So you’ve landed in Iceland. Welcome! Chances are you’ve arrived by plane, so the first interaction you’ll have with this land of ice and fire is Iceland’s international airport, situated in Keflavík, some kilometres away from the city of Reykjavík. You’re probably feeling a little tired after your flight, but luckily, we’re here to guide you through this process. So, what’s your first question?
What’s the airport like?
Iceland’s International Airport is located 45 minutes from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík, near a town called Keflavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. There are around 25 airlines flying to and from Iceland to almost 100 destinations. The airport is pretty small compared to other international airports worldwide, but despite its size, almost 7 million passengers per year before the pandemic.
Okay, I’m at the airport, what do I do now?
So, you just landed and want to get into the city and start exploring the beautiful country of Iceland. As you might have read the prices in Iceland can be pretty high, so you should visit the tax-free store before you leave the airport. The tax-free store in front of the baggage claim area. The prices are way lower than those in Reykjavik, especially for wine and beer, so be sure to check it out.
Thanks for the tip! Now, how do I get from here?
There are a few different ways to get from the airport and into the city. You can take a bus, hire a car, or take a taxi. There are no trains in Iceland (yet). All these modes of transportation have their pros and cons.
Okay, so maybe I just take the bus?
The most inexpensive and simplest way to get from the airport to Reykjavík is the bus. A few companies offer this service, such as Flybus. A one-way ticket at the time of writing is 3.499 ISK, and adding a return ticket will bring the cost up to 6.499 ISK. For an additional fee, Flybus can drop you off at your hotel.
The benefits of taking a bus are that it is convenient, the buses run around the clock, whenever there are incoming flights, and you don’t have to wait. If you’re a single passenger, the bus is also the cheapest way to get to Reykjavík.
Should I take a taxi?
Plenty of taxis are available at the airport. But, as the drive from Keflavík to Reykjavík takes about 50 minutes, you will be looking at spending over 10.000 ISK. It is expensive, but, if you are travelling in a group, larger taxis are available and splitting the price would bring the cost down a bit.
Well, I also need a car for my trip. Can’t I just rent a car?
Of course, you can rent a car! You can rent a small compact car, a large 4×4, or even a small camper van. The big advantage of renting a car is the flexibility – you can get just about anywhere on your own terms!
There are several rental companies in the arrival terminal, but you can of course rent from a company located outside of the airport. In that case, they will meet you at the arrival hall and take you to their office.
Well great, thanks for the advice, we had no problems getting into the city. We’re on our way back to the airport now, what do we need to know before we leave?
As mentioned before, the airport is smaller than other international airports. Therefore, you should reserve around 1.5-2 hours at the airport before your flight, depending on the time of day. But check-in can be done by 2.5 hours before departure at a self-service check-in station.
If the airline does not offer self-service check-in stations you can go to a traditional check-in desk, which usually opens 2.5 hours before departure. Once you are checked in, your bags can be dropped off at a bag drop-off station.
After check-in, you should head up to the second floor and go through the security. Once you through the security check you will go through another tax-free store. There is also a range of other shops and restaurants, which all are tax-free. There is also a children’s play area.
For those who can’t get their hands off social media, I have good news. The airport offers free wireless Internet throughout the whole airport.
