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Getting from Keflavik to Reykjavik by Bus

From Keflavik to Reykjavik bus is not just comfortable and fast but it also helps you save a lot of money as taxi and private transfers are extremely expensive in Iceland.

I know it is easier for you to call a taxi or to arrange an airport transfer with your hotel but this requires extra money and the journey from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik will cost you more than 250 euros.

So, yes, if you want to save some money when traveling from the airport to the hotel or to Blue Lagoon you are in the right place.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about Keflavik to Reykjavik bus price, route, and other useful information.

But before moving forward, let me tell you some things about Keflavik International airport, the main gateway to the world.

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Keflavik International Airport general information

Reykjavik- Keflavik Airport is Iceland’s main gateway to the world and the largest airport from the country.

The airport is located 50 kilometers from the capital city of Reykjavik so this explains the high costs of transfers from the airport to Iceland’s capital.

Iceland Airport From Keflavik to Reykjavik bus

Reykjavik Iceland Keflavik Airport

The airport has a car parking lot for long-term parking and short-term and rental car companies with offices directly in the terminal.

Among the facilities available at the airport I would like to mention:

  • bank offices and ATMs
  • food court
  • shopping area
  • luggage

Bank offices and ATMs

Inside the terminal, there are two bank offices belonging to Arion Bank, one located in the Arrival terminal and the other one in the Departure terminal. Besides these bank branches, you will find many ATMs from where you can withdraw money once you landed.

Good ATM Iceland currency

Good ATM Iceland currency

Just a small piece of advice: don’t withdraw a lot of cash as cards are widely accepted all over the country and you will end with cash in your pocket at the end of your trip.

You will pay with a card event the ticket for your transportation from From Keflavik to Reykjavik bus.

Food court

Inside the airport, you will find a small restaurant and a pizzeria as well as a few cafés and a bar with a view all located in the Departure terminal.

The prices for the food are higher than average and the quality of the dishes is quite good, but don’t expect a wide range of dishes available.

Shopping area

You have ended your tour across the country or the Golden Circle tour but you forgot to buy souvenirs for your family and friends.

Inside the airport, you will find a few shops selling souvenirs, woolen articles, local crafts, and traditional food and drinks.

Shops inside Keflavik airport to Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport Terminal

Shops inside Keflavik airport to Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport Terminal

There is also a duty-free from where you can buy cosmetics, tobacco, perfumes, jewelry, and alcohol at discounted prices.

Speaking about alcohol, in Iceland there are special stores from where you can buy alcohol and the opening hours are quite limited.

So, in order to get the best price and not to waste time searching for alcohol stores, we strongly recommend you to buy alcohol from the airport once you land in Iceland.

Luggage

There is a designated area where you can store your luggage inside the airport, but you have to pay a fee for using this facility.

From Keflavik to Reykjavik bus

Now that you arrived in Iceland and bought some alcohol from the airport terminal it’s time to go to your accommodation.

Fly Bus Keflavik Airport

Fly Bus Keflavik Airport

Keep in mind that the transfer from the airport to Reykjavik lasts for at least 45 minutes as there are more than 50 kilometers between these two points.

How to get from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik

You can take a taxi, a shuttle bus, a private minibus, public transport or a rented car to get from the airport to your hotel.

Rented cars

Most of the tourists that choose to visit Iceland rent a car to explore this beautiful country on their own and to enjoy its beauty.

You can choose to take a Keflavik airport to Reykjavik bus to get to the hotel, but if you decided to take a tour of the country and rent a car, then find a company that has offices inside the airport or offer a free shuttle from the airport to the rental office.

Iceland Car Rental

Iceland Car Rental

In this way, you will save some money on the travel between the airport to your hotel and you have more to spend on your trip.

Get the best price for your car rental today

Companies like Avis, Europcar, Budget, and Hertz have their offices inside the airport, while others like Blue Car Rental have their office in the car rental area and there is a shuttle but every 15 minutes from the terminal to their office.

Taxi

Wondering how to get from Keflavik to Reykjavik in a short time, then a taxi is a right option for you.

The main advantage of choosing a taxi as a way to get from the airport to the Reykjavik or even Blue Lagoon is that it is fast, but it costs a lot.

Airport Direct Keflavik To Reykjavik Iceland shuttle service

Airport Direct Keflavik To Reykjavik Iceland shuttle service

As the distance is quite long, you will end up paying more than 250 euros for the ride, and trust me, Icelandic taxi drivers do not cheat, this is the real price.

Bus from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik

There are plenty of bus companies that operate courses between the airport and the capital city of Reykjavik, all of them having almost the same price, the same discounts for kids, and all offer free WiFi on the bus.

The main differences between these bus companies are related to schedule, luggage allowance, and drop-off place.

The most popular companies to get you from the airport to your hotel guesthouse are Flybus, Gray Line, and Airport Direct, all of them having direct lines between the airport and the city.

Flybus

I like to say that Flybus is the best shuttle service from the airport to the city of 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.

Reykjavik Excursions Flybus Bus from Keflavik International Airport Iceland

Reykjavik Excursions Flybus Bus from Keflavik International Airport Iceland

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.

Flybus Iceland Reykjavik

Flybus Iceland Reykjavik

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+: that operates transfers between Keflavik 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.

Flybus Reykjavik Shuttle Bus Transfer to from Keflavik Airport

Flybus Reykjavik Shuttle Bus Transfer to from Keflavik Airport

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.

Gray Line Airport Bus Flybus Iceland Keflavik Reykjavik

Gray Line Airport Bus Flybus Iceland Keflavik Reykjavik

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.

Grey Line KEF Airport Reykjavik City Bus Transfer

Grey Line KEF Airport Reykjavik City Bus Transfer

The company also says that if you are not able to catch the pre-booked bus, your ticket is valid also 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.

Airport Direct Keflavik To Reykjavik Iceland shuttle service

Airport Direct Keflavik To Reykjavik Iceland shuttle service

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.

Airport Direct Bus from Keflavik To Reykjavik Iceland shuttle service

Airport Direct Bus from Keflavik To Reykjavik Iceland shuttle service

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.

Airport Direct Direct Bus Transfer between Keflavik Airport and Hotels

Airport Direct Direct Bus Transfer between Keflavik Airport and Hotels

FAQ

How much is the bus from Keflavik to Reykjavik?

The price for a single ticket for an adult from Keflavik to Reykjavik city centre starts from 22 euro, while kids age 12 to 17 have to pay 11 euro.

If you choose a round trip then the price for an adult for a ticket is 44 euro, while kids age 12 to 17 have to pay just 22 euro.

Children younger than 11 years do not have to pay anything for the shuttle between the airport and Reykjavik.

How much is a taxi from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik?

Taxi is quite expensive all across Iceland and you will most probably pay around 300 euro for a round trip from the airport to the hotel and back.

If you choose just a one-way taxi ride, then you should expect to pay around 180 euro for that trip and Icelandic taxi drivers do not scam people, these are the real prices.

How much is a bus ticket in Reykjavik?

The price of a single fare ticket in Reykjavik is around 3.5 euro for day buses and will double for night buses.

Seniors over 67 years old, disabled passengers, and children 6 to 17 years old have to pay just half of the price.

If you travel with children up to 6 years old you don’t have to pay any ticket for them as public transport is free of charge.

Keflavik Airport Bus Station

Keflavik Airport Bus Station

Conclusion

From Keflavik to Reykjavik bus are the cheapest way to get to your accommodation as long as you have booked your first night in the capital area.

The airport is transited by more than 10 million passengers each year and most of them choose to take the bus to reach their hotel.

The best thing you can do if you want to use the shuttle bus is to pre-book your ticket as this thing will guarantee a seat on the bus even if your plane has delays and you have to catch the next bus.

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.