Reykjavík Domestic Airport vs Keflavík: Which One Are You Flying From?

Visitors are often surprised to learn that Reykjavík has two airports. The Reykjavík domestic airport (RKV) sits inside the city itself and mostly serves flights within Iceland, while Keflavík Airport (KEF) is the international gateway, roughly 50 km away on the Reykjanes peninsula. Booking the wrong transport to the wrong one is an easy and expensive mistake.

This guide explains which airport does what, how to tell which one you need and how to connect between them on a tight itinerary.

The two airports at a glance

• Keflavík (KEF): the main international airport. Most flights to and from Europe and North America use it. It is roughly 45 minutes by car from central Reykjavík.
• Reykjavík Airport (RKV): a small airport right next to the city centre, used mainly for domestic flights to places around Iceland and for some flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Check your airline for the exact routes it operates.
• Different terminals, different towns: the two are not linked by a rail line or a walkable route, so you always need transport between them.

How to tell which airport you need

Look at the three-letter codes on your ticket or booking confirmation. KEF means Keflavík. RKV means Reykjavík's city airport. If your itinerary has an international flight into Iceland followed by a domestic flight onward, you will normally arrive at KEF and depart from RKV.

Connecting between KEF and RKV

The drive between the two is around 50 km. In normal conditions that takes roughly 45 to 50 minutes, but winter weather can lengthen it. Add time for passport control and baggage reclaim at Keflavík, plus check-in and security at the domestic airport.

Because the airports are separate, a transfer between them is a real journey, not a short hop. As a rule, avoid tight same-day connections unless you have no alternative, and do not count on a very short layover.

A realistic example

Say your international flight lands at Keflavík in the morning and your domestic flight leaves from the city airport at midday. You need to clear passport control, collect your bags, find your transport, drive for most of an hour and then check in again. That is a lot to fit into a few hours, and a delayed arrival can undo the whole plan. If you can, stay a night in Reykjavík between the two flights, or leave several hours of margin.

Check the baggage rules

Domestic flights often have different baggage allowances from international ones. If you are carrying large suitcases or sports equipment, check your airline's rules before you travel, so you do not discover a limit at the check-in desk.

Your transport options

• Scheduled shuttle or bus: these can be economical, but check current times and prices and whether they fit your flight.
• Taxi: straightforward, but check the fare in advance, because it is a long metered ride.
• Private transfer: a pre-booked car with a fixed price. Ours is per car, not per person, so a group of four pays the same as a single traveller.

How our private transfers work

Our Keflavík to Reykjavík transfer starts from 18,900 kr per car. Your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign and you get 45 minutes of free waiting at the airport, which helps if your bags are slow to appear. Economy (Tesla) takes 1 to 4 passengers and Van (Mercedes Vito) takes 5 to 7. Larger groups can ask about a minibus for 8 to 16 passengers.

For a transfer between the two airports, or from Keflavík to a hotel, see our transfers and message us on WhatsApp at +354 777 3949 with your flight details so we can confirm what we can arrange. Add your flight number when you book.

If you have just landed and are working out the rest of your arrival, our step-by-step arrivals guide walks you from the gate to the car, and our comparison of transfer options helps you decide between a bus, taxi and private car.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming a flight from Reykjavík means the airport next to the city centre. Check the airport code.
• Booking a tight connection between KEF and RKV with only a short gap.
• Forgetting that domestic airlines may have their own check-in cut-offs and baggage rules.
• Leaving the transfer to the last minute. Bookings should be made at least 1 hour before pick-up, and earlier is better.

FAQ

Is Reykjavík's domestic airport the same as Keflavík?

How far apart are the two airports?

Can I walk between the airports?

Can you drive me between the two airports?

What if my flight is delayed?