What To Do After Landing at Keflavik Airport

Passing through Iceland’s Keflavik Airport is usually a stress-free and seamless process. The airport is well signed, with plenty of English language signage, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way through the airport from the gate to the arrivals hall. In this article we’ll give you a brief overview of what to expect, from immigration formalities to duty free purchases and of course how to book FlyBus for your stress-free transfer into Reykjavik.

Getting to Grips With Immigration Formalities: the EES

The European Union began rolling out its Entry and Exit System (EES) in 2025, which impacts travel to 29 countries including most EU members (not Cyprus or the Republic of Ireland) plus Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Under the new system all arriving passengers who don’t hold a passport from one of those 29 countries will need to complete certain formalities.

Any traveller who wishes to enter or leave the Schengen Area from non-Schengen countries will be handled digitally, using fingerprints and facial images of arriving passengers. A check will be made to ensure that such passengers don’t overstay the 90 day in any 180 rule. The use of the EES also removes the requirement to have your passport stamped.

As capturing biometric data can be time consuming, arriving passengers may have to stand in line for a little longer, particularly if several non-Schengen flights arrive within a short period of time. However, Iceland’s Keflavík Airport usually runs efficiently and there have been no reports of the exceptionally lengthy delays experienced in EU countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain.

What Do You Need to Know About Duty Free Shopping at Keflavik International?

The Icelandic government strictly control the sale of alcohol and if you’re used to being able to buy it cheaply in supermarkets back home then you’re in for a bit of a shock. Little wonder, therefore, that the arrivals hall boasts a sizeable duty free shop and Icelanders as well as visitors call in to stock up before leaving the airport.

If you like to enjoy a G&T or glass of wine in the evening before dinner, you may wish to purchase it at Keflavík Airport as this will save you money. Prices are cheap compared to buying a drink at your hotel or from the state-regulated Vínbúðin stores which you’ll find not only in Reykjavik but across the country.

What Food and Beverage Options are Available Inside Keflavik Airport Terminals?

As most passengers will make their way straightaway to Reykjavik using the FlyBus or to the car rental desks, there are limited food outlets landside at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport. One exception is Maiki’i, which offers açaí bowls topped with fruit; you can also get a cup of coffee here that you can get while you wait.

You’ll also find a convenience store – Point Grab’n Go, which sells drinks and snacks. However, it’s worth pointing out that it only takes 45 minutes to get to the city – and Reykjavik has a host of excellent cafés, restaurants and food halls for you to choose from which offer better value and varied menus.

On the return journey, you’ll be pleased to learn that there is a wide selection of food outlets once you get airside at Keflavik Airport. Whether you want to grab a pastry, Danish-style open sandwich or enjoy one last Icelandic hot dog at the airport branch of Bæjarins Beztu Plysur, there’s no reason to board your plane with an empty stomach.

SIM Card Providers at Keflavik Airport

These days we rely heavily on our smartphones to aid us with everyday tasks, so for many travellers, the thought of not being connected is off-putting. However, depending on where you come from and your service provider, roaming charges vary considerably. Some travellers will be able to use their phone just as they would at home at no extra cost.

However for others, roaming charges can be exorbitant. If that’s the case, you may wish to purchase a local SIM to use while you’re in Iceland. The easiest way of doing this is to get an eSIM, such as those offered by Síminn, Ubigi or Airalo. Don’t want the expense? You’ll also be able to take advantage of the WiFi onboard the FlyBus to check emails, message friends and family or update your socials.

Will You Find Currency Exchange Services at Keflavik Airport?

There’s a currency exchange desk at Keflavik Airport but before paying it a visit you should consider whether you really need to. Very few Icelandic businesses would require cash – roadside stalls are sometimes a notable exception – and if you bring a credit card or have an app such as Apple Pay installed on your smartphone then this will suffice in the majority of situations.

However if you do wish to exchange money, then Prosegur Change is located in the arrivals hall landside; you might wish to pre-book currency online to save time at the airport. There’s also an ATM should you wish to withdraw cash that way. Note that if you are departing and want to claim a VAT refund for any purchases you’ll also do that here – before you check your bags.

Is Keflavík Airport the Same as Reykjavík Airport?

It’s a common misconception among first-time visitors but Keflavik Airport isn’t the same as Reykjavik Airport. While Keflavik handles the country’s international flights, Reykjavik – a much smaller airport – is where you’ll fly from if you’re taking a domestic flight. Currently, only Icelandair and Norlandair offer services from Reykjavik, connecting to other Icelandic towns such as Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Egilsstaðir.

In comparison, Keflavik is the much bigger and busier international airport. Around 30 different airlines have scheduled services to and from Iceland, connecting us to North America, Europe and beyond. If you plan to travel into Keflavík and onto a domestic destination, you’ll need to transfer between the two airports in order to do so.

You might be wondering, therefore, why in a country that’s relatively sparsely populated, there’s no space closer to Reykjavik. There probably is, but Keflavik Airport was more cost-effective. As commercial flights were becoming more common, it was decided to make use of an existing U.S. airbase out on the edge of the Reykjanes peninsula.

In fact, for a time, departing passengers had to pass through the military base to board their flight but now it’s just a regular commercial hub like any other. Over time, the facilities have been significantly expanded and improved. Today Keflavik is a modern airport with a wide range of amenities. In 2024, more than 8 million passengers transited Keflavik Airport, travelling to and from 98 destinations.

How to Make Use of the FlyBus Airport Transfer

Despite their separate locations, getting from Iceland’s Keflavík Airport to the Icelandic capital is straightforward. There’s no need to book an expensive taxi or rent a car to drive yourself on unfamiliar roads. Instead, the FlyBus has been a tried and tested arrival and departure option for decades; travellers praise its reliability, affordability and comfort.

If you’re looking for a shuttle from Keflavik to Reykjavik, the FlyBus is what you need. But if you need convincing, then we’ve put together an article which compares your options – the pros and cons of FlyBus vs Taxi vs Rental Car all in one place so you can make an informed decision.

It’s possible to book FlyBus online and that’s what the majority of our customers do. This means you can board the bus as soon as you’re ready. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t already booked a ticket, however, as you can buy one when you reach Keflavik Airport.

Finding and Boarding the FlyBus

The procedure for finding and boarding the FlyBus couldn’t be simpler. As you emerge from the baggage hall and into arrivals, walk through the exit door and make a left. You’ll see the FlyBus bays directly in front of you and to your right. A member of staff will direct you to the next available coach.

You see, when travelling from the airport into the city, the FlyBus doesn’t operate to a fixed timetable. Instead we’ve designed the schedule to align with every arriving flight. No matter how early or how late you get in, there’ll be a FlyBus waiting to transfer you to the city – no exceptions. Your sightseeing starts here: for a sneak preview on your trip along route 41 and what you´ll see on the drive from KEF to Reykjavík, check out our step-by-step guide.

You’ll need to decide whether it’s most convenient to terminate your journey at the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. This works if you’re staying close by or travelling with relatively little luggage and are happy to walk to your accommodation. Many visitors prefer to add on a hotel transfer. You can check the jumping off point closest to where you’re staying using our FlyBus stops Reykjavik guide.

If you do so, then you will still disembark the FlyBus at the BSI bus terminal but switch to another bus. This is as easy as picking up your belongings and walking across a car park. FlyBus staff members are right there directing people to the correct bus – different vehicles fan out in different directions – so that you reach your final destination as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

It’s Important to Figure out What You’re Going to Do with Your Luggage

The majority of arriving passengers will keep their luggage with them. FlyBus coaches have spacious luggage storage compartments, so there’s no issue with transporting your belongings to the BSI bus terminal and onto your Reykjavik accommodation on one of our shuttle buses.

If you have oversized items, such as golf clubs, skis, bicycles or musical instruments, please inform us ahead of time. You’ll need to pay a small additional fee. If you’re travelling with more than two 23kg bags, then a third suitcase will incur an additional fee of 1500 ISK but carriage doesn’t need to be pre-arranged.

In certain circumstances you may need to store some or all of your bags in the short or long term. There are luggage lockers on site at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport which can be a convenient and secure place to leave your belongings. Note that the length of time you can store items varies according to the season; from September 1st to May 31st you may leave bags for up to 30 days. However, in peak season, higher demand means that you may only use the lockers for a maximum period of 4 days.

If that’s not enough, you may need to find a city-based storage facility. Perhaps the easiest option is to hop on the FlyBus to the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik where you’ll find secure storage facilities also. There are self-service lockers but it’s also possible to pre-book and liaise with an agent once at the terminal.

Something to Consider: a Pit Stop Soak at the Blue Lagoon

Even if you’re travelling with a large suitcase or multiple bags, you might wish to consider breaking your journey from Iceland’s Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik with a session at Iceland’s iconic Blue Lagoon. We know the ride to the city’s only 45 minutes, but you’re passing so close to the turn off it’s hard to resist calling in for a soak. They have large lockers outside, so there’s no problem if you’ve just arrived.

If you have an early morning arrival – for instance from North America – it’s possible to catch a bus directly to the Blue Lagoon. Our sister company Reykjavik Excursions takes care of the transfer; book a ticket that departs from Keflavik Airport at 7.30am to this world-famous geothermal spa and then later to the BSI bus terminal or your hotel in Reykjavik. It’s the ideal solution if you’re arriving early in the morning but can’t check in to your hotel until the afternoon.

Whether you enjoy a visit to the Blue Lagoon or hop on a Flybus straight to Reykjavik, your Iceland adventure starts at Keflavik. Welcome aboard!

Frequently Asked Questions