Transfers to/from Reykjavik

After a long flight, the last thing you want is to waste time trying to find a means of transport to get you to the city quickly. In this respect, you won't have to worry. Reykjavík Airport is conveniently located for the city centre, so you'll have plenty of transfer options: shared service, private, shuttle bus, taxi and public bus.

Here are the details of each of the options you have for getting from Reykjavík Airport to the city centre. After reading this analysis, you will be able to decide which option best suits your needs in terms of travel time, comfort and price. This way, you can see and do all that Reykjavík has to offer.

Shared transfers are special bus services with a scheduled route from Reykjavík Airport, which aim to provide travellers with a comfortable, safe and reasonably priced means of transport.

This is a fairly simple option and very popular with tourists, especially when travelling in large groups, as the buses can accommodate more than 20 people.

This transport must be booked at least 24 hours in advance and you can be sure that a driver will be waiting for you outside the arrival hall of the airport with a sign in his hands with your name on it. Simply approach him and identify yourself so that he can escort you to the bus.

Shared transfers for visitors to Reykjavík usually offer a number of benefits. For example:

• Reasonable prices: with this type of transfer you can save money, as they generally cost less than private services.
• You avoid inconvenience: You don't have to worry if your flight is delayed and you can't arrive at the time you booked. You will be able to board the next bus.
• Availability: this service is available 24 hours a day, so it doesn't matter if your flight arrives at midnight or dawn.
• Comfort: You'll arrive relaxed in the city centre, thanks to the reclining and padded seat on the bus, where you can rest comfortably during the transfer. In addition, these buses are air-conditioned and have Wi-Fi service.

Interesting details

• Journey time: 60 minutes (approx.)
• Price: from 27 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method you won't have to worry if your flight is delayed, as the shared service is available 24 hours a day. Therefore, even if you miss the bus you booked, they will quickly assign you another one.
• How to book this transport: the most convenient way is to book online. There, you will have to check the availability for the desired day, provide some specific information and then you will get the confirmation.
• Recommended if... you want to enjoy a shared transfer in a comfortable bus from Reykjavik Airport, paying a reasonable price for the service.

A private transfer from Reykjavík airport is a comfortable and exclusive alternative, as you won't have to share your car with strangers.

Moreover, with this service you will arrive without delay and directly at the door of your hotel to start your planned excursions and trips from Reykjavík.

After getting off the plane, passing through the customs control area and having your bags at your side, you will have to go to the arrivals hall. There, you will see a driver with a sign in his hands waiting for you.

You will have to approach him and identify yourself, so that he can accompany you to the car or van, depending on the number of people in your travel group. In this sense, you can book a car for up to 3 people or the van service for 4 or 7 passengers.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: 45 minutes (approx.)
• Price: from 103 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: with this private transfer service, you will go from the door of the airport to the door of the hotel.
• How to book this transfer: you will have to go to the website of the private transfer company and fill in the form with the address of the hotel where you will stay, number of people, date and time of the flight. You must also make an electronic payment of at least 50% of the cost.
• Recommended if... you want to enjoy personalised attention and an exclusive transfer, without sharing a car with strangers.

Private transfer vs. shared transfer

With the private transfer, like the shared transfer, you can get from Reykjavík International Airport to the city centre in a minimum time of 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions, especially if you are visiting the city in winter.

However, there are some differences between the two services.

• Pick-up: The private service offers a pick-up from the airport arrival lounge with immediate departure. Meanwhile, with the shared shuttle you will have to wait for a set time to depart.
• Exclusivity: unlike the shared transfer, in which you will board a bus with more than 20 strangers, with the private service you will enjoy the exclusivity of travelling alone or with your travel group (no more than seven people).
• Arrival: with the private transport, when you arrive in the city, you will not have to worry about heavy luggage, as the driver will drop you off at the door of the hotel. The shared service, on the other hand, will drop you off at the bus station closest to the hotel where you will be staying.
• Waiting time: the driver of the private transport will wait for you a maximum of 45 minutes after the arrival of the plane, so if the flight is delayed, you will miss the transfer service. On the other hand, with the shared option you don't have to worry, as you can arrive at any time and the driver will assign you a seat on one of his buses.

Shuttle buses are a means of transport with a fixed route from one point to another, which, in this case, is from Reykjavik Airport to the city centre and back.

It's a service that will certainly take a little longer to board compared to hiring a private or shared transfer, but it's definitely a cheaper option. There are even reduced prices for children.

Shuttle bus schedules are usually set according to the departure and arrival times of daily flights. Therefore, you will always find this means of transport available.

All you have to do is follow the protocol for picking up your luggage and immediately walk to the shuttle bus stop. This is located directly in front of the arrival terminal of the airport.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 50 minutes (approx.)
• Price: from 13 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: this option not only offers a low price, but also gives you a direct transfer to the city without intermediate stops.
• How to book this transport: you can connect in advance with one of the main companies offering the service through their website.
• Recommended if... you want to enjoy a cheap transfer, but it takes a while to board the bus.

A taxi transfer from Reykjavík airport is another option you have when you get off the plane. This is the most expensive service of all, but it guarantees comfort and speed.

You can get to the Icelandic city in less than 45 minutes and, best of all, the driver will drop you off at the door of your hotel to rest and take one of the tours of Reykjavík.

Access to this service at the airport is very simple and you have a couple of options:

• By reservation: you can contact the company providing the service and book the transfer electronically. To do this, you have several options available, such as Taxi2Airport, among others. When you get off the plane and pick up your bags, all you have to do is go through the public area of the arrival hall to the taxi rank. There, you will see the driver with a sign in his hands waiting for you.
• No reservation: If you have not been able to book this service in advance, you don't need to worry. At the airport taxi rank you will see many cars available, which you can hire immediately.

Whether you have booked in advance or use this service on the day of your arrival, you can be sure of a fast and reliable transfer.

All you have to do is get in the car and relax in the back seat in comfort during your transfer to the city centre.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: less than 45 minutes.
• Price: from 115 euros (1 to 4 persons)
• Advantages of using this method: you will be able to get to the city in less time than any other transfer service from Reykjavik airport. In addition, this service is door-to-door, i.e. from the airport to the hotel where you will be staying.
• How to book this transport: the booking is managed digitally through the official website of the company offering the service. All you have to do is provide the date and time of your flight. You can also find several taxis with immediate availability at the airport terminal.
• Recommended if... you want a fast, comfortable, door-to-door transfer.

If you've chosen the best time to travel to Reykjavík and you're looking for a cheap way to get from the airport to the city, then you should use one of the public transport routes used by Icelanders on a daily basis.

You can reach the city centre in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, which is 25 minutes longer compared to shared buses or private transport.

To use this service you do not need to make a reservation. Simply walk through the airport departure lounge to the transfer terminal and, just behind Parking Lot 1, you will see the Straeto public bus stop number 55.

You will have to wait a bit, as the bus runs at least 10 times throughout the day, from 6.30am to 9pm. In any case, it is advisable to check the timetables beforehand.

Also, if it is your first time in the Finnish capital, you should look on Google Play or App Store for an app that allows you to find the nearest bus stop to the hotel where you will be staying.

This way, you'll avoid getting lost, as public bus route number 55 makes a total of 17 mandatory stops from the airport to the city and vice versa. And while it may not compare to Reykjavík's tour bus routes, you'll get a first glimpse of the sights of the Icelandic capital along the way.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 1 hour and 10 minutes (approx.)
• Price: average price of 3.40 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you will save a considerable amount of money compared to any other airport transfer service.
• How to book this transfer: no reservation is required.
• Recommended if... you are on a tight budget and have time available.