Flights to Reykjavik — What to Expect
Almost all international flights to Reykjavik land at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), about 50 kilometres southwest of the city centre — so don't mix it up with Reykjavik City Airport, which handles only domestic and Greenland routes. Flights from London run around 2 hours 45 minutes, from Amsterdam or Copenhagen roughly 3 hours, and from Madrid or Rome closer to 4 hours. Icelandair is the dominant carrier and has been flying transatlantic and European routes for decades — they're often the most reliable option with good luggage allowances. Wizz Air and easyJet have pushed into the market with cheaper base fares from London Gatwick, Bristol, and Edinburgh, though budget fare conditions apply, so watch the extras. If you're coming from North America, Icelandair and PLAY Airlines both offer transatlantic service, with PLAY operating a genuine low-cost model out of KEF.
On price, cheap flights to Reykjavik from major European hubs typically start around €80–120 return in the off-season if you book 6–8 weeks ahead and travel midweek. Summer peak (June–August) pushes return fares from London or Amsterdam into the €200–350 range, sometimes higher. Flights from Reykjavik to London or Copenhagen on Icelandair tend to be pricier than budget alternatives but include a checked bag. PLAY and Wizz Air flights to Reykjavik can dip below €100 return from certain UK and Eastern European cities during sales — worth setting a price alert on Wheeles if you're flexible on dates. Reykjavik flight deals tend to appear in January for spring travel and again in August for autumn departures.
Best Time to Visit Reykjavik
Reykjavik is genuinely a year-round destination, but what you get changes dramatically by season. May and September are the sweet spots — shoulder season pricing, manageable crowds, and enough daylight to do everything without fighting summer tourist volumes. May brings warming temperatures (up to 9°C), the first real burst of green across the lava fields, and whale-watching season kicking off in earnest. September keeps temperatures above freezing (4–10°C), the northern lights start appearing on clear nights after mid-month, and Reykjavik's cultural calendar picks back up after the summer.
June, July, and August offer the midnight sun — genuinely surreal, with daylight lasting 20–24 hours around the solstice. Puffins are visible on the Westman Islands and Látrabjarg cliffs, hiking is at its best, and the highlands open up. But accommodation prices spike, tours sell out weeks ahead, and the city centre feels noticeably crowded. December and January are cold (averaging 2–3°C) and dark, but aurora activity peaks, Christmas markets run through December, and prices drop significantly. The shoulder months of March and April are underrated — you still get decent aurora chances, snow-capped scenery, and none of the summer chaos, though weather is unpredictable and some highland roads stay closed until late May. The one period that's genuinely hard to recommend is late November: dark, wet, no aurora guarantee, and not quite into Christmas season.
Getting Around Reykjavik
From Keflavik Airport, the Flybus (operated by Reykjavik Excursions) and Airport Express both run direct to BSÍ bus terminal in central Reykjavik and offer hotel drop-offs. Cost is around 3,500–4,500 ISK (€24–30) one way. Journey time is 45–50 minutes in normal traffic. Taxis from the airport cost around 15,000–18,000 ISK (€100–120) and aren't worth it unless you're in a group of four splitting the fare. There is no train.
Within Reykjavik itself, Strætó runs a solid city bus network — app-based payment only (no cash on buses), single fare around 590 ISK (€4). The city centre is small enough to walk in 20–30 minutes end to end, which most visitors do. For day trips to the Golden Circle, the South Coast, or the Blue Lagoon, you'll need either a rental car or an organised tour. Car rental from KEF starts around €40–60 per day for a basic model in low season, considerably more in summer. A 4WD is essential if you plan to drive highland F-roads.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
The 101 Reykjavik district is the city's beating heart — closest to Hallgrímskirkja, the harbour, Laugavegur's restaurants and bars. Expect to pay €150–250 per night for a decent hotel here in summer, €90–150 in shoulder season. The Miðborg (city centre) is compact and walkable. For mid-range options with more space and local feel, the Hlemmur and Laugardalur areas sit a short bus ride east — prices drop 20–30% and you're still well connected. Budget travellers are best served by hostels like KEX Hostel (converted biscuit factory, good bar, dorms from around €35) or Loft Hostel near Austurvöllur square. For premium stays, Hotel Borg on Austurvöllur is the classic choice — art deco, central, genuinely well-run — while Ion Adventure Hotel outside the city is worth the splurge if you want aurora views from the hot tub.
Top Things to Do in Reykjavik
- Hallgrímskirkja Church Tower: The elevator to the top costs around 1,000 ISK and gives you the best view in the city — worth it in any weather, genuinely stunning in winter snow.
- Reykjavik Harbour and Whale Watching: Several operators run 3-hour whale watching trips from the Old Harbour (April–October). Humpbacks and minkes are regularly spotted. Book with Elding or Whale Safari for reliable boats.
- The Golden Circle Day Trip: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall — doable independently by rental car in a full day or via bus tour from around €70–90.
- Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool: Skip the tourist-priced Blue Lagoon on your first visit and go where locals actually go. Entry around 1,200 ISK (€8), geothermal pools, steam rooms, and a proper Icelandic experience without the crowds.
- Laugavegur Street Eating and Drinking: Iceland's food scene has improved enormously. Snaps Bistro for French-Icelandic cooking, Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron) for lobster soup at the harbour, and Skál! in Hlemmur Food Hall for local small plates.
- Northern Lights Hunting (September–March): Drive 20 minutes outside the city on any clear night with a low aurora forecast (KP2 or above). Apps like Aurora Forecast or Vedur give hourly updates. No need to pay for an organised tour unless you want guaranteed transport.
Practical Travel Tips
Visa: EU and EEA citizens enter Iceland visa-free with a national ID card or passport. UK citizens post-Brexit also enter visa-free for tourism stays up to 90 days — no visa required, but a valid passport is needed. Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, so EU citizens don't face passport control from Schengen countries, though non-Schengen travellers (including UK) go through normal border checks at KEF.
Currency: Iceland uses the Icelandic Króna (ISK). Card payment is accepted essentially everywhere — you can travel the entire country without touching cash. Contactless is standard. Currency exchange at the airport is poor value; your bank card will give you better rates automatically.
Tipping: Not customary or expected in Iceland. Service is included in prices by default. You won't cause offence by tipping, but locals don't do it and staff don't expect it.
Safety: Reykjavik is consistently ranked among the safest capitals in the world. Petty crime is rare. The main hazards are weather-related — hypothermia risk if you're unprepared outdoors, and dangerous driving conditions in winter. Always check road.is before driving anywhere outside the city.
FAQ — Flights to Reykjavik
How much do flights to Reykjavik cost?
Return flights to Reykjavik from major European cities typically range from €80–150 in off-peak months (November, January, February) to €200–380 during peak summer (June–August). From London specifically, budget carriers like Wizz Air and easyJet frequently run sales below €100 return. Booking 6–8 weeks out on flexible midweek dates gives you the best shot at lower fares. Use Wheeles to compare live prices across all carriers on your dates.
Which airlines fly to Reykjavik?
Icelandair is the main full-service carrier, flying to Keflavik from London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Paris, and more. PLAY Airlines operates a low-cost model from several European and North American cities. easyJet flies from London Gatwick, Bristol, and Edinburgh. Wizz Air connects Reykjavik with London Luton and various Eastern European cities. SAS covers Scandinavian routes. British Airways operates seasonal service from Heathrow.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Reykjavik?
January and February consistently offer the lowest fares to Reykjavik — post-Christmas demand drops sharply and airlines discount heavily. November and early December are also cheap, though daylight hours are limited. If you want value without sacrificing experience, late September and early October hit a sweet spot: aurora season starts, crowds thin out, and return fares from Europe are often 30–40% lower than peak summer rates.
How long is the flight to Reykjavik from London?
Direct flights from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, or Luton) to Keflavik take approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours. From Amsterdam it's around 3 hours, from Copenhagen 2 hours 45 minutes, from Frankfurt 3 hours 15 minutes, and from Madrid around 3 hours 45 minutes. All major European routes have direct options — no need to connect through another hub.