Iceland's Airport: Location And Travel Guide

where is the airport in iceland

Iceland has several airports scattered across the island, including Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV). These two airports are often confused with one another as they are located relatively close to each other. Keflavik International Airport is Iceland's primary international gateway, located about 30-50 kilometres west of the capital city, Reykjavik. On the other hand, Reykjavík Domestic Airport is located within the capital city and caters mainly to domestic flights, with the exception of Greenland as an international destination.

Characteristics Values
Name of Iceland's international airport Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
Location On the east side of the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 30-50 km (31 miles/48-50 km) from Reykjavík
Services Restaurants, duty-free shopping, lounges, currency exchange counters, ATMs, luggage storage facilities, family-friendly spaces, quiet rest areas, car rentals
Transport to Reykjavík Bus (45 minutes), car (40-45 minutes)
Name of Reykjavík's domestic airport Reykjavík Airport (RKV)
Services Car rentals, parking lot for passenger cars
Transport to city centre Bus, taxi

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Keflavik Airport (KEF) is Iceland's primary international airport

Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's primary airport for international travel. It is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 30 to 31 miles (48 to 50 kilometres) west of the capital city, Reykjavik. It takes approximately 45 minutes to travel between the airport and the city.

Keflavik Airport is Iceland's largest and busiest airport, serving as the main gateway for international travellers entering and leaving the country. It is a crucial link connecting Iceland to the rest of the world. The airport is modern and well-equipped, offering a variety of services and amenities to ensure a smooth and pleasant travel experience.

The airport has efficient transportation links to Reykjavik and other parts of the country. Several bus companies provide transfers from the bus station to the airport terminal. Car rental agencies are also available at the airport, and taxis can be hired, although this option is more expensive compared to public transport.

Keflavik Airport offers a range of dining options, including local Icelandic delicacies such as smoked salmon and lamb. There are also duty-free shopping areas, where travellers can purchase items like Icelandic skincare products, outdoor gear, alcohol, and local crafts. The airport provides access to comfortable lounges, family-friendly spaces, luggage storage, and quiet rest areas, ensuring a convenient and comfortable experience for all travellers.

It is important to note that Reykjavik also has an airport, called Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). This airport is located within the capital city and primarily caters to domestic flights, with the exception of some international destinations like Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The two airports are often confused, and even locals sometimes refer to both as "Reykjavík Airport". To ensure travellers go to the correct airport, it is important to check the IATA code on booking confirmations and boarding passes: Keflavik is KEF, and Reykjavik Domestic is RKV.

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Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV) is often confused with Keflavik Airport

Iceland has two major airports: Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). These two airports are often confused with each other, which has led to many incidents of visitors realising they are at the wrong airport. This confusion may be exacerbated by the fact that even locals sometimes refer to both airports as "the Reykjavik Airport".

Keflavik International Airport is Iceland's primary international airport and the country's main gateway. It is located about 30 miles (48-50 km) west of Reykjavik, outside the capital city. The airport is served by major airlines such as Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Wizz Air, Wow Air, and Lufthansa, offering both short-haul and long-haul flights. As the main airport serving Iceland, it experiences higher levels of crowds, queues, flight delays, and flight deals. However, efficient public transportation services, such as the Grey Line transport service, connect the airport to the city centre in about 41 minutes.

On the other hand, Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV) is the primary domestic airport serving Iceland's capital. It is located within the city borders of Reykjavik, just 1.2 miles from the city centre. The airport caters to a few airlines, including Air Iceland Connect, Eagle Air, Icelandair, Norlandair, and Atlantic Airways, which operate domestic and a limited number of small international charter flights. RKV has two terminals on opposite sides of the runway, which can be inconvenient for passengers needing to move between them. Despite its smaller size, RKV is a well-adapted and efficient airport that serves its purpose of managing domestic flights.

It is important to distinguish between these two airports when planning travel to or within Iceland. While Keflavik International Airport is the main hub for international flights and serves a wide range of destinations, Reykjavik Domestic Airport primarily caters to domestic travellers and offers limited international options. Therefore, travellers should carefully consider their origin and destination airports to avoid confusion and ensure a smooth journey.

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Keflavik Airport is located 30-50km from Reykjavik

Iceland has two main airports: Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). Keflavik Airport is located 30-50km from Reykjavik, depending on the source. It is situated on the Reykjanes Peninsula, approximately 45 minutes from the capital.

Keflavik Airport is Iceland's main international gateway, serving as the first point of entry for most tourists. It offers modern facilities and convenient access to Reykjavik, with several bus companies providing transfers to the city. The airport is well-equipped, featuring restaurants, duty-free shopping, lounges, ATMs, and luggage storage facilities. It is also a hub for airlines such as Icelandair, providing direct flights to destinations across Europe and North America.

Reykjavik Domestic Airport, on the other hand, is located within the city borders of Reykjavik. It caters primarily to domestic flights, with the exception of some international destinations like Greenland and the Faroe Islands. This airport has two terminals, with the main terminal operating the only international route and domestic flights for Icelandair, while the second terminal serves Eagle Air.

It is important to distinguish between these two airports when planning travel to or within Iceland, as they serve different purposes and cater to different types of flights.

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Keflavik Airport offers currency exchange, SIM cards, and duty-free shopping

Iceland's main international airport is Keflavik Airport (KEF). It is situated on the Reykjanes Peninsula, approximately 50 kilometres from the capital city, Reykjavik. Most international flights to and from Iceland operate from this airport. The airport is open 24/7 and offers a range of services and facilities for travellers, including currency exchange, SIM cards, and duty-free shopping.

Keflavik Airport provides currency exchange services through a branch of Landsbankinn located within the airport. The banking hours at Landsbankinn Keflavik Airport are 05:30–17:00 and 21:00–02:00. ATMs are also available at the airport for those who have credit cards and would like to avoid the 1% commission charged by the airport's currency exchange.

For travellers who need a local SIM card, Siminn SIM cards are available for purchase at Keflavik Airport. Having a local SIM can be helpful for staying connected and accessing mobile data services during your stay in Iceland.

In addition to essential services, Keflavik Airport also offers duty-free shopping. Travellers can purchase a variety of items, including souvenirs, gifts, and local products, without paying taxes. Duty-free shopping can be a convenient option for those looking to save money or find last-minute gifts.

Keflavik Airport serves as the main gateway to Iceland for most visitors, and its range of services reflects its importance. The airport aims to provide travellers with a smooth and convenient experience, ensuring they have access to the necessary amenities and facilities upon their arrival or before their departure.

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Reykjavik Domestic Airport offers flights to the Faroe Islands and Greenland

Iceland has two major airports: Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). The former is Iceland's primary gateway and is located about 30 miles (48 km) west of Reykjavik. It is the country's main terminal, where most tourists first arrive in Iceland. The latter, Reykjavik Domestic Airport, is located within the capital city's borders and operates domestic flights for Icelandair.

Several airlines offer flights from Reykjavik to the Faroe Islands, including Icelandair, Atlantic Airways, and Air France. Icelandair offers regular flights to the Faroe Islands from the US via Iceland, with a stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare. The lowest flight prices are typically found on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with prices as low as US$133 for a one-way flight.

Reykjavik Domestic Airport also offers flights to Greenland as its sole international route. It is important to note that Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik Domestic Airport are often confused with one another, and even locals sometimes refer to both as "the Reykjavik Airport". To ensure travellers are on the right track, it is important to remember that Keflavik Airport is located outside the capital city, while Reykjavik Domestic Airport is within the city.

Frequently asked questions

The main international airport in Iceland is Keflavík Airport (KEF), located about 30-50 kilometres or a 40-45 minute drive outside of the capital, Reykjavík.

Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) is located within the capital city. It caters to domestic flights and has an international route to Greenland.

Keflavík Airport offers various facilities, including restaurants, duty-free shopping, currency exchange counters, ATMs, luggage storage, family-friendly spaces, and lounges.

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