If you're sailing out of Reykjavík, the smartest way to get from Keflavík Airport to your cruise port is a pre-booked private transfer. It's door-to-door, it handles your luggage, and a good operator tracks both your flight and your ship. The Flybus airport coach is cheaper but ends at BSÍ in central Reykjavík, not at the pier, so you'll still need a taxi with your suitcases in tow. Faxaflóahafnir, the Reykjavík Port Authority, confirms there's no citywide free port shuttle anymore, so don't plan around one.
Private transfers between Keflavík and the cruise piers typically take 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and which terminal your ship uses.
Pro Tip: Book with your flight number, ship name, and pier listed upfront. That's the single detail that keeps a driver waiting for you instead of the other way around.
Quick snapshot of your options:
- Private transfer: door-to-door, flight and ship tracking, best for luggage
- Flybus + taxi: budget-friendly but adds a transfer leg and cost
- Strætó public bus: cheapest, but you'll walk and carry bags yourself
Key Takeaways
A pre-booked private transfer is the most reliable way to connect Keflavík Airport with any Reykjavík cruise pier, because it removes the vehicle-swap risk that comes with buses or the Flybus coach.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Journey time | Private transfers between KEF and the cruise piers run roughly 45 to 60 minutes. |
| Flybus limitation | Flybus stops at BSÍ, not the piers, so cruise passengers need a separate taxi onward. |
| No guaranteed shuttle | Faxaflóahafnir confirms shuttle availability depends on your cruise line's local agent, not the port. |
| Cheapest option | Strætó bus 16 (Skarfabakki) and bus 1 (Hafnarfjörður) cost far less but require walking with luggage. |
| Recommended choice | Easytransfer's private service offers flight tracking, meet-and-greet, and fixed pricing for door-to-door pier drop-off. |
Table of Contents
- Comparing Your Transport Options To The Cruise Port
- Does The Flybus Go To The Cruise Port?
- How Much Does A Taxi Cost From Keflavík Airport?
- Will My Cruise Line Provide A Shuttle From The Airport?
- Can You Take A Public Bus To The Cruise Terminal?
- Why Are Private Transfers The Better Choice For Cruise Passengers?
- What Details Do You Need To Book A Transfer?
- How Much Time Should You Leave Between Flight And Ship?
- Which Reykjavík Pier Will Your Ship Use?
- Where To Check Before You Travel
- What Most Advice Gets Wrong About This Trip
- Book Your Private Transfer Before You Sail
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Comparing Your Transport Options To The Cruise Port
Every option gets you from Keflavík to Reykjavík eventually, but they don't get you there the same way. Here's how the main choices stack up for cruise travelers specifically:
- Pre-booked private transfer: 45–60 minutes, door-to-door, handles any luggage load, ideal for groups and tight schedules.
- Flybus (airport coach) + taxi: Around 45 minutes to BSÍ, then a separate taxi to the pier; budget-conscious but adds a change of vehicle.
- Direct taxi from KEF: 45–50 minutes, convenient but pricier and fare can vary by demand.
- Cruise-line arranged shuttle: Only available when your ship's local agent organizes one; not guaranteed.
- Strætó public bus: Cheapest option, but expects you to walk with bags and follow a fixed timetable.
Pro Tip: A "cheap" bus-and-taxi combo can turn into a stressful scramble if your ship has a strict boarding cutoff. When you're on a schedule you can't miss, the lowest fare isn't always the best value.
Does The Flybus Go To The Cruise Port?
No. Flybus terminates at BSÍ in central Reykjavík, not at Skarfabakki, Miðbakki, or Hafnarfjörður. That means every cruise passenger using the coach needs a separate taxi for the final leg to the pier.
The coach itself takes roughly 45 minutes from Keflavík to BSÍ, and a taxi onward to Skarfabakki adds another 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic and luggage handling at both ends.
Where it works well:
- You're spending a night in Reykjavík before or after your cruise
- You're traveling light and don't mind an extra taxi queue
- Budget matters more than a single, uninterrupted journey
Where it falls short: same-day embarkation or disembarkation, large groups, or heavy luggage. Two vehicles means two chances for delay, and cruise ships don't wait.
How Much Does A Taxi Cost From Keflavík Airport?
Taxis are convenient and instantly available, but fares swing depending on traffic, time of day, and whether you book ahead or hail one at the rank. They work best for solo travelers or couples with light luggage, or for oddball schedules when nothing else runs.
Metered fares apply at the taxi rank, while pre-booked rides often come with a fixed price agreed in advance. Most Icelandic taxis accept card payment, and larger vehicles for groups usually need to be requested specifically.
Pro Tip: If you're traveling with more than two suitcases, ask about van pricing before you get in. A standard sedan taxi can't always fit cruise-sized luggage, and that surprise costs you time at the curb.
Taxis can drop you at Skarfabakki, Miðbakki, or Hafnarfjörður, though drivers may need the exact berth name to avoid confusion at larger terminals.
Will My Cruise Line Provide A Shuttle From The Airport?
Sometimes, but never assume it. Shuttle availability is decided by each cruise line's local ship agent, not by the port itself, and Faxaflóahafnir confirms there's no standing public shuttle service covering every call in 2026.
Before you rely on one, check your cruise documents, the ship's daily program, or contact the line directly to confirm pickup times and locations.
Pro Tip: If your cruise line doesn't mention a shuttle by name, treat that as a "no" and book your own transfer. Ship-arranged shuttles also tend to run on tight windows tied to boarding times, with little flexibility if your flight lands late.
Can You Take A Public Bus To The Cruise Terminal?
Yes, and it's the cheapest way to travel. Strætó bus route 16 stops near Skarfabakki, while bus 1 connects to Hafnarfjörður for ships docking there. Tickets are bought through the Strætó app or in cash on board, and fares run well below taxi or private transfer rates.
The tradeoff is effort. You'll likely walk from the stop to the pier gate, manage your own bags the whole way, and work around a published timetable rather than your own schedule.
- Pros: lowest cost, straightforward for light packers
- Cons: walking with luggage, reduced weekend frequency, no door-to-door drop-off
- Accessibility: limited for travelers with mobility needs or heavy suitcases
Check Strætó's schedule the night before. Weekday and weekend frequencies differ, and a missed bus near boarding time isn't a risk worth taking.
Why Are Private Transfers The Better Choice For Cruise Passengers?
Because reliability and luggage handling matter more than saving a few euro when a ship is waiting. A private transfer skips the vehicle-swap problem entirely: one driver, one pickup, one drop-off at your exact pier.
When you're comparing operators, look for these meet-and-greet procedures and why specifying arrival meeting points matters to ensure a smooth transfer experience:
- Flight tracking, so a delayed landing doesn't mean a missed pickup
- Meet-and-greet service at arrivals with a name sign
- Fixed pricing, confirmed before you travel, with no last-minute surprises
- Accessible vehicle options for travelers with mobility needs
- 24/7 support in case your ship's schedule shifts
Easytransfer's Keflavík to Reykjavík service builds in these features specifically because cruise connections leave no room for error. Forum threads on TripAdvisor back this up, with returning cruisers repeatedly recommending pre-booked transfers over piecing together public transport.
Pro Tip: Read your booking confirmation closely. It should name your pier, your ship if provided, your driver's contact number, and a free waiting window in case customs or immigration takes longer than expected.
Coach-plus-taxi combinations simply can't match that for same-day embarkation or disembarkation.
What Details Do You Need To Book A Transfer?
Have these ready before you fill out a booking form:
- Flight number and arrival or departure time
- Ship name and pier (Skarfabakki, Vör, Miðbakki, or Hafnarfjörður)
- Passenger count and number of bags
- A contact phone number and email address
Pro Tip: Confirm the operator actively monitors flight and ship status. That's what protects you if your flight is delayed or your ship's schedule shifts at the last minute.
Ask about cancellation terms and how schedule changes are handled before you pay. Most reputable operators accept card payment online, and if you're booking from Ireland, paying in advance avoids currency confusion on arrival.
How Much Time Should You Leave Between Flight And Ship?
Leave a minimum of three hours between landing at Keflavík and your ship's boarding cutoff, and at least four hours between disembarkation and your return flight. That buffer absorbs customs queues, luggage delays, and Icelandic traffic without putting your trip at risk.
Sample timelines:
- Arrival day: Land at 10:00 AM, private transfer of 45 to 60 minutes, arrive at the pier by early afternoon for a late boarding
- Disembarkation day: Off the ship at 6:00 AM, transfer to KEF, comfortably makes an 11:00 AM flight
Summer traffic and peak cruise season can add extra minutes to any journey, so build in slack rather than cutting it close.
Pro Tip: If you think you'll miss your ship, call its emergency contact number immediately, and check whether your travel insurance covers missed departure costs.
Which Reykjavík Pier Will Your Ship Use?
Most cruise ships dock at Skarfabakki, Reykjavík's primary cruise terminal, roughly 4 kilometers from downtown. A new terminal building called Vör opened there for the 2026 season, so you may see either name on your documents.
- Skarfabakki (Vör): primary terminal, Strætó route 16 nearby, standard taxi and transfer drop-off
- Miðbakki: closer to the old harbor and downtown, walkable for smaller vessels
- Hafnarfjörður: about 12 kilometers from the city center, served by Strætó bus 1
Pro Tip: Check whether your cruise documents say "Skarfabakki" or "Vör." They refer to the same terminal, but seeing both can throw off travelers expecting a single name.
Since the port authority no longer runs a free shuttle, confirm transport with your cruise line's local agent rather than assuming one is included.
Where To Check Before You Travel
Verify details directly at the source rather than trusting an older blog post:
- Faxaflóahafnir for official port notices and berth assignments
- Strætó for current bus schedules and fares
- Flybus for coach timetables and BSÍ arrival details
- Easytransfer for private transfer booking and confirmation
Port fees, terminal names, and shuttle policies can shift season to season, so double-check ship documents before your 2026 sailing.
What Most Advice Gets Wrong About This Trip
Most guides treat Keflavík-to-Reykjavík transport as one generic problem, as if a backpacker and a cruise passenger need the same answer. They don't. A backpacker can wander to a bus stop with a daypack. A cruise passenger has forty minutes of boarding window, two suitcases, and a ship that will not wait.
That's where the conventional "just take the Flybus, it's cheaper" advice falls apart for this audience. It ignores the second leg entirely, the taxi from BSÍ to the pier that nobody budgets time or money for until they're standing curbside with luggage. The real cost of the "budget" option is time and stress, not just euro.
What should you prioritize first? Confirm your pier name and berth before booking anything. Then decide your transport based on how much buffer your schedule actually has, not on the sticker price of each option. If you're arriving the same day you board, or disembarking the same day you fly home, a private transfer isn't a luxury. It's the version of this trip least likely to go wrong.
Book Your Private Transfer Before You Sail
Skip the vehicle-swap problem entirely. Where Flybus leaves you a taxi ride short of the pier and a public bus leaves you walking with suitcases, Easytransfer's private transfer service takes you door-to-door in one vehicle, with flight tracking and meet-and-greet built in.
Fleet options run from standard cars up to vehicles for groups, so whether you're traveling as a couple or coordinating extended family for a shore excursion, there's a vehicle sized for your luggage. Fixed pricing means no surprises at the curb, and a 24 hour cancellation policy gives you room to adjust if your sailing schedule shifts.
Pro Tip: When you book, note your ship's name and berth (Skarfabakki 312 or Vör) in the booking comments. It's the detail that lets your driver find you at the pier without confusion.
Head to Easytransfer's homepage to get a quote for your pickup and drop-off locations, and a booking agent will confirm your transfer within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Keflavík Airport to the cruise port in Reykjavík? The most reliable transfer from Keflavík to cruise port terminals is a pre-booked private transfer, which takes you door-to-door in 45 to 60 minutes. Alternatives include Flybus plus a taxi, a direct taxi, or Strætó public buses, though each adds either cost, time, or extra effort with luggage.
Does the airport shuttle go directly to the cruise terminal? No standard Keflavík airport shuttle service, including Flybus, drops passengers directly at the cruise piers. Flybus terminates at BSÍ in central Reykjavík, so you'll need a taxi or private transfer for the final leg to Skarfabakki, Miðbakki, or Hafnarfjörður.
Is there a free shuttle between the airport and the cruise port? No. Faxaflóahafnir confirms there is no citywide free shuttle covering all cruise calls. Any shuttle you might have is arranged individually by your cruise line's local ship agent, so check your cruise documents rather than assuming one exists.
How much does a private transfer from Keflavík to the cruise port cost? Pricing varies by vehicle size and group, but private operators typically quote a fixed rate confirmed at booking, so you know the cost before you travel rather than watching a meter run.
Which pier will my cruise ship use in Reykjavík? Most ships dock at Skarfabakki, sometimes listed as Vör on 2026 documents, about 4 kilometers from downtown. Smaller vessels may use Miðbakki, and some calls use Hafnarfjörður, roughly 12 kilometers from the city center.