How to Get From Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik: Complete Guide

Landing at Keflavik International Airport is the start of almost every trip to Iceland, but the airport sits about 50 kilometers from Reykjavik with no train connection. That means you need to choose how to get into the city before you step out of arrivals. From dedicated airport buses like Flybus and Airport Direct to public bus 55, taxis, private transfers and rental cars, each option has its own balance of price, time, comfort and luggage flexibility. This guide walks through the main choices using current, real world examples so you can pick the one that fits your itinerary and budget.

Key things to know before you leave Keflavik Airport

The drive from Keflavik Airport to central Reykjavik is roughly 45 to 50 minutes in normal traffic along Route 41, the main highway that links the Reykjanes Peninsula to the capital region. In winter, or during heavy wind and rain, the same trip can stretch closer to an hour. When you compare transport options, always think in terms of door to door time, not just the theoretical driving time, because some services include hotel drop off while others leave you at the BSI bus terminal on the edge of the center.

Prices in Iceland change relatively often, especially for fuel and labor, so any figures you see advertised at the airport should be treated as approximate. At the time of writing, a typical one way airport coach transfer on Flybus or Airport Direct from Keflavik to Reykjavik starts in the range of about 4,000 to 5,500 Icelandic króna per adult, depending on whether you go to the bus terminal or pay extra for a hotel drop off. A taxi for the same distance usually costs in the region of 20,000 to 23,000 króna for the vehicle, not per person.

Luggage is the other big factor. Airport coaches and private transfers are set up for suitcases and outdoor gear and usually include at least one large bag and one carry on per person. Public bus 55 is a regular regional bus used by commuters and does not have dedicated underfloor luggage bays, so it is best only if you travel light. Rental cars give you maximum flexibility but you need to be honest about how much luggage will realistically fit in the car size you book.

Finally, late night and very early morning arrivals need more careful planning. The dedicated airport buses time their departures around flight schedules and tend to run for most of the day and evening, but the public bus has limited departures, and taxis can be more expensive at night. If your flight lands after midnight or before 6 a.m., pre booking an airport coach or private transfer is strongly recommended.

Flybus: the classic airport coach to Reykjavik

Flybus is one of the longest running airport bus services operating between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik. Coaches depart from directly outside the arrivals hall, and the company schedules departures to connect with arriving international flights rather than running on a fixed clock timetable. In practice that means you normally see a bus waiting or departing within about 30 to 45 minutes of landing, even if your flight is delayed.

A standard Flybus ticket typically takes you from Keflavik Airport to the BSI bus terminal just south of downtown Reykjavik in around 45 minutes. At recent prices this costs roughly the mid 4,000s króna per adult when booked online in advance, with children often discounted and infants traveling free. There is a more expensive “Flybus Plus” style option that includes a smaller shuttle bus from BSI to selected hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik, which can add 20 to 30 minutes to your total journey depending on where your accommodation sits in the drop off order.

For luggage, Flybus works much like any other airport coach. Large checked suitcases go in the underfloor hold, while smaller backpacks and personal items stay with you on board. Sport equipment like skis or odd sized items may incur a small supplementary fee, and there are usually clear rules that very large or heavy items need to be declared in advance. For a typical couple arriving with one checked suitcase each and carry on bags, there is no practical issue and no extra fee beyond the ticket price.

Flybus suits visitors who want a reliable, relatively low stress option without committing to a specific minute by minute departure time. For example, if your Icelandair flight from New York is scheduled to land at 6:30 a.m., you can simply walk out after baggage claim and buy a ticket at the Flybus counter or machine, then board the next departure. If your flight is an hour late, you still just join the next available bus. The trade off is that you are traveling with a large group and may have a short wait before departure.

Airport Direct: smaller coaches and hotel focused service

Airport Direct is the main alternative airport bus operator serving Keflavik to Reykjavik. Like Flybus, its vehicles pick up directly outside the terminal, but the company focuses more on smaller buses and point to point hotel transfers. Many travellers find this a bit more comfortable and personal, especially in the “premium” or “direct” style services that skip the central terminal and take you straight to your hotel or a central bus stop near it.

Typical prices for Airport Direct’s shared transfers fall in a similar range to Flybus, starting at roughly 4,000 to 5,500 króna per adult one way depending on whether you choose a basic terminal to terminal coach or a hotel drop off option. Travel time is usually 45 minutes to the city boundary and can be around an hour until you reach your final stop if you are one of the last drop offs. As with Flybus, children often ride at reduced fares, which can make these services affordable for families compared with taxis.

Luggage policies on Airport Direct are broadly similar to other airport coaches. Standard tickets usually include one checked suitcase and one carry on per person. Extra or oversized luggage, such as large ski bags, multiple checked suitcases per passenger, or bulky photography equipment, may require an additional fee. In practice, many visitors report that normal holiday luggage is accepted without issue, but if you know you will have several large bags each it is worth checking the latest conditions and possibly upgrading to a more spacious private transfer.

One useful real world example: visitors staying near the Harpa Concert Hall or down by the old harbor in Reykjavik often book an Airport Direct service with drop off at a nearby designated bus stop, such as a street corner a few minutes’ walk from their guesthouse. This avoids dealing with a taxi in the city center, where private cars cannot always stop directly in front of accommodation due to local traffic rules.

Taxis and private transfers: fastest but most expensive

A taxi or private transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is the quickest and most comfortable option, but it is also the most expensive on a per person basis for solo travelers or couples. The drive itself takes about 45 minutes in normal conditions, and because you leave as soon as you are ready, there is no waiting for a scheduled bus departure and no detours to other hotels.

Recent published guidance from local sources suggests that a metered taxi from Keflavik Airport to downtown Reykjavik typically costs in the region of 20,000 to 23,000 króna for a standard car in daytime, with higher fares at night, on Sundays or on public holidays. Some taxi companies and private shuttle operators offer pre booked flat rates that lock in a fixed price for the journey, which many visitors prefer because it removes uncertainty about traffic or slight route changes. For a group of four sharing, this can work out to roughly similar per person cost as a premium airport coach ticket.

Private transfer companies often use minivans or larger vehicles that can accommodate extra luggage, ski bags or camera gear. It is common for them to include one or two large suitcases per passenger in the base price and to charge extra only for very large or unusual items. A family of four with three checked bags and four carry ons, for example, will usually fit comfortably in a pre booked van, while the same group might find a standard city taxi too tight. When requesting a quote, always mention your luggage volume and any special items.

Taxis and private transfers are especially attractive in a few real world scenarios. If you land at Keflavik around midnight in winter and are staying in an apartment on a residential street, a pre booked car means you avoid waiting in the cold for a bus and then walking from the terminal to your accommodation with bags. If you are traveling with small children or older relatives, direct door to door service can also be worth the surcharge. Booking through reputable companies or via your hotel reception reduces the risk of paying inflated unofficial prices at the rank.

Rental car: flexibility for road trips starting on day one

Many visitors to Iceland plan to drive the Ring Road or explore the Reykjanes Peninsula, Golden Circle or South Coast. In those cases, renting a car directly from Keflavik Airport can be a logical choice because it solves two problems at once: you get into Reykjavik and you have your vehicle ready for the rest of your trip. The main rental agencies maintain desks in or next to the terminal, and shuttle buses take you to the nearby lots where the cars are kept.

On cost, a small to mid sized rental car in Iceland can vary widely depending on the season, insurance package and booking channel. In shoulder seasons like May or October, it is often possible to find compact cars from roughly the low tens of thousands of króna per day, before fuel. In peak summer, prices can be significantly higher. When comparing a rental to bus tickets, remember that fuel for the 50 kilometer drive into Reykjavik will be an additional expense, and Iceland has relatively high fuel prices by European standards.

Luggage capacity is the practical constraint for many groups. A small hatchback might technically seat four people, but fitting four full size hard suitcases plus backpacks into the trunk is rarely comfortable. As a rule of thumb, couples traveling with two medium suitcases and two carry ons are usually fine in a compact car. Families or groups of three or four adults with large bags are often better off with a station wagon or small SUV, even if the daily rental price is higher, simply to avoid driving with bags piled up on the back seat obstructing visibility.

Choosing a rental car makes particular sense in scenarios where you plan to leave Reykjavik again very soon. For example, if you land at Keflavik in the morning, drive into Reykjavik to check into your hotel, then continue in the afternoon to the Blue Lagoon and along the Reykjanes coast, having your own car from the start saves multiple separate transfers. On the other hand, if you intend to stay car free in Rekjavik for the first few days and only later join guided tours, paying for a rental to sit idle on a city street may not be the best value.

Public bus 55: the cheapest, most local option

Strætó route 55 is the public bus connecting Keflavik Airport with the capital area. It is significantly cheaper than the dedicated airport coaches but also slower and less convenient, particularly with heavy luggage or late night arrivals. Unlike Flybus and Airport Direct, route 55 is a regular scheduled service used by commuters and locals, and it does not adjust its timetable for delayed flights.

As of early 2026, official fare tables show that an adult single ticket for the full journey from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city area on route 55 costs around 2,400 króna, with reduced fares of roughly 1,200 króna for youths, seniors and disabled passengers and free travel for young children accompanied by adults. The journey takes about one hour to one hour fifteen minutes depending on the specific departure and traffic. Some trips on route 55 go all the way to BSI bus terminal, while others terminate earlier in the capital area, so it is important to check the current timetable for the symbol indicating BSI service.

For luggage, bus 55 is not designed with tourists in mind. It has no underfloor luggage bays, and space for large suitcases is limited to the standing area near the doors. One medium suitcase and a backpack per person is usually manageable when the bus is not crowded, but large groups with multiple bags each can cause practical difficulties, especially during peak commuting times in the morning and late afternoon. Because this is a regular public service, there is no guarantee of a seat, and standing for part of the journey with bags can be tiring after a long flight.

In real use, bus 55 works best for budget travelers, solo backpackers and long stay visitors who value saving money over comfort and speed. For example, a solo traveler arriving at midday with one 40 liter backpack might pay about half the price of an airport coach by taking route 55 and then walking or changing to a city bus to reach their accommodation. However, someone arriving near midnight or early morning may find that route 55 has no convenient departures, making a dedicated airport bus or taxi the only realistic option.

Comparing cost, time and luggage across all options

When you place all the main options side by side, each finds its own niche. The airport coaches operated by Flybus and Airport Direct sit in the middle, balancing cost, time and convenience. Their journey time from Keflavik Airport to central Reykjavik is typically around 45 minutes to the terminal or just under an hour to most hotels when you include local drop off. Prices hover around the mid 4,000s króna for a basic adult ticket, and luggage allowances are generous enough for typical holiday baggage without extra charges.

Public bus 55 is the clear winner on price, with the adult fare of roughly 2,400 króna being about half of what you might pay for a dedicated airport coach. That saving comes at the cost of slower overall travel, less frequent departures and limited luggage space. For a couple carrying two large hard suitcases each, public bus 55 quickly becomes impractical even if it is technically allowed. In that scenario, the convenience and storage of a dedicated airport bus often justify the higher fare.

Taxis and private transfers are the fastest and most flexible. For a solo traveler, paying around 20,000 to 23,000 króna for a taxi is a big premium above a 4,000 to 5,500 króna bus ticket. For a group of four sharing, however, the per person cost is closer to 5,000 to 6,000 króna, which can be comparable to a premium bus ticket with hotel drop off. This is why groups of friends or families often consider a private van transfer worthwhile, especially when arriving late at night or with young children.

Rental cars sit slightly outside the simple point to point comparison because they give you ongoing mobility. If you only need to get from the airport to Reykjavik once, a rental car is almost never cheaper than an airport bus or even a taxi after you add fuel and parking. But if you plan to drive extensively, it can be cost effective to think of the airport to city leg as simply the first drive in a multi day itinerary, with the daily rental cost spread across all your planned journeys.

Real world scenarios and how to decide

Consider a couple arriving at 9 a.m. in September for a long weekend in Reykjavik, staying in a hotel near Hallgrimskirkja church with two medium suitcases and two carry on bags. They plan to join guided tours for the Golden Circle and South Coast and have no need for a car. In this case, booking Flybus or Airport Direct with hotel drop off is usually the easiest choice. They pay around 9,000 to 11,000 króna total for two one way tickets, ride for about an hour from terminal to hotel, and do not have to think about driving or parking.

Now imagine a family of five arriving in July with older children and a plan to drive the South Coast immediately. They have four large checked bags, daypacks and possibly camping gear. Here, a pre booked rental SUV from Keflavik Airport starts to make more sense. Although the daily rental and fuel costs are substantial, the same family would otherwise pay for five bus tickets each way plus regional tours. Loading their luggage into a spacious vehicle at the airport lets them drive straight from Keflavik to Reykjavik for lunch, then continue along Route 1 towards Vik, making the most of their first day.

For a solo backpacker on a long trip through the Nordic region arriving on a weekday afternoon, public bus 55 may be the right compromise. With a single backpack and no time pressure, paying roughly 2,400 króna instead of the 4,000 to 5,500 króna airport coach fare leaves more budget for food or entrance fees in the city. The extra 15 to 30 minutes on the road and the less polished boarding process will matter less to someone used to local transport.

Finally, consider a business traveler landing at 11:30 p.m. in January with only a briefcase and cabin bag, staying in a central hotel and needing a reliable, quick route to prepare for meetings the next morning. A pre arranged private transfer or taxi, costing somewhere around 20,000 to 23,000 króna, will probably feel justified. The driver meets them in the arrivals hall, helps with luggage, and they are at the hotel reception within roughly 45 minutes without having to navigate bus stops in snow or wind.

The Takeaway

Getting from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is straightforward once you match the options to your priorities. For most visitors, the dedicated airport buses operated by Flybus and Airport Direct offer the best balance of price, reliability and luggage handling. They are built around flight arrivals, can cope with typical tourist baggage and deliver you either to the central BSI terminal or to a hotel area in roughly an hour from touchdown.

Travelers watching every króna and carrying light bags can save meaningful money by using Strætó public bus route 55, at the cost of a bit more time and less comfort. At the other end of the spectrum, taxis and private transfers give the fastest, most direct service and are particularly appealing for late night arrivals, groups sharing the fare, or anyone for whom a smooth door to door journey is more important than minimizing cost.

Rental cars are the right tool when Keflavik to Reykjavik is just the first of many drives on your itinerary. If you intend to explore beyond the capital, especially outside the reach of day tours, picking up a car at the airport can be both practical and economical over several days. Whatever you choose, checking current prices and timetables before you fly, and thinking honestly about your luggage and energy levels after a long flight, will set you up for a smooth start to your time in Iceland.

FAQ

Q1. How long does it take to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik?
In normal conditions the drive takes about 45 to 50 minutes by car or airport coach, and around one hour or slightly more on public bus 55, depending on traffic and exact route.

Q2. What is the cheapest way to travel from Keflavik to Reykjavik?
The cheapest regular option is Strætó public bus route 55, where an adult single ticket for the full journey costs roughly 2,400 króna, about half the price of a typical airport coach ticket.

Q3. How much does a taxi from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik cost?
A standard taxi ride from Keflavik Airport to downtown Reykjavik usually costs in the region of 20,000 to 23,000 króna for the car, with higher prices at night or on holidays and possible surcharges for extra luggage.

Q4. Do Flybus and Airport Direct run if my flight is delayed?
Both Flybus and Airport Direct time their departures around arriving international flights rather than fixed departure times, so in most cases they continue operating when flights are delayed, though you may wait for the next available bus.

Q5. Can I take large luggage or sports equipment on the airport buses?
Yes, airport coaches are designed to handle suitcases in the underfloor hold and allow a carry on bag on board, but very large or unusual items such as skis may require advance notice or an extra fee.

Q6. Is public bus 55 suitable if I have two big suitcases?
Public bus 55 has no dedicated luggage hold and limited space near the doors, so two large suitcases per person can be awkward; it is more comfortable with one medium suitcase and a backpack or lighter loads.

Q7. Should I book my airport transfer in advance?
Booking in advance is recommended in high season, for late night or very early arrivals, or if you need a taxi or private transfer, while airport coach tickets are more flexible and can often be bought on arrival.

Q8. Is renting a car at Keflavik worth it just to reach Reykjavik?
If you only need a ride into the city, renting a car is usually more expensive than bus or taxi options, but if you plan to drive around Iceland over several days, picking up a car at the airport can make sense.

Q9. Do the buses drop me at my hotel in Reykjavik?
Some airport coach tickets include or offer add ons for hotel or designated bus stop drop off, while others go only to the BSI terminal; public bus 55 does not provide specific hotel drop offs.

Q10. Can I pay for transport from Keflavik with a credit card?
Yes, airport coaches, most taxi and private transfer companies, and ticket sales for public transport commonly accept credit and debit cards, and many visitors complete the entire journey without using cash.