Keflavík Airport Transfer: 40 Questions Answered by Local Drivers

Most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavík International Airport (KEF), about 50 km from Reykjavík. The airport transfer is the first thing you book and the first impression of the country, so it is worth getting right. Over the years we have answered thousands of messages about it on WhatsApp and email.

This page collects those questions with short, direct answers. Where something depends on your situation, we say so. Prices are our own fixed prices at the time of writing; the live price is always shown when you search on our airport transfers page.

The essentials in 30 seconds

• Distance and time: Keflavík Airport to central Reykjavík is about 50 km, a 45 to 50 minute drive.
• Price: 20,500 kr per car for 1 to 4 people, 28,000 kr per van for 5 to 7 people, one way, fixed. With return: 39,000 kr per car or 55,000 kr per van.
• Groups of 8 to 16: minibus on request, with a fixed price agreed before you travel.
• Meeting point: your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign.
• Waiting: 45 minutes of free waiting after landing; your driver checks your flight before leaving.
• Payment: pay 20% online to book and the rest to the driver by card or cash, or pay everything online.
• Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pick-up, with a full refund.
• Hours: day and night, all year, at the same price (holiday rates apply on a few days around Christmas and New Year).

Booking and price

1. How much is a private transfer from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?

With us it costs 20,500 kr per car for 1 to 4 passengers and 28,000 kr per van for 5 to 7 passengers, one way. The price is fixed when you book; it does not change with traffic, the time of day or the number of bags in the car.

2. Is the price per person or per car?

Per car. Four friends in one car pay 20,500 kr together, which is about 5,125 kr each. That is why a private transfer is often close to the airport bus in price for a group of three or four, while taking you door to door.

3. Is it cheaper with a return ride?

Yes. If you add the ride back to the airport in the same booking, the round trip costs 39,000 kr per car or 55,000 kr per van, less than two single rides. Each ride gets its own booking code.

4. Are there hidden fees for night arrivals, weekends or luggage?

No. The price you see is the price you pay, day or night. The only exception is a published holiday rate on a few public holidays around Christmas and New Year, which is shown in the price before you book.

5. How far in advance should I book?

As early as you know your flight. Online booking is possible up to one hour before pick-up, but in the busy summer months and around holidays it is safer to book days or weeks ahead, especially for vans and groups.

6. Can I see the price in euros, dollars or pounds?

Yes. The website shows an approximate price in EUR, USD or GBP, chosen automatically from your device's time zone or from the currency menu. The payment itself is always charged in Icelandic krónur (ISK).

7. Do you have a minimum number of passengers?

No. One person can book a car, and the price is the same as for four. Solo travellers on a tight budget may prefer the airport bus; see our honest comparison of private transfer and Flybus.

At the airport

8. Where do I meet my driver?

In the arrivals hall, after you have collected your bags and walked through customs. Your driver stands with a sign showing your name. Keflavík has one terminal, so there is only one arrivals hall.

9. What if I can't find my driver?

Turn on mobile data or the airport Wi-Fi and check WhatsApp: your driver may have sent a message. You can also call or message us at +354 777 3949, day or night.

10. How long will the driver wait?

You have 45 minutes of free waiting from the moment your plane lands. That covers passport control, baggage and the duty free shop in the baggage hall on a normal day.

11. What happens if my flight is delayed?

Add your flight number when you book. Your driver checks your flight before leaving for the airport and plans the pick-up around the real landing time. For long delays or a new flight, send us the new details. Read more in our guide to delayed or cancelled flights in Iceland.

12. My flight lands in the middle of the night. Is that a problem?

No. We drive at any hour, and many of our pick-ups are between midnight and six in the morning. The price is the same.

13. Do I need cash or Icelandic krónur at the airport?

No. Iceland is almost cashless, and you can pay the rest of your transfer to the driver by card. If you prefer to pay the driver in cash, Icelandic krónur work; ask us in advance about other currencies.

The ride

14. How long does the drive to Reykjavík take?

About 45 to 50 minutes to central Reykjavík in normal conditions, along the Reykjanesbraut road. In winter storms it can take longer.

15. What car will I get?

For 1 to 4 passengers an Economy car such as a Tesla Model Y or similar; for 5 to 7 passengers a van such as a Mercedes Vito or similar. All are clean, comfortable and driven by professional local drivers.

16. Do you drive straight to my hotel door?

Yes, as close as the street allows. Some streets in Reykjavík's old town are pedestrian-only; in that case your driver stops at the nearest point and helps you with your bags.

17. Can we stop on the way, for example at a supermarket or the Blue Lagoon?

Short stops can usually be arranged; write them in the special requests when you book and we confirm on WhatsApp. For the Blue Lagoon there is a dedicated Keflavík to Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík transfer with time at the lagoon.

18. Is the road from the airport safe in winter?

Yes. Reykjanesbraut is the most important road in the country and is cleared with priority. On rare stormy days it can close for a few hours. Our drivers know it in every season; see our winter transfer guide.

19. Is there Uber at Keflavík Airport?

No. Uber and Lyft do not operate in Iceland. Your options are the airport bus, a metered taxi, a rental car or a pre-booked transfer. Read more in Is there Uber in Iceland?

Luggage, children and groups

20. How much luggage fits in the car?

Our Economy cars take up to 3 large suitcases plus hand luggage; the van takes up to 7 large suitcases. If you travel with a lot of luggage, choose the van even for a smaller group.

21. Can you take ski bags, golf bags or bicycles?

Yes, with notice. Tell us in the special requests what you are bringing so we send the right vehicle. Read our guide to travelling with ski or golf equipment.

22. Do you provide child seats?

Yes, free of charge. Add the number of child seats and the children's ages when you book, and the right seats will be in the car.

23. We are a group of 10. Can you help?

Yes. For 8 to 16 people we arrange a minibus on request with a fixed price. Message us on WhatsApp with your flight details and number of bags. See Iceland for groups.

24. Is the car wheelchair accessible?

Tell us your needs before you book and we check what is possible. Folding wheelchairs and walkers fit in our cars, and your driver helps with getting in and out. Read our accessible travel guide.

Payment and cancellation

25. How do I pay?

You choose when you book: pay 20% online to confirm and the rest to your driver by card or cash, or pay the full price online. Online payment goes through Teya's secure payment page; we never see or store your card details.

26. What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up, with a full refund of what you paid online. You can cancel from the link in your confirmation email or on our Manage booking page.

27. Can I change the date or time?

Yes. Use the Manage booking page with your booking code and email, or message us on WhatsApp, and we move your ride to the new time when it is available.

28. Should I tip the driver?

Tipping is not expected in Iceland. If you want to thank your driver, a kind word or a Google review means a lot.

29. Will I get a receipt?

Yes. You receive a confirmation and a receipt by email, with the booking code you need to manage your booking.

Going back to the airport

30. When should I leave Reykjavík for my flight?

Plan to be at the airport at least 2.5 hours before an international flight, and 3 hours in the busy summer morning wave. For a 7:30 departure, a pick-up around 4:00 to 4:15 in central Reykjavík is typical. See our departures guide.

31. Do you pick up at 4 in the morning?

Yes. Early morning pick-ups are a normal part of our day, all year.

32. Can we visit the Blue Lagoon on the way to our flight?

Yes, with an afternoon or evening flight. The lagoon is about 20 minutes from the airport. Book your lagoon entry first, then our Reykjavík to Blue Lagoon to Keflavík transfer.

Beyond Reykjavík

33. Do you drive from Keflavík to other towns?

Yes. We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík. We drive to Hafnarfjörður, Selfoss, Hella, Vík, Borgarnes, Akureyri, the Westfjords and the East with a fixed price per car. See all destinations on our transfers page.

34. Can you take us to the cruise port?

Yes. Skarfabakki cruise port is about the same distance as central Reykjavík, at the same fixed price. Read our cruise port guide.

35. Can you pick us up at the domestic airport in Reykjavík?

Yes. Transfers between Keflavík and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) cost the same as to the city. See Reykjavík Domestic Airport transfers.

36. Can we turn the transfer into a sightseeing trip?

Yes. On longer routes we can stop at waterfalls, beaches and viewpoints on the way. Tell us your route and we send a fixed price.

About us

37. Who are you?

Drive Reykjavik is a local private transfer and tour company in Reykjavík. We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík. We are rated 5.0 on Google by our guests.

38. Who will drive me?

A professional local driver who lives in Iceland and knows the roads in every season. Before your trip you receive an email with your driver's name and car.

39. How do I contact you?

By WhatsApp or phone at +354 777 3949, or by email at info@drivereykjavik.is. We reply quickly, day and night.

40. How do I book?

Enter your pick-up, destination, date and time on our airport transfers page, choose your car, add your details and pay 20% or the full price. You receive your confirmation and booking code by email straight away.

Summary: 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

FAQ

How much is a taxi from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?

Where does the driver meet me at Keflavík Airport?

How long does the driver wait at Keflavík?

Is the transfer price per person?

Can I pay the driver by card?

What is the cancellation policy?

Do you provide child seats?

Do you pick up at night?

How long is the drive from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?

Can I book a return transfer?