Ruth Haines
Iceland has a total of 13 airports, with 4 designated as international airports. The airport code for Iceland's main international airport, Keflavík International Airport, is KEF. It is located at the tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland and is approximately 31 miles (50 kilometres) from downtown Reykjavík.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Code | KEF |
| Airport Name | Keflavík International Airport |
| City | Keflavík |
| Country | Iceland |
| Coordinates | 63°58'44"N 22°35'33"W |
| Elevation | 164 feet |
| Runway Length | 11,811 feet |
| Time Zone | GMT (UTC+0) |
| Phone | +354 424 4000 |
| Website | www.kefairport.is |
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What You'll Learn
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's main airport
Keflavík International Airport is the largest airport in Iceland and the arrival point for most international travellers to the country. During peak times, the airport accommodates flights from 28 different airlines, including major carriers such as Icelandair, PLAY, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and British Airways. The airport has consistently been voted as Europe's best, with excellent facilities for eating, shopping, and communications.
The airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II as a replacement for a small British landing strip at Garður. It consisted of two separate two-runway airfields, Patterson Field in the southeast and Meeks Field in the northwest, built simultaneously just 4 kilometres apart. Meeks Field, where the airport is still located today, was named after a young pilot, George Meeks, who died on the Reykjavík airfield.
In 1949, a passenger terminal was built by the Lockheed Overseas Aircraft Service. The U.S. military base was handed over to the Icelandic Government in 2006. In 1987, a new modern terminal was constructed, which fuelled Iceland's growth in commercial aviation. This new terminal was named after Leif Erikson, the first European to arrive in North America.
Travellers to Iceland from Europe, North America, and Greenland will land at Keflavík International Airport before transferring to Reykjavík Domestic Airport for onward domestic travel. The distance between the two airports is approximately 50 kilometres (30 miles), and travellers should allow around 90 minutes for transferring by bus and about 60 minutes for transferring by taxi or private car.
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Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) is Iceland's main domestic airport
The airport code for Reykjavík Domestic Airport, the main domestic airport in Iceland, is RKV. This airport is located in the heart of Reykjavík, just a short distance from the city center. It primarily serves domestic flights within Iceland, connecting the capital to various destinations across the country.
Reykjavík Domestic Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating travel within Iceland. It is conveniently located, offering easy access to those traveling to and from the capital city. The airport is well-equipped to handle a significant volume of domestic air traffic, ensuring efficient and reliable operations.
Several airlines operate from Reykjavík Domestic Airport, providing regular flights to numerous destinations within Iceland. These include Eagle Air, which offers flights to small airports and remote locations, and Norlandair, which provides services to Grímsey, a small island located on the Arctic Circle.
The airport is also known for its stunning views, providing travelers with a unique visual experience. On clear days, passengers might catch a glimpse of Mount Esja, the iconic volcano that overlooks the city, or even the majestic Northern Lights during winter months.
Reykjavík Domestic Airport is easily accessible by various means of transportation. It is just a 15-minute drive from the city center, and passengers can opt for buses, taxis, or rental cars to reach the airport. Additionally, the airport provides convenient parking options for those who prefer to drive their vehicles.
For travelers visiting Iceland, Reykjavík Domestic Airport serves as a gateway to explore the country's breathtaking natural wonders and unique cultural offerings. With its convenient location and efficient operations, the airport ensures a seamless travel experience for those venturing across this captivating Nordic island.
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Iceland has 13 airports, 4 of which are international
Iceland, an island country in the North Atlantic, is served by a network of 13 airports, reflecting its unique geographical position and the importance of aviation for connectivity. With a land area of approximately 103,000 square kilometers, these airports play a crucial role in connecting Iceland to the world, facilitating tourism, business travel, and cargo operations.
Of the 13 airports, four are designated as international airports, capable of handling larger aircraft and a greater volume of passenger and cargo traffic. These include:
- Keflavík International Airport (KEF): Located approximately 50 kilometers west of the capital city, Reykjavík, Keflavík is by far the largest and busiest airport in Iceland. It serves as the main gateway to the country, handling the majority of international flights to and from Iceland. KEF is a modern and well-equipped airport, featuring a single, efficient terminal and capable of accommodating large jet aircraft, including Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s.
- Reykjavík International Airport (RKV): Also known as Reykjavík Domestic Airport, RKV is located just over 1 kilometer from the city center of Reykjavík. Despite its name, this airport primarily serves domestic destinations within Iceland, as well as a limited number of flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. RKV plays a vital role in connecting the capital to the country's remote regions.
- Akureyri International Airport (AEY): Situated in the north of Iceland, Akureyri is the country's second-largest urban area. Akureyri International Airport serves as a northern gateway to Iceland, offering connections to a small number of international destinations, primarily during the summer tourist season. The airport also handles domestic flights, connecting the north of the country to the capital and other regions.
- Egilsstaðir International Airport (EGS): Located in the east of Iceland, Egilsstaðir International Airport serves the country's largest forest, Hallormsstaðaskógur, and the nearby Lake Lagarfljót. While smaller in scale compared to Keflavík and with a focus on domestic services, Egilsstaðir does offer some limited international connections, particularly during the summer months.
These four international airports provide Iceland with vital links to the rest of the world, supporting the country's thriving tourism industry and facilitating business and trade connections. The remaining nine airports in Iceland are primarily domestic, serving local communities and providing essential connectivity within the country.
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Keflavík International Airport was built by the US military
Keflavík International Airport is the largest airport in Iceland, serving nearby Reykjavík. It is located in the town of Keflavík, which is in the municipality of Reykjanesbær in the southwest of the country. The airport is operated by Isavia, a government enterprise.
Keflavík International Airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II. It served as a replacement for a small British landing strip at Garður to the north. The airport consisted of two separate two-runway airfields, built simultaneously just 4 km apart. Patterson Field in the southeast opened in 1942, despite being partly incomplete. It was named after a young pilot who died in Iceland. Meeks Field, in the northwest, opened on 23 March 1943, and the airport is still located there today. It, too, was named after a young pilot, George Meeks, who died on the Reykjavík airfield.
After World War II, Patterson Field was closed, but Meeks Field and the adjoining structures were returned to Iceland's control. They were renamed Naval Air Station Keflavík, named after the nearby town. In 1949, a passenger terminal was built by the Lockheed Overseas Aircraft Service.
The presence of foreign military forces in Iceland under the NATO-sponsored Iceland–U.S. Defense Agreement of 1951 was controversial. During the 1960s and 1970s, rallies were held to protest the U.S. military presence, particularly at Keflavík. Protesters would walk the 50-kilometre road from Reykjavík to Keflavík and chant "Ísland úr NATO, herinn burt" ("Iceland out of NATO, the military away"). However, these protests were not effective.
The situation of having to pass through a U.S. military base to access the passenger terminal was not ideal. In response, in April 1987, the Icelandic government constructed a relocated civilian terminal on the north side of the airport, with separate access from the military area. This new terminal was named after Leif Erikson, the first European to arrive in North America.
The United States military base closed down and was handed over to the Icelandic Government in 2006. The original Keflavík passenger terminal, built in 1949 and defunct since 1987, was demolished in 2018 to make way for new development.
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There are no railways in Iceland
Iceland's main airport is Keflavík International Airport, which has consistently been voted as Europe's best airport. The airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II as a replacement for a British landing strip to the north.
While Iceland has an excellent airport, it has no railways. As of 2025, Iceland has no public railway system, although there have been three short-lived railways in the past. The main reasons for the lack of railways are the small population outside the capital region, the widespread use of automobiles, buses, and airplanes for inter-city travel, and the harsh weather conditions. Railways are very expensive to run and require extensive infrastructure, such as power lines, which can be disruptive to install.
There have been persistent proposals for a railway in Iceland since the first official proposal in 1906, particularly in the first half of the 20th century. In the early 1900s, there were proposals for railways connecting Reykjavík and Selfoss, with the possibility of expanding to other towns. In 1918, there was even some construction on a track bed between Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður, mainly as a jobs program during a recession. However, plans for railways were abandoned in 1931 as automobile traffic was rising and roads took priority.
In recent years, there have been new proposals for a light railway system in the capital region and an airport rail link to Keflavík. The proposed airport rail link, named the Lava Express, would run alongside Route 41 with a double track and a maximum speed of 250 km/h, reducing travel time between the airport and the city to just 15 minutes. While the project has not progressed past the planning phase, the route is safeguarded in local and airport master plans.
Despite the lack of a public railway system, trains have been used in Iceland in the past for freight transport and construction projects. For example, the City of Reykjavík used two locomotives, Minør and Pioner, to help construct the harbour breakwaters from 1913 to 1928. Additionally, a diesel-operated light railway was built in the early 2000s for the Kárahnjúkar hydro-electric power project, transporting people, equipment, and supplies to the drilling sites.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for Iceland's largest and most prominent airport, Keflavík International Airport, is KEF.
Iceland has a total of 13 airports, with 4 designated as international airports. The other international airport is Reykjavík Airport (RKV), which is situated within the capital city and primarily operates domestic flights. The other two international airports are Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport (EGS) and Akureyri Domestic Airport (AEY).
Keflavík International Airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II as a replacement for a British landing strip at Garður. It consisted of two separate two-runway airfields: Patterson Field in the southeast, which opened in 1942, and Meeks Field in the northwest, which opened in 1943. The airport was handed over to the Icelandic government in 2006.
