Trip date: July 2021
Iceland is not a cheap place to travel to. Once you arrive, the first thing you will encounter is the trip from the Keflavík Airport (which serves international flights) to the city. Note: Reykjavík Airport is a domestic airport inside city limits, serving Icelandic domestic destinations as well as Greenland. Here are your options:
- Taxi
- Flybus, the airport bus
- Stræto, the public bus
Comparing Costs
A taxi will run you about 16,000 ISK (US$129.50) one way.
First, the Flybus to the BSÍ Bus Terminal costs 3,499 ISK ($28) for the one way trip, or 6,499 ($53) for the return. The city is about a 20 minute walk from there, but not really recommended unless you packed light.
If you want to be dropped off at or near your hotel, it will cost you 4.599 ($37) for the one way or 7,999 ($65) for the return. The way this works is that you’ll be taking the bus to the bus terminal, then they will put you on smaller buses that will take you to your final destination. You’ll be provided with colored tickets for this part of the trip.
Lastly, you have Stræto, which costs 1,960 ISK ($16) one way, which includes connections inside the city. If you need a transfer ticket, ask the driver for one when you board.
The biggest issue with Stræto is that the buses don’t run as often. Also, the bus stop at the airport isn’t the easiest to find. Here is the latest schedule. I’ve read several blogs and haven’t found one that explained it well, so this is why I’m writing my own to help others.
Taking the Stræto Bus
If you choose to take the Stræto bus, the first thing to do is to download their app. Then, here is how you buy your ticket:
- Click on “Country Ticket”
- Select your departing station
- Select your final destination
- Confirm the number of passengers (you’ll have a single electronic ticket for all of you)
- The price is displayed
- Tap Next
- Enter your credit card information and pay
- That’s it!
When the bus arrives, go to the app and tap on “Activate Ticket” and you’ll be prompted to enter your departure and arrival station. Select the right bus time, and then you’ll be presented with a button that says “Press Here and Show.” Show the ticket to the driver, and you’re done.
Once you exit the arrivals side of the airport, head to the departures side. The bus stop is across the street, towards the car rental offices. The Keflavik Airport site has a map on this page, a copy of the image is below for quick reference. In addition, there is a photo of the bus stop so you know what it looks like. When I was doing my research, no one had a photo so here it is.
When returning to the airport, the bus will drop you off next to the terminal.
Hope this post helps some folks save some money when traveling in Iceland.
US$1 = 123.60 ISK, July 2021