How to Get Around Reykjavík from BSÍ Bus Terminal

Along with where to stay and what to do, your Iceland research will need to include how you’re going to get around, first and foremost the journey between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik city centre. But don’t wait to get here and say “I just got off Flybus at BSÍ. Now what?” Instead, before you arrive, read this comprehensive guide which runs through everything you need to know.

Where is BSÍ Bus Terminal in Relation To Downtown Reykjavik?

Flybus connects the airport to the city, meaning that getting from KEF to RVK is straightforward even though 50km separates the two. You’ll have spent around 45 minutes onboard by the time you reach the BSÍ Bus Terminal, travelling across the Reykjanes peninsula to reach the capital. For more details on what you see from KEF to RVK, check out our handy guide.

Stepping off your Flybus coach after it pulls in, you’ll be keen to get your bearings quickly. Though you’re in downtown Reykjavik, you’ll alight on the edge of this central zone. That’s advantageous: routes leading to this part of the city are usually uncongested, which means journey times are as quick and efficient as possible.

But where precisely are you? The BSÍ Bus Terminal sits to the south of downtown. Route 49 runs immediately to the south of it, bounded by Reykjavik City Airport (not to be confused with Keflavik, the international airport, as this one is mostly used for domestic flights). Harpa Concert Hall, situated on the waterfront close to the Old Harbour, is about a kilometre and a half to the north, walkable in around 25 minutes.

Between the two you’ll find many of Reykjavik’s most famous landmarks, including Hallgrímskirkja, the iconic church whose design was inspired by Iceland’s basalt columns, Tjörnin Lake, Laugavegur shopping street and colourful Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street). However, the terrain isn’t completely flat, which may influence your decision about how you reach your destination.

The BSÍ Bus Terminal Itself Is Actually a Reykjavik Landmark

You might not give BSÍ Bus Terminal a second thought as you arrive and depart from it during your stay in Iceland, but actually it’s been around for quite some time. The current terminal building, now operated by Icelandia, dates back to 1965. Architect Gunnar Hansson’s mid-century design embodied his vision that transport hubs should be open and forward-looking.

Back then, the transport hub was known by its full name, Bifreiðastöð Íslands (Automobile Station of Iceland). In the early years, BSÍ was a depot that connected Reykjavik’s population with destinations across Iceland. Almost every family will have memories wrapped up with the place.

Today, not only does Flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik serve local residents, it also welcomes a broad spectrum of international visitors who use the BSÍ Bus Terminal as a jumping off point for Icelandia tours which will immerse them in some of Iceland’s most extraordinary landscapes.

What Happens When Flybus Arrives At BSÍ?

Flybus services pull into the car park at the BSÍ Bus Terminal to offload passengers. There’s no point in remaining on the coach, as it returns to Keflavik Airport. So let’s help you get your bearings: in front of you is a building which contains the Icelandia customer service desk. There are also left luggage lockers, an outdoor gear concession where you can rent Iceland camping equipment, toilets and somewhere to grab a snack.

Inside the building is also where you wait until your tour bus is ready to depart. These buses leave from the opposite side of the building in a separate car park to the one used by Flybus. There’s nothing to stop you arranging an excursion right away, though most travellers like to give themselves a bit of a buffer in case of flight delays. In any case, it makes sense to drop off your bags and freshen up before venturing out to explore Reykjavik and beyond.

How Flybus Hotel Drop-Off Works

When you book your Flybus transfer online or at the airport, you have the choice whether to add hotel drop-off or not. Many arriving passengers do take advantage of this useful add-on. On arrival at BSÍ, they collect their luggage and reboard a smaller bus which takes them to the stop nearest to their hotel.

If you are carrying bags – or even if you’re travelling light but the weather’s inclement – it beats heading off on foot. Sometimes, the bus stop can literally be a few doors down the road or just across the street. If accessibility is important to you, this may be something to factor in when choosing your accommodation.

Throughout the city, there are tour bus stops – they’re separate from city bus stops and the signage is different. This is where Flybus hotel pick-up and drop-off comes in. Each of the hotel feeder buses operates on a different route to the others, dividing up the Reykjavik area into smaller zones. Staff members are on hand at the BSÍ Bus Terminal to ensure you board the correct vehicle; the process runs really smoothly and you’ll be at your accommodation in next to no time.

Why Aren’t Large Coaches Able to Drop Off Right Outside Hotels?

But why is this necessary? In order to ensure the capital’s streets didn’t get clogged with large tourist coaches, part of the city centre has been officially designated as off-limits to such vehicles. Within this area, some streets and squares have been pedestrianised, again to make using them a more pleasant experience. Reykjavik Flybus stops form part of this scheme.

This is a really smart move. Not only do residents get to enjoy a city that functions better but tourists benefit too. You see, the bus stop that you’ll alight at will be the same one you’ll use for any tours booked with Icelandia during your trip, so this first trip offers a good opportunity to get your bearings in the part of Reykjavik city centre that you’ll call home during your stay. To be able to take advantage of this add-on, select hotel drop-off during the booking process.

Is It Possible to Walk From The BSÍ Bus Terminal?

If you’ve chosen to stay close to the BSÍ Bus Terminal, however, you may wish to walk and that’s straightforward as there are pavements leading off towards downtown. Cost-conscious travellers on a really tight budget will be looking to make savings wherever they can – every little helps in an expensive country like Iceland.

However, it’s worth checking out your proposed route using online maps, as schlepping heavy bags through city streets isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. But if you have luggage that’s easily portable (such as a small backpack) and have booked accommodation near the BSÍ Bus Terminal, then there’s a chance this could be a viable – and perhaps even the quickest – option.

Should You Take a Taxi to Finish Your Journey?

If you’re big on convenience but have a longer transfer in mind, taxis are able to pick up at the BSÍ Bus Terminal. You’ll often find them waiting, though you can also book a ride online using the Hopp app – the closest you get to Uber in Iceland. This puts you more in control of wait times as you’ll be able to arrange a vehicle while you’re still on Flybus – there’s Wi-Fi on board so you don’t even need your own mobile data package.

So, you could book a cab, but should you? Although taxis can be costly, they’re always the most straightforward – it’s a door-to-door journey after all. However, the feeder shuttles that connect with Flybus are better value and you may wish to save the difference in cost and put the money towards something more fun while you’re in Iceland, like tours and activities.

If you do decide to take a taxi, remember that a full car is most cost-effective as you can split the fare; in this regard, it works better for families or small groups who can occupy all the seats. Before you hail a cab at the airport, though, be money-savvy. Combining a city-based ride with Flybus saves you the expense of a 50km ride all the way from the airport as you just pay taxi prices for the short hop between BSÍ Bus Terminal and your accommodation. It’s a good compromise for solo travellers or even couples.

How About City Buses?

In Iceland, a company called Strætó operates public buses. The network focuses mostly on journeys within the capital region; after all, this is where population density is highest and therefore demand is greatest. The number 55 service departs from Keflavik Airport bound for the BSÍ Bus Terminal. It takes a less direct route than Flybus and stops more frequently.

Once it reaches the BSÍ Bus Terminal, it turns around and heads back towards the airport via Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður. More usefully, you might be interested to know that it’s a three minute walk from where Flybus drops off to Gamla-Hringbraut bus stop, where you can pick up city buses 1, 3, 5, 8 and 15. Depending on where exactly you’re staying in Reykjavik, this may be a workable option. Check timetables and buy tickets through the Strætó app, or tap to make a contactless payment as you board.

Do Tours Depart From The BSÍ Bus Terminal?

When you’re keen to start exploring, the last thing you want is to spend the first part of your precious sightseeing time snarled up in city traffic. BSÍ Bus Terminal’s central yet peripheral location gives travellers the best of both worlds: a place that’s easy to reach (with or without the hotel feeder service) but close to major routes leading out of the capital bound for the Icelandic countryside.

The day tours offered by Icelandia cater for a broad range of interests. Whether you’re hoping to experience the world-famous sights of the Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes peninsula or Reykjanes, there’s a bus that will take you there from the BSÍ Bus Terminal. In summer, specially modified coaches transport visitors into the country’s rugged Highland region; skilful drivers ford rivers and bump along some of Iceland’s most challenging roads.

Adventure-hungry visitors will also be keen to participate in activities that make the most of Iceland’s extreme landscapes. If it’s an up-close ice encounter you crave, then glacier hikes, thrilling snowmobile rides and ice cave tours can all be achieved on tours which begin and end at the BSÍ Bus Terminal.

Similarly, enjoy adrenaline-fuelled ATV rides with a backdrop of Iceland’s characteristic black volcanic sand or take things at a more leisurely pace on horseback through bucolic valleys – conveniently bookended with a BSÍ connection. And there’s no need for the expense of a taxi or rental car to reach a stylish geothermal lagoon when you can team your ticket with an included transfer.

How to Return to BSÍ When Taking Flybus Back to Keflavík Airport

Your return journey to Keflavík Airport works slightly differently from what you did on arrival day, but it’s just as easy. All you have to do is get yourself to the BSÍ bus terminal. You can book Flybus with hotel pick-up and board a feeder bus from the stop that’s most convenient for you, or make your way to BSÍ under your own steam. Incidentally, BSÍ is Stop 10 on the Hop On, Hop Off bus route.

Alternatively, you could plan to return to BSÍ at the end of a cruise (you’ll travel from Skarfabakki Harbour) or a tour: this option could work for travellers whose itinerary includes a late flight home. Express tours and half-day activities are the most suitable as they are less likely to be delayed when returning to the city. Remember to build in a buffer so you don’t cut it too fine; there’s no point in taking a risk and missing your airport-bound Flybus.

The main difference from your inbound journey is that you’ll make a reservation for a specific departure from BSÍ, so figure out the time that’s closest to when you need to be at the airport. Work back from your flight time: three hours at the airport, a minimum of 45 minutes’ journey time and any extra time to make your way to BSÍ from a hotel bus stop.

So, Is Flybus Worth Booking?

Is Flybus worth it? We’d say an emphatic yes: if you need to get from Keflavik Airport to downtown Reykjavik it’s a convenient and efficient option. Travel in comfort using an affordable airport transfer service that’s a reliable and efficient way of getting between the two. Why not try it next time you come to Iceland?

BSÍ Bus Terminal FAQs

Where is BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík?

BSÍ is at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, just south of Reykjavík city centre and next to Reykjavík Domestic Airport. Tjörnin lake is across the street, and Laugavegur shopping street is about a 15-minute walk away.

Is BSÍ Bus Terminal open 24 hours?

No. The terminal building is open from 04:00 to 22:00 and the service desk from 06:00 to 22:00. The luggage lockers are available around the clock.

Do I need to change buses at BSÍ?

Only if you have booked hotel drop-off. In that case, you move from the Flybus coach to a smaller shuttle that takes you to your hotel or the nearest designated stop, and staff at the terminal will show you which one to board. If you booked Flybus to BSÍ, the terminal is your final stop.

Can you walk from BSÍ Bus Terminal to downtown Reykjavík?

Yes. Laugavegur is about 15 minutes on foot and Harpa Concert Hall around 25 minutes. With heavy luggage or in bad weather, hotel drop-off or a taxi is usually the easier choice.

Can I store luggage at BSÍ Bus Terminal?

Yes. There are luggage lockers at the terminal, so you can leave your bags and explore Reykjavík before you check in or after you check out.

Can I get a taxi from BSÍ Bus Terminal?

Yes. Taxis often wait at the terminal, and you can also book a ride through the Hopp app.

Which tours leave from BSÍ Bus Terminal?

Icelandia day tours depart from BSÍ, including trips to the Golden Circle, the South Coast, Snæfellsnes peninsula and Reykjanes, as well as glacier hikes, snowmobile rides and ice cave tours.

How do I get from BSÍ back to Keflavík Airport?

Book a specific Flybus departure from BSÍ in advance; unlike your arrival journey, the return trip runs to a set time. Aim for a coach that leaves BSÍ about three to four hours before your flight. If you have booked hotel pick-up, the shuttle collects you 30 minutes before the coach leaves BSÍ.

Who operates BSÍ Bus Terminal?

BSÍ is operated by Icelandia. The current building dates from 1965, and the name is short for Bifreiðastöð Íslands.

TL;DR

BSÍ Bus Terminal is the main Reykjavík stop for Flybus services from Keflavík Airport and a long-standing transport hub in the city. From BSÍ, you can walk into central Reykjavík, continue by Flybus, take a taxi or city bus, or connect with tours departing from the terminal.