Buses from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik are the cheapest and the most popular vehicles used by tourists interested to get from Keflavik to Reykjavik.

Keflavik International Airport is the only international airport from Iceland and is the main gateway to the world.

More than 10 million passengers passed through this airport in 2019 and this makes Keflavik the 5th busiest airport of all the Nordic countries.

It was built in 1943 as a military airport and in 1987 a new terminal was opened to serve the increasing demand for commercial flights.

It is an important stop-over link between North America and Europe and during the crowded summertime, more than 25 airline companies operate here.

Keflavik International Airport is located in the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 50 kilometers away from the capital city Reykjavik.

Best Buses from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik

Shuttle from Reykjavik to Keflavik airport connect the capital city with the country’s main airport, but taxi, public transport, and car rental are also available.

But before talking about buses from Keflavik to Reykjavik, let me tell you some things about what you can do in the airport while waiting for your plane.

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What to do on a layover at the international airport from Keflavik

1. Eat

Don’t expect a large food court inside the departure terminal but you will still find something to eat no matter how picky you are.

You will find a small restaurant, a pizzeria, a café, and a bar serving Scandinavian dishes as well as sandwiches and cold cuts.

The prices are higher than the ones from Reykjavik and other big cities, and not all the stores stay open all night.

2. Go sightseeing

Buses from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik run quite often so if you have a layover for more than 8 hours you can take the bus and explore Reykjavik.

Or, you can take another bus that goes directly to Blue Lagoon the country’s most famous thermal pool where you need to book your ticket in advance to secure your seat.

The buses generally depart every 30 to 45 minutes from Keflavik terminal with direction Reykjavik or Blue Lagoon and you can use the luggage storage services located inside the airport to leave your luggage there while exploring Reykjavik or bath into Blue Lagoon.

As the most important attractions in Reykjavik, I would like to mention Hallgrimskirkja, the tallest church in the country, Harpa Concert Hall, National Gallery of Iceland, and the Sun Voyager, the symbol of the city.

3. Shop

There are a few shops open inside the departure terminal including a duty-free, a souvenir shop, and a Blue Lagoon shop from where you can buy skin products made from natural ingredients.

If you have just landed, we strongly recommend you to visit the duty-free to buy alcohol as inside Iceland the prices are even higher and there are designated shops where you can buy alcohol.

The opening hours of these shops are quite limited and they cannot be found everywhere in Iceland, so you’d better buy some alcohol supplies before leaving the terminal.

Now it’s time to go back to our subject and see how you can get from the airport to the city of Reykjavik and the other way around.

Is there a bus from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik

As taxi is extremely expensive and Uber is not working in Iceland, the best way to get from the airport to the city is to get a shuttle bus or a rented car.

A rental car gives you the mobility and freedom to move around and explore the country at your own pace as this country has many beautiful and hidden natural attractions.

You can even take the Ring Road Tour or the Golden Circle Tour as these are the most emblematic tours of the country which takes you through all the wonders from this country.

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How much does it cost to get from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik

The cheapest way to get from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik is by public transport, bus no 55 that costs between 10 to 15 USD.

It takes you about one hour to get from the airstrip to the city and the buses generally leave every 30 minutes.

There are the taxis, but taxi is extremely expensive in Iceland; the ride from the airport to Reykjavik city center will cost you at least 150 USD.

And there are the airport shuttles, which generally leave 30 minutes after the plane landed and the cost is around 20 USD per ride.

You can book your seat in advance on a public bus from Reykjavik to Keflavik airport and most bus companies allow you to hop on into the next bus if you miss the one you have booked your seat.

There are three shuttle lines that operate bus transfers between Keflavik and Reykjavik city center or the hotels where you have your accommodation: Flybus, Direct Airport and Gray Line.

Flybus

I like to say that Flybus is the best as buses from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik as it departs every 30 minutes to 45 minutes after the arrival of each plane and it operates 24 hours a day.

The good thing is that if the plane is late then the buses adapt their schedule to stick to the rule of leaving 35-45 minutes after the plane arrives.

The ticket you buy is available for every bus, so you don’t have to worry if you lose the bus as the next one is right on the corner.

Flybus do not have any luggage limited regarding the size and weight of the baggage but after taking your luggage head directly to the bus as it might get really crowded in a short time.

From Keflavik to Reykjavik bus operated by Flybus guarantees your seat if you have a pre-booked ticket, so I strongly recommend you to do so if you want to catch the next bus.

There are two types of Flybus services offered by the company:

• Flybus: that operates transfers between Keflavik airport to BSI bus terminal from Reykjavik city center with two stops on the road: Aktu Taktu in Gardabaer and Hotel Viking from Hafnafrjordour.
• Flybus+: operates transfers between Keflavík airport and hotels from Reykjavik. It costs a few euro extra and you first take the Flybus to BSI terminal and from there another bus that stops at the hotels where tourists have booked their rooms.

Depending on where you are staying and how many people are on the bus, the travel between the BSI bus terminal and then to your hotel might take up to one and a half hours.

If you want to use this safe and reliable airport transport between Keflavik Airport and your hotel, get your ticket from here.

The price is for a one-way shuttle bus transfer and has included the pick-up and drop-off as well as free WiFi onboard, plus free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to your trip.

Gray Line Airport Express

Gray Line Airport Express is quite similar to Flybus but there is one thing that I don’t like about it: the final stop from Reykjavik is quite far from downtown.

That is why I recommend you buy your ticket with a hotel drop-off and hotel pick-up option.

By the time you pre-book your ticket you have to choose the exact time for the bus, but nowhere is stated exactly what happens if the plane has delayed.

The company also says that if you cannot catch the pre-booked bus, your ticket is also valid for the next bus, but again, I cannot find anything clearly written about this matter.

Pre-book your ticket here and let the driver deal with the Icelandic roads while you seat in a modern and comfortable bus and enjoy the view.

Only here do you have free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to your trip and for your comfort, I recommend you to book the ticket with hotel pick up and drop off.

Airport Direct

From Keflavik to Reykjavik bus options includes also Airport Direct which operated smaller buses from the airport directly to your hotel, so pick up and drop off is included.

Generally, travel time from the airport to your hotel is shorter as you don’t have to go first to a bus terminal and from there change the bus and go to the hotel.

What I don’t like about Airport Direct is that you have to buy your ticket for a precise time, you cannot use it for the next bus.

If your plane has a delay you will have to buy another ticket as the one you have does not guarantee you a seat on the next mini-bus.

There are other two things that make this line special and less popular:

• the luggage restrictions: you are allowed to carry a carry-on bag and big luggage; an extra fee is applied for more luggage.
• the buses run only between 4.15 in the morning and 5.15 in the afternoon no matter the arrival and departure time of your flight.

If you want to travel in style and don’t pay extra for hotel pick and drop-off, then Airport Direct is the best choice for you.

Get your ticket from here and you have free cancellation up to 24 hours to your trip and a quick transfer between Keflavik airport and Reykjavik city.

Conclusion

These buses from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik are cheaper than private transfers or taxis and they will take you from the international airport to your hotel with no extra stress from your side.

Bear in mind that the summer season is quite a busy time of the year so we strongly recommend you book your bus ticket in advance to secure your seat on the right bus.