Arrival & Transport
By Plane
Iceland has an international airport:
Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
The international airport is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, 50 km southwest of Reykjavík. Modern terminal with duty-free shop (important for alcohol!). Direct flights from Frankfurt (3:30h, Icelandair, PLAY), Berlin (3:45h), Munich (3:40h), Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Zurich.
Airlines: Icelandair (Premium, stopover option), PLAY (low-cost), Eurowings, Wizz Air, Lufthansa (seasonal).
Transfer to Reykjavík: Flybus (approx. 3,900 ISK/26€, 45 min., every 30–45 min.), Airport Direct (similar price), Taxi (approx. 18,000 ISK/120€ — expensive!). Rental car counters in the arrival hall and at the nearby rental car center.
Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV)
The small domestic airport is located in the middle of Reykjavík by Lake Tjörnin. Domestic flights depart from here to Akureyri (45 min.), Ísafjörður (Westfjords), Egilsstaðir (East Iceland), and to the Westman Islands.
Flight Prices (Guidelines)
| Period | Price (Round Trip) |
|---|---|
| Off-season (Nov–Mar, except Christmas) | 150–300€ |
| Shoulder season (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) | 200–400€ |
| High season (Jun–Aug) | 350–700€ |
Tipp
Icelandair offers a free stopover: On transatlantic flights (e.g., Europe → USA), you can stay in Iceland for up to 7 days — at no extra cost! This is the smartest way to combine Iceland with a USA trip. PLAY is the low-cost airline, but beware: Hand luggage is heavily limited.
Rental Car — The Alpha and Omega
A rental car is practically indispensable in Iceland. There is no railway network, bus service is limited and expensive, and the highlights are scattered across the island. The Ring Road (Route 1) is in good condition and fully paved.
Which Vehicle?
| Type | Price/Day | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Small car (2WD) | 50–80€ | Ring Road in summer, Golden Circle |
| Compact SUV (2WD) | 70–120€ | Ring Road + gravel roads |
| All-wheel SUV (4x4) | 120–250€ | F-roads, highlands, winter |
| Campervan | 120–200€ | Ring Road + camping (saves accommodation!) |
Important Driving Rules
- F-roads (highland tracks): Only allowed with 4x4! Driving on F-roads with 2WD voids insurance coverage and risks hefty fines
- Fording: Crossing rivers without a bridge. Only with 4x4 and experience! When in doubt: DO NOT cross. Rental cars regularly drown
- Off-road ban: Driving off marked paths is strictly prohibited and carries high fines. The sensitive vegetation takes decades to recover
- Speed limit: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on gravel roads, 90 km/h on asphalt roads. Speed cameras everywhere!
- Wind: The greatest enemy in Iceland. Car doors can be torn off in storms — always open against the wind and hold tight!
- Sheep: From June to September, free-roaming sheep are on and beside the road. Drive slowly!
Insurance
Highly recommended:
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Basic protection, often included
- SCDW (Super CDW): Reduces the deductible to 0
- Sand & Ash Protection (SAAP): Iceland's specialty! Volcanic sand can destroy the paint
- Gravel Protection (GP): Gravel damage from oncoming traffic on gravel roads
Achtung
NEVER drive on F-roads with a 2WD vehicle! You immediately lose all insurance coverage, and towing costs from the highlands can amount to 2,000–5,000€. Also: DO NOT ford rivers without experience. Every year, dozens of rental cars get stuck in Icelandic rivers — or are washed away.
Bus, Domestic Flight & Ferry
Overland Buses
The bus network in Iceland is limited and expensive. There is no railway service on the island. Main providers:
- Strætó: Public transport in Reykjavík and some overland routes. Reykjavík bus: 550 ISK per ride, no change given (use Straeto app!)
- Reykjavík Excursions: Tour buses to the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Blue Lagoon
- SBA Norðurleið: Buses on the Ring Road (summer only)
- Highland Buses: From Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk (June–September)
Domestic Flights
Useful for saving time, especially to North Iceland:
| Route | Flight Time | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík → Akureyri | 45 min. | from 10,000 ISK (67€) |
| Reykjavík → Egilsstaðir | 1h | from 12,000 ISK (80€) |
| Reykjavík → Ísafjörður | 40 min. | from 11,000 ISK (73€) |
Ferry
- Herjólfur: Ferry from Landeyjahöfn to the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). 35 min., approx. 1,700 ISK per person
- Baldur: Ferry across Breiðafjörður from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the Westfjords. 2.5h
- Smyril Line: International ferry from Denmark (Hirtshals) via the Faroe Islands to Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland. 2 days, but an adventure! Car can be brought along.
Distances & Travel Times (Ring Road)
| Route | Distance | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík → Vík (South Coast) | 186 km | 2.5h |
| Reykjavík → Jökulsárlón | 380 km | 5h |
| Reykjavík → Akureyri | 389 km | 5h |
| Akureyri → Mývatn | 100 km | 1h |
| Akureyri → Húsavík | 92 km | 1h |
| Ring Road complete | 1,322 km | ~16h pure driving time |
Tipp
The Smyril Line ferry from Denmark to Iceland is an alternative to flying — especially if you want to bring your own car. The crossing takes 2 days (with a stop in the Faroe Islands) and is an experience in itself. In summer, be sure to book months in advance!
War dieses Kapitel hilfreich?
