Exploring Reykjavik's Airports: Rkf And Kef, Different Or Same?

Iceland has two major airports: Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV). While both are located in the southwestern region of the country, they serve different purposes. KEF, located in the town of Keflavik, is Iceland's main international airport, catering to international flights from territories outside the country. On the other hand, RKV, located in the capital city of Reykjavik, is the primary domestic airport, connecting various regions within Iceland and handling a limited number of international flights.

Reykjavik Airport (RKV) is Iceland's main domestic airport, located in the capital city

RKV is served by three airlines: Eagle Air, Icelandair, and Norlandair. The airport handles regularly scheduled domestic flights and a handful of international private or charter flights. It has two terminals on different sides of the runway area. The main terminal is home to Air Iceland, handling international and domestic flights, and the smaller terminal serves Eagle Air's domestic and international business flights.

Reykjavik Airport is a good choice for travellers looking to save time and money. It is also ideal for business travellers who need to get to the Icelandic capital quickly and efficiently.

In contrast, Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's main hub for international flights. It is located in the town of Keflavik, about 50 kilometres from Reykjavik. KEF is much larger than RKV, with an abundance of shops and restaurants, and it handled 3,252 flights, 121 routes, 24 countries, and 29 airlines in January alone.

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's main international airport, located in Keflavik

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's main international airport. It is located in the town of Keflavik, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the capital, Reykjavik. It is the largest airport in the country, serving as the primary hub for international travel to and from Iceland.

The airport is situated at the tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, in the country's southwesternmost region. It is approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) west of Keflavik and 50 kilometres (30 miles) southwest of Reykjavik.

Keflavík International Airport is a significant gateway for international travellers to Iceland, with almost seven million passengers arriving annually. It offers daily, weekly, and seasonal flights to over 90 destinations in Europe and North America. These include a combination of nonstop and connecting flights to cities such as Copenhagen, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Baltimore, and Toronto.

The airport has a single terminal, originally called Leifsstöð (named after Leif Erikson), with separate access from the military area. It features an arrivals and departures hall, customs, currency exchange, tax refund services, car rentals, a bus ticket terminal, and a variety of shops and restaurants. The terminal is divided into A, C, and D gates, with the A gates located closest to the main lounge. The south building houses border control facilities and additional stores.

Keflavík International Airport provides a range of amenities and facilities for travellers. It has restaurants, bars, cafes, convenience stores, banks, a smoking area, duty-free shopping, and a VIP lounge called the Icelandair Saga Lounge. The airport also offers free and unlimited Wi-Fi, a dedicated play area for children, and strollers.

Travellers can easily access Keflavík International Airport by car, coach, bus, or taxi. Car rental services are available at the airport, and it is a 45-minute drive to Reykjavik. Public bus transportation, such as the Straeto public bus (Bus 55), is also available, connecting the airport to the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. Additionally, private companies like Flybus and Airport Express provide express services to Reykjavik.

RKV is 50km from KEF

Reykjavik Airport (RKV) is located in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city. It is the primary domestic airport in the country, serving Iceland's capital. It is also the closest airport to the city centre, at just 2 kilometres away.

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is located in the town of Keflavík, 50 kilometres from Reykjavik. It is the largest airport in Iceland and the main hub for international flights.

The distance between the two airports is 30-32 miles or 48-50 kilometres. The drive between the two airports takes approximately 41-45 minutes.

KEF is the larger airport, with almost seven million passengers annually

Iceland has two main airports: Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV). While both airports are integral to the country's transport network, they serve different purposes and vary in scale and facilities.

In contrast, RKV is the primary domestic airport serving Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. It is located just 1.2 miles (2 kilometres) from the city centre and handles regularly scheduled flights from three airlines: Eagle Air, Icelandair, and Norlandair. RKV mainly caters to domestic flights within Iceland but also accommodates a small number of international private or charter flights. While RKV is a smaller airport compared to KEF, it is well-adapted and efficient, allowing for quick adjustments when needed.

The significant difference in scale and purpose between KEF and RKV results in variations in their facilities and services. KEF, being the larger international airport, offers a wider range of shops, restaurants, and other amenities to cater to its higher volume of passengers. On the other hand, RKV, as a domestic airport, provides a more streamlined and focused set of services tailored to its role as a hub for domestic travel within Iceland.

Despite their differences, both KEF and RKV play crucial roles in Iceland's aviation industry and contribute to the country's overall connectivity and accessibility.

RKV is a well-adapted, efficient airport, while KEF is expanding

Iceland has four main airports, but the two major airports are Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV). While both airports are integral to Iceland's transport network, they have different purposes and unique provisions.

RKV is the primary domestic airport serving Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, and is the closest airport to the city centre. It is also the main hub for domestic flights across the country, with regularly scheduled flights operated by Eagle Air, Icelandair, and Norlandair. In addition to domestic flights, RKV also handles a handful of international private or charter flights. The airport has two terminals, with the main terminal handling both international and domestic traffic for Air Iceland, and the smaller terminal serving domestic and international business flights for Eagle Air.

RKV is a well-adapted and efficient airport. Despite being a small airport, it can quickly adapt thanks to its proximity to KEF. For example, when a Dash 8 aircraft had a technical fault, a Boeing 757 was deployed to handle the service within an hour or so. RKV also has three runways, with two active throughout the year and the third usually utilised during the winter. The check-in and boarding process at RKV is swift, and passengers can enjoy a selection of hot drinks and pastries while waiting for their flights.

On the other hand, KEF is Iceland's major international airport and the arrival point for most international travellers. It is located about 50 kilometres from Reykjavik and serves as a popular transiting hub between North America and Europe. KEF handles a much higher volume of flights, routes, and passengers compared to RKV. In January alone, it handled 3,252 flights, 121 routes, 24 countries, and 29 airlines.

KEF has been expanding over the years, adding new travel routes as Iceland's popularity and tourism industry grow. The airport has a wide range of shops and restaurants, including boutique cosmetic and fashion outlets, duty-free stores, and various food and beverage options. It also offers additional traveller facilities such as currency and tax refund services, a play area for young travellers, luggage lockers, and meet-and-greet services. KEF has a single terminal with two buildings, and its total area is around 25 square kilometres.

Frequently asked questions