Keflavík Airport is about 50 km from Reykjavík, and you can reach the city by bus, taxi, or rental car. This guide breaks down the fastest and easiest options.
Keflavik International Airport (KEF) sits 50 km southwest of Reykjavik, a 45-minute drive on Route 41. It is Iceland's only international airport and where virtually all visitors arrive. There is no Uber or Lyft in Iceland.
Your options are the Flybus shuttle, a taxi, a private transfer, a public bus, or a rental car you pick up at the airport. Each suits a different situation, and knowing the prices before you land saves you from an unexpected bill at the taxi rank.
Flybus Shuttle: Cheapest Easy Option
The Flybus, operated by Reykjavik Excursions, is the most popular transfer option and the easiest for solo travelers and couples. Buses depart from directly outside the arrivals hall, timed to leave approximately 35 to 40 minutes after each flight arrives. Signs from arrivals point you straight to the bus stand.
The standard Flybus runs to BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik in approximately 45 minutes. The Flybus+ ticket adds a connection to most central Reykjavik hotels by smaller minibus, saving you a taxi from BSI.
Price: ISK 3,999 per person one way for Flybus to BSI. Flybus+ with hotel drop-off costs more.
Journey time: 45 minutes to BSI, up to 30 minutes more to hotel drop-off with Flybus+.
Luggage: 2 large bags per person included. Extra or oversized bags cost more.
Booking: Book at re.is or buy at the airport. Your ticket is valid for any departure if you miss one bus.
Hotel drop-off: Reykjavik has restricted driving zones in parts of the city center. Flybus+ drops you at the nearest accessible point, which may be a 5 to 10 minute walk from your specific hotel.
Taxi: Direct but Expensive
Taxis are available at the rank directly outside the arrivals hall. They take you door-to-door with no stops or connections required. For groups of 3 or more splitting the fare, a taxi becomes cost-competitive with Flybus per person.
There is no Uber in Iceland. Official licensed taxis at Keflavik include Hreyfill and BSR, both of which offer pre-bookable fixed rates online.
Price: From ISK 22,500 per car for a standard taxi. An airport terminal surcharge of ISK 490 applies to trips departing from Keflavik. Pre-booked fixed rates avoid meter uncertainty.
Journey time: 45 minutes to central Reykjavik.
Best for: Families, groups of 3 or more, late arrivals when fewer buses run, heavy luggage.
Pre-booking a fixed-rate taxi before arrival eliminates the uncertainty of metered pricing and guarantees a vehicle is waiting. This matters most on early morning arrivals when US flights land (typically 6 to 7:30 AM) and in peak summer when the taxi rank can have a wait.
Private Transfer: Fixed Rate, Door-to-Door
Private transfer services operate similarly to taxis but are pre-booked with a fixed price and a named driver waiting at arrivals. They typically use comfortable minivans and can accommodate larger groups or extra luggage.
Price: From ISK 30,000 per vehicle, depending on size and operator.
Journey time: 45 minutes.
Best for: Groups, families with children, anyone who wants certainty and comfort after a long flight.
Several operators offer private transfers with an optional Blue Lagoon stop on the way to Reykjavik. If you plan to visit the Blue Lagoon on your first day, this combination makes efficient use of the airport-to-city journey.
Public Bus 55: Cheapest of All, But Slow
Public Bus 55 connects Keflavik Airport with Reykjavik city. It is the cheapest option but significantly slower than the alternatives. The route requires a change at Fjörður to Bus 1 toward Hlemmur, and the total journey from airport to city center takes up to 90 minutes.
Price: Approximately ISK 1,960 per person.
Journey time: Up to 90 minutes with the transfer.
Departures: Every 30 minutes or so, following a timetable.
Best for: Solo budget travelers with flexible timing, light luggage, and no particular urgency to arrive.
The public bus is not practical for families with children, travelers with significant luggage, or anyone arriving late at night or early in the morning when services are less frequent.
Rental Car: Best If You Are Driving Iceland
If you plan to drive in Iceland, picking up your rental car at the airport is the most efficient option. It eliminates the airport-to-city transfer cost entirely, and you can start driving immediately on arrival.
The drive from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik takes 45 minutes on Route 41 (Reykjanesbraut), a well-maintained dual carriageway that is easy to navigate. In winter, check road.is before driving, as the exposed Reykjanes Peninsula can accumulate ice quickly.
Major international rental companies (Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Avis) and Icelandic local companies (Blue Car Rental, Go Car Rental, SADcars) all have desks at the airport. The car is the right choice if your itinerary includes any driving outside Reykjavik.
Note: If you plan to stay in Reykjavik for several days before renting a car for the rest of the trip, it may be cheaper to pick up the car in the city rather than at the airport, since airport rental desks sometimes carry a location surcharge.
Blue Lagoon Stop on the Way
The Blue Lagoon sits 23 km from Keflavik Airport and directly between the airport and Reykjavik on Route 41. For visitors who want to visit the Blue Lagoon early in their trip, arriving at the airport and going straight to the lagoon before continuing to Reykjavik is the most efficient routing.
Flybus offers a direct route from the airport to the Blue Lagoon. Private transfer services and taxis will also make the stop on request. The Blue Lagoon requires advance booking with a timed entry slot, which you need to arrange before arriving.
This combination works especially well for visitors arriving on morning flights who want to use the Blue Lagoon visit as a buffer before their Reykjavik accommodation check-in time.
