Staying Near Keflavík Airport: When It Makes Sense and Where to Sleep

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) sits next to the town of Reykjanesbær, on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50 km from Reykjavík. Several hotels and guesthouses are only minutes from the terminal, and the Blue Lagoon resort is about 20 minutes away. For some trips a night there is a smart move; for others it adds a hotel change and an extra transfer for no real benefit.

This guide helps you decide, from a local company that drives between the airport, Reykjanesbær, the Blue Lagoon and Reykjavík every day.

In short

• Airport to Reykjanesbær hotels: about 5 to 10 minutes by car.
• Airport to the Blue Lagoon: about 20 minutes.
• Airport to Reykjavík: about 45 to 50 minutes.
• A night near the airport makes sense for arrivals after midnight when you want to sleep immediately, a very early flight without pre-booked transport, a short stopover, or a trip focused on the Reykjanes peninsula.
• It usually does not make sense if the rest of your stay is in Reykjavík: a pre-booked driver can collect you at your Reykjavík hotel at any hour.

When a hotel near the airport is a good idea

You land after midnight and want to sleep right away

Many flights from North America land late in the evening or in the early hours, and some from Europe arrive close to midnight. If you are exhausted, an extra 45 minutes on the road can feel long. A hotel in Reykjanesbær puts you in bed quickly, and you continue to Reykjavík or start your road trip after a good night's sleep.

Your flight leaves very early and nothing is booked

For a departure around 6:00 or 7:00, you need to be at the airport before 5:00. If you have a rental car to return or no transport arranged, a night near the airport removes the stress. If you prefer to stay in the city, simply book a transfer for the early morning; see early morning flights from Keflavík.

You have a short stopover

With one night between two flights, staying near the airport gives you time for a Blue Lagoon visit or a drive around Reykjanes without the round trip to Reykjavík. Read our one-day stopover guide.

Your trip is about the Reykjanes peninsula

Lava fields, geothermal areas, lighthouses, sea cliffs and the Bridge between Continents are all close to the airport. If these are your focus, Reykjanesbær or the Blue Lagoon area is a practical base. See our Reykjanes peninsula guide.

When it is not worth it

• Your whole stay is in Reykjavík: two hotel changes and an extra transfer cost more time than they save.
• You arrive in the morning: you will want to start exploring, and Reykjavík has far more to do while you wait for check-in. See landed at 6 am?
• You want restaurants and evening life: Reykjanesbær is a quiet town; the choice is much bigger in Reykjavík.
• You are joining tours: most day tours pick up in Reykjavík, not near the airport.

Where to stay near the airport

Reykjanesbær (Keflavík and Njarðvík)

The town next to the airport has hotels, guesthouses and apartments in all price ranges, with supermarkets, cafés, a swimming pool and a seaside walking path. The old harbour area of Keflavík is pleasant for an evening walk. Most places are 5 to 10 minutes from the terminal.

Ásbrú

The former military area right next to the airport has been turned into a residential and business district with several budget-friendly hotels and apartments. It is the closest place to sleep, but there is little to do in the evening.

The Blue Lagoon area

The Blue Lagoon has its own luxury hotels with access to private lagoon areas, and there are a few other hotels and guesthouses in the lava field nearby. It is about 20 minutes from the airport and a beautiful place for a first or last night, especially as a treat at the end of a trip.

Vogar and the north coast of Reykjanes

Small guesthouses and cottages between the airport and Hafnarfjörður suit travellers with a car who want quiet surroundings.

Getting between the airport and your hotel

Some hotels near the airport offer their own shuttle; ask yours when you book, and check the times. Taxis are available at the airport, though they can be busy when several flights land together. Walking is not practical with luggage, especially in winter.

We drive between Keflavík Airport, hotels in Reykjanesbær, the Blue Lagoon area and Reykjavík at fixed prices, day and night. A popular combination is to land, sleep near the airport, and the next day take a Keflavík to Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík transfer with time at the lagoon on the way into the city.

4–5 hours · private

KEF → Blue Lagoon → Reykjavík

Keflavík Airport → Blue Lagoon (3–4 h) → Reykjavík hotel

Car

1–4 people

31,500 kr

Van

5–7 people

41,000 kr

Book this tour

Airport hotel or Reykjavík hotel: a quick comparison

• Sleep after a late arrival: airport hotel wins by about 40 minutes.
• Early flight: both work if transport is booked; the airport hotel lets you sleep a little longer.
• Things to do: Reykjavík wins clearly.
• Restaurants: Reykjavík has many more choices.
• Day tours: most pick up in Reykjavík.
• Price: hotels near the airport are often a little cheaper, but you may need an extra transfer.
• Northern lights: both can see them, but darker skies away from Reykjavík help.

Three sample plans

Late arrival, Reykjavík stay

1. Land at 23:40 and collect your bags.
2. Your driver meets you in arrivals and drives you straight to your Reykjavík hotel; you are in your room around 1:00.
3. Sleep in, have a late breakfast and start exploring the city.

This works well for most travellers: one transfer, one hotel, and no luggage to move again the next day.

Late arrival, airport hotel, Blue Lagoon on the way

1. Land at 23:40 and go to a hotel in Reykjanesbær, 5 to 10 minutes away.
2. Sleep, then have breakfast without rushing.
3. Late morning: drive to the Blue Lagoon (about 20 minutes) for a pre-booked entry.
4. Afternoon: continue to Reykjavík (about 45 minutes) and check in.

A gentle start, and the Blue Lagoon is on the way rather than a separate trip. Our Keflavík to Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík transfer covers the second day in one booking.

Dawn flight home

1. Option A: stay in Reykjavík and book a pick-up around 4:00 for a 7:30 flight.
2. Option B: move to an airport hotel the evening before, return your rental car, and sleep until about 5:00.
3. Either way, be at the terminal 2.5 to 3 hours before an international departure.

Rental cars and the airport hotels

Most car rental companies have desks at the airport or offices a short shuttle ride away. A useful trick if you land late: sleep near the airport and pick up the rental car the next morning, rested and in daylight, instead of driving on unfamiliar roads at night. On the way home, return the car the evening before an early flight and sleep near the terminal.

Travelling with children

After a long flight with children, every extra half hour counts. A hotel near the airport can be a good idea for families arriving late, especially with small children who fall asleep in the car anyway. Reykjanesbær has a large swimming pool with water slides and a long seaside path, so a relaxed morning there before moving on can be fun. We provide child seats free of charge on all transfers; read more in Iceland with kids.

Winter considerations

• Short daylight: in December the sun rises around 11:00, so a late arrival and an early-morning drive both happen in darkness.
• Weather: storms occasionally close the road between the airport and Reykjavík for a few hours. A hotel near the airport can be a safe fallback on a stormy night.
• Northern lights: the area around Reykjanesbær has darker skies than central Reykjavík; on a clear night, look north.

How our transfers work

• Fixed price per car, not per person, agreed before you travel
• Economy (Tesla) for 1 to 4 passengers, Van (Mercedes Vito) for 5 to 7, minibus for 8 to 16 on request
• Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and checks your flight before leaving
• 45 minutes of free waiting at the airport
• Pay 20% to book and the rest in the car by card or cash, or pay everything online
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up

We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík.

FAQ

Are there hotels within walking distance of Keflavík Airport?

How far is Reykjanesbær from Keflavík Airport?

Should I stay near the airport on my first night in Iceland?

Is it worth staying near the airport before an early flight?

How far is the Blue Lagoon from Keflavík Airport?

Is it safe to stay on the Reykjanes peninsula with the volcanic activity?

Can you drive us from an airport hotel to Reykjavík?

Can you pick us up at an airport hotel for an early flight?