Praktisch · Kapitel 10
By the HolidayGenie editorial team ·
Iceland is located in the middle of the Atlantic — but getting there is easier and cheaper than you think. And once you're there? Reykjavik's center is walkable, but for the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon, you'll need either a rental car or a tour.
Arrival by Plane
Keflavík Airport (KEF)
Iceland's international airport Keflavík is located 50 km southwest of Reykjavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula — the journey to the center takes 45–50 minutes. The airport is modern, clear, and efficient.
- Flight time from Germany: 3.5–4 hours (Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf).
- Airlines: Icelandair (home airline, good service, Icelandic flair), PLAY (Icelandic low-cost carrier, from 50€ one-way!), Eurowings, Lufthansa, easyJet (seasonal).
- Prices: From 100€ return with PLAY, 200–400€ with Icelandair, 150–300€ with Eurowings/Lufthansa.
Transfer Keflavík → Reykjavik
- Flybus (Reykjavik Excursions): The standard transfer. 50 min. to the BSÍ bus terminal, from there shuttle to the hotel. approx. 25€ one-way, 45€ return. Operates after every landing.
- Airport Direct: Alternative to the Flybus, similar price, direct hotel delivery possible.
- Rental car: Pick up at the airport — the best option if you want to explore the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, or the South Coast on your own. From 50€/day for a small car.
- Taxi: Approx. 150–170€ to the center. Only sensible for groups.
Tipp
The duty-free shop at Keflavík Airport upon ARRIVAL (!) is your best friend: Alcohol is 40–60% cheaper there than in Iceland. Icelanders stock up on wine, beer, and spirits here for weeks. Take advantage — you won't regret it when you see the bar prices in Reykjavik.
Local Transport
On Foot — the Best Choice in the Center
Reykjavik's center is so compact that you can reach all the important spots on foot: It's 15 minutes from Hallgrímskirkja to the old harbor, 10 minutes from Laugavegur to Harpa. You don't need a car, bus, or taxi for the city center.
Strætó — City Buses
The city bus network Strætó connects the center with the suburbs and neighboring towns (Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður). Useful for getting to more distant thermal baths or to Perlan:
- Single ride: 550 ISK (approx. 3.50€) — pay conveniently in the Strætó app. No change on the bus!
- Day pass: 1,960 ISK (approx. 13€) — worth it for 4 rides or more.
- Reykjavik City Card: Includes unlimited bus rides.
Rental Car
For everything outside the center — Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, South Coast, Snæfellsnes — a rental car is the best option. Iceland's roads are (on the main routes) good, traffic is minimal, and the landscape is breathtaking. Some tips:
- Ring Road 1: Paved, drivable with a small car.
- F-Roads (Highlands): Only allowed with a four-wheel-drive vehicle (4x4)! Gravel roads, river crossings, no cell service. Open in summer (Jul–Sep).
- Providers: Blue Car Rental, Lava Car Rental, Lotus Car Rental — local providers are often cheaper than international chains.
- Insurance: Gravel and sand protection (SAAP/GP) is advisable in Iceland — wind and gravel can damage the paint.
Achtung
NEVER drive off marked roads and paths in Iceland! Off-road driving is legally prohibited and can result in fines of several thousand euros. The sensitive Icelandic vegetation (mosses, lichens) takes decades to recover from tire tracks. Protecting nature in Iceland is not a request, but a law.
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