Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
The main gateway is Keflavík International Airport (KEF), about 50 km southwest of Reykjavík. Into the city you can take airport shuttle coaches such as Flybus or Airport Direct, rent a car, or take a taxi (expensive). Reykjavík's in-city airport (RKV) handles domestic flights. There are no trains in Iceland.
- Airport
- Keflavík (KEF), ~50 km
- To city
- Flybus / Airport Direct shuttle
- No trains
- Iceland has no railway
- Reykjavík domestic airport (RKV) is for internal flights
- Taxis are available but expensive
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Public transport in the capital area is run by Strætó, the yellow buses covering central Reykjavík and its suburbs. Service is limited in rural areas and at tourist sites. There is no national rail network anywhere in Iceland, so a car is usually needed beyond the city.
- Capital area
- Strætó yellow buses
- Rural
- Limited services
- No rail
- No national railway
- Beyond the city a car is usually needed
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Iceland has no nationwide IC card or rail smart card, simply because there is no railway. For Strætó buses, pay via the app (Klappid / the Straeto app), buy multi-ride tickets, or pay cash (drivers give no change). Contactless bank cards are widely used for everyday payments elsewhere.
- No rail card
- No railway exists
- Strætó
- App (Klappid), tickets, cash
- Cash
- No change given on buses
- Contactless bank cards are widely accepted elsewhere
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Driving is on the right and a rental car is the most common and flexible way to explore Iceland; circling the Ring Road (Route 1) is a classic trip. F-roads (unpaved highland routes) require a 4WD, are summer-only and may involve river crossings. In winter use winter tyres and beware storms and strong gusts that can rip off doors. Refuel with a chip-and-PIN card; off-road driving is illegal.
- Drive on
- Right side
- F-roads
- 4WD only, summer only
- Warning
- Gusts can rip off doors
- Off-road driving is illegal; stay on marked roads
- Refuel with a chip-and-PIN card at pumps
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Intercity and regional travel is mainly by rental car. Long-distance buses exist (Strætó regional lines and summer sightseeing coaches) but are limited. Ferries include the Baldur (Snæfellsnes to the Westfjords) and the Herjólfur (to the Westman Islands). There is no rail option.
- Main mode
- Rental car
- Buses
- Strætó regional, limited
- Ferries
- Baldur, Herjólfur
- Summer sightseeing coaches add more routes
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights are operated by Icelandair's domestic arm (successor to Air Iceland Connect) and carriers such as Ernir, flying from Reykjavík city airport (RKV) to Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður and more. They are useful for reaching far-flung regions and in winter when roads are difficult.
- From
- Reykjavík (RKV)
- To
- Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður
- Useful for
- Far regions, winter
- Operators include Icelandair domestic and Ernir
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Check weather and road conditions every day on road.is and vedur.is. F-roads need a 4WD and check your insurance covers them. Refuel often as filling stations are sparse. In winter, daylight is short so drive with care, and always open and close doors carefully in strong gusts.
- Daily check
- road.is and vedur.is
- F-roads
- 4WD, check insurance
- Fuel
- Refuel often, sparse stations
- Winter daylight is short; drive with care
- Open and close doors carefully in strong gusts