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Keflavik International Airport
Reykjavík, Iceland
Keflavik International Airport
Iceland's main international gateway on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
- ›Originally constructed as a US Army Air Forces base in 1943 during World War II.
- ›NATO forces occupied the base until the US military withdrew in 2006, after which Iceland assumed full civil control.
- ›Served as a stopover hub for transatlantic flights during the early jet age due to its geographic position.
- ›WOW air, a major low-cost carrier based at KEF, collapsed in March 2019 stranding thousands of passengers.
- ›Handled over 10 million passengers annually before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced traffic in 2020.
Keflavik International Airport, located about 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, has served as Iceland's primary international gateway since the mid-20th century, originally built as a NATO military base. The airport handles the vast majority of Iceland's international passenger traffic and is the main hub for Icelandair. Its dramatic setting amid volcanic lava fields and coastal winds makes it one of the most atmospherically distinctive airports in Europe.
- Main Terminal — The single unified terminal handles all commercial departures and arrivals, featuring Icelandic design elements, duty-free shopping, and geothermal-heated facilities.
- Flybus coach service to Reykjavík BSÍ Bus Terminal and city hotels
- Strætó public bus route 55 connecting to Reykjanesbær and onward services
- Taxi and pre-booked private transfer services to Reykjavík and surroundings
- Car rental desks from major providers including Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Europcar
- Airport Express (Airport Direct) shuttle to central Reykjavík hotels
- Icelandair Hotel Keflavik
- Hotel Berg by Keflavik Airport
- The Airport Hotel Aurora Star
- B&B Hotel Keflavik
- Hótel Keflavik
Inside the terminal, travellers will find a mix of Icelandic and international dining options including Icelandic lamb soup, seafood dishes, and fast-food outlets both pre- and post-security. The duty-free area offers Icelandic spirits and confectionery worth picking up on departure. For a fuller sit-down meal experience, the nearby town of Reykjanesbær has several local restaurants a short drive away.
- Book the Flybus or Airport Express in advance during peak summer season as demand is very high.
- Currency exchange rates at the airport are less favourable than in Reykjavík city centre, so plan accordingly.
- Winds on the Reykjanes Peninsula can be extremely strong; secure loose items when moving between car parks and the terminal.
- The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is only about 20 minutes from the airport and can be visited between a flight connection with advance booking.
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Keflavík International Airport, also known as Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport, is the largest airport in Iceland and the country's main hub for international transportation. The airport is located approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the town of Keflavík, Reykjanesbær and 50 km (30 mi) southwest of the capital Reykjavík. The airport has two runways, each measuring approx. 3,050 m (10,010 ft). Most international journeys to or from Iceland pass through this airport, and it is the fifth busiest airport in the Nordic countries.
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