Akureyri Airport serves the capital of northern Iceland, on the Eyjafjörður fjord, approximately 3 km from the city center.
It is the most convenient access point for exploring the north of the island, including Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss waterfall, without having to travel the entire Ring Road from Reykjavík.
How to get to Akureyri Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to AEY
Parking near Akureyri Airport
A small parking lot is available just minutes from the terminal.
Rates are generally lower than at Keflavík.
How to get to Akureyri from AEY
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Akureyri Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, helpful for exploring northern Iceland.
The security deposit requires a credit card in the driver's name, along with a license and passport.
Hotels near Akureyri Airport
Akureyri town center
About 3.5 km and 4-5 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; on foot it takes 25-30 minutes along the fjord.
Best for: A base for North Iceland: Mývatn, Dettifoss and Húsavík are day trips from here, with the town center handy for dinner in the evening.
- Shops, restaurants and the Akureyrarkirkja church within walking distance of every hotel in the center
- A convenient base for day trips to Mývatn and Húsavík without having to change accommodation
- No direct shuttle service from the airport: a taxi or rental car is needed
- Outside the season, several restaurants and shops close early in the evening
Recommended hotels
- Skald Akureyri, Curio Collection By Hilton Art Deco style on Hafnarstræti, 4 minutes by car from the airport and a few steps from Akureyri church; rooms with fjord views and an in-house restaurant. View availability
- Bryggjan Boutique Hotel On the harbor, in the historic Gránufélag building (over 170 years old), a 10-minute walk from the center; fjord views, sauna and hot tub. View availability
- Akureyri Backpackers Hostel on Hafnarstræti, in the heart of the center, with a bar, games room and sauna; a budget option for those who don't need a classic hotel room. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is compact, consistent with its role as a regional hub in the north of the island.
A suggested time margin before boarding for flights is 1-1.5 hours.
Map of Akureyri Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it worth flying to Akureyri instead of driving from Reykjavík?
Yes, for those with limited time: it avoids much of the long drive around Iceland's Ring Road and lets you focus on exploring the north of the island.
Q. What is there to see near Akureyri?
Lake Mývatn, with its geothermal activity, and the Goðafoss waterfalls, among the most spectacular in Iceland.
Q. Does Akureyri have an Arctic botanical garden?
Yes, the Lystigarðurinn, opened in 1912, is among the northernmost botanical gardens in the world and manages to grow hundreds of species despite the latitude, thanks to the relatively mild climate provided by the Gulf Stream in the Eyjafjörður fjord.
Q. Is Akureyri Iceland's second city?
It's often considered the unofficial capital of the north of the country, an important cultural and economic center outside the Reykjavík area.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
