There is no Uber in Iceland, but you are not stuck. Here is how taxis, the Hopp app, buses and airport transfers work, and the easiest ways to get around Reykjavík without a car.
You land at Keflavík after a red-eye, switch your phone on, open Uber out of habit and stare at an empty map. No cars, no drivers, nothing. It is a common first surprise in Iceland, and it catches out even seasoned travelers who use ride-hailing apps everywhere else.
So, is there Uber in Iceland? No. Uber, Lyft and Bolt do not offer rides in Iceland. The good news is that getting around is still easy. Reykjavík has licensed taxis you can book by app, a city bus network, frequent airport buses and plenty of tours with hotel pickup. Once you know the options, you will not miss Uber at all.
Is there Uber in Iceland?
No, Uber does not operate in Iceland, and neither do Lyft or Bolt's ride services. That applies to Reykjavík, Keflavík International Airport and the rest of the country. You will not find any ride-hailing app that uses private drivers in their own cars.
The reason is regulation. Under Iceland's Taxi Services Act (No. 120/2022), anyone who drives passengers for a fee needs a taxi license and an insured, registered vehicle. Uber's model, built around private drivers without taxi licenses, does not fit those rules, so the company has never launched here.
What to use instead of Uber in Iceland
You have several good alternatives, and which one suits you depends on where you are going. In Reykjavík, taxis, buses and your own feet cover almost everything. For the airport, scheduled buses and transfers are the norm. For sights outside the city, tours with pickup or a rental car are the realistic options.
Hopp, the closest thing to Uber
The app that feels most like Uber is Hopp, an Icelandic company best known for its electric scooters. Hopp's taxi service lets you book a ride in the app, see an estimated fare before you confirm and pay through the app. The key difference is that every driver is a licensed taxi driver, so prices are taxi prices rather than cheap rideshare fares.
Hopp is available in the Reykjavík capital area and has expanded to some other locations, including Keflavík Airport and Akureyri, according to travel guides. Download the app before you arrive and check coverage for your dates, as service areas can change.
Traditional taxi companies
Iceland's established taxi companies, including Hreyfill and BSR, operate around the clock in Reykjavík. You can call them, book through their apps or websites, or pick up a cab at taxi ranks downtown and at the airport. Hreyfill is one of the largest, with an English-language booking site.
Taxis in Iceland are metered, clean and reliable, and drivers almost always accept credit and debit cards. You do not need to tip. Expect taxis to be expensive by most standards, especially for longer trips outside the city.
How to get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík without Uber
Keflavík International Airport is about 50 km (31 miles) from Reykjavík, roughly a 45-minute drive. Taxis are available, but they are one of the most expensive ways to make the trip. Most visitors use one of these options instead.
Airport buses and transfers
Scheduled airport buses meet every major arrival and take you to the main bus terminals in Reykjavík, with optional connections to many hotels. They are the most popular option for travelers without a car, and they run on a schedule linked to flight times.
If you want a simple, pre-booked option, look for a transfer that runs between the airport and Reykjavík's city center with departures timed to arriving and departing flights. Book it before you fly, so you can walk straight out of arrivals and onto the bus.
Public bus
Strætó, the public bus company, runs route 55 between the airport and Reykjavík. It is cheaper than the airport coaches but less frequent and takes longer, with more stops along the way. It works well if you are traveling light and have time to spare.
Rental car
If you plan to drive around Iceland, picking up a rental car at the airport is the most convenient choice. Most rental companies have desks at the terminal or offer a short shuttle to their lots nearby.
Getting around Reykjavík without a car
Reykjavík is small, and most visitors do not need a car while they are in the city. Here are the easiest ways to get around.
Walk
Downtown Reykjavík is compact and very walkable. The main shopping streets, Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa concert hall, the Old Harbour and the pond are all within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. Many visitors walk everywhere downtown and only use transport for trips farther out.
A walking tour of downtown Reykjavík is a good way to get your bearings on your first day, with a local guide pointing out the main sights and the shortcuts between them.
Take the bus
Strætó runs the city bus network across the capital area. Buses are reliable, clean and connect downtown with neighborhoods, swimming pools and shopping centers. You can pay with the Klappið app or buy tickets in advance. Buses run less often in the evenings and on weekends, so check timetables before you rely on them late at night.
Ride an electric scooter or bike
Electric scooters from companies like Hopp and Bolt are scattered around Reykjavík and can be rented through their apps. They are handy for short hops, especially along the waterfront paths. Bikes are another great option in summer, when the coastal paths are at their best.
For a relaxed introduction to the city by bike, a coastal bike tour follows Reykjavík's waterfront paths past the Sun Voyager sculpture, Harpa and the harbor.
How do you get around Iceland without a car?
Outside Reykjavík, things get harder without a car, but it is still possible. Public transport between towns exists but is limited, and many of Iceland's best sights, such as waterfalls, glaciers and black beaches, are not on regular bus routes.
Day tours with hotel pickup
The easiest way to see the countryside without a car is to join day tours that pick you up in Reykjavík. Popular trips include the Golden Circle, the South Coast and Snæfellsnes, and many combine sightseeing with a lagoon or another activity. A Golden Circle and Sky Lagoon combo covers Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss before ending with a soak near the city.
In winter, many visitors also join an aurora tour with hotel pickup, which takes you away from the city lights to look for the northern lights without driving dark, icy roads yourself.
Bus passes and transfers
Some routes are covered by seasonal bus passes and scheduled transfers. A hop-on South Coast bus pass lets you travel from Reykjavík to Höfn and stop at sights like Seljalandsfoss, Skógar and Skaftafell along the way, at your own pace.
For the Blue Lagoon, a transfer to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík is timed to your entry slot, so you do not need a car or a taxi.
Domestic flights
For longer distances, domestic flights connect Reykjavík with Akureyri, Egilsstaðir and Ísafjörður. They are a fast way to reach the north, east or Westfjords, especially in winter, when long drives can be challenging.
Getting around Reykjavík at night
Reykjavík's nightlife is centered on Laugavegur and the surrounding streets, and on Friday and Saturday nights, the bars stay busy until the early hours. Walking home is the norm if you are staying downtown, and the city feels safe after dark.
If you are staying farther out, plan your ride ahead. Taxi lines can be long downtown after closing time on weekends, so book through an app or arrange a pickup in advance. Strætó has offered night bus routes on weekends in recent years, but schedules change, so check the current timetable before counting on one.
Getting around Akureyri and smaller towns
Outside the capital, options shrink quickly. Akureyri, Iceland's largest town outside the capital area, has a local bus network that is free to ride, plus a small number of taxis, and Hopp has extended its service to the town. It is compact enough that most visitors walk around the center.
In smaller towns and villages, there may be only one or two local taxis, or none at all. If you need a ride somewhere remote, ask your hotel or guesthouse to arrange it in advance, and never assume you can call a car on short notice in the countryside.
Which option is cheapest?
For getting around Reykjavík, walking is free, and the city bus is the cheapest paid option. Scooters are affordable for short hops but add up for longer trips. Taxis are convenient but expensive, especially if you use them every day.
For the airport, the public bus is the cheapest, followed by the airport coaches, with taxis by far the most expensive choice for one or two people. If you are traveling as a group of three or four with lots of luggage, the gap narrows, and a pre-booked private transfer can make sense.
Should you rent a car in Iceland?
It depends on your plans. If you are staying mostly in Reykjavík and joining day tours, you do not need a car. If you want to explore at your own pace, especially on the Ring Road, in the Westfjords or in the highlands in summer, renting a car gives you the most freedom.
Keep in mind that driving in Iceland comes with challenges, from gravel roads and single-lane bridges to strong winds and winter ice. In winter, many visitors find that tours are less stressful than driving themselves.
Taxi tips for Iceland
A few things to know before you book a taxi:
Taxis accept cards almost everywhere, so you rarely need cash
Tipping is not expected, as service is included in the fare
Fares are metered, and longer trips outside the city can be expensive
Ask for a fixed price for long trips, such as to the airport, before you set off
Book ahead for early morning airport runs, especially in winter
Taxi ranks are found at the airport, downtown and at major hotels
Is Reykjavík walkable?
Yes, Reykjavík is very walkable. The downtown area is compact, and most sights, restaurants and shops are within easy walking distance of each other. Sidewalks are good, and many streets in the center are pedestrian-friendly. In winter, sidewalks can be icy, so wear shoes with good grip or slip-on spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Reykjavík have Uber?
No. Uber does not operate in Reykjavík or anywhere else in Iceland. The closest alternative is Hopp, an app that lets you book licensed taxis, along with traditional taxi companies like Hreyfill and BSR.
Is there Lyft or Bolt in Iceland?
No. Lyft and Bolt do not offer rides in Iceland. Bolt does rent electric scooters in Reykjavík, but not cars or taxis.
How do I get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?
Most visitors take an airport bus or pre-booked transfer, which takes about 45 minutes. You can also take the public Strætó bus (route 55), a taxi or a rental car.
Do taxis in Iceland take credit cards?
Yes. Taxis in Iceland almost always accept credit and debit cards, and you can pay through the app when you book with Hopp.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Iceland?
No. Tipping is not expected in Iceland, as service is included in the fare. You can round up if you want to, but drivers do not expect it.
Can you get around Iceland without a car?
Yes, especially if you base yourself in Reykjavík. Use buses, taxis and your own feet in the city, and join day tours with hotel pickup to see the countryside. Domestic flights help for longer distances.
Getting around without Uber
Iceland does not have Uber, but between taxis, apps like Hopp, city buses and tours with pickup, you will not have trouble getting around. The trip most visitors worry about is the first one, from the airport into the city. A pre-booked airport transfer to Reykjavík takes care of it, with departures matched to your flight.
