What You’ll See on the Drive from KEF to Reykjavík

After your flight touches down in Iceland, you’re potentially going to be tired or jet-lagged from the journey. Yet there’s a reason to hold off on the nap for a bit: the ride between Keflavik Airport and downtown Reykjavik is an interesting one, and it’s also your first chance to see some of the famously scenic Icelandic landscapes. So why not use the Flybus shuttle as an opportunity to start sightseeing? In this article, we’ll explore what you can expect to see along the way and how to make the most of your time onboard the Flybus.

What is the Drive Like from KEF to Reykjavik?

An airport with an unusual back story

As the Flybus pulls away from the terminal and out onto the main road, it’s worth thinking back to the early days of commercial flights here. During World War Two, the Allies had military bases on Iceland for strategic reasons and the U.S. Air Force built Keflavik as a replacement for a much smaller British air base at nearby Garður.

After the war ended, the Americans handed over what would become known as Keflavik Airport; back then most flights used Reykjavik Airport. In 1951, the Americans signed an agreement with Iceland to return. But by the 1960s larger planes meant airlines were starting to migrate operations to Keflavik and for quite a while, anyone flying from KEF would have needed to pass through the military base to reach the passenger terminal.

Keflavik and Njarðvík

As the Flybus makes a right turn out of the airport, it navigates onto Route 41. On the left hand side is the town of Keflavik. While it’s home to many of the airport’s workers, this small settlement also boasts a few interesting visitor attractions. For example, you might return to visit the Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll, which tells the story of the country’s lively music scene.

Leaving Keflavik behind, the village of Njarðvík is where you’ll find Viking World. This fascinating museum tells the story of Iceland’s Viking heritage through a replica of a 9th century longship. But the Íslendingur is far from being just a museum exhibit: in 2000, it sailed to New York to commemorate Leifur Eiríksson’s journey to the New World a thousand years earlier.

Sagnatröllin (Trolls)

You’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for a series of stone sculptures collectively known as Sagnatröllin. The figures take the form of trolls and elves and are a tribute to Iceland’s Huldufólk, or hidden people. They’re the work of artist Áki Gränz, who used stones collected at Helguvik on the coast north of Keflavik. He used it to create the Tyrkjavörður trolls, the elves of Grænáskirkja, the Nástrandartrolls, the Stapat trolls, Frey and Freyja and Sýslumanninn.

Lava fields, volcanic cones and steaming vents

Out of the right hand side of the coach, a very different scene unfolds. Reykjanes has dominated the headlines in recent years after Mount Fagradalsfjall erupted suddenly after an 800 year period of dormancy. That’s located much further across the peninsula, though at the time you could make out the lava flowing from its cone in the distance.

Another recognisably volcanic landform is Mount Keilir. This cone shaped peak rises from the flat plain so you can usually pick it out if you know to look for it. Across the peninsula you’ll see steam rising from vents; the Seltún and Krýsuvik geothermal areas are active with fumaroles and mud pots. It’s well worth returning for a closer look. Tours also usually incorporate the Bridge Between Continents where the North American and Eurasian plate boundaries are slowly creeping apart.

The turnoff to Blue Lagoon and Grindavik

The ongoing volcanic activity that kicked off in 2021 has impacted parts of the south of the Reykjanes peninsula. Beyond the Blue Lagoon, sizeable lava flows have solidified by the side of the road. Though the Flybus bypasses this area, you can visit it as part of Icelandia’s Volcanic Wonders with Grindavik Visit & the Blue Lagoon tour, where you’ll also be able to see firsthand how the port of Grindavik has been affected.

Grindavik was a small but thriving port when the eruption started. At first, the lava flows from Mount Fagradalsfjall were some distance away, but over time the eruption site shifted to the south west bringing with it intermittent volcanic activity. By late 2023, fissures opened up in the Sundhnúkur crater row, affecting Grindavik and temporarily cutting off the Blue Lagoon.

Though berms and other defences were employed by the Icelandic authorities, a few Grindavik homes were engulfed by the lava flows and large cracks opened up in some roads. The residents were safely evacuated; some have chosen to move away permanently while others have returned to their old lives. For visitors, it’s sobering proof of how nature is the boss in a place like Iceland, no matter how good the authorities are at monitoring and managing processes.

Hafnarfjörður

Past the town of Vogar and approaching the end of the peninsula, on the left you’ll see the town of Hafnarfjörður come into view. After Reykjavik and Kópavogur, it’s the third most populous settlement in Iceland. This port is famous for its strong links to the country’s elven population. They’re said to live amidst the rocks of Hellisgerði Park in the centre of the town.

The outskirts of Reykjavik

The Flybus is closing in on Reykjavik and you’ll start to see a significant increase in the built up area as you get nearer to the capital. You’ll pass close to Kringlan Mall, the largest shopping centre in Reykjavik with 120 stores, numerous eateries including cafés and a food court, kids’ entertainment and a four-screen cinema. It’s an alternative to Laugavegur, with good bus connections and free parking.

Look out for the distinctive architecture of Perlan, a museum on top of Öskjuhlíð hill. A glass dome perches on six water tanks. Some of these tanks have been repurposed into halls showcasing exhibits about Icelandic landscapes, wildlife and natural processes. It is home to a manmade ice cave, a planetarium showing an immersive film about the aurora borealis and a virtual reality representation of Látrabjarg bird cliff. From its observation deck, the panoramic views over downtown Reykjavik and out to sea are unrivalled in the city.

Hallgrimskirkja

Just a ten minute stroll from the Flybus destination, the BSI Bus Terminal, stands the magnificent Hallgrimskirkja. This enormous church is a landmark on the city skyline that you can see from miles away – in fact, you may have noticed it across the water from Reykjanesbraut.

Though it isn’t the Icelandic capital’s cathedral, it is still the country’s largest church. This Lutheran place of worship came from the pen of state architect Guðjón Samúelsson in the 1930s; the basalt columns that crop up so frequently in the Icelandic countryside were the chief inspiration for his striking design.

What to Do After Landing at KEF: an Alternative

There’s another option for what to do after landing at KEF if you’re keen to kick off your Iceland experience right away. One of the country’s most appealing visitor attractions is just down the road and it’s possible to arrange a transfer in two halves, stopping off on the way. That place is the Blue Lagoon. If you’re looking for a relaxing yet quintessentially Icelandic activity to get your holiday underway, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Blue Lagoon was named for the milky, mineral-rich water that was actually a by-product from the nearby geothermal power station. Back in the 1980s, construction workers noticed that the water wasn’t draining away as a layer of white silica mud created an impermeable layer on the ground. The idea of a bathing lagoon was born and many thousands of visitors have since come here to relax and feel rejuvenated.

What’s wrong with renting a car as soon as you arrive?

You might be thinking that you can see all this wonderful scenery from behind the wheel of a rental car rather than out of the window of the Flybus. Though there’s nothing wrong with hiring a car at Keflavik Airport – as many travellers do – you’ll also find there are compelling reasons why you shouldn’t. Likewise Flybus has advantages over taking a taxi. Here are our thoughts on the whole Flybus vs Taxi vs Rental Car decision-making process.

Travel doesn’t always go the way you planned

For starters, journeys can not only be tiring but also unpredictable. You might be happy with renting a car if you know you have no trouble sleeping on an overnight plane from North America or after a short hop across the Atlantic from the UK or mainland Europe. However, flights get delayed and connections are missed; those carefully considered plans are forgotten as you scramble to rework your itinerary on the fly and arrive in Iceland far more stressed and tired than you would have expected.

You might not be used to driving on the right

In some parts of the world, such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand for instance, driving on the left is the law. If you’ve been driving for a while, as most renters have, you’ll quite probably default to autopilot when it comes to procedures at roundabouts or when pulling out of car parking spaces. If you’ve just arrived in Iceland, it makes sense to spend a few days getting the feel for the place and taking note of the most common highway signs and speed limits whilst still a pedestrian or a passenger.

Having a rental car can be an inconvenience in Reykjavik

City sightseeing in a place as compact and well-served by buses as Reykjavik is easily possible without a car. If you want to cover all the visitor attractions, including those further out, then consider buying a ticket for the Hop On, Hop Off sightseeing bus which makes light work of getting from one to another. Though a car might seem like a good idea, you’ll have to contend with traffic before you know where things are in relation to each other. You’ll also have to find a place to park it, which can get expensive in those parts of the city which have tighter restrictions.

So how easy is it to use the Flybus?

In a word: very! Keflavik International Airport is a single-terminal airport and once you come out of the baggage hall you’ll soon spot the Flybus team. If you need any assistance finding the coach, one of our helpful staff members will be able to help, but you should be able to work it out yourself as the Flybus departs from close to the terminal doors.

We’d recommend you purchase your ticket online before you leave home. If you’re concerned about missing your bus because your flight has unexpectedly arrived late, there’s no need. The Flybus works on a rolling schedule; simply board the next available coach and you’ll be on your way as soon as it’s full. You’re unlikely to have to wait around for long.

Add a hotel shuttle to your Flybus booking

After about 45 minutes, you’ll reach the BSI Bus Terminal in downtown Reykjavik. Here, many visitors opt to take advantage of the hotel shuttle service which can be booked as an add-on to the main ticket. Traffic restrictions aimed at preventing congestion and minimising the impact of large coaches on other road users means that the main Flybus cannot access some areas of the city centre.

Instead, a fleet of hotel shuttles takes care of the last leg of the journey. Actually, this is beneficial to arriving travellers too as it means you won’t have to drive around the rest of Reykjavik dropping off passengers when all you want to do is go straight to your own hotel. To work out which drop off point is closest to where you need to be, read our Flybus Stops Reykjavik Guide.