Manage booking
490 km
About 7 h 40 min
Car 1–4 · Van 5–7
Free cancellation 24 h
Westfjords · from KEF
About Flateyri and the drive
Flateyri is a small fishing village on a flat spit of land in Önundarfjörður, in the northern Westfjords. Steep mountains rise around the fjord, and large avalanche barriers on the slope above the village are a reminder of how seriously winter is taken here. Flateyri has a harbour, a swimming pool, a shop and a few guesthouses, and it is a peaceful place to stay for walking, kayaking or simply watching the light change over the fjord. Ísafjörður, the main town of the region, is a short drive away through a road tunnel.
From Keflavík Airport it is a very long drive. The usual route goes through Reykjavík, north under Hvalfjörður and past Borgarnes, over Holtavörðuheiði, then through Strandir and along the many fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp to Ísafjörður, and on through the tunnel to Önundarfjörður. Depending on the season and road conditions there is also a route through the southern Westfjords. Either way it is a long day, and a break for food is normal.
Because the drive is so long, some travellers compare it with a domestic flight to Ísafjörður; others prefer one vehicle door to door with all their luggage and stops when they want them. Your driver takes you to the door of your accommodation in Flateyri, or anywhere else around Önundarfjörður if you give us the address. Read our domestic airport transfers guide to compare the options.
Seasons and roads
Roads to the northern Westfjords cross high mountain passes that can be snowy, icy and windy in winter and may close for a while in storms; avalanche risk can also close roads for a time. Daylight is very short in December and January. We watch the forecast and road conditions and will contact you if the time or date needs to change.
