By plane

Since Iceland is located on an island, there is no way to get to Reykjavik by land. There are no direct scheduled flights either. In the summer season, some airlines sometimes offer them one-time, but it is better to focus on options with transfers, especially since it is advisable to buy tickets in advance.

Note: according to allcitypopulation, the population of Iceland is 372,295 (2021).

You can transfer from flight to flight in Munich, Riga, Copenhagen, Stockholm, London, Berlin and other European cities. Airbaltic, Finnair, Scandinavian Airlines, Aeroflot, Lufthansa and others fly to these destinations from Moscow and St. Petersburg. When flying to Reykjavik, you can use Icelandair and Iceland Express. The total flight time on the route Moscow – Reykjavik – from 4 hours, St. Petersburg – Reykjavik – from 3.5 hours.

From airport to city

Keflavik International Airport is located 50 km from Reykjavik, where buses run every 45 minutes or leave 40-50 minutes after the flight arrives. Flybus or Gray Line Iceland buses run from the airport to BSI (Reykjavik Central Bus Station) – they are one of the cheapest. Tickets can be purchased in advance at website (in English) or on the spot at the airport ticket office.

There are also Stræto city buses from the airport to the bus station every hour or two.

You can also take a taxi from the airport to the city – for about 12,000-14,000 ISK. The prices on the page are for August 2021.

Ferry from Copenhagen

If Copenhagen is chosen as the transfer point, you can use the ferry, although this is not profitable either in terms of money or timing. Tickets for Smyril Line ferries running between Denmark and Iceland (off. site in English) will cost more than a plane, and you will have to sail for 2 days. But this option will allow you to get to Reykjavik by car – across Europe to Denmark, then by ferry to Iceland.

Transport

In Reykjavik, you won’t be able to ride the subway, and trams don’t run here either. But there is an extensive city bus network (expensive), you can take a taxi (even more expensive!), And you will be taken to the island of Videy by ferry.

Buses

The most popular form of transport in Reykjavik is the bus. The road network is very well developed, there are both intracity and intercity routes. Buses run frequently, are clean and almost always half empty, and are painted bright yellow and easy to spot.

Tickets are sold in packs of 9. You can buy a subscription for one or three days. This is beneficial if you intensively explore Reykjavik and travel a lot by bus. Tickets can also be bought from the driver, but he most likely will not have change, so it is better to have small money with you (there are also travel cards that allow you to ride buses all day). If you have a trip with a transfer, it is better to take a “skiptimidi” ticket from the driver, which will act as a travel card for 75 minutes.

However, if you plan to visit local museums, then the Reykjavik Welcome Card is a better option. The card entitles you to unlimited travel on city buses, the ferry to Videy Island, as well as free entry or discounts at museums, swimming pools and other attractions in Reykjavik. More details below.

Buses in Reykjavik do not run very often, but on the website straeto.is (English) there is a convenient route planner. He will tell you where the nearest transport is and how best to make a transfer if you go far. The Stræto app can also be used for the same purpose.

Ferries

Steamboats and motorboats provide regular services between coastal cities and towns, as well as between the coast and the southern islands. From the central port of Reykjavik, Skarfabakki, in 10-15 minutes you can reach the island of Videy, a popular vacation spot for citizens and a center of attraction for tourists. Here is the country’s first stone house and the Peace Tower – an unusual structure built by Yoko Ono in honor of John Lennon. The schedule of ferries to the island is subject to the seasons: from May 15 to September 30, they depart every hour from 10:15 to 17:15, while in winter the ferry runs only on weekends and makes 3 flights a day. Free for Reykjavik Welcome Card holders.

Sea transport tickets are sold at ports and specialized tourist offices. In the latter, you can order sea excursions – for example, a whale photo safari.

Tourist buses

You can see the sights of the center of the Icelandic capital on the City Sightseeing bus, which runs every half hour. Bright red doubledkers can be found during the tourist season from May to August.

Taxis and bicycles

Considering Iceland’s climate, a taxi is the most comfortable mode of transport, it is also the most expensive, it works around the clock and on a meter. The average trip is at least 2000 ISK, at night and on holidays it is more expensive. You can pay for a taxi in cash or by card, order it by phone, take it on the spot at any of the Reykjavik taxi ranks, or stop by voting. It is customary to sit in the back seat.

It is convenient to move around the city and its surroundings by bicycles – you just need to take into account that there are many gravel roads, and sometimes there is a strong wind. Reykjavik has bike paths and bike rentals; you can take adults and children, city and mountain bikes. Some firms offer guided bike tours.