Bus Service from Reykjavik Airport | Flybus Or Public Bus

From KEF, Flybus is the easiest bus to Reykjavík; Strætó 55 is cheaper but slower and less flight-timed.

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Land at Keflavík after an overnight flight and the wrong transfer choice can cost more than dinner in Reykjavík. Most travelers asking about bus service from Reykjavik airport are really trying to get from Keflavík International Airport (KEF), 31 miles southwest of the city, into Reykjavík without paying taxi rates.

The simple answer: take Flybus if you want the least friction, especially after a late arrival or with luggage. Take Strætó route 55 if you are comfortable reading a timetable, walking to the public-bus stop, and trading time for a lower fare.

Airport name check: Keflavík International Airport (KEF) handles most international flights. Reykjavík Airport (RKV) is the smaller domestic airport near downtown; from RKV, a short taxi or local city bus usually makes more sense than an airport coach.

Reykjavík Airport Bus Options From KEF To The City

Keflavík International Airport has two practical bus choices for most visitors: Flybus for the easiest transfer and Strætó route 55 for the lowest fare. Both reach the capital area, but the boarding points, timing, and drop-off logic are very different.

Flybus runs between KEF and BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík, with add-on hotel or designated bus-stop transfers on some tickets. Strætó route 55 is public transport, so the fare is lower, the service is less tied to flight arrivals, and some departures run only as far as Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður rather than all the way to BSÍ.

Compare the airport coach, public bus, and private-transfer options before you land here:

Which Bus Should You Take From KEF?

Flybus is the better pick after a long flight, late arrival, or hotel-drop need; Strætó 55 is better when fare matters more than time. Families with several bags should price a private transfer too, since Icelandic taxi and transfer fares can make group math change fast.

• Choose Flybus if your flight lands late, your hotel is near a listed drop-off stop, or you want a coach that waits around flight arrivals.
• Choose Strætó 55 if you are arriving in daylight, traveling light, and willing to match your plans to the public timetable.
• Choose a private transfer if you have three or more travelers, a child seat need, ski bags, or a remote apartment address.

Flybus usually wins for first-time visitors because BSÍ is central, luggage space is built into the service, and the airport process is easy to understand when you are tired.

Transfer Times, Fares, And Drop-Offs Compared

Keflavík airport transfers to Reykjavík usually take 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the bus type and final stop. The table below uses current published fares and a rough exchange rate of about 126 ISK to $1, so the USD amounts are rounded.

Flybus currently lists the Keflavík to Reykjavík ride as about 45 minutes, with fares from 3,999 ISK on its Keflavík to Reykjavík transfer page.

Strætó route 55 can be a real money saver, but route 55 is a commuter-style service rather than a flight-arrival shuttle. Check the day’s timetable before you commit, since the same route number can mean different stopping patterns through the day.

How Do You Find The Bus After Landing?

Flybus boards outside the arrivals terminal, while Strætó 55 uses the KEF Airport public-bus stop on the departure-side road near Kjóavellir. The easiest path depends on whether you bought a coach ticket or plan to use public transport.

For Flybus, collect your bags, exit customs, and follow the bus-transfer signs outside the terminal. If you bought a hotel-transfer ticket, expect a main coach ride to BSÍ first, then a smaller shuttle or designated city stop.

For Strætó 55, do not assume the stop is directly beside the tourist coach stands. Arrivals using route 55 should allow time to find the correct KEF Airport public-bus stop and confirm whether the next departure goes to BSÍ or only to Fjörður.

Flight Delays, Luggage, And Late Arrivals

Flybus is more forgiving for delayed and overnight arrivals because departures are matched to incoming flights rather than a fixed public timetable. Strætó 55 is cheaper, but missing the last useful connection can turn the low fare into a taxi problem.

Flybus includes normal airline-style luggage, and the current booking page lists two checked bags plus one carry-on. Strætó 55 accepts luggage when there is room, but route buses are not built around large tourist baggage in the same way.

Late-night travelers should pay close attention to the final Reykjavík leg. A bus to BSÍ still leaves you at a terminal, not necessarily at your hotel door, and a hotel-transfer add-on or short taxi from BSÍ may be worth the extra cost after midnight.

Public Bus 55 Is Cheaper, But It Is Not Always Easier

Strætó route 55 is the value option from KEF to the capital area, but route 55 rewards travelers who check details before leaving the terminal. The adult fare is much lower than the airport coach, and children 11 and under ride free on the route, but the schedule is thinner than Flybus.

The main catch is the split service pattern. Some route 55 trips go between KEF and BSÍ in Reykjavík, while others run between KEF and Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður, where you may need to connect onward.

Route 55 works well when you are not in a rush, your phone has data, and your hotel is near a practical onward bus route. Flybus works better when you want one service designed around flights.

Where To Stay After The Airport Transfer

Reykjavík is easier on arrival when your first night is near BSÍ, Hlemmur, or a listed airport-shuttle stop. A cheaper room outside the center can lose its value if you land late and need another taxi after the airport bus.

Compare hotel locations against the airport-transfer drop-off pattern before choosing between a BSÍ-only fare and a hotel-transfer fare:

Downtown Reykjavík works best for first nights because restaurants, tour pickups, and bus stops are close together. If you plan to rent a car the next morning, staying near a city rental office can be easier than driving away from KEF after a red-eye flight.

Best Choice For Speed, Budget, And Comfort

Flybus is the best overall bus service from KEF to Reykjavík for most visitors, while Strætó 55 is the budget pick for patient travelers. Private transfers only beat both when a group fare, late arrival, or door-to-door need matters more than the per-person price.

• Best for most arrivals: Flybus to BSÍ, because it is built around flight arrivals and the ride takes about 45 minutes.
• Best for lowest fare: Strætó route 55, because the adult fare is 2,280 ISK, about $18.
• Best for hotel access: Flybus with the hotel or designated bus-stop transfer, especially with large bags.
• Best for families or groups: Price a private transfer if three or more people are splitting the ride.
• Best for RKV domestic airport: Use a short taxi or local city bus, since Reykjavík Airport sits close to the city center.

The easiest plan is to book the airport coach before landing, stay near a practical drop-off point for your first night, and save Strætó 55 for travelers who enjoy working the timetable.