Keflavik International Airport (KEF)

The Leifur Eiríksson International Air Terminal is located at Keflavik Airport, which is situated about 50 km (31 miles) from Reykjavík. All retail sales and services operated in the departure hall at Keflavík Airport are located within the duty-free zone and are, therefore, tax and duty-free.

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is the main airport for Iceland. Icelandair flights to destinations in Europe, North America, and Greenland arrive and depart from Keflavík. For those connecting in Keflavík with Icelandair, the process is straightforward.

Our domestic flights use Reykjavík Airport, which is located within Reykjavík itself (50 km/31 miles from Keflavík). Passengers traveling onward domestically within Iceland will need to transfer between the two airports.

Self service and priority check-in

Self-service check-in kiosks: These are located at the departure hall at Keflavik Airport. Passengers can check in by themselves using these machines. If they are traveling with baggage, there are special baggage drop-off points located in the departure hall.

Priority check-in: Those using priority check-in should make their way to Icelandair check-in desks 40 to 42.

Transiting through Keflavík with baggage

• Flying with Icelandair between North America and Europe via Keflavík? You do not need to pick up your bags in Keflavik, provided that your reservation is on one ticket, you have checked in your bags to your final destination, and the stop in Iceland is scheduled to be less than 12 hours.
• Flying with Icelandair from an International destination to Keflavík with an onward domestic flight in Iceland? You need to pick up your bags in Keflavík and transfer to Reykjavík Airport, a distance of 50km (31 miles).

Have you lost something?

If you've lost an item on board an Icelandair aircraft arriving at Keflavík, or lost personal items at Keflavík Airport, please send an email to Securitas or fill out this form.

Frequently asked questions

• How much is a taxi from Keflavík International to Reykjavík? The drive to Keflavík International takes an average of 45 minutes from downtown Reykjavík, though it can of course vary depending on your accommodations, time of day, and traffic conditions. At the time of writing, expect to spend around 20,000 ISK (200 CAD) on a taxi transfer to the airport.
• How early should I get to Keflavík Airport? Icelandair check-in opens 2.5 hours before your flight departure, and we recommend getting to the airport with time to spare. Three hours tends to be a good rule of thumb, especially if you need to return your rental car or require special assistance. Travelers staying within the Schengen area do not need to go through passport control and may require less time than flights leaving Schengen. Nevertheless, we recommend arriving at the airport no later than 2 hours before your departure.
• Is KEF a busy airport? Keflavík International is a relatively small and easy to navigate airport. However, like any other airport, it can become busy around rush times, such as morning flights and peak travel seasons. While most travelers will find KEF more manageable than other major hub airports, we nevertheless recommend giving yourself ample time. As stated above, three hours is a good rule of thumb when travelling via Keflavík Airport.
• How early should I get to Keflavík Airport? Icelandair check-in opens 2.5 hours before your flight departure, and we recommend getting to the airport with time to spare. Three hours tends to be a good rule of thumb, especially if you need to return your rental car or require special assistance. Travelers staying within the Schengen area do not need to go through passport control and may require less time than flights leaving Schengen. Nevertheless, we recommend arriving at the airport no later than 2 hours before your departure.
• What is the cheapest way to get to KEF from Reykjavík? The cheapest way to get from KEF to Reykjavík is technically with the public bus system, Strætó. However, the public bus system is not designed to provide major service to the airport, and we recommend travelers instead book a FlyBus transfer to Reykjavík. Buses from the airport leave regularly and can be booked either as single or round-trip transfers. Transfer tickets can be booked ahead of time, or purchased directly at the airport upon arrival.
• How close is the Blue Lagoon to Keflavík Airport? The Blue Lagoon, the world-famous geothermal spa, is located approximately 30 minutes from Keflavík International Airport. Several travel providers offer bus transfer to and from the airport with stops at the Blue Lagoon, and travelers with rental cars may appreciate a stop here before or after their flight. Note that operations at the Blue Lagoon have been affected by the recent eruptions on Reykjanes. Read more about the recent Reykjanes eruptions, and stay up to date with the status of your reservation directly with the Blue Lagoon.

Icelandair Saga Lounge is open before all departing Icelandair flights. The lounge can be found on Level 2 and is accessed via the stairs which are located next to the zone D border control area.