Flybus vs Taxi vs Rental Car: What’s the Best Option?

Arriving in a new country or city can be stressful. Particularly if you’ve had a long and tiring journey or are jet-lagged, the amount of new information you’re presented with can be overwhelming. You might encounter signage in another language – though fortunately Keflavik Airport is well signposted in English – decisions to make or simply unfamiliar branding. It’s all a bit much. But you can reduce the information overload by doing some preparation before you leave home.

One of the easiest things to sort out is how you’re going to get from the airport to your accommodation, in this case from Keflavik Airport to downtown Reykjavik. And that’s important: achieving a trouble-free start to your holiday sets the tone for the rest of your stay. In this article, we’ll compare Flybus, taxis and rental cars to see why so many travellers consider Flybus the best shuttle from Keflavík to Reykjavík based on budget, convenience, ease of use and travel style.

What Type of Transfers Are Best For Your Budget?

Flybus

Flybus is an affordable choice which probably explains why so many travellers and locals use it to transfer from the airport to Reykjavik. It represents excellent value for money – by Icelandic standards in any case. The fare for adults is a reasonable 3999 ISK per person, while children up to the age of 15 pay 1999 ISK. If you’re travelling with an under five, they go free. Considering that the journey from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik’s BSI terminal takes on average between 40 minutes and 45 minutes, you wouldn’t expect such a transfer to be really cheap, but you do get your money’s worth on the Flybus as you can enjoy the Reykjanes countryside along the way if you arrive in daylight. And by the way, if you do get in late, the shuttles run until the last passenger’s through. You’ll find it’s a safe option and one you can rely on, which is worth a fair bit in itself.

Taxi

Taxis typically work out the most expensive; one well-respected company offers a flat rate fare of 22500 ISK for up to four passengers plus an airport pickup fee of 490 ISK. If you can assemble a full car load and have minimal luggage then the cost per person can be reduced compared to if there’s just one or two of you. In practice, though, if you’re a couple or solo traveller, taxis are not a cost-effective option. Rideshare apps such as Uber or Lyft, which have surged in popularity in some parts of the world by offering more competitive prices that undercut traditional taxis, don’t exist in Iceland. Instead, you need to use Hopp, which is primarily a scooter rental operator but also offers cars.

Rental car

Whether a hire car represents good value for money or not will depend a lot on how many people are in your party, the level of comfort they expect and therefore the class of vehicle that you rent. It’s important to look beyond the headline price that’s advertised as there are many add-ons that can quickly mount up. For instance, you’ll need to factor in the cost of fuel or charging as well as parking fees both within Reykjavik and beyond. Finally don’t forget to consider insurance; if you’re travelling though the Icelandic countryside it’s sensible to have comprehensive rather than basic coverage, including cover for sand, gravel and ash damage. High season rentals will also come in more expensive than if you’re travelling when demand is lower, such as in winter.

Which Means of Transport Offers the Most Convenience?

Flybus

First-time travellers to Keflavik might be concerned that taking a shared shuttle to a city bus terminal and then transferring onto feeder services sounds like it’s the very opposite of convenient. But once you’ve taken it, you’ll realise that’s not the case. Firstly, departures from Keflavik run round the clock; there’s no need to worry what happens if you’re flight is delayed or your arrival is late at night. Next, the buses fill and as soon as they’re full they depart for the city bound for the BSI terminal, so you don’t have to keep anxiously checking your watch to see if your bag is going to arrive before the next scheduled service arrives. Our user-friendly website makes it easy to select the right ticket – if you need an accessible option be sure to choose one of our electric Flybus coaches which are equipped with a wheelchair lift. You’ll also have a choice: book Flybus online or buy your ticket at the desk in the arrivals hall at Keflavik.

A note about transferring to the hotel shuttles

Travellers are often curious about how our transfer system works, fearing that it will be time-consuming, confusing or difficult in some other way. Actually, in practice you’ll find that the process is designed to be straightforward. If you’re not staying within walking distance of the BSI bus terminal, this transfer can be as simple as stepping off the coach, walking a few steps across a car park and boarding the next.

If you’re booking your ticket online, have a read of our Flybus stops Reykjavik Guide where you can figure out on the map which stop is closest to where you are staying. This handy how-to article gives you all the facts about making your booking including how the return ride works – which is slightly different but just as easy. Regardless, Flybus staff members will always be on hand at the BSI bus terminal to ensure you board the correct bus for your final destination so there’s no chance you’ll end up in the wrong part of the city.

Taxis

It probably doesn’t get more convenient than taking a taxi unless someone you know is waiting at the airport ready to take you to where you need to be. But this comes with a cost and you can pay dearly for the privilege of saving what can amount to minutes rather than hours. As a holidaymaker, you get to decide how to allocate your trip budget, so the choice is yours: splurge on a taxi or save the money for something more fun. There’s another downside, this time concerning pre-booked rides. Read the small print carefully as some have a maximum wait time, for example 90 minutes. If your flight lands late or it takes longer than you expected to complete airport formalities, they may not be there when you exit the arrivals hall. Depending on the terms and conditions, you might lose what you’ve paid.

Rental car

Once you’ve collected your hire car, it’s as convenient as having your own vehicle right here in Iceland. The downside is that you have to complete paperwork and other formalities – like letting staff check you have a valid licence – to prove that you are legally entitled to drive one. This takes time, as does standing in line in the arrivals hall to get to the desk or doing the same but after you transfer to a remote office on the edge of the airport. Wait times will vary and depend heavily on how many other people are using your chosen provider at the time you arrive in Keflavik, which is by definition hard to predict.

How Do Transfers Compare With Regards to Ease of Use?

Flybus

The Flybus departs from a spot just across from the airport terminal which you’ll quickly spot from the arrivals door. Because it’s possible to pre-book your Flybus transfer online, there’s no need to do anything once you exit baggage reclaim. Simply wheel your bag to the coach, show the driver your confirmation and once you’ve stowed your large luggage, hop on board and find a seat. Settle back and log on to the WiFi, or pause for a moment to relax before embarking on your Icelandic adventure. As soon as the Flybus is full, you’ll begin your journey from Keflavik International Airport to the city centre, where you’ll soon arrive at the BSI bus terminal. Unlike public transport, you’ll then have the option to board a smaller bus which will serve the bus stop nearer to your hotel, guesthouse or apartment. The process runs seamlessly, so you’ll be unpacking in no time.

Taxi

Arranging a private taxi offers much the same as the Flybus, though it’s a door-to-door service with no need to change at the BSI bus terminal. You’ll need to make sure that the vehicle you choose has sufficient room for your luggage, but otherwise it’s probably the easiest way to get between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik so long as you’re happy to pay handsomely for the ride. It’s advisable to pre-book your taxi to avoid having to wait in line once you exit the arrivals hall, so you’ll also need to be confident you’ve found a trusted company.

Rental car

If you’re planning on hiring a car only to make the transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik, then it doesn’t really make sense, as you’ll have to allocate time to completing the paperwork, navigate an unfamiliar route into the city, then find a parking spot and pay for it. However, the vast majority of travellers who book a rental car are usually bound for the Icelandic countryside after their Reykjavik stay. If that’s a few nights or more, consider making your arrival simpler by picking up your vehicle from a Reykjavik office once you’re ready to set off. You won’t have to contend with city traffic or find a parking spot. Most visitor attractions in Reykjavik are walkable from downtown and by opting for tours to the city’s hinterland, you might even find you don’t need a rental car at all for your Iceland adventure.

Which Airport Shuttle Service Best Matches Your Travel Style?

Flybus

If you’re the kind of traveller that likes to maximise value for money, then you’re likely to look at the Flybus as a good way of stretching your holiday budget. It balances cost, comfort and convenience, making it an attractive option. Of course, it’s cheaper to take the public bus, but the route is more circuitous and the journey takes considerably longer – it’s designed for local needs. In contrast, a taxi would usually be quicker door-to-door, but you’ll shell out more for it and that’s money you could hold back to spend on something else.

Taxi

Some travellers habitually take a taxi when they arrive at a destination as they believe it takes the faff out of transferring to their accommodation. But it’s a considerable way from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city and so in a country like Iceland where costs are high this won’t come cheap. But if taking an airport shuttle really isn’t your style and you’re happy to pay the extra, then pulling up outside your hotel in a taxi might be worth the additional cost.

Rental car

Independent travellers will see their transfers between Keflavik and the Icelandic capital as part of their Iceland adventure. Getting behind the wheel as soon as they can creates flexibility and opens up the possibility of interesting detours across the Reykjanes peninsula instead of heading straight to Reykjavik. But often, after a tiring journey, you’re better off checking in and taking a restorative nap, leaving you more refreshed and ready to start your Iceland holiday in the right frame of mind. If you instinctively hire a car, why not think about taking a shuttle and tours this time so you don’t need one? You might be pleasantly surprised with the experience.

When you’re figuring out how to get between the airport and Reykjavik, doing the whole Flybus versus taxi versus rental car comparison can be time-consuming. Decide what’s most important to you, whether it’s cost, speed, comfort – or a mix of all three. We’re confident that the Flybus will be a strong contender and hope to welcome you on board soon.