Almost every visitor flies into Keflavík, but Iceland has several other airports that can save you hours of driving. Here is how they work, their codes and which one fits your trip.
The plane banks over a black lava field, the wing tilts toward a sea the color of slate, and suddenly you are on the ground in a place that looks nothing like the city you just left. Then comes the first surprise. You are not in Reykjavík. You are about 50 km away, on a windswept peninsula, at an airport most visitors have never heard of before they book.
Iceland has one main international airport, Keflavík International (KEF), where almost all transatlantic and European flights land. The country also has a busy domestic airport in central Reykjavík (RKV) and regional airports in Akureyri (AEY), Egilsstaðir (EGS) and Ísafjörður (IFJ). For most first-time visitors, the answer is simple: fly into Keflavík. But the smaller airports can save you long drives, especially in winter.
How many airports are there in Iceland?
Iceland has one main international gateway and a network of smaller airports and airstrips used for domestic flights. The five airports most visitors need to know are:
Keflavík International Airport (KEF), the main international airport
Reykjavík Airport (RKV), the hub for domestic flights
Akureyri Airport (AEY), the gateway to North Iceland
Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS), serving East Iceland
Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ), serving the Westfjords
Beyond these, small airstrips serve remote communities such as the island of Grímsey and villages in the Westfjords and northeast. They matter to locals but rarely to visitors.
Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
Keflavík International Airport is Iceland's main airport and the one almost all visitors use. Its IATA code is KEF, and it is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 50 km (31 miles) southwest of Reykjavík. Despite often being called "Reykjavík Keflavík," it is a 40 to 50 minute drive from the capital.
The airport is run by Isavia, the state-owned airport operator, and you can find flight information, parking details and facilities on the official Keflavík Airport website. The terminal is modern and compact, with shops, cafés and car rental desks or shuttles nearby.
Which airlines fly to Keflavík?
Icelandair is the main airline at Keflavík, with flights to many cities in North America and Europe. A range of international airlines also serve the airport, especially in summer. The Icelandic low-cost airline PLAY ceased operations in September 2025, so check that any older booking information you find is still current.
Keflavík is also a popular stopover point between North America and Europe. Many airlines let you add a stop in Iceland at no extra airfare, which is how many visitors first experience the country.
How to get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík
You have several choices for the 50 km trip into the city:
Airport buses that meet every major arrival and run to Reykjavík's bus terminals, with hotel connections
The public Strætó bus, route 55, which is cheaper but slower
Taxis, which are fast but expensive
A rental car, picked up at the terminal or a short shuttle ride away
Many visitors also stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way into or out of the city, since it sits about 20 minutes from the airport. A Blue Lagoon shuttle service can be timed to your entry slot, so you can soak before heading on to Reykjavík or before your flight home.
What is the KEF airport code?
The IATA code for Keflavík International Airport is KEF, and its ICAO code is BIKF. When you book international flights to Iceland, KEF is almost always the airport you are flying into, even if the ticket says "Reykjavík."
Arriving at and departing from Keflavík
Keflavík has a single terminal, which keeps things simple. On arrival, you pass through passport control if you are coming from outside the Schengen Area, collect your bags and walk straight into the arrivals hall, where you will find the duty-free store, cafés, ATMs and transport desks. Iceland is one of the few countries where you can shop duty-free after landing, which is popular for buying wine and spirits.
When you leave, allow plenty of time, especially in summer, when security lines can be long in the early morning wave of departures. If you are claiming a tax-free refund on shopping, do it before you check in your bags, because you may need to show the goods. Rental car returns are close to the terminal, and most companies run a short shuttle back.
Reykjavík Airport (RKV)
Reykjavík Airport is a small airport right in the city, just south of downtown. Its IATA code is RKV, and it handles domestic flights within Iceland, plus some flights to Greenland. It is only a few minutes by taxi or bus from the city center, which makes it convenient for flying north, east or to the Westfjords.
There are no transatlantic or European flights from Reykjavík Airport. If you are connecting from an international flight at Keflavík to a domestic flight, you need to travel between the two airports by bus, taxi or car, which takes about 45 to 50 minutes. Allow plenty of time, and book separate tickets with a generous connection.
What is the Reykjavík airport code?
The IATA code for Reykjavík Airport is RKV, and its ICAO code is BIRK. This is easy to confuse with Keflavík, so double-check which airport your ticket uses, especially for domestic or Greenland flights.
Akureyri Airport (AEY)
Akureyri Airport serves North Iceland's largest town and is the busiest regional airport in the country. Its IATA code is AEY. Domestic flights from Reykjavík take about 45 minutes, compared with a drive of roughly five hours on the Ring Road, which crosses mountain passes that can close in winter storms.
Akureyri has also built up some international service in recent years. According to Visit North Iceland, easyJet has run winter flights from London and Manchester, and other carriers have offered seasonal flights from Switzerland and charter flights from other parts of Europe. Schedules change each season, so check current routes before planning around them.
Flying into Akureyri makes sense if you want to focus on the north, including Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, Dettifoss and whale watching in Húsavík or Eyjafjörður. Cruise passengers calling at Akureyri can reach the volcanic north on a Mývatn and Goðafoss excursion, which covers lava fields, craters and waterfalls in a single day.
Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)
Egilsstaðir Airport is the main airport for East Iceland. Its IATA code is EGS. Domestic flights connect it with Reykjavík in about an hour, a big saving over the drive of around eight hours via the Ring Road.
Although Egilsstaðir is designated as an international airport, it has had little or no scheduled international service in recent years. For visitors, it is mainly useful for flying east from Reykjavík to explore the Eastfjords, Seyðisfjörður, Stuðlagil canyon and Hengifoss.
Cruise passengers docking in Seyðisfjörður, about 30 minutes from Egilsstaðir, can explore the valleys inland on an Eastfjords reindeer excursion, which looks for wild reindeer and visits a working farm.
Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ)
Ísafjörður Airport serves the Westfjords. Its IATA code is IFJ. Flights from Reykjavík take about 40 minutes, while the drive takes around six hours or more on winding fjord roads. The airport sits in a narrow fjord surrounded by steep mountains, and the approach is one of the most dramatic in Europe.
Because of the terrain, flights to Ísafjörður are more sensitive to weather than other domestic routes, and cancellations are not unusual, especially in winter. Build some flexibility into your plans. Once you are there, a guided Westfjords tour is a relaxed way to see Dynjandi waterfall, the bird cliffs and the remote fjords without driving the region's gravel roads yourself.
Domestic flights in Iceland
Iceland's domestic airports are run by Isavia, the national airport operator, which also manages Keflavík. Icelandair operates the main domestic routes from Reykjavík Airport to Akureyri, Egilsstaðir and Ísafjörður. Norlandair runs smaller routes, including flights from Akureyri to remote communities in the northeast and to the island of Grímsey, which sits on the Arctic Circle.
Booking a domestic flight can save a full day or more of driving, especially in winter, when long drives across mountain passes can be slow or impossible. On a clear day, the views of glaciers, highlands and coastline from the plane are a highlight of the trip.
Tips for domestic flights
A few things to keep in mind:
Domestic flights leave from Reykjavík Airport (RKV), not Keflavík
Baggage allowances are often smaller than on international flights, so check before you pack
Weather cancellations are more common in winter, so avoid tight connections
Arrive at the airport about 30 to 45 minutes before departure, as the terminals are small
Book early in summer, when flights to popular destinations fill up
Flying in Iceland in winter
Winter weather affects flights in Iceland more than in many countries. Strong winds, snow and icing can delay or cancel departures, particularly on domestic routes to smaller airports surrounded by mountains. Keflavík is well equipped for winter operations, and international flights usually run normally, but delays for de-icing are common on cold mornings.
If you are flying domestically in winter, avoid tight onward connections, check the flight status before you leave for the airport and keep a backup plan, such as an extra night in Reykjavík. Weather can also close the roads you would use as an alternative, so flexibility matters more than speed.
Flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands
Iceland is a natural stepping stone to its North Atlantic neighbors. Flights to several destinations in Greenland and to the Faroe Islands operate from Iceland, some from Keflavík and some from Reykjavík Airport, depending on the airline and season. A short trip to Greenland is a popular add-on, but always check which airport your flight uses, because transferring between Keflavík and Reykjavík takes time.
Which airport should you fly into in Iceland?
For almost all visitors, the answer is Keflavík. It has by far the most international flights and the best connections, and it is close to Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the South Coast. From there, you can drive, take tours or fly onward from Reykjavík Airport.
Consider flying into or out of a regional airport if:
You are focusing your trip on North Iceland and can find a direct flight to Akureyri
You want to see the east or the Westfjords without spending days driving
You are traveling in winter and want to avoid long drives over mountain passes
You want to combine an international arrival at Keflavík with a domestic hop to save time
If you want to see the whole country, a full Ring Road trip starts and ends near Reykjavík, so you only need the main international airport.
Planning your arrival day
Most transatlantic flights from North America arrive at Keflavík early in the morning, after an overnight flight. Hotel rooms in Reykjavík are often not ready until the afternoon, so plan something relaxing for your first few hours.
Many visitors head straight to the Blue Lagoon, have a slow breakfast in Reykjavík or join a short tour. A Golden Circle tour with a Blue Lagoon stop is popular on the first or last day, but it can be a long day after an overnight flight, so think about how much energy you will have.
Iceland's other travel gateways
Not everyone arrives by plane. The Smyril Line ferry sails between Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland, carrying passengers and cars. Many cruise ships also call at Reykjavík, Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Grundarfjörður and Seyðisfjörður during the summer season.
Within Iceland, ferries connect the mainland with the Westman Islands, Hrísey and Grímsey, and a car ferry crosses Breiðafjörður between Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords. These can be a scenic alternative to flying or driving.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main airport in Iceland?
The main airport in Iceland is Keflavík International Airport (KEF), about 50 km southwest of Reykjavík. Almost all international flights arrive and depart there.
What airport is KEF in Iceland?
KEF is the code for Keflavík International Airport, Iceland's main international airport on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík.
What is the airport code for Reykjavík?
Reykjavík's domestic airport uses the code RKV. International flights to "Reykjavík" usually land at Keflavík (KEF), about 50 km away.
How many international airports are in Iceland?
Iceland has several airports designated as international, including Keflavík, Reykjavík, Akureyri and Egilsstaðir. In practice, Keflavík handles almost all international traffic, with some seasonal flights to Akureyri.
How far is Keflavík Airport from Reykjavík?
Keflavík Airport is about 50 km (31 miles) from Reykjavík, a drive of around 40 to 50 minutes. Airport buses, transfers, taxis and rental cars all make the trip.
Which airport should I fly into for the northern lights?
Fly into Keflavík. You can see the northern lights from many places within an hour of Reykjavík. If you want darker, often clearer skies in the north, add a domestic flight to Akureyri.
Start your trip smoothly
Choosing an airport in Iceland is simple for most travelers. Fly into Keflavík, then use domestic flights only if you want to reach the north, east or Westfjords quickly. Once you land, the first step is getting into the city, and a pre-booked shuttle from Keflavík to the capital runs on a schedule matched to arriving flights, so you can relax from the moment you step off the plane.
