Quick Answer
Best overall option: walk ~15 minutes from the University of Iceland (Sæmundargata 2) to BSÍ Bus Terminal and take the Flybus airport express to Keflavík Airport (KEF). Door-to-door time is about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs roughly 4,990–5,500 ISK (about $36–$39). Cheapest option: Strætó bus 55 for about 2,000 ISK (about $14), but it runs only a few times a day and takes 1h45m–2h15m door to door. Fastest option: taxi or private transfer — about 45 minutes and 21,000–26,000 ISK (about $150–$186) from the city centre. Important: there is no train and no metro in Iceland — every option is by road.
Route Overview & Key Facts: HÍ Campus to KEF
The University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands, HÍ) sits in the Vesturbær district of central Reykjavík at Sæmundargata 2. Keflavík International Airport (KEF) — Iceland's only major international gateway — is on the Reykjanes peninsula, roughly 50 km (31 miles) southwest of the city, reached via Route 41 (Reykjanesbraut).
The single most important thing to understand is that there is no railway in Iceland. There is no train, no subway, and no light rail between Reykjavík and the airport. All transport is road-based, which narrows your realistic choices to four: an airport express coach, a public bus, a taxi/private transfer, or a rental car.
Your starting point also matters. The HÍ campus is not on the airport coach route itself — no Flybus or Airport Direct coach picks up at Sæmundargata. You first need to reach BSÍ Bus Terminal (Umferðarmiðstöðin), which is about 1.1–1.3 km from campus — a 13–17 minute walk — or a short city-bus ride.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance (HÍ campus → KEF) | ~50 km / 31 miles via Route 41 |
| Driving time (no traffic) | 45–50 minutes |
| Rail connection | None — Iceland has no passenger railway |
| Nearest coach departure point | BSÍ Bus Terminal (~1.2 km / 15 min walk from HÍ) |
| Cheapest option | Strætó bus 55 — ~2,000 ISK (~$14) |
| Most popular option | Flybus — ~5,000 ISK (~$36) |
| Currency | Icelandic króna (ISK). Card payments accepted everywhere; cash rarely needed. |
Recommended arrival buffer at KEF
- Schengen flights: arrive at the terminal 2 hours before departure.
- Non-Schengen / transatlantic flights: arrive 3 hours before departure.
- Checked bag drop: closes 45–60 minutes before departure — do not cut this fine.
- Early-morning flights (06:00–08:00): KEF is extremely busy between 04:00 and 07:00; add an extra 30 minutes.
Official airport information and live flight status: Isavia — Keflavík Airport.
Flybus Airport Express: The Best Overall Option
The Flybus, operated by Reykjavík Excursions, is the default choice for the vast majority of students, staff and visitors travelling between Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport. It is timed to meet every arriving and departing flight, runs from early morning until late at night, and has a dedicated luggage hold — something no city bus offers.
From the University of Iceland, the standard route is: walk to BSÍ Bus Terminal → board the Flybus → arrive at KEF terminal. Total door-to-door time is usually 1h15m–1h30m.
Step-by-step: HÍ campus → KEF by Flybus
- Walk from Sæmundargata 2 to BSÍ Bus Terminal — approximately 1.2 km, 13–17 minutes. Head east along Sæmundargata, then south-east past the National Museum area toward Vatnsmýri. It is a flat, straightforward walk with pavements the whole way.
- Arrive at BSÍ 10–15 minutes before departure. Tickets can be bought at the BSÍ counter, at the driver, or in advance online. The coach bays are clearly signposted.
- Board the Flybus. Staff scan your ticket or booking reference. Large suitcases go in the hold beneath the coach — there is no strict weight limit, but you should be able to handle your own bags.
- Ride to KEF — 45–50 minutes. The coach runs non-stop along Route 41. Free Wi-Fi and USB charging are available on most coaches.
- Arrive at the KEF terminal entrance, directly outside the departures hall.
Flybus fares and schedule
| Ticket type | Price (ISK) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| One way — BSÍ ↔ KEF | 4,990–5,500 ISK | ~$36–$39 |
| Round trip — BSÍ ↔ KEF | 9,500–10,500 ISK | ~$68–$75 |
| Flybus Plus (hotel pick-up/drop-off) | ~6,500–7,500 ISK one way | ~$46–$54 |
Frequency: departures are scheduled around flight times, typically every 30–60 minutes between roughly 03:30 and 23:00. Early-morning departures exist specifically for the 06:00–07:00 transatlantic bank.
Flybus Plus: hotel pick-up instead of walking to BSÍ
If you are carrying heavy luggage or leaving before dawn, Flybus Plus collects you from a network of designated bus stops and hotels in central Reykjavík — including several stops within a few minutes' walk of the HÍ campus — then feeds into the main coach at BSÍ. It costs more, but removes the walk and the need to navigate a dark street at 03:30.
Pros and cons
- Pros: flight-timed, luggage hold, reliable, free Wi-Fi, no booking strictly required, bookable online.
- Cons: you must first get to BSÍ or a hotel pick-up point; the last city-centre departure is in the late evening.
- Best for: solo travellers, students, couples, anyone who wants zero stress.
Official operator information and live timetable: Reykjavík Excursions — Flybus.
Airport Direct / Gray Line: The Main Alternative to Flybus
Airport Direct (part of the Gray Line Iceland group) is the principal competitor to Flybus and runs an almost identical service on the same Route 41 corridor. Fares, journey times and departure points are broadly comparable, and choosing between the two often comes down to which timetable fits your flight better — or which one has a stop closer to your accommodation.
Airport Direct also offers a hotel connection service using smaller shuttle buses that collect passengers from central Reykjavík accommodation and transfer them to the main coach. For HÍ students, this is functionally the same trade-off as Flybus Plus: pay more, walk less.
Flybus vs Airport Direct — head to head
| Feature | Flybus (Reykjavík Excursions) | Airport Direct (Gray Line) |
|---|---|---|
| Main departure point | BSÍ Bus Terminal | BSÍ / designated city stops |
| One-way price | ~4,990–5,500 ISK (~$36–$39) | ~4,900–5,900 ISK (~$35–$42) |
| Journey time | 45–50 min | 45–50 min |
| Frequency | Every 30–60 min, flight-timed | Every 30–60 min, flight-timed |
| Hotel pick-up option | Yes — "Flybus Plus" | Yes — hotel connection service |
| Luggage hold | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Widest timetable, most established | Slightly cheaper, good hotel coverage |
Practical advice: check both timetables for your exact flight date. In peak summer (June–August) and during the winter storm season, seats on both services can sell out on popular departures, so booking online a day or two ahead is sensible.
Official operator information: Airport Direct Iceland.
Strætó Bus 55: The Cheapest Way to Keflavík Airport
Strætó bus 55 is the public regional bus that connects Reykjavík with the town of Keflavík and the airport. It is dramatically cheaper than the airport express coaches — roughly 2,000 ISK (about $14) versus roughly 5,000 ISK — but it comes with real compromises that catch out unprepared travellers.
This is a genuine public bus, not an airport shuttle. It has no dedicated luggage compartment, makes multiple stops, and runs only a handful of times per day — with an even thinner schedule on Sundays and public holidays.
What you need to know before choosing bus 55
- Departure point: BSÍ Bus Terminal / Umferðarmiðstöðin in Reykjavík (~15 min walk from HÍ).
- Journey time: roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes to the airport terminal.
- Frequency: only a few departures per day — often 4–8 — so check the timetable before you commit.
- Fare: approximately 2,000 ISK (~$14), based on Strætó's distance-based zone pricing. Buy in the Strætó app or pay on board (card accepted).
- Luggage: you carry your own bags; space is limited at busy times.
- Door-to-door total: allow 1h45m–2h15m including the walk to BSÍ and waiting time.
When bus 55 makes sense — and when it does not
| Choose bus 55 if… | Avoid bus 55 if… |
|---|---|
| You are on a tight budget and have time to spare | You have a flight before 09:00 — early departures are limited |
| You have only a backpack or small cabin bag | You have multiple large suitcases |
| Your flight time matches a published departure | You are travelling on a Sunday or public holiday |
| You are not in a rush and want to see the Reykjanes landscape | You are arriving late at night at KEF |
Money-saving tip: the saving versus Flybus is roughly 3,000 ISK (~$21) each way. Over a return trip that is about 6,000 ISK (~$43) — meaningful for students, but only worth it if the timetable genuinely fits your flight.
Official timetables and fares: Strætó bs — public transport in Iceland.
Taxi & Private Transfer: Fastest, but Expensive
A taxi from central Reykjavík — including the University of Iceland area — to Keflavík Airport takes about 45 minutes and costs roughly 21,000–26,000 ISK (about $150–$186) for a standard car. This is four to five times the price of the Flybus and is generally not recommended for solo travellers or students on a budget.
That said, there are situations where a taxi or private transfer is the only sensible answer — and in those cases the cost is fully justified.
Taxi and private transfer price ranges
| Service | Price (ISK) | Approx. USD | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard taxi (city centre → KEF) | 21,000–26,000 ISK | ~$150–$186 | 1–4 passengers |
| Night / weekend surcharge | +10–25% | — | — |
| Private transfer, standard car | 25,000–35,000 ISK | ~$180–$250 | 1–3 passengers |
| Private minibus / van | 35,000–50,000 ISK | ~$250–$360 | 5–8 passengers |
When a taxi or private transfer is genuinely worth it
- Very early or very late flights where no coach departure fits your schedule.
- Groups of 3–4 people — split four ways, a 24,000 ISK taxi works out at about 6,000 ISK (~$43) each, close to a Flybus Plus fare but with door-to-door service.
- Reduced mobility or heavy luggage — no walking to BSÍ, no stairs, no hauling bags onto a coach.
- Extreme weather — during winter storms, coaches can be delayed or cancelled while taxis continue to operate.
- Business travel where the cost is expensed and time matters.
Booking a taxi in Reykjavík
- Hreyfill — the largest taxi company in the Reykjavík area; app and phone booking.
- BSR — second major operator, similar pricing.
- Private transfer companies — book online in advance for a fixed, pre-agreed price.
Important: always confirm the price before you get in, and specify that you want a fixed airport fare if one is available. Taxis cannot be hailed on the street in the same way as in some other European cities — you generally book by app or phone, or take one from a designated taxi rank.
Road conditions and winter driving warnings: Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (road.is).
Rental Car & Self-Drive from the University of Iceland
Driving yourself is the most flexible option, and it makes excellent sense if you are already planning to explore Iceland beyond Reykjavík. The route is simple: from central Reykjavík, join Route 41 (Reykjanesbraut) and follow it all the way to Keflavík Airport. It is a well-maintained dual carriageway for most of its length.
Drive time: 45–50 minutes in normal conditions. Distance: roughly 50 km. Allow extra time in winter, when wind, sleet and sudden snow showers can slow traffic significantly on the exposed Reykjanes peninsula.
Cost breakdown for self-drive
| Item | Cost (ISK) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car rental (per day, low season) | 8,000–15,000 ISK | ~$57–$107 |
| Fuel — 50 km round trip (~4 L at ~300 ISK/L) | ~1,200 ISK | ~$9 |
| Airport drop-off fee (some companies) | 0–4,000 ISK | ~$0–$29 |
| Full-tank fuel policy vs prepaid fuel | Varies — read the terms | — |
| Gravel/ash and sand-storm insurance | 1,500–3,000 ISK/day | ~$11–$21 |
Practical driving notes
- Fuel: petrol stations (N1, Orkan, Olís) are plentiful on Route 41. Most are self-service and accept cards at the pump.
- Weather: the Reykjanes peninsula is notoriously windy. Check vedur.is before you set out in winter.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on paved rural roads. Speed cameras are common on Route 41.
- Parking at KEF: short-term and long-term car parks are available at the terminal, with a free shuttle for the long-term lot.
- Drop-off: rental car return points are clearly signposted just before the terminal — allow an extra 15 minutes.
Verdict: self-drive is only cost-effective if you are renting a car anyway. For a simple one-off airport transfer, the Flybus is cheaper and far less hassle.
Tickets & Full Cost Comparison: University of Iceland → KEF
This table puts every realistic option side by side so you can make a final decision in one glance. All prices are one-way, per person (except taxi and private transfer, which are per vehicle), and are approximate 2025 figures — always confirm current fares with the operator.
Master comparison table
| Option | Door-to-door time | Cost per person | Cost (USD) | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flybus (via BSÍ) | 1h15m–1h30m | ~4,990–5,500 ISK | ~$36–$39 | 1 (walk + coach) | Best overall |
| Flybus Plus (hotel pick-up) | 1h15m–1h35m | ~6,500–7,500 ISK | ~$46–$54 | 0–1 | Heavy luggage, pre-dawn departures |
| Airport Direct | 1h15m–1h30m | ~4,900–5,900 ISK | ~$35–$42 | 1 | Alternative to Flybus |
| Strætó bus 55 | 1h45m–2h15m | ~2,000 ISK | ~$14 | 1–2 | Cheapest |
| Taxi | 50–60 min | 21,000–26,000 ISK (per car) | ~$150–$186 | 0 | Fastest / door-to-door |
| Private transfer | 50–60 min | 25,000–50,000 ISK (per car) | ~$180–$360 | 0 | Groups, business, accessibility |
| Rental car | 45–50 min driving | 8,000–15,000 ISK/day + fuel | ~$57–$107/day | 0 | Multi-day trips |
Where to buy tickets
- Flybus: online in advance, at the BSÍ ticket counter, or directly from the driver (card accepted).
- Airport Direct: online or from the driver.
- Strætó bus 55: in the Strætó app, or pay by card on board. Cash is not accepted on most services.
- Taxi: app or phone booking; pay by card in the vehicle.
- Rental car: book online ahead of time — walk-up rates at KEF are significantly higher, especially in summer.
Quick decision guide
- Want the simplest answer? → Flybus from BSÍ.
- Want the cheapest answer? → Strætó bus 55, if the timetable fits.
- Want the fastest answer? → Taxi or private transfer.
- Travelling as a group of 3–4? → Taxi, split four ways.
- Already renting a car? → Drive yourself.
Traveller Tips & Real-World Advice
These are the practical points that rarely appear in official timetables but that regularly catch out first-time visitors — and students leaving Reykjavík for the first time.
1. Build in a weather buffer — always
Icelandic weather can close roads on the Reykjanes peninsula with very little warning. Wind gusts on Route 41 frequently exceed 20 m/s in winter, and sandstorms can reduce visibility to near zero. If you are driving or taking a taxi, check road.is and vedur.is before departure and allow an extra 45–60 minutes between November and March.
2. The 04:00–07:00 airport rush is real
Keflavík handles a huge bank of transatlantic departures in the early morning. The terminal, security lanes and check-in desks are all at their busiest between roughly 04:00 and 07:00. If your flight falls in this window, aim to be at the terminal three hours before departure, not two.
3. Luggage storage at BSÍ
If you have a late flight but need to check out of your accommodation early, BSÍ Bus Terminal offers luggage storage. This lets you spend the day in Reykjavík — or on campus — before collecting your bags and boarding the coach.
4. The Blue Lagoon is on the way
The Blue Lagoon sits roughly halfway between Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport, just off Route 41. Many travellers stop there en route to the airport. If you want to do this, book a timed Blue Lagoon entry slot and a coach that serves the lagoon directly — standard Flybus and Airport Direct services run separately, so check which service includes the stop.
5. Book the Flybus for peak season and holidays
In June, July and August, and around Christmas, New Year and major public holidays, popular Flybus and Airport Direct departures can sell out. Booking online 24–48 hours ahead costs nothing extra and guarantees your seat.
6. Walking to BSÍ from HÍ: what to expect
- Distance: roughly 1.1–1.3 km, 13–17 minutes at a normal pace.
- Terrain: flat, paved, well-lit — manageable even with a wheeled suitcase.
- In winter: pavements can be icy. Allow 25 minutes and wear footwear with grip.
- With heavy bags: consider a short taxi ride to BSÍ instead — it costs only a few thousand ISK.
7. Card, not cash
Iceland is effectively a cashless society. Cards — including contactless — are accepted on buses, in taxis, at ticket counters and at petrol stations. You do not need to withdraw Icelandic króna for this journey.
8. Check in online before you leave campus
Do your airline online check-in while you still have reliable campus Wi-Fi. It saves time at KEF and lets you go straight to the bag drop rather than queueing at a check-in desk.
Safety and travel advisories for Iceland: SafeTravel Iceland.
FAQs: University of Iceland to Keflavík Airport
Is there a train or metro from the University of Iceland to Keflavík Airport?
No. Iceland has no passenger railway network at all, and there is no metro or light rail in Reykjavík. Every option between the University of Iceland and Keflavík Airport is road-based: airport express coach, public bus, taxi, private transfer, or rental car.
What is the cheapest way to get from the University of Iceland to Keflavík Airport?
Strætó bus 55 is the cheapest option at roughly 2,000 ISK (about $14) one way. It departs from BSÍ Bus Terminal, about a 15-minute walk from the HÍ campus, and takes 1h15m–1h30m to reach the airport. However, it runs only a few times per day, so check the timetable before relying on it.
How long does the Flybus take from BSÍ to Keflavík Airport?
The Flybus takes about 45–50 minutes from BSÍ Bus Terminal to the Keflavík Airport terminal. Including the walk from the University of Iceland to BSÍ and a short wait, total door-to-door time is usually 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
Do I need to book the airport bus in advance?
Booking is not strictly required — you can buy a ticket at BSÍ or from the driver — but it is strongly recommended in June, July, August and around major holidays, when popular departures sell out. Booking online a day or two ahead costs nothing extra and guarantees your seat.
Can I get to Keflavík Airport for a very early morning flight?
Yes. Both Flybus and Airport Direct run pre-dawn departures timed for the early transatlantic bank, with coaches leaving Reykjavík from around 03:30. Alternatively, a taxi or private transfer can collect you from your accommodation at any hour. Note that Strætó bus 55 does not serve early-morning flights well, as its first departure is too late for most 06:00–07:00 departures.
How much does a taxi cost from central Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport?
A standard taxi from central Reykjavík, including the University of Iceland area, costs approximately 21,000–26,000 ISK (about $150–$186) and takes around 45–50 minutes. Night and weekend surcharges can add 10–25%. For a group of three or four sharing the fare, it can approach the per-person cost of the airport coach.
How early should I arrive at Keflavík Airport before my flight?
Arrive two hours before departure for Schengen flights and three hours before departure for non-Schengen and transatlantic flights. If your flight departs between 06:00 and 08:00, allow the full three hours, as the terminal is extremely busy during that window.
How do I get from the University of Iceland campus to BSÍ Bus Terminal?
BSÍ Bus Terminal is about 1.1–1.3 km from the HÍ campus at Sæmundargata 2 — roughly a 13–17 minute walk on flat, paved pavements. In winter, allow 25 minutes for icy conditions, or take a short taxi ride if you are carrying heavy luggage.