So, you’re looking at how to get to Iceland. It’s a bit of a weird one, honestly. You can't just hop on a train from London or drive across a bridge from mainland Europe. You’re headed for a massive volcanic rock in the middle of the North Atlantic, situated right where the cold Arctic waters meet the slightly warmer Gulf Stream.
It's isolated.
Most people just assume they’ll book the first flight that pops up on a search engine and call it a day. But if you do that, you’re probably going to overpay or end up with a twelve-hour layover in a random airport. Getting there requires a little bit of strategy, especially since the "low-cost" options often hide fees that make your eyes water.
The Reality of Flying into Keflavík (KEF)
First things first: you aren’t flying to Reykjavik. Not usually, anyway.
While there is a Reykjavik Airport (RKV), it’s almost exclusively for domestic hops to places like Akureyri or the Westman Islands. If you’re coming from the US, Canada, or Europe, you are landing at Keflavík International Airport. It’s about 45 minutes away from the capital. I’ve seen people book hotels in downtown Reykjavik thinking they can just "stroll" from the terminal. Don't be that person. It's a long, wind-swept drive through a lava field that looks like the surface of the moon.
The Big Players in the Sky
Icelandair is the "OG" here. They’ve basically built their entire business model around the Iceland Stopover. This is actually a pretty clever hack. If you're flying between North America and Europe, they let you stay in Iceland for up to seven days without adding a penny to your airfare.
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Then there’s PLAY. They’re the newer, bright-red budget carrier that rose from the ashes of WOW Air. They’re cheap. Like, "cheaper than a nice dinner in Reykjavik" cheap. But—and this is a big "but"—they charge for everything. Want a carry-on? Pay. Want to choose your seat? Pay. Want water? Pay. If you’re a minimalist traveler with just a backpack, PLAY is a goldmine. If you’re bringing a massive suitcase of winter gear, do the math first.
- Delta and United run seasonal routes from big hubs like JFK, Newark, and Chicago.
- British Airways and EasyJet dominate the UK routes.
- Lufthansa and SAS handle a lot of the mainland European traffic.
The flight from New York is only about five and a half hours. It’s shorter than flying to Los Angeles. From London, it’s less than three. It’s surprisingly accessible for such a remote-feeling place.
How to Get to Iceland by Sea (For the Patient Traveler)
Flying isn't the only way. It’s just the easiest way.
If you have a lot of time—and I mean a lot of time—you can take the ferry. The Smyril Line operates the MS Norröna. It sails from Hirtshals in Denmark, stops in the Faroe Islands (which are incredible, by the way), and eventually docks in Seyðisfjörður, on the east coast of Iceland.
This isn't just a commute; it’s an odyssey.
The North Atlantic is no joke. Even in the summer, the swells can be massive. But the upside? You can bring your own car. If you’re planning a three-month overland expedition in a custom 4x4, the ferry is your only real option. Just be prepared for the fact that Seyðisfjörður is on the opposite side of the country from the capital. You’ll have a seven-hour drive through mountain passes just to get to the "start" of most tourist itineraries.
When Should You Actually Pull the Trigger?
Timing is everything. Most people want to see the Northern Lights, so they flock there in January. Or they want the Midnight Sun and hit the Ring Road in July.
Prices reflect that.
If you want the best balance of "how to get to Iceland" without emptying your savings, look at the shoulder seasons. May and September are the sweet spots. The weather is still (mostly) cooperative, the crowds at Skógafoss aren't quite as suffocating, and the airlines are desperate to fill seats.
I’ve tracked prices for years. Usually, if you see a round-trip from the US East Coast for under $450, you should grab it. From Europe, anything under €150 is a solid deal. Use tools like Google Flights, but always—always—book directly with the airline. If a storm hits (and they do, frequently), trying to get a refund from a third-party booking site is a nightmare you don't want.
Dealing with the Winds
Let's talk about the wind. Iceland’s weather isn't just "rainy." It’s aggressive.
Keflavík Airport is notorious for crosswinds. It’s rare, but sometimes the airport just... shuts down. Not because of snow, but because the wind is literally blowing too hard for planes to land safely. When you’re figuring out your arrival, give yourself a "buffer day." Don't book a non-refundable, $500-a-night boutique hotel for the very first night if your flight lands at 11 PM. If you're delayed, you're out that money.
Practical Steps for Your Arrival
Once you touch down, the "how to get to" part of your journey shifts to ground transport. You have three main choices:
- The FlyBus: It’s the standard. It timed with every arriving flight. It’s reliable, has Wi-Fi, and takes you to the BSI Bus Terminal or directly to your hotel.
- Car Rental: Essential if you’re leaving Reykjavik. Pick it up at the airport. Pro tip: Get the gravel insurance. The wind picks up tiny volcanic rocks and sandblasts the paint off cars. It's not a scam; it's a necessity.
- Taxis: Just don't. A taxi from KEF to Reykjavik can easily cost $150 to $200. Unless you’re traveling in a group of four and splitting the cost, it’s a waste of money.
Understanding the Logistics
Getting to the island is only half the battle. You have to think about your "Entry Requirements."
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. If you’re a US, Canadian, or UK citizen, you don’t need a visa for short stays, but your passport needs to be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date. I’ve seen people turned away at the gate because their passport was expiring in two months. Don’t let that be the reason your trip ends before it starts.
Also, keep an eye on the ETIAS requirements if you're traveling in 2026. This is the new electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors entering the Schengen Zone. It’s a quick online form, but you need it before you head to the airport.
Summary of Actionable Steps
- Monitor Icelandair and PLAY specifically. Sign up for their newsletters. They often drop "flash sales" on Tuesdays that last about 24 hours.
- Check the ETIAS status. If your trip is in late 2025 or 2026, ensure you’ve registered your travel authorization online at least 96 hours before departure.
- Book the FlyBus in advance. It’s slightly cheaper online than buying it at the kiosk in the arrivals hall, and it saves you standing in line when you're jet-lagged.
- Choose your side of the plane. When flying into Keflavík from the west (North America), sit on the left side of the plane. If the sky is clear, you’ll get your first glimpse of the Vatnajökull glacier and the rugged south coast before you even land.
- Download the SafeTravel.is app. Before you even leave home, get this. It’s the official source for weather alerts and road closures. In Iceland, the weather changes in ten minutes, and "getting there" safely depends entirely on whether the roads are actually open.
Pack a windproof jacket in your carry-on. You’ll need it the second you step out of the terminal. The North Atlantic breeze doesn't care about your fashion choices; it only cares about how much heat it can pull out of your body. Plan smart, book direct, and get ready for a landscape that looks like nowhere else on Earth.