Getting to Iceland

By plane

Iceland is easily reached via air and the international airport is Keflavik, in the southwest of the country about 40 km from Reykjavik. The airport itself is quite barren; if you have a lengthy layover you should bring books or other forms of entertainment.

As of January 2010, be prepared to go through a security screening immediately upon arrival in Iceland if you arrive from outside the EEA. This is before you go through passport control.

Since Iceland is not in the EU, you will have to go through customs on arrival in Keflavik, regardless of place of origin. (Interestingly, a duty-free store is present in the arrivals baggage claim area.)

An airport transfer bus service (called the FlyBus runs between the airport and Reykjavik bus terminal via various hotels (1950 ISK one way, 45 minutes). A return is 400 ISK cheaper than 2 singles. Another great option is to take the bus which stops at the Blue Lagoon either to or from the airport, then continues every half hour or so to Reykjavik.

For an extra 650 ISK (total fee 2200 ISK) you can purchase a Flybus+ trip which includes drop-off (and pick-up, if requested) at a select list of hotels in the Greater Reykjavik Area. Even if you're not staying at one of these hotels they might be within walking distance of where you want to go, so depending on your destination using the Flybus as a personal taxi service may be economical.

 

 

By boat

Smyril Line operate a weekly service from Hanstholm or Esbjerg in Denmark. The ferry sails in two nights to Sey?isfjor?ur , on the east coast of Iceland, via Torshavn, in the Faeroe Islands.