have a price locked in for your journey, somebody waiting for you when you arrive and not have to worry about finding a taxi when you arrive.
A private transfer might also make sense if you’re travelling with a larger group where the economics make a lot more sense compared to being a solo traveller. A good option for an airport transfer from Keflavik to Reykjavik is to book with Private Hire Iceland.
They are incredibly well-reviewed, wait in the Arrivals Hall with a printed sign and have comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with WiFi. Click here to see the latest prices.
Taxi
Like the majority of airports around the world, there are taxi ranks outside of Keflavik Airport that have cabs waiting at any time of day.
Being one of the most expensive countries in the world, it should come as no surprise that taxis in Iceland aren’t cheap and a taxi from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik will be expensive. Expect to pay at least €120 (approx 18000 ISK) for a small taxi into the city, with the price increasing if you require a larger vehicle.
How to Get from Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon, one of the most popular attractions in Iceland, is located only about a 20-minute drive from the airport. This makes it a popular first or last stop on an Iceland trip.
If you’re renting a car in Iceland and are returning it to Keflavik Airport then stopping at the Blue Lagoon on the way back makes sense. Alternatively, if you’re not renting a car then the best option is to organise a bus transfer from Keflavik to the Blue Lagoon.
Bus Transfer
Due to the popularity of the Blue Lagoon, it is mandatory to book tickets well in advance. This is particularly crucial if you want to reserve a specific time to coincide with your flight departure as the best slots can sometimes get booked months in advance!
The Blue Lagoon transfer service allows you to organise a transfer directly from your hotel in Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon and then another transfer from the Blue Lagoon to Keflavik Airport. You can also do this in the opposite direction.
If you’re planning to spend a day or two in Reykjavik and the start or end of your trip then this transfer service allows you to drop your car off early if you won’t need it in the city. Y
ou can book each segment of the journey separately which allows you to have flexibility when planning your trip to the Blue Lagoon. Click here to book your transfer to the Blue Lagoon!
If you haven’t yet booked your visit to the Blue Lagoon, click here to reserve your admission time and ensure that you get the optimal time for your Iceland trip!
Where to Stay near Keflavik or in Reykjavik
If you have an early morning flight and prefer to stay close to Keflavik airport or are looking for some recommendations on places to stay in Reykjavik, here are some choices to consider.
Where to Stay near Keflavik Airport
BB Hotel by Keflavik airport – One of the most affordable options if you’re looking to stay close to the airport. They offer a range of rooms that are suitable for couples and families. They have the option to include breakfast in the nightly rate. Click here to check their availability
Airport Hotel Aurora Star – Located under 100 metres from Keflavik Airport, this hotel is a great choice if you want to be as close as possible to the airport. There is a range of rooms available including single and family rooms. Breakfast is included in the nightly rate and there is a restaurant on site. Click here to check their availability
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options near Keflavik Airport
Where to stay in Reykjavik
Reykjavik Treasure B&B – If you prefer to stay in a cosy hotel then this bed and breakfast is a great option. They offer comfortable private rooms suitable for couples in the heart of the city with a great breakfast every morning. Click here to see their latest prices
Loft HI Hostel – One of the best hostel options in the Icelandic capital, it is incredibly well located and offers both dorm and private rooms. There is a social atmosphere here with events being organised by staff and there is a bar and cafe on site. Click here to check their availability
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Reykjavik
Travelling from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik or the Blue Lagoon is a fairly straightforward journey with a number of options available to suit different levels of budget and convenience!
Are you planning on going from Keflavik to Blue Lagoon or Reykjavik? Which option do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!
You are totally awesome Michael!!! Thank you ever ever ever so much!!!!
Happy you found it helpful Betsy! 🙂
hi Michael
thanks for making these great efforts to provide the info. I’m not clear however from those links if we can take a public bus/transfer from the airport to the BL and then afterwards to Reykjavik for one price or if we must individually pay $45 each leg. I also could not find pricing for the public option so could not figure out if it made sense to take it if we were 4 vs transfer or even private. any advice would be great. is there even a public bus to the BL from the airport and then the BL to the city centre?