Late Night Arrivals at Keflavik Airport

Keflavik Airport handles a significant number of late-night and early-morning arrivals. Many transatlantic flights from North America land between 22:00 and 06:00. The airport and its transport connections are set up to handle this — but not every option is equally available.

What is open at night

The terminal remains operational for arriving flights around the clock. Passport control is staffed, baggage handling runs, and the arrivals hall stays accessible. Some shops and food outlets in the departures area may close, but the duty-free section near arrivals often stays open for incoming flights.

ATMs and card payment work anytime. Free Wi-Fi is available 24 hours.

Transport options after midnight

Flybus: This is the good news. Flybus schedules are tied to flight arrivals, not fixed timetables. Even if your flight lands at 2 AM, there will typically be a Flybus departure within 30–45 minutes. Check the Reykjavik Excursions website for the most current schedule linked to your flight. The hotel drop-off service may be more limited at night — you might be taken to BSI terminal and need to arrange the last leg yourself.

Strætó public bus: Route 55 is the cheapest way into the capital area by day, but it runs to a fixed timetable rather than to flight arrivals and does not cover the small hours. It is not a plan for a 2 AM landing — check the timetable at straeto.is before assuming it is there.

Pre-booked private transfer: This is the most reliable option for late-night arrivals. Your driver tracks your flight, adjusts for delays, and meets you regardless of the hour. No uncertainty, no waiting for a bus that might be full. You go directly to your accommodation.

Taxi: Taxis operate at night but in reduced numbers. After a wave of flight arrivals, the available taxis may be taken quickly. If you are among the last out of the terminal, you could face a 20–30 minute wait or longer.

Rental car: Picking up a rental car at 3 AM is possible at Keflavik — some companies have 24-hour desks or key drop systems. However, driving 50 km on an unfamiliar road in Icelandic darkness (and potentially winter conditions) when you are exhausted from a flight is worth thinking about carefully.

The winter factor

Between November and February, Iceland is dark for most of the day. A "late night" arrival means driving in complete darkness, potentially through snow, ice, or strong wind. The road between Keflavik and Reykjavik (Route 41) is well-maintained and plowed regularly, but severe storms can cause temporary closures.

Professional transfer drivers and bus operators handle these conditions daily. If you are renting a car, check conditions at road.is and vedur.is before driving.

Practical advice for overnight arrivals

1. Book transport before you fly. This is not the time to figure things out in the arrivals hall at 3 AM. 2. Pre-book accommodation near BSI terminal if you are taking the Flybus without hotel drop-off. Walking around Reykjavik at 4 AM looking for your hotel is not fun. 3. Eat on the plane or at the airport. Most Reykjavik restaurants are closed by midnight. Your hotel may not have late check-in food service. 4. Download offline maps. Cellular data works well in Iceland, but having a backup saves stress. 5. Consider a Keflavik hotel. If your flight lands very late and you are not in a rush to reach Reykjavik, staying near the airport and traveling in daylight the next morning is a valid choice. A few hotels operate near Keflavik.