Getting Around Iceland: Your Guide to Buses, Cars, Scooters and More
How do I take the bus in Reykjavík?
Strætó: The City Bus
Getting around Reykjavík is easy, especially with city bus, Strætó. Visitors just have to download the bus app, and they’re ready to explore the city at their leisure! If you’re staying in Reykjavík for several days, it can also be worthwhile to get a Reykjavík City Card, which come in 24, 48, and 72 hour versions. The Reykjavík City Card, in addition to including admission to the city’s pools and many museums, also includes bus fare for the period of the card!
However, for travelers coming to and from the airport, you may need to catch a ride with one of Iceland’s dependable airport buses, which run regularly between Reykjavík and Keflavík.
The Reykjavík City Card
What do I need to know about driving in Iceland?
Unpredictable conditions
Iceland’s nature is what draws so many visitors to this beautiful country every year, but the same beautiful countryside can take a turn for the worse very quickly. When driving in Iceland, you need to be prepared for high winds, low visibility, changing temperatures, rain, snow, and more. Even if you’re just driving Route 1, you may want to consider a vehicle with 4-wheel drive (note, however, that this doesn’t mean you should head off into the highland F-roads by yourself).
You might also be wondering how parking works in Iceland. In the last few years, many popular tourist sites have introduced parking fees to deal with the large number of visitors. At some of these locations, you are able to pay for parking directly at the site through a machine, but other sites may require you to use an app.
If you’re confused- don’t worry! We have an entire article just on parking in Reykjavík!
Reykjavík Bus Transfers
How else can I get around Reykjavík?
Bikes, scooters, and more
During the summer, there’s nothing nicer than taking a bike ride around Reykjavík’s many bike trails. For the more adventurous, there are also many nature areas where you can mountain bike near the capital as well.
Electric scooters have also become a very popular way to get around town. All you need to do is download the app and scoot along! Fair warning: you are supposed to wear a helmet, and blasting down Laugavegur after a night of drinking might not be the best idea!
