Getting Around Iceland
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient buses for Reykjavik. Rural: Rent a car for Ring Road and highlands exploration. Remote: Domestic flights or guided tours. For convenience, book airport transfers from Keflavik to your destination.
Bus Travel
Strætó National Bus
Efficient bus network connecting Reykjavik to major towns with seasonal services to remote areas.
Cost: Reykjavik to Akureyri €50-70, journeys 5-7 hours between key routes.
Tickets: Buy via Strætó app, website, or on board. Mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid summer weekends for better availability and seats.
Bus Passes
Highland Bus Pass offers unlimited travel on select routes for €100 (3 days) or €150 (5 days).
Best For: Multiple stops along Ring Road over several days, significant savings for 4+ trips.
Where to Buy: Bus terminals, Strætó website, or official app with instant activation.
Domestic Flights
Air Iceland Connect and Eagle Air link Reykjavik to Akureyri, Egilsstadir, and Westman Islands.
Booking: Reserve seats weeks in advance for best prices, discounts up to 40%.
Reykjavik Airports: Domestic from Reykjavik Airport (RKV), with connections to Keflavik (KEF).
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring Ring Road and rural areas. Compare rental prices from €40-80/day at Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik.
Requirements: Valid license (EU or International), credit card, minimum age 20-23.
Insurance: Comprehensive gravel and weather coverage recommended, check for F-roads.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 30 km/h on gravel roads.
Tolls: None on main roads, but Hvalfjörður tunnel €10 one-way for cars.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on single-lane bridges, watch for sheep.
Parking: Free in most areas, paid in Reykjavik center €2-5/hour.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available at €1.80-2.20/liter for petrol, €1.70-2.00 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Vedur.is for navigation and weather alerts, download offline.
Traffic: Minimal congestion, but weather can cause delays year-round.
Urban Transport
Reykjavik Buses
Strætó network covers the capital, single ticket €3.50, day pass €10, 10-journey card €25.
Validation: Use app or card readers on board, fines for non-validation are high.
Apps: Strætó app for routes, real-time updates, and mobile tickets.
Bike Rentals
Lubijam and city bikes in Reykjavik, €10-20/day with stations and rentals available.
Routes: Paved paths around Reykjavik and Golden Circle, summer only recommended.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours for sightseeing, including geothermal areas.
Taxis & Local Services
Hreyfill and Taxi Reykjavik operate reliable services, app-based like Uber alternatives.
Tickets: €5-10 base fare, €2-3/km, use apps for fixed prices.
Airport Shuttles: Flybus connects Keflavik to Reykjavik, €25-30 round-trip.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus stops in Reykjavik for easy access, central areas for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 3-6 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and northern lights season.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable weather travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, heating, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 4G/5G coverage in populated areas, 3G/4G in most rural spots including Ring Road.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from €5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Síminn, Vodafone Iceland, and Nova offer prepaid SIMs from €10-20 with good coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for €15, 10GB for €25, unlimited for €35/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and tourist centers.
Public Hotspots: Reykjavik libraries and major attractions have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally fast (20-100 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC+0, no daylight saving time observed.
- Airport Transfers: Keflavik Airport 50km from Reykjavik, Flybus €25 (45 min), taxi €100, or book private transfer for €80-120.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals (€8-12/day) and dedicated services in Reykjavik.
- Accessibility: Buses and rentals increasingly accessible, but rugged terrain limits some sites.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses with restrictions (€10 fee), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on buses off-peak for €5, e-bikes may require special arrangements.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Iceland
Keflavik Airport (KEF) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Keflavik Airport (KEF): Primary international gateway, 50km southwest of Reykjavik with shuttle connections.
Reykjavik Airport (RKV): Domestic flights hub in city center, no international service.
Akureyri Airport (AEY): Northern regional airport with domestic and some European flights.
Booking Tips
Book 2-4 months in advance for summer travel (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider stopovers in Iceland via Icelandair for free extensions.
Budget Airlines
PLAY, easyJet, and Wizz Air serve Keflavik with European and transatlantic connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transfer to Reykjavik when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee €3-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express common in tourist spots.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay widely used, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most places.
- Cash: Rarely needed but useful for rural tips, keep €50-100 in small denominations.
- Tipping: Not customary in restaurants, round up or add 5-10% for excellent service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.