Flights to Iceland: Routes, Airports & When to Book

Getting from Keflavík to Reykjavík: There is No Train

There is no rail connection between Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and the capital. The 50 km trip is covered by bus, taxi, or rental car. Your choice determines how much time and money you spend before your trip even starts.

Take The Flybus For The Cheapest Transfer

The cheapest reliable option is Flybus, operating 45 to 60 minute transfers to the BSÍ bus terminal in central Reykjavík. A one-way adult ticket costs ISK 3,899 to 4,499; round trip runs ISK 7,099 to 7,999. Airport Direct offers a similar service at ISK 3,490 to 4,490 one way and ISK 6,490 to 7,990 round trip. Airport Direct sometimes includes hotel drop off in its service, but confirm that at the booking desk, not in the fine print. Both buses serve all flights and run year round.

The BSÍ terminal is the central hub where everything connects. From BSÍ you walk to most central hotels in 10 to 15 minutes, or catch a city bus onward.

Skip The Bus If You Land Late Or Pack Heavy

If your flight lands after 22:00 or you are carrying ski bags, camera cases, or multiple suitcases, skip the bus. A taxi from KEF to the city costs ISK 16,000 to 22,000. The flat fare is displayed at the taxi stand. There is no Uber, no Lyft, and no ride share app that reliably works at KEF.

Rent A Car For Immediate Freedom

If you rent a car at KEF, you skip the transfer entirely and drive directly to your first stop. Hire car daily rates for a small car in summer run ISK 12,000 to 25,000; in winter, ISK 7,000 to 15,000. The failure case: if all buses are full or delayed by weather, the taxi queue is long. The failure case for driving: the wind. Park facing into it when you stop. Hold the door when you open it. A gust can rip it off its hinges.

Keflavik airport terminal — Ypsilon from Finland , CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

The KEF Duty-Free Strategy: Buy Your Alcohol Here

The duty free shop at KEF is located before baggage claim, meaning every arriving passenger walks through it. This is the single cheapest place to buy alcohol in Iceland. State run Vínbúðin stores close by 18:00 on Saturdays and all day Sunday. They mark up beer, wine, and spirits 40 to 50 percent higher than the KEF duty free price.

Know Your Allowance Before You Grab A Bottle

Allowable limits: 6 units per person for arrivals from outside the EU (1 unit equals 1 litre of spirits, 1 litre of wine, or 6 litres of beer). For travelers arriving from within the EU, the limit is 12 units. Tobacco limits are 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of loose tobacco per person. Note that domestic flights from Reykjavík City Airport (RKV) have strict carry on limits, so do not overbuy if you plan to fly onward the same day.

Domestic Flights from Reykjavík City Airport (RKV): When They Save a Day

Reykjavík City Airport (RKV) handles all domestic flights plus connections to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Icelandair operates the domestic network through its Icelandair Connect service. Flights from RKV serve three destinations that matter for travel planning: Akureyri, Ísafjörður, and Egilsstaðir.

Domestic Flight Options from Reykjavík City Airport (RKV)

Route	Flight Time	Drive Time	When To Fly Instead Of Drive
RKV to Akureyri	45 minutes	5 to 6 hours	If you have 7 or fewer days total and want to reach Mývatn or the north quickly
RKV to Ísafjörður	1 hour 10 minutes	5.5 to 6.5 hours	If you are Westfjords bound and have less than 10 days; the driving route involves gravel and ferry schedules
RKV to Egilsstaðir	1 hour	8 to 9 hours	If you are time poor and need to access the Eastfjords or Snæfellsness from the far side

Iceland domestic aircraft — CS , Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

When Domestic Flights Make Sense and When They Do Not

Domestic flights are worth booking if your total trip is 7 days or fewer and you want to see the North, Westfjords, or Eastfjords. If you have 10 days or more, driving the Ring Road gives you the flexibility to stop at every waterfall, lagoon, and farmstay.

Watch The Baggage Rules

The trap: domestic flights have tight baggage allowances. One carry on up to 10 kg is included; checked bags often cost extra. Confirm the fee when you book.

Where A Short Flight Saves A Long Drive

A flight to Ísafjörður saves you a full day of gravel driving on steep Westfjords switchbacks. A flight to Akureyri puts you in the geothermal chaos of Mývatn within 45 minutes airborne. A flight to Egilsstaðir cuts an 8 hour drive down to 1 hour, useful if you are flying into KEF on a late arrival and want to be in the Eastfjords by lunch the next day.

The failure case: weather. Domestic flights from RKV are cancelled when crosswinds exceed limits. If you have a tight connection to a tour or accommodation, build in a buffer day.

Common Questions

How much does a taxi from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík cost?

ISK 16,000 to 22,000 for the 50 km trip. The fare is posted at the stand. No ride share apps operate reliably here.

Do I need to book the Flybus in advance?

You can buy tickets at the KEF arrivals hall kiosk or online. In summer, book ahead if you arrive between 14:00 and 18:00. The bus leaves 30 to 45 minutes after each flight arrival.

Can I use the duty free shop on arrival if I am connecting to a domestic flight from RKV?

Yes. Duty free is before baggage claim. But domestic flights from RKV limit carry ons to 10 kg. Do not buy more than you can carry through security and onto the small plane.

What is BSÍ and why should I care?

BSÍ is the main bus terminal in Reykjavík. Flybus and Airport Direct both drop there. From BSÍ you walk to most hotels in the Miðborg district within 10 to 15 minutes or take a city bus.

When should I rent a car at KEF instead of taking a bus?

If you are traveling outside Reykjavík immediately, rent at KEF. If you are staying in the city for the first night or two, take the Flybus and pick up your rental car the next morning from a downtown agency. This avoids paying for airport parking and overnight rental fees you do not use.