Ruth Haines
Keflavík International Airport, also known as KEF Airport, is Iceland's largest airport, located on the Reykjanes peninsula about 50 kilometres from the capital, Reykjavik. It is the country's main international gateway, serving over 9 million passengers annually with flights to over 90 destinations. The airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II and has since undergone several expansions. With its convenient location and range of amenities, KEF Airport is a popular choice for travellers visiting Iceland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Keflavík International Airport |
| Airport Code | KEF |
| Location | 50 km (31 miles) from Reykjavik, Iceland |
| Runway Length | 3,000 metres (10,000 ft) |
| Runway Width | 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Terminal Buildings | 2 (North and South) |
| Number of Airlines | ~30 |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | ~9 million |
| On-site Shopping | Duty-free stores, clothing stores, bookstores, souvenir shops, etc. |
| On-site Dining | Restaurants and bars |
| Transportation Options | Rental car, airport shuttle, private transfer, taxi, public bus |
| Nearby Attractions | Blue Lagoon, Water World, Gunnuhver, Keilir, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Keflavík International Airport is located 50km from Reykjavik
Keflavík International Airport, also known as KEF Airport, is located about 50km from Reykjavik city centre. It is the largest airport in Iceland and the only airport in the country that caters to international flights. The airport is located on the Reykjanes peninsula, which is about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik.
The 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, both named after young pilots who had died in Iceland. After the war, the airport was returned to Iceland's control and was renamed Naval Air Station Keflavík. The original passenger terminal, built in 1949, was located within the military airbase.
Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions. In 2001, the terminal was extended with the opening of the South Building to comply with the Schengen Agreement. The North Building was enlarged and completed in 2007. Today, the airport features several stores, restaurants, and other amenities for travellers, including duty-free shops, optical services, and a popular tax refund desk.
Travellers should be cautious not to confuse Keflavík International Airport (KEF) with the Reykjavik domestic airport (RKV), which is located in the city centre of Reykjavik. The distance between these two airports is approximately 36.3 kilometres or 22.5 miles. The driving distance between the two airports is slightly longer, at around 50.9 kilometres or 31.6 miles, with an estimated driving time of about 51 minutes.
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$19.9
The airport is Iceland's largest and main international gateway
Keflavík International Airport, also known as KEF Airport or Reykjavik (KEF), is the largest airport in Iceland. It is located on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50 kilometres from Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. The airport is well-connected to the capital by major roads and transportation services.
Keflavík International Airport serves as the main international gateway for Iceland. It offers flights to over 90 destinations in Europe and North America and is visited by around 9 million people annually. The airport has a single terminal, with two runways in use, and is managed by Isavia, Iceland's national aviation authority.
The airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II as two separate two-runway airfields. After the war, the airport was returned to Iceland's control and was renamed Naval Air Station Keflavik. The original passenger terminal, built in 1949, was located within the military airbase. The terminal has since undergone several expansions, with the South Building opening in 2001 and the North Building being enlarged in 2007.
Keflavík International Airport provides a range of services for travellers, including shopping, dining, and travel information. The airport is also known for its surrounding attractions, such as the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, located just 23 kilometres away.
Travellers can easily access Reykjavik from the airport by rental car, airport shuttle, or private transfer. The journey typically takes around 45 minutes, and there are various transportation options available to suit different needs and budgets.
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It was originally built by the US military during World War II
Keflavík International Airport, also known as KEF Airport, is the largest airport in Iceland. It is located on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 40-50 kilometers from Reykjavik City Centre. The airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II as a replacement for a small British landing strip at Gardur to the north. It consisted of two separate two-runway airfields, built simultaneously just 4 km apart.
The first airfield, Patterson Field in the southeast, opened in 1942, despite being partially incomplete. It was named after a young pilot who died in Iceland. The second airfield, Meeks Field in the northwest, opened on March 23, 1943, and was named after another young pilot, George Meeks, who died on the Reykjavik airfield.
After World War II, Patterson Field was closed, and Meeks Field and the adjoining structures were returned to Iceland's control. The airport was renamed Naval Air Station Keflavik, after the nearby town of Keflavik. In 1949, a passenger terminal was built by the Lockheed Overseas Aircraft Service, which was mostly used for troop transport and transatlantic technical stops in its early years.
The presence of the US military in Iceland continued after World War II, with the signing of a defense agreement between Iceland and the US in 1951. The US military returned to the airport in 1951, and the base assumed significant strategic importance during the Cold War. However, the presence of foreign military forces in Iceland was controversial, and protests were held in the 1960s and 1970s.
Over the years, Keflavík International Airport has undergone several expansions to accommodate increasing civilian passenger traffic. The original passenger terminal, located within the military base, was replaced in 1987 by a new terminal with separate access from the military area. The airport has continued to expand, with the addition of new buildings, gates, and expanded ramp areas to accommodate growing international traffic.
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The airport has a range of shops, restaurants and bars
Keflavík International Airport, also known as KEF Airport, is located in Iceland. The airport has a range of shops, restaurants, and bars for travellers to enjoy before their flight.
For those looking to grab a quick bite or a drink, there are several kiosks offering a variety of snacks, drinks, pastries, and pizzas. The Point kiosks provide travellers with a wide range of options, including travel essentials, snacks, drinks, fresh pastries, and pizzas. Additionally, Jómfrúin offers a selection of Danish pastries alongside classic Danish and Scandinavian dishes, and Sbarro serves freshly baked New York-style pizzas, pasta dishes, and special breakfast options. If you're craving something more savoury, Bakað is an artisan bakery offering pastries, barista coffee, sandwiches, Roman-style pizzas, smoothies, and salads.
For travellers who want to sit down and relax with a drink, Bar Elda, located in the Non-Schengen area, offers a selection of draft beers, wines, and cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.
Keflavík International Airport also has a variety of shops, including duty-free options. Travellers can purchase items such as candy, snacks, and alcohol at the airport's shops. It's worth noting that prices at the airport may be higher compared to local stores, so travellers might consider bringing their own snacks or purchasing items at their destination.
Overall, whether you're looking for a quick snack, a relaxing meal, or a drink, Keflavík International Airport offers a range of options to meet your needs before your flight.
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It offers several transport options to and from Reykjavik
Keflavík International Airport, also known as KEF Airport or Reykjavik (KEF), is located on the Reykjanes peninsula about 40-50 kilometres from Reykjavik City Centre.
KEF Airport offers several transport options to and from Reykjavik. The fastest way to get to Reykjavik from the airport is by town car, which takes 41 minutes and costs $140-$160. There is also a direct bus service that departs hourly and takes about 40 minutes. The bus costs $15-$21 and is the best option for those not travelling by car. The Flybus is another bus service that operates in connection with all arriving and departing flights at KEF Airport, with direct transportation to and from Reykjavik City Centre. Tickets are flexible, and passengers can board any Flybus available at the time of their arrival. The Flybus+ offers an additional service for a small fee, transferring passengers to minibuses that will take them to the nearest bus stop to their hotel.
Passengers can also rent a car at KEF Airport, with several rental agencies located on-site.
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Frequently asked questions
The full name of the airport is Keflavík International Airport.
The airport is located in the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50 kilometres from Reykjavik city centre.
There are several transport options to get to Reykjavik from the airport, including rental cars, airport shuttle buses, public buses, and taxis.
