Is There Uber in Iceland? Taxi Apps and Better Ways to Get Around

It is one of the most common questions we hear from travellers: is there Uber in Iceland? The short answer is no. At the time of writing, the big international ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft do not operate in Iceland, and you cannot order a car with them at Keflavík Airport or in Reykjavík.

That does not mean getting around is hard. It just works a little differently from what you may be used to at home. This guide explains the options that do exist, what they cost in practice and which one suits which situation, from a local company that drives these roads every day.

The short answer

• Uber and Lyft: not available in Iceland. If you open the app, you will not find cars.
• Taxis: available in Reykjavík and at Keflavík Airport, usually ordered by phone, through a local taxi app, or at a taxi rank. Fares are normally metered.
• Local apps: Icelandic apps exist for taxis and for e-scooters in the capital area, but coverage and availability vary, especially at night and outside the city.
• Airport to Reykjavík: about 50 km and 45 to 50 minutes by car. Options are the airport bus, a metered taxi, a rental car or a pre-booked private transfer.
• Fixed price: a private transfer from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík costs 20,500 kr per car for 1 to 4 people with us, agreed before you travel.

Why is there no Uber in Iceland?

Iceland is a small market with a population of around 400,000 people, and for many years the taxi business was tightly regulated, with a limited number of licences. The rules have been relaxed in recent years, but the big ride-hailing companies have so far not launched here. The market is small, the distances outside the capital are long, and demand swings hugely between summer and winter.

For you as a traveller, the practical result is simple: do not plan your arrival around an app that is not there. Decide in advance how you will get from the airport, and save local phone numbers or apps before you land.

How taxis work in Reykjavík

Taxis in Iceland are safe, clean and licensed. Most are ordered rather than hailed: you call a taxi company, use its app, or ask your hotel, restaurant or bar to order one for you. In the city centre you will also find taxi ranks at a few busy spots.

• Fares are metered in most cases, so the price depends on distance, time and the tariff, which is higher at night and on holidays.
• Cards are widely accepted, and tipping is not expected in Iceland.
• Ask for a price estimate before a long ride if you want to know roughly what to expect.
• Larger groups may need a bigger car or two taxis; ask for a van when you order.

For short rides within Reykjavík, a taxi is convenient and not expensive compared with the rest of the country. The picture changes on the long road from the airport. For more detail on fares, read our guide to taxis in Iceland.

From Keflavík Airport without Uber: your options

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50 km from Reykjavík. Here is how the main options compare for most travellers:

Airport bus

The airport buses are the budget option for solo travellers. They run in connection with flights to a bus terminal in Reykjavík, and you may need to change to a smaller bus or walk to reach your hotel, because large buses cannot drive into many streets of the old town. They work well if you travel light and are not in a hurry.

Metered taxi

There are taxis at the airport, but after a busy arrival wave you may wait in a queue. Because the ride is long, a metered fare to Reykjavík is significant, and it changes with the tariff and traffic. Ask for an estimate before you set off.

Rental car

A rental car is ideal if you are driving the Ring Road or exploring the countryside by yourself. For a city stay it is often an expensive way to cover one airport ride, once you add insurance, fuel and parking in Reykjavík. See our honest comparison of car rental and private transfer.

Private transfer

A private transfer is the closest thing to a pre-booked ride: you book online before your trip, your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign, and the price is fixed per car, not per person and not by the meter. For three or four people, the cost per person is often close to the bus, with door-to-door service.

Getting around Reykjavík without a car

Reykjavík is compact. Most of what visitors want to see in the centre, from Hallgrímskirkja church to Harpa concert hall and the Old Harbour, is within a 20 to 30 minute walk. For everything else:

• Walking is the easiest way to explore the old town. Many central streets are pedestrian zones.
• City buses (Strætó) cover the capital area. You can pay with the official app or contactless in many cases; check the current options before you travel.
• E-scooters and bikes from local apps are common in summer. They are less practical in wind, rain and icy winter streets.
• Taxis are best for short rides at night or with luggage.
• Private drivers make sense for longer trips: the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, the South Coast or a transfer to another town.

Outside Reykjavík: plan ahead

Outside the capital, taxis are scarce and public transport is limited, especially in winter. Do not count on finding a car on the spot at a waterfall, a hot spring or a small village. If you are not renting a car, book transport before you go: a day tour, a scheduled bus where one exists, or a private driver who takes you there and back.

We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík. That includes long transfers such as Keflavík to Vík, Akureyri, the Westfjords or the East, and private day tours from Reykjavík.

7–8 hours · private

Golden Circle

Þingvellir · Geysir · Gullfoss

Car

1–4 people

90,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

120,000 kr

Book this tour

How our private 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

You can book on our airport transfers page in a few minutes, or message us on WhatsApp at +354 777 3949 if you have a question. Add your flight number when you book so your driver can follow your arrival.

Practical tips

• Save a taxi number or app and our WhatsApp before you land, so you are not searching on airport Wi-Fi.
• If you arrive late at night or very early in the morning, book your ride in advance; the airport can be quiet between flight waves.
• Travelling with children? Ask for child seats when you book; we provide them free of charge on request.
• Keep your phone charged: many hotels in the old town are on pedestrian streets, and your driver may call to agree on the nearest drop-off point.
• Check the weather in winter: strong winds can slow the airport road, and a driver who knows it is worth a lot on a stormy night.

FAQ

Is there Uber in Iceland?

Is there Uber at Keflavík Airport?

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