In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Keflavík International Airport (KEF) lies 50 kilometres south-west of Reykjavik. Because Iceland has no railway system, all airport transit operates by road. Most visitors take the airport coach: Flybus costs 3,999 ISK to BSÍ Bus Terminal (or 5,299 ISK including a minibus to your hotel), meets every arriving flight and takes about 45 minutes. Public Strætó bus 55 is cheaper but runs a limited timetable. Taxis charge a fixed fare per car, which only competes with the coach for parties of four. Or book a tour: reserve your seat in advance with mobile boarding passes and free cancellation via GetYourGuide’s Keflavik Airport Bus Transferad.
Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal at Keflavík Airport (Keflavíkurflugvöllur) serves as Iceland’s primary international aviation gateway. A former Cold War US naval air base, the modern civilian terminal sits on the windswept volcanic lava plateau of the Reykjanes peninsula. Connecting the airport to the capital is Route 41 (Reykjanesbraut), a modern dual-carriageway highway that cuts through 800-year-old moss-covered basalt fields.
The terminal building at Keflavík Airport. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
Transport options compared
| Transit mode | Travel duration | Single adult fare | Departure frequency | Luggage allowance | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flybus (to BSÍ) | About 45 minutes | 3,999 ISK | Meets every arriving flight | 2 bags of up to 23 kg + 1 carry-on | Solo travellers, couples, anyone staying near BSÍ |
| Flybus to hotel | BSÍ leg plus minibus | 5,299 ISK | Same coach, then a minibus | 2 bags of up to 23 kg + 1 carry-on | Heavy bags, hotels in the centre |
| Strætó route 55 | Slower, with stops | Regional fare | Limited timetable | Stowed on board | Budget travellers with time to spare |
| Private airport taxi | 40–45 minutes | Fixed fare per car | On demand outside arrivals | Boot capacity | Families, groups of 3–4, mobility needs |
| En-Route Blue Lagoon Transfer | 20 min to lagoon + 50 min to city | From about 5,900 ISK (transport only) | Scheduled departures | Staffed luggage depot (1,000 ISK/bag) | Morning flight arrivals with pre-booked spa tickets |
1. Flybus: the standard express coach
The Flybus (Flugrútan), run by Icelandia, is the main coach link between KEF and the capital.
Flight synchronization and departure guarantees
Flybus departures are timed to meet every arriving flight, day and night, and your seat is guaranteed even if the flight is delayed. Clear passport control, collect your bags and walk to the coach.
The BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavik. Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
The two Flybus tickets
- Flybus to BSÍ Terminal (3,999 ISK): the coach runs along Route 41 to the BSÍ Bus Terminal (Vatnsmýrarvegur 10) on the southern edge of downtown. From BSÍ, central hotels are a 10 to 15-minute walk, or a short bus or taxi ride.
- Flybus to hotel (5,299 ISK): at BSÍ you change to a smaller minibus that drops you at your hotel or guesthouse stop.
When you book Flybus to hotel, enter your hotel name and the booking assigns the nearest drop-off stop.
Route 41 as it passes through Reykjavik. Photo: Jakec, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
2. Strætó public bus line 55
For budget travellers, municipal transit agency Strætó operates Route 55 linking Keflavík Airport with the greater capital area.
- Fare: a regional fare, higher than a city ride; check it on the Strætó site before you travel.
- Route: route 55 runs between BSÍ and/or Fjörður and the airport, calling at several stops on the way. New stops at the terminal opened on 1 October 2026, with a covered walkway from arrivals.
- Timetable: it runs on a fixed timetable that is not tied to flights, so check it against your arrival time.
- City Card Exclusion: Note that the Reykjavik City Card only covers municipal bus Zones 1 and 2 within the capital area; it does not cover route 55 to Keflavík Airport.
3. Taxis and private transfers
Licensed taxi ranks operate immediately outside the terminal arrivals building 24 hours a day.
Fixed-rate airport fares
The main taxi firms, BSR (+354 561 0000) and Hreyfill (+354 588 5522), quote a fixed fare per car for the airport run. Ask for the price when you book.
When a taxi makes sense: four Flybus to hotel tickets cost 21,196 ISK (4 × 5,299), so a taxi at a similar price is better for a family or a group of three or four with heavy bags: it takes you door to door in about 40 minutes.
Ride-hailing apps: Uber and Lyft do not operate in Iceland. The Icelandic transport app Hopp allows users to hail and pay for licensed taxis via smartphone.
4. Stopping at the Blue Lagoon en route
Because the Blue Lagoon sits just 20 kilometres south of the airport near Grindavík, many travellers incorporate a geothermal soak into their arrival or departure day.
- Luggage Depository: A staffed luggage storage building is situated next to the main car park at the lagoon, charging 1,000 ISK per suitcase.
- Airport Coach Connection: Scheduled coaches run between KEF Airport and the lagoon, with onward connections to Reykjavik.
- Mandatory Pre-Booking: You must purchase your Blue Lagoon admission ticket online in advance; entrance tickets cannot be purchased on arrival at the gate.
Tour options and bookings
Pre-booking your airport transfer guarantees immediate seats on departing coaches and allows you to walk straight past ticket desks.
Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavikad
From 4,500 ISK · 4.7 stars from 21,942 reviews · 45 minutes–1.5 hours · Scheduled express coach
The scheduled coach between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavik. Choose between a direct ticket to BSÍ Bus Terminal or a full door-to-door transfer connecting directly to your central hotel or designated tourist bus stop. Features free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, USB charging ports, and 24-hour cancellation flexibility.
Reykjavik - KEF Airport | Private One-Way Transferad
From 15,400 ISK · 4.9 stars from 1,559 reviews · 45 minutes · Private door-to-door
Travel in comfort and privacy with a dedicated chauffeur meeting you in the arrivals hall holding a personalized name board. Direct door-to-door transfer to any accommodation in greater Reykjavik without waiting for other passengers.
From Reykjavik/Keflavik Airport: 1-Way Blue Lagoon Transferad
From 3,700 ISK · 4.4 stars from 2,277 reviews · 45 minutes · En-route spa transfer
Direct coach transportation connecting Keflavík International Airport with the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, or onward from the lagoon to central Reykjavik. Useful for an early-morning arrival with a midday lagoon slot.
Important departure advice for flying home
When returning to Keflavík Airport for your outbound flight:
- The Three-Hour Rule: Isavia (Iceland’s airport authority) strongly recommends arriving at the airport terminal three full hours before international transatlantic flights to North America, and two to 2.5 hours before flights to the UK and mainland Europe.
- Pre-Book Outbound Departure Times: Unlike the flexible airport arrivals system, Flybus coaches departing from Reykjavik to KEF operate on a fixed schedule departing every 30 to 60 minutes between 03:00 and 22:00. Reserve your specific departure time at least 24 hours in advance.
- Duty-Free Shopping: Iceland operates duty-free shops in both arrivals and departures. Because alcohol taxes are exceptionally high in local state shops (Vínbúðin), purchase wine, spirits, or Icelandic craft beers at the airport baggage reclaim area before boarding your coach into town, as detailed in our guide to money in Reykjavik.
For hotel locations and urban transport routes, consult our companion guides on where to stay in Reykjavik and public transport in Reykjavik.
Common questions
How far is Keflavík Airport from central Reykjavik?
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is situated approximately 50 kilometres (31 miles) south-west of downtown Reykjavik on the outer tip of the Reykjanes peninsula. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes by direct coach, rental car, or taxi via Route 41 (Reykjanesbraut). Iceland has no passenger railway network.
How much does the Flybus coach cost from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik?
Standard adult single fare aboard Flybus is 3,999 ISK for transit to the central BSÍ Bus Terminal, or 5,299 ISK for Flybus to hotel, which adds a minibus from BSÍ to your hotel or the nearest bus stop. Ages 6 to 15 pay 1,999 ISK (2,649 ISK to a hotel), and ages 1 to 5 travel free.
Can you take public transport from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik?
Yes. Strætó route 55 runs between BSÍ and KEF Airport at a regional fare, with a limited timetable and several stops on the way, so it takes longer than the Flybus. The Reykjavik City Card does not cover route 55.
Is Uber or Lyft available in Iceland?
No. Ride-hailing apps like Uber, Lyft, and Bolt do not operate in Iceland. Traditional licensed taxis wait outside the terminal arrivals exit. Hreyfill and BSR quote a fixed fare per car for up to four passengers; ask for the price when you book. The Hopp app can also hail licensed taxis.
Can you visit the Blue Lagoon directly on the way between the airport and Reykjavik?
Yes. The Blue Lagoon is located roughly 20 kilometres from Keflavík Airport, making it an ideal stopover on arrival or departure day. Dedicated transfer coaches operated by Destination Blue Lagoon run directly between the airport terminal, the lagoon, and downtown Reykjavik. Advance booking of your timed lagoon admission ticket is mandatory.
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