Keflavík Airport is Iceland's only international airport, located approximately 50 km southwest of Reykjavík, on the Reykjanes peninsula.
It is the gateway to Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, and the Blue Lagoon, the latter at a short distance from the airport itself.
How to get to Keflavik International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to KEF
Parking near Keflavik International Airport
The official parking area is positioned in front of the terminal.
It is video-monitored; rates are among the highest in Europe, consistent with Iceland's cost of living: always verify current rates online before departing.
How to get to Reykjavík from KEF
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.
Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik
Reykjavík ↔ KEF Airport | Private One-Way Transfer
Keflavik Airport (KEF) ↔ Reykjavik: Private Airport Transfer
Keflavik Airport (KEF): Private Transfer to/from Reykjavik
Car rental at Keflavik International Airport
The major international car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area: renting a car is the most common way to explore the island.
Bring your driving license, passport, and credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit; additional insurance for wind and gravel damage is generally recommended given the specifics of Icelandic roads.
Hotels near Keflavik International Airport
Keflavík and Reykjanesbær
The hotels in the area are all reachable in 5-10 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal; the Hotel Keilir is also just steps from the streets of central Keflavík, on the main street Hafnargata.
Best for: Dawn flights, airport car rental, and anyone who doesn't want to face the 50 km to Reykjavík before or after the flight.
- You avoid the 45-minute transfer to Reykjavík both on arrival and departure
- Convenient for those picking up a rental car at the airport who want to start the loop of the island right away
- Keflavík and Reykjanesbær offer little beyond a few restaurants and the Icelandic Aviation Museum: for the life of Reykjavík you still need the Flybus or a car
- Without your own car, evening outings are limited to central Keflavík; the rest of the area is designed for drivers
Recommended hotels
- Hotel Berg by Keflavik Airport About 3.4 km from the terminal (10 minutes by car, hotel transfer available); indoor pool and hot tub for those with a morning flight who want to relax the evening before. View availability
- Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavík Airport About 5 km from the terminal (7-10 minutes by car); an international chain hotel, handy for those who prefer Radisson standards just minutes from security. View availability
- Hotel Keilir by Reykjavik Keflavik Airport On Keflavík's main street, Hafnargata, among restaurants and shops, about 10 minutes by car from the terminal: handy for those who want a proper dinner on their first or last day in Iceland without traveling all the way to Reykjavík. View availability
Reykjavík
Non-stop Flybus in about 45 minutes (50 km), departing 40 minutes after each flight lands and arriving at the BSÍ terminal in the center; by car the route runs along the same Reykjanesbraut.
Best for: For those staying more than one night who want to experience the capital, accepting the 45-minute Flybus ride to and from the airport.
- Restaurants, museums and the evening life of Laugavegur within walking distance of the hotels in the center
- The Flybus departs several times a day in sync with arrivals, with no need to fix an exact time in advance
- Every trip to the airport still requires the 45-minute Flybus or taxi ride, which needs to be factored in for early-morning flights
- On summer nights the center stays lively until late: rooms on the main streets can be noisy on weekends
Recommended hotels
- Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre Just steps from Laugavegur, the street for shopping and evening life, and a 9-minute walk from the old harbor; free bicycle rental to reach Harpa and the Hallgrímskirkja. View availability
- 101 Hotel, Reykjavik, a Member of Design Hotels Iceland's first boutique hotel, in a building from the 1930s on Hverfisgata in the Miðborg district; walking distance from Harpa and the Parliament, with 38 recently renovated rooms. View availability
- Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavík Occupies the former headquarters of the shipping company Eimskip, built in 1919 to a design by Guðjón Samúelsson, the same architect behind the Hallgrímskirkja; marble staircase and original wrought-iron railings from the building. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, though single, has been expanded in recent years and is well organized despite strong seasonal tourist traffic.
For international flights, it's recommended to arrive 2-3 hours in advance, even more during high summer season.
Map of Keflavik International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How much does the Flybus from Keflavík to Reykjavík cost?
Roughly 3,999 ISK one way, 7,298 ISK round trip: it's the official connection, with departures coordinated with every arriving flight.
Q. Can you visit the Blue Lagoon coming from the airport?
Yes, it's located halfway between the airport and Reykjavík: many visitors go there before reaching the city, with dedicated buses that let you leave your luggage.
Q. Is there a risk of volcanic eruptions near the airport?
The Grindavík area, a few kilometers away, has experienced several eruptions between 2023 and 2025; there is no active eruption underway, but a new one is considered likely. The airport itself has never been affected by significant operational closures: always check safetravel.is for updates.
Q. Is it worth renting a car in Keflavík?
Yes, it's the most common way to explore Iceland beyond Reykjavík: additional insurance for wind and gravel is recommended, given the specific nature of Icelandic roads.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
Nearby Airports
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Icelandic Horse Riding Tour & Pickup Option from Reykjavik
