Keflavik Airport (KEF) – Getting to Reykjavik and Beyond

Keflavik International Airport is 50 km southwest of Reykjavik. That is roughly a 45-minute drive in good conditions, but Icelandic weather can stretch it. There is no train and no metro.

Your options are the Flybus coach (ISK 3,999 to the BSÍ bus terminal, or ISK 5,299 including the onward hotel drop-off — flybus.is, July 2026), the Strætó public bus on route 55 (ISK 2,400 to Reykjavik — straeto.is), a metered taxi on the published city tariff (roughly ISK 20,000–24,500 for the 50 km — see below), or a pre-booked private transfer at a price fixed when you book.

Most first-time visitors take the coach. Most families and groups book a transfer. The taxi option exists but is expensive and rarely the best value unless you are in a hurry and did not plan ahead. Fares are revised regularly, so check the operator's own site before you travel.

Keflavik is Iceland's main international gateway, handling several million passengers a year. Despite that, it maintains a relatively straightforward layout. After passing through passport control (quick for EU/EEA/US citizens, potentially slower for others), you enter the baggage hall. Luggage can take 15–30 minutes depending on flight size.

Once you have your bags, you walk through a duty-free shopping area (Iceland's famous tax-free alcohol zone — many travelers stock up here since alcohol is expensive in the country). After that, you emerge into the arrivals hall.

The arrivals area has clear signage for bus transfers, car rentals, and taxi services. Currency exchange and ATMs are available, though card payment is universal in Iceland — you rarely need cash. Free Wi-Fi works throughout the terminal.

Airport coach (Flybus): The most popular choice. Flybus, operated by Reykjavik Excursions, departs Keflavik about 40 minutes after each plane lands and runs to the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavik. Flybus Plus adds a minibus connection onward to a Reykjavik hotel or one of a set of designated stops. The ride to BSÍ takes about 45 minutes and the coaches have proper luggage storage. Flybus lists ISK 3,999 for an adult to BSÍ and ISK 5,299 for Flybus Plus (flybus.is, July 2026) — so the hotel leg adds ISK 1,300. Youth aged 6–15 pay ISK 2,000 and ISK 2,650 respectively; children aged 1–5 travel free. Oversized luggage and bicycles are charged extra.

Strætó public bus (route 55): Iceland's public bus network does reach the airport, and it is the cheapest scheduled way into town. Route 55 runs between Keflavik Airport and the capital area every day of the week. Strætó's published fares are ISK 2,400 for an adult to Reykjavik and ISK 1,800 to Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður, with young people aged 12–17 and seniors aged 67+ at ISK 1,200 and ISK 900, and children aged 11 and under free (straeto.is, July 2026). The trade-offs are real: it runs far less often than the Flybus, not every trip serves BSÍ, and arriving passengers board at a stop near Kjóavellir rather than at the terminal door. Check the timetable before you count on it.

Pre-booked private transfer: A driver meets you at arrivals and takes you directly to your accommodation. No waiting for other passengers, no stops. Particularly valuable if you are heading somewhere outside central Reykjavik — the Golden Circle area, Selfoss, Vik, or the Blue Lagoon. Pricing is per vehicle and fixed at the time you book, so you know the figure before you fly. It varies with vehicle size, distance and season, and there is no single published rate worth quoting — get a quote for your actual address and party size.

Taxi: Available outside the terminal. Licensed Icelandic taxis are safe and metered — there is no haggling and no fixed airport fare. Hreyfill, Iceland's largest taxi cooperative, publishes its tariff: from 18 March 2026 a four-passenger car starts at ISK 880 and charges ISK 477 per km for the first 4 km and ISK 364 per km after that, plus a ISK 490 fee on trips starting at Keflavik Airport. On those rates the 50 km into Reykjavik works out at roughly ISK 20,000 in weekday daytime hours, rising to about ISK 24,500 at night and at weekends when the per-km rate goes up — before any waiting time. Vehicles for 5–8 passengers are charged at a higher rate again. Hreyfill also sells a fixed-price airport transfer from ISK 22,500. Tariffs are revised regularly, so check the current one before you travel.

Rental car: Keflavik has a strong car rental market with both international and local companies. If you plan to drive the Ring Road or explore beyond Reykjavik, picking up at the airport makes sense. Rates swing sharply with season and vehicle, so compare at the time you book. Be aware that Icelandic roads require caution — weather changes fast, and some routes are gravel.

Blue Lagoon stop: Many transfer services offer a stop at the Blue Lagoon en route to Reykjavik (it is roughly halfway). You can leave your luggage on the bus or with a storage service at the lagoon. This is a popular option for travelers arriving in the morning. Lagoon admission is booked separately and must be reserved in advance — prices depend on the package and the time slot, so check bluelagoon.com.

Iceland is expensive. Accept this upfront, and the prices feel less shocking. Every figure below comes from the operator's own published fares in July 2026.

• Strætó public bus, route 55 to Reykjavik: ISK 2,400 adult (about EUR 17); ISK 1,200 aged 12–17 and 67+; free for children 11 and under
• Flybus to BSÍ terminal: ISK 3,999 adult (about EUR 28); ISK 2,000 aged 6–15; free aged 1–5
• Flybus Plus, with hotel drop-off: ISK 5,299 adult (about EUR 37); ISK 2,650 aged 6–15
• Taxi: roughly ISK 20,000–24,500 (about EUR 140–170) derived from Hreyfill's published meter tariff over 50 km, daytime to night, before waiting time. Hreyfill's fixed-price airport transfer starts at ISK 22,500
• Private transfer: priced per vehicle and fixed at booking — get a quote for your party size and address
• Rental car: rates move sharply with season, vehicle and insurance level; compare at the time you book

The euro figures use the European Central Bank reference rate of 15 July 2026 (1 EUR = 143.40 ISK). Both halves of that sum drift — the krona moves and the operators revise their fares — so treat the euro column as an order of magnitude and check the ISK price at source before you rely on it.

Keflavik handles flights throughout the day and into the late evening, especially transatlantic arrivals from North America that land between 22:00 and 06:00. The airport stays open and functional during these hours.

Flybus schedules align with flight arrivals, so even a 2 AM landing will have coach service available. However, the hotel drop-off portion may be more limited at night. Private transfers operate 24/7 if booked in advance. Taxis are available but fewer in number during the small hours.

The drive to Reykjavik at night is straightforward — Route 41/Reykjanesbraut is well-maintained and lit in sections. In winter, however, road conditions can deteriorate quickly with snow and ice. Storms in January and February occasionally close the road entirely, though this is uncommon.

Families heading to Iceland tend to pack heavy — layers, outdoor gear, possibly car seats. The Flybus handles luggage well with dedicated storage compartments. Private transfers can accommodate more luggage and offer door-to-door service, which matters when you have tired children.

Child car seats are not provided on coaches. In a private transfer, you can request one at booking. Icelandic law requires child restraints for children under 150 cm tall.

For families, a private transfer is often closer than it looks, because the coach charges per seat and the transfer charges per vehicle. On Flybus Plus fares, four adults with hotel drop-off pay 4 × ISK 5,299 = ISK 21,196; two adults with two children aged 6–15 pay ISK 15,898; and since children aged 1–5 ride free, a couple with two toddlers pays ISK 10,598. Price a transfer for your actual party against that before deciding — the bigger the group, the closer the two get.

For the Flybus, follow signs to the bus pick-up area outside the terminal. Coaches are clearly marked and staff direct you to the right vehicle. During busy periods, there may be a short queue.

For pre-booked private transfers, drivers typically wait in the arrivals hall holding a name sign. Some services instruct you to meet at a specific point outside the terminal — check your booking confirmation for details.

Taxis are available at the designated taxi stand outside arrivals. Do not accept rides from unofficial drivers inside the terminal.

Take the Flybus if: You are a solo traveler or couple on a budget, heading to central Reykjavik, and comfortable with a shared coach. The BSI terminal drop-off is fine if your hotel is nearby; otherwise, add the hotel transfer.

Book a private transfer if: You are a family or group of 3+, have heavy luggage, want door-to-door service, or are heading somewhere outside central Reykjavik. The per-person cost becomes competitive with the bus.

Rent a car if: You plan to explore Iceland beyond Reykjavik. Picking up at Keflavik saves time and the Ring Road starts from here.

Take a taxi if: You have no booking, it is late, and you need to get to Reykjavik immediately. Be prepared for the price.