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Iceland has 464 authorized airports, with Keflavík International Airport (KEF) being the largest and busiest airport in the country. It is located about 31 miles (50 kilometres) from Iceland's capital, Reykjavík, and serves as the main hub for international transportation. The airport is open all year round and operates flights to over 90 destinations. All domestic flights use the smaller Reykjavík Airport, which lies three kilometres from the city centre. Other notable airports in Iceland include Egilsstadir city airport, Husavik Airport, and Hornafjordur Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Keflavík International Airport (KEF) |
| Other names | Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport, Reykjavik Airport, Keflavíkurflugvöllur |
| Location | 3 km west of the town of Keflavík, 50 km southwest of Reykjavík |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Runway length | 3,050 m |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Terminal name | Leif Erikson Air Terminal |
| Operator | Isavia |
| Number of passengers | 5 million (2019), 7 million (annually) |
| Destinations | Over 90 |
| Yearly flights | 25 airlines operate scheduled flights, 28 in summer |
| Flight duration | 3-4 hours from Europe, 5-6 hours from the US |
| Transport to Reykjavík | Rental car, Flybus, Airport Express, taxi |
| Nearby hotels | Courtyard by Marriott |
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What You'll Learn
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's largest airport
Iceland's largest airport is Keflavík International Airport (KEF), also known as Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport. It is located around 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the town of Keflavík and 50 km (30 mi) southwest of the capital, Reykjavík. The airport is Iceland's main hub for international transportation, with almost seven million passengers arriving annually. It is open all year round, serving over 90 destinations.
Keflavík International Airport is a relic from the "invasion of Iceland" during World War II when Allied troops took over the island following the occupation of its colonial ruler, Denmark, by Nazi Germany. The British initially laid out a landing strip in the town of Gardur, but the US military soon constructed two airfields for military purposes in 1942 and 1943. After the war, the US returned the airfields to Iceland, and in 1949, a passenger terminal was built. However, it was mostly used for troop transport and transatlantic technical stops. In 1951, the US reclaimed the property following a controversial defence alliance with Iceland, which led to decades of national protest and the country's eventual membership in NATO in 1949.
By the 1960s, Icelandair and Loftleiðir began operating larger aircraft that were better suited to Keflavík's longer runway, significantly increasing civilian passenger traffic through the terminal. By the 1970s, almost all international traffic had been moved to Keflavík, with Reykjavík Airport primarily serving domestic flights and limited short-haul international flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The road connecting Reykjavík to Keflavík was rebuilt and paved by 1965, greatly improving access to the airport from the city.
Today, Keflavík International Airport remains Iceland's busiest airport, with most international flights to and from the country passing through it. It is a major transfer point for airlines flying between North America and Europe, and it offers free unlimited WiFi to its passengers. The airport has two runways, each measuring approximately 3,050 m (10,000 ft), and it is operated by Isavia, a government enterprise.
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Reykjavík Domestic Airport is 2km from the city centre
If you're travelling to Iceland, you'll likely arrive at Keflavík International Airport (KEF), the country's main hub for international flights. It's located about 50km (30 miles) from the capital, Reykjavík.
However, if you're travelling domestically within Iceland, you may land at Reykjavík Domestic Airport, also known as Reykjavík Airport (RKV). This airport is located just 2km (1.2 miles) from the city centre of Reykjavík. It is the main domestic airport serving the Icelandic capital and is the domestic hub for Icelandair flights. The airport has two runways and is owned and operated by the state enterprise Isavia.
The history of Reykjavík Airport dates back to the early 1900s when the Vatnsmýri area, where the airport is located, was mostly uninhabited. In 1919, an Avro 504 took off from the airport area, becoming the first aeroplane in Iceland. Formal plans for an airport in Vatnsmýri were made in the 1930s, but construction was halted due to World War II. During the war, the British Army constructed an airport in Vatnsmýri, which became known as Reykjavík Field or RAF Reykjavík.
Today, Reykjavík Domestic Airport offers convenient access to the city centre, making it a popular choice for travellers looking to explore the capital. With its shorter runways and inner-city location, the airport handles short-haul domestic and regional services, as well as private flights and small international charters.
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Egilsstaðir Airport is one of four main hubs in Iceland
Iceland has several airports catering to both domestic and international flights. The two most-used airports in Iceland are Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV). Keflavik International Airport is the largest airport in Iceland and the country's main hub for international transportation. It is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the southwestern region of the country, approximately 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital, Reykjavík. The airport has two runways and is a hub for airlines such as Icelandair and Play. On the other hand, Reykjavík Domestic Airport is located in the city centre of Reykjavík and primarily caters to domestic flights within Iceland, although it also facilitates a few international flights to destinations such as Kulusuk in Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
In addition to these two main airports, there are also several smaller airports scattered across Iceland. One of these is Egilsstaðir Airport, located in the town of Egilsstaðir in East Iceland. Egilsstaðir Airport is one of four main hubs in Iceland that fulfil the requirements to be an international airport. However, the majority of flights operating at Egilsstaðir Airport are domestic flights. The airport has a single runway and primarily offers services to and from Reykjavík Airport, with several daily scheduled flights. The airport is conveniently located in East Iceland, providing easy access to natural attractions such as Vatnajokull National Park, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and the East.
Egilsstaðir Airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. The terminal, originally constructed between 1963 and 1968, was extensively reconstructed and expanded from 1987 to 1999. An additional arrivals hall was built in 2007, enhancing the facilities for travellers. Within the modernised space, travellers can find car rental services, a Hertz Iceland rental office, and a popular bus service for transport to and from the airport.
Overall, Egilsstaðir Airport plays a significant role in Iceland's transportation infrastructure, connecting various regions of the country and offering both domestic and limited international flights. Its central location in East Iceland makes it a convenient gateway for travellers exploring the region's natural attractions.
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Keflavík Airport is 30 miles from Iceland's capital, Reykjavík
Iceland is served by several airports, but Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is the largest in the country and the main hub for international transportation. It is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, approximately 30 miles (50 km) from Iceland's capital, Reykjavík. The airport is also known as Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport and is about 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the town of Keflavík.
Keflavík Airport is the central hub for international travellers to Iceland, with most international flights landing and departing from here. It is a single-terminal airport, serving over 90 destinations and welcoming almost seven million passengers annually. The airport is open all year round and is operated by Isavia, a government enterprise for the Nordic country's aviation industry.
The airport is easily accessible by road, with Route 41 providing a direct connection to Reykjavík. The drive takes around 45 minutes and offers impressive scenery along the way. There are also bus services connecting the airport to the capital, as well as to other parts of the country. For those who prefer more flexibility, renting a car or a campervan is a popular option, with many rental companies offering pick-up and drop-off services at the airport.
Keflavík Airport has a rich history, dating back to World War II when the United States military built two airfields in Iceland for strategic purposes. After the war, the airfields were returned to Iceland's control, and the airport was renamed Naval Air Station Keflavík. In 1949, a passenger terminal was constructed, initially used primarily for troop transport and transatlantic technical stops. Today, the airport boasts a wide range of shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés, as well as free unlimited WiFi for travellers.
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Iceland has 464 authorised airports
Keflavík Airport is a relic from the "invasion of Iceland" during World War II when Allied troops took over the island nation following the occupation of its colonial ruler, Denmark, by Nazi Germany. The British initially laid out a landing strip in the town of Gardur, but the US military soon built two airfields to support their operations in the region. After the war, Iceland assumed control of the airfields, and in 1949, a passenger terminal was built. By the 1970s, almost all international traffic had been moved to Keflavík, with Reykjavík Airport relegated to domestic services.
Reykjavík Airport is located about 1 mile (2 km) from the city centre and serves as the hub for domestic flights within Iceland. From here, passengers can fly to all corners of the country, with flight times under one hour. Destinations include Akureyri in North Iceland, Egilsstaðir in East Iceland, and Ísafjörður in the Westfjords.
In addition to these two main airports, Iceland has several smaller domestic airports scattered across the island, such as Egilsstaðir, Hornafjordur, and Husavik. These smaller airports often serve as alternatives to Keflavík for domestic flights or as connections to Reykjavík Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The main airport in Iceland is Keflavík International Airport (KEF), also known as Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport. It is the largest airport in Iceland and the country's main hub for international transportation.
The second-largest airport in Iceland is Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV), located within the capital city. It caters to domestic flights with the exception of Greenland as an international destination.
There are multiple ways to get from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík. The ideal way is to rent a car, especially if you plan to self-drive in Iceland. Many bus companies also operate airport transportation all year-round, including Flybus and Airport Express.
