Keflavik Airport: Arrivals, Departures and Getting to Reykjavik

Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's main international airport, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula 50km southwest of Reykjavik. It handles virtually all international arrivals and departures. The airport is modern, well-organised, and significantly smaller than major European hub airports — the processes from landing to car park are typically 45 to 60 minutes, and the arrivals experience is straightforward. Understanding the logistics before arrival makes a significant practical difference, particularly for early-morning arrivals when the car rental queue is longest.

Car Rental

All major international car rental companies plus Iceland-specific operators (Blue Car Rental, Lotus Car Rental, Saga Car Rental, Go Rentals) have desks in the arrivals hall. The car rental area is immediately outside the arrivals exit. Collection is efficient except at peak times — flights from North America and the UK arrive in the early morning (6am to 9am), creating a simultaneous queue at all desks. If possible, complete your pre-arrival paperwork online and opt for a keycard pickup where available to skip the desk queue. Rental car lots are 5 to 10 minutes from the terminal by shuttle bus.

Transfer to Reykjavik

Three options: rental car (50km, 45 minutes on the Route 41 dual carriageway, straightforward and well-signed); Flybus/Airport Express bus (40 minutes to Reykjavik BSI terminal, approximately GBP 20, no booking required, runs every 30 to 45 minutes); taxi (approximately GBP 75 to GBP 100 for the journey, needs to be pre-booked or found via the taxi desk in arrivals).

Blue Lagoon Stopover

The Blue Lagoon is 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport — a logical first or last day addition for international visitors. Pre-booking via bluelagoon.com is mandatory. The 8am and 9am entry slots work well for early arrivals from overnight transatlantic flights. The complex provides luggage storage, allowing you to check in at the lagoon without going to your Reykjavik accommodation first.

Departure Experience

Keflavik departure is smooth but allow 2.5 hours before your flight — the combination of car return shuttle (10 minutes), check-in queue (20 to 40 minutes in peak periods), and security processing (15 to 30 minutes) consumes time faster than expected. The departure gate area has reasonable food and duty-free options. Skyr products, dried fish, and Icelandic craft spirits are the most Iceland-specific items worth purchasing at the airport. The Vínbúðin (state alcohol store) near arrivals is cheaper than airport duty-free for Iceland spirits — purchase on arrival rather than departure for better selection and price. Child-specific: the airport has a play area in the departure lounge and the staff are typically patient with families.

Keflavik Airport arrivals are significantly improved since the terminal expansion completed in 2019. The baggage reclaim area is large and trolleys are freely available. The car rental shuttles leave from immediately outside the arrivals exit — clearly signed. Currency exchange at the arrivals bureau de change is less favourable than ATM rates; use the ATMs in the arrivals hall instead. The information desk staffed by the Visit Iceland team can help with accommodation and tour bookings if you have not pre-booked. Public wifi is fast and free throughout the terminal. For travellers arriving on early-morning transatlantic flights, the airport café area opens from 6am and provides coffee and food while waiting for car rental desks to open at 7am.

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