How to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City

Below you will find ways to get to the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik City, from the International Airport in Keflavik.

We will cover all the ways you can travel, be it by car, foot or bike and rate them by price, difficulty, convenience and more.

Keflavik Airport

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Keflavik Airport (KEF) is located roughly 40 minutes from Reykjavik. Many confuse the International Airport with our Domestic Airport, which is located in Reykjavik.

When traveling from another country, you will land in Keflavik Airport. The chances are that you have now booked your flight and are looking to ways to travel from the airport to Reykjavik, our capital.

After you arrive, you will be led through the airport until you reach the baggage claim and then walk through customs. After customs you will find desks that are selling bus tickets, as well as rental cars and more.

Lets have a closer look at what you might expect when arriving in the main hall of Keflavik Airport.

How to get to Reykjavik

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There are different ways to get to Reykjavik from the Airport in Keflavik. You could take the bus, rent a car, bring the bike or put on your walking shoes.

There are a couple of things to consider though.

Such as:

• Price
• Convenience
• If you are traveling by yourself or with a large group
• Difficulty

Lets use these considerations to help rate the ways to travel from KEF Airport to Reykjavik City.

Ratings:

Price:

• $ Cheap
• $$ Less expensive
• $$$ Moderate
• $$$$ Expensive
• $$$$$ Very Expensive

Convenient?:

• Yes
• No

Self or Group travel:

• Self
• Group
• Both Self & Group

Difficulty:

• Very Easy
• Easy
• Moderate
• Difficult
• Very Difficult

Reykjanesbraut

Route 41, also known as Reykjanesbraut in Icelandic, is a highway in southwest Iceland, running along the northern shore of Reykjanes Peninsula from Keflavík Airport to the Capital Region. The length is roughly 50km (31 miles) and is mostly a dual carriageway.

Before arriving in Reykjavik, you pass through Hafnarfjordur. Beautifull small town that we recommend you stop by and have a look at Fjorukrain, a small Viking Village, for food and drinks.

FYI: Reykjanesbraut doesn't have bike or a walking path. You would always have to stay to the side of the road and be with other motorized vehicles that are driving top of the speed limit in Iceland.

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Taking the Bus

The price is okay and always cheaper than renting a car or taking a taxi but then you also have less freedom to roam around Iceland because you have to follow the schedule of the bus.

Traveling by bus is for both Self & Group travel and it is very easy to manage. There are bus stops located around Reykjavik and neighbouring cities and towns.

The bus usually leaves every 30-40 minutes right outside the arrival terminal.

The journey takes about 45 minutes, non-stop. You can also purchase a service that takes you to your hotel.

We recommend purchasing tickets in advance, to make sure there are seats available as soon as you arrive.

In Keflavik Airport you will find several bus companies that can take you to Reykjavik City.

They are:

Flybus

Flybus operates in connection with all arriving flights at Keflavik Airport with direct transportation to Reykjavik City Center.

There is a special discounted rate for children.

Prices:

• Adults (14+): $ 26
• Children (3 - 13): $ 13
• Infant (0 - 2): $ 0

FREE WIFI on board.

Ages 1-5 travel free of charge and ages 6-15 get a 50% discount.

Airport Direct

Fixed scheduled bus transfers between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik City Center. Airport Direct operates 24/7 every day, all year round and meets every flight.

They do offer lowered prices for children but only infants from 0-2 years old travel for free, other ages travel on a discount.

Prices:

• Adults (14+): $ 23
• Children (3 - 13): $ 11
• Infant (0 - 2): $ 0

FREE WIFI on board.

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Hiring a Rental Car

Renting a car in Iceland can be pricey you but it also has many advantages other than just getting you from Keflavik to Reykjavik.

Driving from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City Center takes about 45 minutes when you use Reykjanesbraut, the before mentioned highway in Iceland.

You can book the car in advance with a booking service or you can book one directly at the counter in Keflavik Airport Arrival Terminal.

The price for a rental car depends on time of booking, the size of the car as well as the length of the rental. We give hiring a rental car a moderate difficulty rating as driving in Iceland can be demanding and conditions un-favoring those who are not used to harsh weather.

For more information about renting a car in Iceland, we recommend these articles:

• Should I Rent A Car In Iceland?
• Step by Step Guide to Renting a Car In Iceland

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Grab a Taxi

Taking a taxi from the Airport to Reykjavik is the most expensive way to go around. Yes, renting a car is more expensive than one trip with a taxi but if you would travel by taxi everyday during your stay it, most likely, will end up being more expensive than just renting a car.

It is, however, a great way to get around quickly. Just outside the arrival hall you will find taxi's waiting for costumers and ready to take you pretty much anywhere in Iceland.

Uber or Lyft does not operate in Iceland but most of the taxi's in Iceland are located near the airport and usually there are short waiting times.

If you are a small or large group with a lot of baggage with you, you can book in advance.

A trip from KEF to Reykjavík city centre in a 5-seater taxi will cost around 15,000 ISK ($120 USD), or 20,000 ISK ($160 USD) for a larger 8-seater taxi.

You can find Taxi's in Keflavik Airport here.

By Bike

Traveling by Bike in Iceland is surely an adventure. You are one with nature and you can go routes that cars just can't and experience Iceland on your own terms.

All major airlines, and most smaller airlines, allow passengers to check bicycles and it's equipment as luggage. Some airlines charge an additional bike bag fee while others add on overweight or oversized fees.

Now, that being said, it can also be extremely difficult. The wind's in Iceland are some of the strongest in Europe and the weather in Iceland can change without any notice.

There isn't a special bike path from Keflavik to Reykjavik so you would have to ride along Reykjanesbraut and that should be without problems. The problem is the high-traffic starting with Hafnarfjörður. 3-4 lanes for each directions, no shoulder, steep hills, a lots of trucks and the fact that the Icelanders never cycle on this roads. We recommend having a mirror on your bike for safety, as well as only going early in the morning or late in the evening, staying away from rush hours (3-6pm).

Here you can find great Bike paths to Reykjavik from Keflavik at Biking Iceland.

Walking

Walking is the cheapest way to go around Iceland, but my oh my, it is also the most difficult. There aren't great walkways to get to the capital and, of course, the weather won't always favor your travel.

If you type in Google Maps that you want to walk from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik it gives you an 18 hour 46 minute walk which takes you pass the Blue Lagoon, then Geldingadalir (our beautiful new volcano site)as well as Trölladyngja and Kleifarvatn. Well worth the walk because the scenery is beautiful, especially if you decide to camp one night.

You could also just walk by Reykjanesbraut but that isn't as safe as the other route though it being a much shorter walk.

We recommend bringing the best walking shoes you can afford, clothes that can withstand both wind and rain as well as nutrition and something to keep you hydrated. These kind of walks are not for someone that comes unprepared and hasn't walked long distances before. You can't just roll your suitcase along the highway for hours on end, it could be hazardous.

Icelanders don't hitchhike often, nor do they usually pick up hitchhikers. It's worth a try if you want to save money but be prepared to wait a while on the side of the road.

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