Quick Answer
The best way from Reykjavik city center to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is the Flybus — a coach that runs from BSÍ Bus Terminal with optional hotel pickup, takes 45 minutes to BSÍ and 60–75 minutes door to door, and costs 4,000–5,000 ISK (about $29–36 USD) one way. The fastest option is a taxi or private transfer at 45 minutes, but it costs 21,000–35,000 ISK (about $152–254 USD). The cheapest option is the public Strætó bus 55 at roughly 650–1,000 ISK (about $5–7 USD), but it runs only a few times a day and takes 90–120 minutes. There is no train and no domestic flight on this route.
Flybus: The Best All-Round Way to Keflavik Airport
The Flybus, operated by Reykjavík Excursions, is the default choice for the overwhelming majority of visitors. It is the most frequent, most reliable and most flexible service on the route, and it is timed around the flight schedule rather than a fixed commuter timetable.
Keflavik International Airport sits about 50 km (31 miles) southwest of downtown Reykjavik on the Reykjanes peninsula. The Flybus covers that distance in 45 minutes to BSÍ Bus Terminal, or 60–75 minutes door to door if you use the hotel shuttle connection.
How the Flybus works, step by step
- Book online at flybus.is and choose either "BSÍ Bus Terminal" or "Hotel / Bus Stop" pickup. You receive an e-ticket on your phone — no printing needed.
- Get picked up. If you booked hotel pickup, a small shuttle bus arrives at your hotel or the nearest designated stop roughly 30 minutes before the coach departure time. Reykjavik's city center has restricted coach access, so some hotels use a nearby bus stop instead.
- Transfer at BSÍ Bus Terminal (Vatnsmýrarvegur 10), just south of the city center. You switch from the shuttle to the larger airport coach, or board directly if you started at BSÍ.
- Ride to Keflavik Airport. The coach drops you directly outside the terminal building. Luggage goes in the hold at no extra cost.
- Reverse the process on arrival: coaches leave the airport for Reykjavik after every landing, and drivers wait for delayed flights.
Flybus prices at a glance
| Ticket type | Price (ISK) | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| One way — to/from BSÍ Bus Terminal | ~4,000 ISK | ~$29 | Cheapest Flybus option; you arrange your own way to BSÍ |
| One way — hotel / bus stop pickup | ~4,500–5,000 ISK | ~$33–36 | Includes the city shuttle connection |
| Round trip — BSÍ | ~8,000 ISK | ~$58 | Best value if you are returning to Reykjavik |
| Round trip — hotel pickup | ~9,000 ISK | ~$65 | Most convenient overall package |
| Children (typically 12 and under) | Reduced / often free | — | Check current family policy when booking |
Prices are indicative for 2025 and move with the season and the ISK exchange rate. Always confirm on the operator's site before you budget.
Key practical details
- Frequency: departures run from the very early morning (around 03:30) until late evening, typically every 30–45 minutes, aligned with flight arrivals and departures.
- Journey time: 45 minutes airport ↔ BSÍ; add 15–30 minutes for the hotel shuttle leg.
- Onboard: free Wi-Fi, comfortable reclining seats, large luggage hold that accommodates skis, snowboards and oversized bags.
- Blue Lagoon stop: Flybus offers a combined ticket that drops you at the Blue Lagoon on the way to or from the airport — a popular way to use a long layover.
- Booking: advance booking is strongly recommended between June and August and around Christmas and New Year, when coaches sell out.
Sources: Flybus official site · Isavia / Keflavik Airport
Airport Direct & Gray Line Airport Express: The Main Flybus Alternatives
Two other operators run the same route and are broadly comparable in price. They are worth knowing about because they sometimes have availability when the Flybus is full, and because they offer slightly different pickup and drop-off networks.
Airport Direct
- Runs distinctive yellow coaches between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik, with departures from the airport terminal and from central Reykjavik pickup points.
- Offers a direct-to-hotel service in some cases, meaning fewer or no transfers at BSÍ.
- Pricing is in the same band as the Flybus: roughly 4,000–5,500 ISK (about $29–40 USD) one way.
- Smaller fleet than Flybus, so book ahead in high season.
Gray Line "Airport Express"
- Operated by Gray Line Iceland, one of the country's oldest coach companies.
- Offers airport transfers plus a huge range of add-on tours (Golden Circle, South Coast, Northern Lights), which can be bundled into one booking.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off across the greater Reykjavik area, including some suburbs the Flybus does not cover as densely.
- Typical price: 4,000–5,000 ISK (about $29–36 USD) one way.
Which one should you choose?
| Operator | One-way price | Hotel pickup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flybus | ~4,000–5,000 ISK (~$29–36) | Yes, via BSÍ shuttle | Most travelers; widest schedule |
| Airport Direct | ~4,000–5,500 ISK (~$29–40) | Yes, some direct services | Travelers who want fewer transfers |
| Gray Line Airport Express | ~4,000–5,000 ISK (~$29–36) | Yes, wide coverage | Bundling transfers with day tours |
Sources: Airport Direct · Gray Line Iceland
Public Bus (Strætó Route 55): The Cheapest Way to Keflavik Airport
Strætó is the public transport operator for the Reykjavik capital region. Its intercity route 55 connects the Reykjavik area with Keflavík town on the Reykjanes peninsula. If you are willing to trade time and convenience for the lowest possible fare, this is your option.
What to expect
- Fare: roughly 650–1,000 ISK (about $5–7 USD) per adult, depending on the zone structure and whether you pay in the app or on board. Children and seniors pay less.
- Frequency: only a handful of departures per day, spread across the morning, afternoon and early evening. There is essentially no usable late-night or pre-dawn service.
- Journey time: around 60–75 minutes to Keflavík town, plus any transfer time — realistically 90–120 minutes door to door.
- Transfer: the airport terminal itself is not always served directly. Depending on the current timetable you may need to change onto a local Keflavík service or walk a short distance from the nearest stop. Always check the current route map before you rely on it.
- Luggage: standard city buses have limited luggage space. Large suitcases and backpacks can be awkward at peak times, and drivers may refuse oversized items.
- Payment: buy through the Strætó app or pay the driver in cash/contactless where accepted. Exact change is safest.
When the public bus makes sense — and when it does not
| Good fit | Poor fit |
|---|---|
| Solo travelers on a tight budget with time to spare | Anyone catching a flight before 08:00 or after 20:00 |
| Travelers with only a small backpack | Families with several large suitcases |
| People staying near a route 55 stop | Travelers staying far from the route who need another bus first |
| Those who enjoy local, non-tourist transport | Anyone on a tight schedule who cannot absorb a missed connection |
Sources: Strætó official site · Visit Reykjavik
Taxi & Private Transfer: The Fastest Option to Keflavik Airport
A taxi or pre-booked private transfer is the only way to travel door to door on your own schedule, at any hour. It is also by far the most expensive per person — unless you are splitting the fare across a group.
How much it costs
| Service | Typical price (ISK) | Approx. USD | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi, metered/fixed, central Reykjavik → KEF | ~21,000–25,000 ISK | ~$152–181 | Standard sedan, up to 3–4 passengers |
| Pre-booked private transfer | ~25,000–35,000 ISK | ~$181–254 | Sedan, estate or minivan |
| Minivan / large group transfer | ~35,000–50,000 ISK | ~$254–362 | 6–8 passengers, meets flight at arrivals |
Practical considerations
- Journey time: about 45 minutes in normal conditions. Snow, wind or the occasional volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula can extend this significantly.
- Availability: taxis run 24 hours, which makes them the only realistic option for flights departing between roughly 23:00 and 03:00 if you have not pre-booked a coach.
- Booking: the main companies are Hreyfill, BSR and Taxi 101. All have apps or phone booking lines. Pre-booking guarantees a car at 04:00 in February.
- Night surcharges: expect higher rates between roughly 23:00 and 07:00, plus surcharges for extra luggage or more than four passengers.
- Payment: cards are accepted in essentially every Icelandic taxi. You do not need cash.
When a taxi or private transfer is actually worth it
- Groups of three or four: the per-person cost drops to roughly 5,000–8,000 ISK (about $36–58), which is comparable to the Flybus.
- Very early or very late flights where coach times do not line up with your departure.
- Mobility limitations, small children, or large amounts of luggage.
- Business travelers who value the time and privacy.
- Bad weather days when waiting outdoors for a shuttle is genuinely unpleasant.
For a single traveler on a normal daytime flight, a taxi is rarely worth four to six times the price of a coach ticket.
Sources: Hreyfill Taxi · Icelandic Road Administration (road conditions)
Rental Car: Best If You Are Continuing Your Iceland Road Trip
If you are picking up a car anyway for the Ring Road or the Golden Circle, driving yourself to Keflavik Airport is the obvious choice. If you are only going to and from the airport, it usually is not.
Costs to budget for
| Item | Typical cost (ISK) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car rental, per day (low season) | ~8,000–12,000 ISK | ~$58–87 |
| Compact car rental, per day (high season) | ~15,000–25,000 ISK | ~$109–181 |
| Full insurance package (gravel, sand & ash, windscreen) | ~3,000–6,000 ISK/day | ~$22–43/day |
| Fuel (petrol/diesel), per litre | ~280–320 ISK | ~$2.00–2.30 |
| One-way drop-off fee (different city) | ~15,000–35,000 ISK | ~$109–254 |
Key things to know
- Pick-up locations: all major rental companies have desks in the Keflavik Airport arrivals hall, with shuttle buses to their nearby depots. Several also have downtown Reykjavik offices, which lets you spend your first days car-free in the city and pick the car up later.
- Driving time: 45 minutes on the Route 41 motorway, which is a well-maintained dual carriageway for most of its length.
- Fuel before return: there is a N1/Orkan station close to the airport. Returning a car empty usually triggers a steep refuelling charge.
- Insurance matters: Icelandic roads and the volcanic landscape mean gravel, sand and ash damage is a real risk. The "sand and ash" cover is not a gimmick.
- Weather: the Reykjanes peninsula regularly sees strong wind and sudden snow. Always check road.is and vedur.is before driving in winter.
- Parking in Reykjavik: the city center uses paid zones and apps such as Parka. Hotel parking is often an extra charge.
Sources: road.is · Icelandic Met Office · SafeTravel Iceland
Why There Is No Train or Domestic Flight from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport
Many first-time visitors search for a "Reykjavik airport train" or assume there must be a quick domestic hop. There is not, and it helps to understand why before you plan.
Iceland has no passenger railway
Iceland has never built a national rail network. The population is small, the terrain is volcanic and difficult, and the distances between settlements are short enough that buses and private cars have always been the practical answer. There are no passenger trains anywhere in the country — not to Keflavik, not to Akureyri, not anywhere. If you see a "train" option in a travel search tool for Iceland, it is almost certainly an error.
There are no domestic flights between Reykjavik and Keflavik
The two points are roughly 50 km (31 miles) apart. Domestic flights in Iceland operate between Reykjavik's domestic airport (Reykjavík Domestic Airport, code RKV, in the city center) and regional destinations such as Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Egilsstaðir. Keflavik (KEF) is the international gateway. Flying between the city and KEF is not a service that exists.
What this means for your planning
- Your real choice is coach, public bus, taxi/private transfer, or rental car.
- Do not build a tight connection assuming a fast rail link — allow the full 45–75 minutes plus buffer.
- If you are connecting from a domestic flight at RKV to an international flight at KEF, you must travel between the two airports by road. Allow at least 1.5 hours between the airports, plus check-in time.
Sources: Isavia / Keflavik Airport · Visit Reykjavik
Tickets, Prices & Full Cost Comparison
Use the table below to make the final call. All figures are per person, one way, and are indicative for 2025.
| Transport option | Door-to-door time | Cost (ISK) | Cost (USD) | Transfers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flybus (BSÍ or hotel pickup) | 60–75 min | 4,000–5,000 | ~$29–36 | 0–1 | Best overall — most travelers |
| Airport Direct | 50–70 min | 4,000–5,500 | ~$29–40 | 0–1 | Fewer stops, direct hotel service |
| Gray Line Airport Express | 60–75 min | 4,000–5,000 | ~$29–36 | 0–1 | Bundling with tours |
| Strætó public bus 55 | 90–120 min | 650–1,000 | ~$5–7 | 1–2 | Cheapest — budget solo travelers |
| Taxi | 45 min | 21,000–25,000 | ~$152–181 | 0 | Fastest — groups, night flights |
| Private transfer | 45–60 min | 25,000–35,000 | ~$181–254 | 0 | Families, business, accessibility |
| Rental car | 45 min | 8,000–15,000 / day | ~$58–109 / day | 0 | Continuing a road trip |
Where and how to buy tickets
- Flybus: online at flybus.is, at the Flybus desk in the Keflavik arrivals hall, or at BSÍ Bus Terminal. E-tickets on your phone are accepted.
- Airport Direct: online at airportdirect.is or at their airport counter.
- Gray Line: online at grayline.is.
- Strætó bus 55: through the Strætó app or on board. Check the official site for current fares and zones.
- Taxi: hail on the street, use the company app, or ask your hotel to call. Pre-booking is essential for pre-dawn departures.
- Rental car: book online before you travel; summer availability in Iceland is genuinely limited.
Quick decision guide
- Want the best balance of price and convenience? → Flybus.
- Want the absolute lowest fare? → Strætó bus 55.
- Want the fastest door-to-door trip? → Taxi or private transfer.
- Traveling as a group of 4? → Taxi is often the same price per person as the Flybus.
- Renting a car anyway? → Drive yourself on Route 41.
Sources: Flybus · Strætó · Keflavik Airport
Traveler Tips & Real-World Advice
1. Work backwards from your boarding time
Keflavik Airport advises arriving 2.5 hours before a European flight and 3 hours before a transatlantic flight. In July and August the check-in and security queues can be long. Add the 45–75 minute transfer, then add a weather buffer. A realistic rule: leave central Reykjavik 3.5–4 hours before departure.
2. Pre-dawn flights need special planning
Iceland's location means many transatlantic departures leave between 06:00 and 08:00, which means a 03:00–04:00 check-in. The Flybus does run very early departures, but you must book them in advance. A pre-booked taxi is the safest fallback, and a hotel near the airport is a third option if you have an extremely early flight.
3. Use the Blue Lagoon as a stopover
Both Flybus and several tour operators sell combined tickets that let you stop at the Blue Lagoon between Reykjavik and the airport (or vice versa). It is an efficient way to use a long layover or a late-afternoon departure — just make sure you book the lagoon entry slot in advance, as it sells out.
4. Do not underestimate Icelandic weather
The Reykjanes peninsula is exposed and windy. Storms can slow Route 41, and on rare occasions volcanic activity has affected access to the airport. Check vedur.is (weather), road.is (road conditions) and safetravel.is before any winter transfer.
5. Luggage: use the hold, and consider luggage storage
All airport coaches have large luggage holds, and stowing bags there is free. If you have a late flight but an early hotel checkout, BSÍ Bus Terminal and several downtown locations offer left-luggage services so you can explore Reykjavik unencumbered.
6. Book in high season — seriously
Between June and August, and over Christmas and New Year, coaches and rental cars sell out days in advance. Booking a Flybus seat the morning you fly is a genuine gamble in July.
7. Keep some buffer for the transfer itself
The 45-minute drive time is a best case. Add 15 minutes for the hotel shuttle pick-up leg, 10 minutes for boarding the coach, and 15 minutes for traffic or weather. That is how 45 minutes becomes 85.
8. Card payments everywhere
Iceland is effectively cashless. Taxis, coaches, rental cars, fuel stations and airport kiosks all accept major cards. You do not need to withdraw ISK just for the airport transfer.
Sources: SafeTravel Iceland · Icelandic Met Office · road.is · Keflavik Airport
FAQs: Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport Transport
What is the cheapest way to get from Reykjavik city center to Keflavik Airport?
The public Strætó bus route 55 is the cheapest, at roughly 650–1,000 ISK (about $5–7 USD) per person. The trade-off is frequency and time: it runs only a handful of times per day, takes 90–120 minutes door to door, and may require a transfer in Keflavík town. It is not viable for early-morning or late-night flights.
How long does it take to get from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport?
The drive is about 45 minutes for roughly 50 km (31 miles). Door to door, allow 60–75 minutes with the Flybus, 90–120 minutes with the public bus, and 45–60 minutes with a taxi or private transfer. Add at least 2.5–3 hours at the airport before departure.
Is there a train or a domestic flight from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport?
No. Iceland has no passenger railway network at all, and the 50 km distance makes a domestic flight commercially impossible. Your only options are coach, public bus, taxi/private transfer, or rental car.
Where does the Flybus leave from in Reykjavik city center?
The main departure point is BSÍ Bus Terminal at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, just south of the center. With the hotel-pickup ticket, a shuttle collects you from your hotel or the nearest designated stop about 30 minutes before departure and transfers you to BSÍ or directly onto the airport coach.
How much does the Flybus cost from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport?
Approximately 4,000 ISK (about $29 USD) one way to BSÍ Bus Terminal, or 4,500–5,000 ISK (about $33–36 USD) with hotel pickup. Round trips are roughly 8,000–9,000 ISK (about $58–65 USD). Children usually pay a reduced rate.
Can I take a taxi from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport, and how much does it cost?
Yes — taxis run 24 hours and take about 45 minutes. Expect 21,000–25,000 ISK (about $152–181 USD) for a taxi and 25,000–35,000 ISK (about $181–254 USD) for a pre-booked private transfer. It makes sense for groups of three or four, for very early or late flights, and for travelers with mobility needs or excess luggage.
Does the Flybus wait if my flight is delayed?
Yes. When traveling from the airport into Reykjavik, coaches are scheduled around actual flight arrivals and drivers wait for delayed flights. On the outbound direction the timetable is fixed, so it is your responsibility to pick a departure that leaves enough buffer before your flight.
How early should I leave Reykjavik before my flight from Keflavik?
Keflavik Airport recommends arriving 2.5 hours before European departures and 3 hours before transatlantic departures. Add 45–75 minutes of transfer time plus a weather buffer, which means leaving central Reykjavik roughly 3.5–4 hours before your scheduled departure. For flights before 07:00, book an early Flybus departure or a taxi in advance.