This article may contain affiliate links. When you purchase something we recommend, we make a small commission. You don’t pay anything extra. 💘 For more details, check out our Terms of Use page.
Landing in Iceland for the first time is very exciting. Until you check taxi prices to get to and from Keflavík International Airport.
Actually… until you check prices for anything.
Iceland, for all its beauty, is not a cheap country — so planning ahead can save you some hard-earned money.
This article covers all the ways to get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík (and beyond), so you can choose what makes the most sense for your trip.
Plus, I’ve included an option that most people don’t think about straight away.. at the end of the article.
🥳 TESTED TOP PICKS FOR ICELAND
Best overall: Flybus / airport shuttle — easy, reliable, good value
Best for flexibility: Rent a car — ideal if you’re starting a road trip
Fastest (but expensive): Taxi/Private Shuttle — only worth it for groups
- Extra option: Go straight to Blue Lagoon – awesome if you arrive early
How to Get the Airport Bus (Flybus) to Reykjavík
The easiest and most popular way to get into Reykjavík is by taking the Flybus shuttle.
As soon as you land at Keflavík International Airport (which is small and very easy to navigate), you’ll see clear signs pointing you to the buses.
👉 It’s simple, organized, and requires zero thinking after a long flight.
What to expect:
- Travel time: ~45–60 minutes
- Cost: $40–$50 depending on options
- 📍 Drop-off options:
- BSI Bus Terminal (main hub)
- Hotel drop-off (via smaller shuttle)
Important:
“Hotel drop-off” doesn’t always mean directly at your hotel. Reykjavík has restricted driving zones, so you may still need to walk 5–10 minutes from a nearby stop.
How it works:
- Buses run after every flight (even late arrivals)
- No need to stress about timing
- You can prebook or just buy on arrival
The process is straightforward:
- Bus leaves the airport
- Arrives at BSI terminal
- You switch to a smaller van if you chose hotel drop-off
Renting a Car from Keflavík Airport
If you’re planning to explore Iceland properly, renting a car is honestly the most convenient option.
And if you’re renting anyway — doing it directly at the airport saves a little bit time and lets you start your trip immediately. But one warning… waiting for the rental car actually takes a while.
Why this works well:
- Skip Reykjavík entirely if you want
- Start your road trip straight away
- More flexibility with stops and timing – you can stay outside of Reykjavik
What to expect:
- Rental desks are inside or just outside the airport
- Lines can get very long in peak season
- The system is organized, but not fast
⚠️ One thing I can’t stress enough:
👉 Get full insurance.
Yes, it increases the cost — sometimes significantly, even double the price you might find in the beginning.
But in Iceland:
- wind damage is common
- gravel roads are everywhere
- weather changes fast
It’s one of the few places where cutting insurance is just not worth the risk.
Taxi or Private Transfer
The most comfortable option of course is a direct transfer from the airport to your accommodation.
But… it comes at a price. And it is quite high. It makes more sense though if you are a group of 3+ people with luggage and want to start your trip with no stress.
What to expect:
- Cost: $150–$200 one way
- Travel time: ~45 minutes
- Door-to-door service
This only really makes sense if:
- you’re traveling as a group
- arriving very late
- or just want zero hassle
Otherwise, the Flybus is far better value.
Public Bus (Cheapest Option)
If you’re really trying to save money, you can take the public bus instead. Not a lot of people spot this option and I think the reason is because it’s just as expensive, takes 30 minutes more than the Flybus and you have to change buses on your own.
- Bus number: 55
- Cost: about $19
- Travel time: ~90 minutes
What to expect:
- Departs from outside the terminal
- No pre-booking possible, you just show up
- Less frequent schedule depending on time/day
You’ll be dropped at the BSI terminal, and from there you’ll need to transfer to a local city bus.
Also, you can tap and pay using your phone or card.
Reykjavík City Card
Book your Reykjavík Card here
Is the Reykjavík City Card worth it?
A lot of countries have a city card or discount card, that combines attractions with public transport and makes sense as a starting point.
Iceland has one of those as well, or more specifically Reykjavik does, called the Reykjavik City Card.
But… it doesn’t include public buses outside and to and from the airport, so it doesn’t apply here if you were thinking about using it.
Included with card
- unlimited public buses within Reykjavík
- free entry to several museums
- access to geothermal swimming pools (a big one in Iceland)
- discounts on tours and attractions
Things to do before you arrive
Set Up Your Internet
Make sure you have internet as soon as you arrive.
Even for something as simple as getting into the city, you’ll likely need:
- directions
- booking confirmations
- communication with your hotel
👉 The easiest way is to set up an eSIM before your flight.
You’ll land connected, without needing airport WiFi or dealing with SIM cards. My eSIM pick for Iceland is Ubigi which I’ve tested and recommend. You can find my full review here.
Also, you can grab 10% of your data plan using the code BACHELORTRAVEL
Pre-book airport transport
As soon as you know your flights, it is a good idea to start searching for rental cars, or to book a shuttle to/from the airport to your hotel.
Especially for rental cars, you will have more choice and better options if you don’t leave it until the last moment.
Plan a spa day
There is nothing better than a day spend at the thermal spas after a long flight.
The most famous (and popular one) is the Blue Lagoon which is located super close to the airport.
So why not combine it?
If your flight arrives very early in the morning, as is the case with a lot of US flights – you won’t be able to check in to your hotel straight away anyway.
Which is a great excuse to go straight into relaxation mode, with a day at Blue Lagoon.
You can easily spend 5 hours here, doing the spa and skincare treatment, before you head back into the city.
There is a very convenient transfer from the airport (Keflavik) to Blue Lagoon – and then another one that takes you from Blue Lagoon to the city center.
These are priced at $32 each way, which is cheaper than the Flybus.
Just make sure to plan ahead, as it gets sold out all the time.
👉 You can book the transfer to Blue Lagoon here
Ready to book? Top Iceland recommendations
📲 Best eSIM for Iceland: Easiest option is Ubigi — reliable across the country and super easy to set up before landing. Check full review here.
🚌 Airport transfer: Book the Keflavík Airport → Reykjavík bus (Flybus) — cheapest and easiest way into the city after landing
🏨 City hotel option: I’d stay somewhere central in Reykjavík for the first day or 2-3 days if you want to see everything. I love KEX Hostel out of all the hotels I’ve tried. Super interesting design, social space, amazing location.
🎟️ Top Iceland activities:
There are so many good activities and tours to do in Iceland. Here are some of my favorites:
- From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour
- Reykjavik: Guided Foodie Walking Tour with 6 Tastings
- Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
- Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour (I have had this tour cancelled on me a few times due to weather, but I will get it next time.)
🚗 Car rental: If you’re doing the Ring Road, compare prices on DiscoverCars — this is what gives you the most flexibility
🗺️ Must-have apps: Download/bookmark road.is and Vedur (Iceland weather) before your trip — you’ll use them daily
🛟 For something important: Install the 112 Iceland app — it can send your GPS location directly to emergency services if needed
👚Packing list: Some things to not forget to bring on your trip
