Everything you need to know about getting from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik

First-time visitors to Iceland might be surprised to find that the country’s main international airport isn’t located in Reykjavik but instead is located close to the north western tip of the Reykjanes peninsula. The distance between the two is about 50km. However despite this, getting to and from the capital is straightforward; travellers have a number of options, including taxis, self-drive, public buses and the perennially popular Flybus.

What is the Flybus and how does it work?

The Flybus is a direct coach transfer from Keflavik Airport to central Reykjavik. If you’re planning to visitor Iceland and are looking for a quick and easy way of getting between the two, simply go online and book the number of seats you require. These comfortable coaches have WiFi onboard and plenty of room to transport luggage in the hold of the vehicle.

You’ll need to choose between a straightforward transfer to the BSI bus terminal, which is a ten minute walk from Hallgrímskirkja, or a combo ticket that adds an onward ride to a bus stop closer to your hotel (where applicable – some accommodation can be found near Reykjavik’s most iconic church). As a result, make sure you’ve figured out where you plan to stay, or at least the general area, before booking your Flybus ticket.

The Flybus schedule is designed to support all departing flights, which means that you don’t need to cut your time in Reykjavik short and spend the night before you leave in an expensive airport hotel. Because we use a dedicated terminal, there’s no confusion about where you need to be, and there are always people on hand to deal with any queries you might have.

In the opposite direction, when it’s time to travel from Reykjavik to Keflavik, you’ll need to select the departure time that corresponds to your required airport arrival time. When planning your airport transfer from Reykjavik Iceland, note that buses leave from 4am to 10.30pm at uneven intervals: the gap between departure times varies from 30 minutes to 2 hours, so check carefully during the booking process that you’ve selected the right time.

For international flights it is usual to allow three hours to complete exit formalities including border control and security screening. Add to this 45 minutes for the journey and you should have a rough idea of when you should plan to depart the BSI terminal. Remember if you also need a pick up closer to your accommodation be sure to allow ample time for this too and be at the bus stop as stipulated.

What are the bus stops and hotel drop‑off options?

Large tour buses aren’t permitted in certain streets and squares within downtown Reykjavik. This may be of interest if you are travelling with someone who has limited mobility; in this case choose accommodation that’s as close as possible to a Flybus and tour bus stop.

These stops have different style signs to the regular Strætó city bus stops; look for a blue and pink sign rather than one with the letter S on it.

If you’ve chosen the transfer option, the process is streamlined and efficient. When you reach the BSI, disembark the coach and collect your luggage. Staff members are on hand to direct you to the correct waiting minibus and get you on your way. If you aren’t sure of which bus stop and therefore which feeder bus you’ll need, simply tell the driver at the airport and they’ll let you know.

What happens if your flight is delayed?

Often when booking public transport tickets you’re limited to a particular departure. As flights often arrive earlier or later than planned and passport control lines are hard to predict, this can make selecting the right time a tricky process. Too early and you risk wasting your ticket, too late and you have to deal with the frustration of hanging around in airport arrivals when you’d rather be getting acquainted with your first destination.

In Iceland, this isn’t a problem. The way we organise the Flybus is that on arrival you simply board the first available bus. If your flight has landed late, you might not board at the time you expected, but as the schedule is designed to serve all arriving flights you won’t end up stranded, no matter what time of day or night it is.

Turn left as you exit the arrivals hall and you should see the buses lined up across the car park in front of you. Simply walk over, show the driver or steward proof of your booking – most passengers reserve online to save time once they reach Iceland but you can buy a ticket at the desk in the arrivals hall if you haven’t done so in advance.

All you need to do then is hand over your luggage – two pieces as standard but contact us by email in advance if you’d like to bring more – and find yourself a seat on the bus to which you’ve been directed. The coaches typically leave when full but the process is well co-ordinated and you shouldn’t have to hang around for very long. While you wait, jump on the WiFi and pass the time checking out the opening times of city attractions and restaurant recommendations.

How much does the Flybus cost and is it worth the money?

At just 3999 ISK each way for an adult ticket to and from the BSI terminal, the Flybus represents excellent value, especially considering the journey time of around 45 minutes. In addition, it offers the bonus of there being plenty of chance to sightsee – rugged Reykjanes makes its presence felt even on the northerly edge of the peninsula as the distant Reykjavik skyline comes into sharper focus.

In winter, you could argue that the Flybus is even more enticing. If you’re unused to winter driving, even the thought of renting a car where roads can be snowbound or slippery with ice might send your stress levels soaring. Choosing to take the Flybus from Keflavik Airport is the ideal solution, especially when coupled with our diverse selection of guided tours and activities departing from the centrally located BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik.

Do your bit for the environment

One big advantage of using a service such as the Flybus is that it’s a shared form of transport. As such, carbon emissions per person are far less than for private options such as petrol or diesel rental cars and taxis. Improve your green credentials as you pair the Flybus with sightseeing trips from our range of carbon neutral tours and do your bit to offset the impact of your holiday.

Make the journey part of your holiday

While some travellers might be keen to get settled into their accommodation or begin exploring Reykjavik’s many and varied attractions, there’s much to be said for slowing down the pace. Perhaps the most Icelandic way to do so is to book a slot at a geothermal lagoon and take a restorative soak.

The location of the famous Blue Lagoon spa, midway between downtown Reykjavik and Keflavik Airport, makes this the perfect spot to unwind after your flight or as a fitting finale to a fabulous trip. We offer combo packages that pair up your airport transfer with the chance to experience this delightful geothermal lagoon.

The early departure time from Keflavik is aimed at visitors who arrive first thing in the morning but would be unable to check into their hotel if they transferred directly to Reykjavik. With a choice of five departure times from the Blue Lagoon onwards to Reykjavik, your planned city activities later on arrival day can also be fitted in.

Aside from the Flybus, what are the other methods of getting from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik?

• Self-drive

Some overseas tourists relish the flexibility and spontaneity that comes with having their own car. However, such convenience comes at a cost and renting a vehicle in Iceland can work out expensive once you factor in insurance, fuel and other charges. There are a host of car rental companies, both in the arrivals hall and close by; as is normal in many places around the world, the cheapest companies don’t always maintain a desk in the arrivals hall so you might also have to hang around for their shuttle bus to arrive.

It can be frustrating to queue to complete the paperwork and pick up your keys. Even once you do, it’s not always the best feeling to have to get to grips with new road rules, navigate an unfamiliar route and driving in an unfamiliar place after a tiring journey – perhaps in the dark or in bad weather.

There’s much to be said for the cost savings that come with delaying your car rental for a few days – or even not bothering at all and taking tours instead. Reykjavik has an excellent city bus network and the ability to pay with contactless means there’s no need to worry about how you’re going to pay. Take the Flybus to the city and you won’t need to find a place to park your rental car or find your accommodation by yourself.

• Local bus

The internet’s full of travel hacks and one common sight among Reykjavík arrival transfer tips is to take the local bus. Strætó’s number 55 service connects the two places and is cheaper than the Flybus. You’ll also have the chance to see what places such as Hafnarfjörður are like on this Keflavik airport bus from Reykjavik. So what’s the catch?

As with anything, there are downsides as well as upsides. In this case it’s primarily the journey time, which is considerably longer as it takes a less direct route between Reykjavik and Keflavik Airport, stopping more often to pick up passengers. The quickest buses take one hour and ten minutes to make the journey. Some trips drive to and from Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður, necessitating a change which will be even more time-consuming. If you’re itching to get stuck into your holiday, this can be really frustrating.

However it really depends on your budget and how much you need to cut costs. The fare reflects this longer transfer time: a ticket on the number 55 bus from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport costs 2400 ISK per person. However, check the schedule carefully as like the Flybus this service doesn’t operate 24/7 but unlike the Flybus which references airline slots, timings may not work for the departure time you require. You also can’t book the local bus in advance.

Finally, if you’re travelling with a lot of heavy luggage the regular bus can be inconvenient as you may have to lift suitcases on board and sit with them. Though there’s a luggage hold, if you pick up the bus en route rather than at the BSI stop the driver may indicate that they’d prefer you to keep your bags with you to save time. If you plan to travel light, of course, this won’t be such a disadvantage.

• Taxi

The ultimate transfer is a door-to-door taxi ride, but you’ll pay for such convenience. Uber and Lyft don’t operate in Iceland, though you can download rideshare apps such as Hopp instead. You may not always find that there’s a driver available immediately. Taxi companies such as A-Stöðin, Hreyfill and BSR are generally considered reliable but don’t come cheap: metered taxis typically run between 18000 ISK and 22000 ISK.

You can expect to be charged more on weekends and evenings, or in the event of increased journey times due to roadworks or weather-related delays. Pre-booking comes with the option of fixing the price so there are no unwelcome surprises. Icelandair, for example, offers an online taxi transfer service which they advertise as US$188/£140 for up to four passengers.

It’s worth calculating how such a price compares to the Flybus, especially if you are travelling solo or as a couple. Larger groups with a considerable amount of luggage might need two vehicles. Regardless, Iceland isn’t a cheap country and this is a relatively long journey to be considering; perhaps the money you would have allocated to a taxi fare could be spent in more fun ways.

The Flybus from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is the simplest, most dependable way to start and end your Iceland trip. It’s comfortable, reliable and easy to book, making it a popular option with overseas visitors. Rather than begin your holiday worrying about getting to grips with a rental car, sit back and relax aboard the Flybus as you pass through the scenic Reykjanes landscape and close in on Iceland’s charming capital city.

Armed with our Reykjavik airport transfer guide, you can make the decision about Keflavik to Reykjavik transport options that’s right for you. We think there’s no better way to travel from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik than on the Flybus, but don’t take our word for it – why not try it for yourself?