Travelling to Iceland with Skis, Golf Clubs or a Bike: Getting from the Airport

Iceland draws more and more travellers who come for a sport: ski tourers heading for the steep slopes of the north in spring, golfers who want to tee off under the midnight sun, and cyclists who plan to ride part or all of the Ring Road. What they all have in common is a large, awkward piece of luggage and the same first question after landing: how do I get this to my hotel?

This guide covers the practical side. What to check with your airline, where oversized bags turn up at Keflavík Airport (KEF), which kinds of vehicles fit which kinds of gear, and how to plan the onward trip to Reykjavík, Akureyri or a smaller town. It also gives a short, honest overview of skiing, golf and cycling in Iceland, so you know what you are packing for.

Before you fly: airline rules and packing

Airlines treat skis, snowboards, golf bags and bicycles as sports equipment or special baggage. Rules differ between airlines and change from time to time, so check yours before you book and again before you travel. Things to look at:

• Whether sports equipment counts towards your normal checked baggage allowance or is charged separately.
• Maximum weight and dimensions, especially for bike boxes and long ski bags.
• Whether you need to register the equipment in advance; some airlines have limited space for it on each flight.
• Packing requirements, for example deflating bike tyres, turning the handlebars or removing pedals.
• Rules for connecting flights. If you continue on a domestic flight in Iceland, check that airline's rules separately too.

Pack equipment so it survives handling: padded ski bags, a hard case or well-padded travel bag for golf clubs, and a proper bike box or bag with the frame protected. Put a label with your name and phone number both on the outside and inside. Take a photo of the bag and its contents before you check it in; it makes any claim easier if something is damaged.

Collecting your equipment at Keflavík Airport

After passport control (if it applies to you), you enter the baggage hall. Normal suitcases come out on the regular belts. Long and bulky items such as skis, golf bags and bike boxes are usually delivered separately at an oversized baggage point in the baggage hall. If your equipment is not on the belt with your other bags, look for the oversized baggage area or ask the airport staff.

If an item is missing or damaged, report it at the baggage service desk in the baggage hall before you leave. Once you walk through customs into the arrivals hall, it is much harder to sort out. Keep your baggage tags and boarding pass.

Use a luggage trolley for everything, then go through customs into the arrivals hall. If you have booked a private transfer with us, your driver is waiting there with a name sign. Our Keflavík Airport arrivals guide walks through the arrivals process step by step.

Oversized bags can take longer to come through than normal suitcases. With a transfer, that is covered: your driver checks your landing time from your flight number, and you have 45 minutes of free waiting at the airport from the time you land.

Which vehicle fits your gear?

This is where most problems start. A standard car can take a few suitcases, but a two-metre ski bag or a large bike box is a different matter. Before you choose how to get from the airport, think about what you are carrying, not just how many people you are.

Our vehicles

• Economy car (Tesla or similar), 1 to 4 passengers: room for 3 large suitcases. Long items may need a seat folded down, which means fewer passenger seats, so a car suits one or two people with one or two pieces of equipment best.
• Van (Mercedes Vito or similar), 5 to 7 passengers: room for 7 travellers and 7 large suitcases. The better choice for a couple with bikes, a group with ski bags or anyone with several bulky items.
• Minibus, 8 to 16 passengers: on request for larger groups, such as a ski club or golf group. Send us your date, route, group size and equipment on WhatsApp at +354 777 3949 and we reply with a fixed price.

Please tell us about extra or oversized luggage when you book. If your group and its equipment do not fit the vehicle you booked, a larger vehicle may be needed, which can change the price. Telling us in advance avoids surprises on the day.

Buses and taxis

Airport buses generally carry luggage in the hold, and many accept sports equipment, but check the operator's rules and whether there is a charge. If the bus drops you at a central terminal, you still need to get yourself and your gear to your hotel. A taxi from the rank may be a standard car with limited space; with a big bag you may need to wait for a larger vehicle. Our guide to taxis in Iceland and our private transfer vs Flybus comparison explain the differences.

Skiing and snowboarding in Iceland

Iceland is not an Alpine resort destination, and it helps to set expectations. Lift-served areas are small and weather-dependent, daylight is short in midwinter, and a day can be cancelled by wind. On the other hand, the combination of mountains that drop to the sea, spring light and quiet slopes is something special.

• Bláfjöll: the main ski area for Reykjavík, a short drive from the city. Opening depends heavily on snow and weather, so check its status on the day.
• Hlíðarfjall: the ski area on the mountain above Akureyri, the best-known lift-served area in the country. See our guide on getting from Reykjavík to Akureyri.
• Tröllaskagi (the Troll Peninsula): steep mountains between Akureyri, Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður, popular for ski touring and, through specialist operators, heli-skiing. The main season is spring, when the days are long. The towns have small local ski areas too.
• Ísafjörður: the main town of the Westfjords has its own ski areas and a strong cross-country skiing tradition.

Seasons vary from year to year. Lift-served skiing usually runs from winter into spring, depending on snow, while ski touring in the north is at its best in spring. Check with the ski area or your guide before you travel, and book guided touring or heli-skiing through an established operator.

Getting there with skis: we drive from Keflavík Airport to Akureyri, Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður, Siglufjörður and Ísafjörður. These are long drives in winter conditions; read our guide to driving in Iceland in winter for what that means, and keep some flexibility in your plans.

Golf in Iceland

Golf is a popular sport in Iceland, and there are dozens of courses around the country, from links-style courses by the sea to courses laid out through lava fields. The season is short, roughly from late spring to early autumn, depending on the weather and the course.

The big attraction for visitors is midnight sun golf. Around the summer solstice in June, it never gets fully dark, and you can start a round in the evening and finish after midnight. Akureyri, close to the Arctic Circle, is especially known for this; its golf club hosts an annual tournament that plays through the night. Our guide to Iceland in summer explains how the light works.

• Book tee times directly with the club and check whether visitors need a handicap certificate.
• Pack waterproofs and layers; wind is the main factor on most Icelandic courses.
• Many courses are a short drive from Reykjavík, so a transfer to your hotel and taxis or a hire car to the courses can work well.
• For a golf trip to the north, a one-way transfer with your clubs to Akureyri avoids the extra baggage rules of a domestic flight.

Cycling: arriving with a bike

Many cyclists start an Iceland tour at Keflavík Airport. If you plan to ride away from the terminal, you need somewhere to assemble your bike and a plan for the box or bag it travelled in, since it is hard to carry on a touring bike. Check in advance whether your accommodation or a service in the area can store the box until your flight home, or use a soft bag you can fold and carry.

Also think about the first stretch. The main road from the airport towards Reykjavík is busy, exposed to wind and not the most enjoyable start to a tour. Many cyclists prefer to be driven with their packed bikes to Reykjavík or to the start of their route, assemble them there and set off rested.

• Wind is the biggest factor for cycling in Iceland. Plan shorter days than you would at home and leave rest days for storms.
• Weather changes fast in every season. Waterproofs, warm layers and good lights are essential.
• Gravel roads are common away from the Ring Road; choose tyres accordingly.
• Check the weather and road conditions every day, and know where you can shelter.

If you want to start in a different region, we can drive you and your boxed bikes from Keflavík straight to places like Selfoss, Vík, Borgarnes or further. For two people with bikes, choose the van; tell us how many boxes you have when you book.

Checklist for your airport transfer

1. Check your airline's sports equipment rules and register your gear if needed.
2. Measure your packed bags, especially the length of ski bags and bike boxes.
3. Choose the vehicle by passengers and equipment: a car for one or two people with a little gear, a van for more people or more bulky items, a minibus for groups of 8 to 16.
4. Book your transfer at least an hour ahead, add your flight number, and put your equipment in the booking notes.
5. After landing, collect your equipment from the oversized baggage point and report any damage before leaving the baggage hall.
6. Meet your driver in the arrivals hall; you have 45 minutes of free waiting from landing.
7. Pay the rest of the price to the driver by card or cash, or pay in full online when you book.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I collect skis or a golf bag at Keflavík Airport?

Will a ski bag fit in a Tesla?

Can I bring my bike on an airport transfer in Iceland?

Does it cost more to bring sports equipment on a private transfer?

When is the ski season in Iceland?

Can you play golf at midnight in Iceland?

Is it a good idea to cycle from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?

Can you transport a ski group to Akureyri?