# Keflavik International Airport

- URL: https://www.visiticeland.com/article/arrival-in-iceland/
- Published: 2021-08-16
- Last updated: 2026-10-01

> Plan your arrival in Iceland with confidence. Learn what to expect at Keflavík International Airport, including arrivals, transport to Reykjavík, facilities, tax-free shopping, and services for families and travelers needing assistance.

**Keflavík International Airport**, located about 48 km (30 miles) from Reykjavík, is Iceland’s main gateway for international travel. It serves most passenger and air-freight flights to and from the country and plays an important role as a transatlantic hub between Europe and North America.

**Akureyri International Airport** in North Iceland also offers seasonal international connections, with direct flights from London and Manchester, providing easy access to the north without traveling via Reykjavík.

### Arrival 

Keflavík International Airport operates 24 hours a day, with free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal. Arrivals are straightforward and efficient. After landing, passengers proceed directly to the arrivals hall, where tax- and duty-free shopping is available upon arrival. A distinctive feature compared to many other international airports.

*Image: Arrival hall at Keflavík International Airport*

### Bus shuttle and car rentals

[A Flybus](https://www.kefairport.com/bus) shuttle operates between Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport in connection with all departing and arriving flights. Tickets can be purchased online, on Icelandair planes, and at the airport. The drive from Keflavík airport to Reykjavík takes about 40-50 minutes.  
In the arrival hall, one can also find the desks of car rental companies, and taxis are available upon arrival 24 hours a day.

### Departure 

Flybuses leave Reykjavík approximately 2.5 hours before flight departure. At the departure hall on the ground floor, [self-check-in terminals are available as well as service desks](https://www.isavia.is/en/keflavik-airport/before-flying/check-in).

### Traveling with kids and special assistance

In case you are [traveling with kids](https://www.isavia.is/en/keflavik-airport/services-and-facilities/for-the-children), there are pushcarts and strollers available as well as a playing area for kids. [Passengers with reduced mobility](https://www.isavia.is/en/keflavik-airport/services-and-facilities/special-assistance) can request assistance from trained airport staff. For [passengers with hidden disabilities](https://www.isavia.is/en/keflavik-airport/services-and-facilities/special-assistance/hidden-disabilities) who need additional support, sunflower lanyards are available at all information and check-in desks. 

*Image: The duty free-stores are worth visiting*

### Tax-Free

Persons permanently residing outside Iceland can reclaim value-added tax (VAT) for goods they shopped for during their stay in Iceland. [A tax refund ](https://www.kefairport.com/currency-exchange-and-tax-refund)must be claimed before checking in luggage and can be done at the Arion Bank desk, located close to the check-in desks.

### Souvenir shopping and dining

After check-in, one can find a good selection of brands in shops at the Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal. The goods and services available at the duty-free stores are very competitive compared to other European airports. All retail sales and services in the departure hall are located within the duty-free zone and are therefore duty- and tax-free.