If your ship docks at Miðbakki, you step off in the Old Harbour, a short walk from central Reykjavík. A pre-booked private transfer is still worth arranging if you have luggage, a flight to catch, a group, or a plan that goes beyond the city center. This guide covers where the quay is, how pickups work, what to agree with your operator, and what to do if your ship changes berth or anchors in the bay.
TL;DR
- Miðbakki is the Old Harbour quay in central Reykjavík. It has no terminal building, so agree a clear meeting point with your driver before the day.
- Many larger ships use a different berth, so check your ship's berth before booking a pickup.
- The main transfer jobs are quay to hotel, quay to Keflavík Airport (KEF), and quay to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. We price airport and lagoon transfers per traveler.
- Book with flight tracking and a 24-hour cancellation window. Ours gives a full refund up to 24 hours before.
- Groups of up to 49 passengers can travel together in one vehicle, so nobody splits up.
Table of Contents
- Where Miðbakki is and how to confirm your ship docks there
- What the quay is like on the day
- Your transfer options from Miðbakki
- Miðbakki to Keflavík Airport
- Miðbakki to your hotel or apartment
- Miðbakki to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
- Longer days: private tours from the harbor
- What does a Miðbakki transfer cost?
- What if your ship is delayed, tenders, or changes berth?
- Our view: why we plan quay pickups differently
- Book your Miðbakki pickup with us
- Groups, families and luggage: what to check
- FAQ
- Sources
Where Miðbakki is and how to confirm your ship docks there
Miðbakki is in the Old Harbour, in the heart of Reykjavík. Visit Reykjavík describes it as close to the central attractions, restaurants and shops. That is the quay's main appeal: you can be in the old town within minutes of leaving the gangway.
The catch is size. Smaller ships and expedition vessels use Miðbakki. According to BagBee's cruise page, most ships use the Sundahöfn area instead, about 5 km and 10 minutes from the city center. Skarfabakki is the berth most people mean when they talk about Sundahöfn. If you are on a larger liner, you will probably not dock at Miðbakki at all.
How to confirm your berth:
- Check your cruise line's port information for the Reykjavík call. It names the berth.
- Look at the daily program or app notice, which usually repeats the berth and the all-aboard time.
- Tell your transfer provider the ship's name and the date, not just "Reykjavík cruise port".
- Reconfirm the berth the evening before, since berths are scheduled by the port and can change.
Our own guide to Reykjavík port terminals compares the berths side by side, which helps if you are not sure which one your ship uses.
What the quay is like on the day
Miðbakki is a working harbor, not an airport-style terminal. Do not expect a building with check-in desks and a waiting hall. The 2026 Faxaports cruise facilities overview shows a Miðbakki passenger area with controlled gates, passport-check areas, baggage drop-off and handling, and designated taxi and bus areas.
The port also controls who comes near the ship. Faxaflóahafnir states that cruise facilities are ISPS-certified, fenced and security-checked before a ship arrives, with guards present while it is alongside. It also says visitors must be announced in advance. In practice, that means a driver cannot simply walk up to the gangway. You meet at the designated area outside the controlled zone, and a clear plan beats improvising.
On a turnaround day, when passengers leave the ship for good, the same page notes that luggage is screened. Allow extra time between leaving the ship and reaching your vehicle, especially on a tight flight day.
Your transfer options from Miðbakki
Because the quay is so central, you have more choices than at most ports. Which one fits depends on where you are going, how much luggage you carry, and how many of you there are.
| Option | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Old town sights, shops, lunch | Fine for light bags only. Not realistic with suitcases to a hotel across town. |
| Taxi | Short hops within Reykjavík | Visit Reykjavík says taxis use official meters and have 24-hour operators. Large groups need several cars. |
| Public bus | Budget travel on flexible timing | Strætó handles route planning. The bus between KEF and Reykjavík takes approximately 45 minutes, plus your walk and any transfer. |
| Rental car | Self-drive days | Visit Reykjavík notes there are no rental offices at Miðbakki, though most companies offer city-center pickup. |
| Private transfer | Luggage, families, groups, flight days, lagoon visits | Fixed price agreed ahead, a driver tracking your plans, door-to-door service. |
For a few hours of wandering, walking wins. For anything involving a suitcase, a schedule or more than four people, a private vehicle removes most of the friction.
Miðbakki to Keflavík Airport
This is the most common run for cruise passengers on their last day. Keflavík Airport is a drive of roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the center of Reykjavík, depending on traffic and the time of day. Treat that as a planning figure, then add a buffer for leaving the ship and loading bags.
We offer private transfers between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík for any group size, from $45 per traveler one way. Pickup at the quay is arranged when you book, and the price you see is the price you pay. There are no hidden fees.
Three things matter on a flight day:
- Work backwards from your departure. Many Irish travelers fly home on a transatlantic or European service. Check-in typically needs a couple of hours before departure for international flights, so plan to leave the quay well before that. Our guide on getting from Keflavík Airport to the Reykjavík cruise port covers the reverse trip and the timing logic.
- Ask about delays. Our drivers track flights, which matters when you arrive by air before boarding. On departure day, the tracking is less important than a realistic buffer.
- Think about luggage before you leave. If your flight is late in the evening, you may want to store bags. Our note for Irish travelers on luggage at Keflavík covers lockers and allowances.
If you want the full door-to-door picture for Irish passengers heading home, see our guide to the Reykjavík cruise port to airport run for Irish travelers.
Miðbakki to your hotel or apartment
A hotel run is short, but it solves a real problem: the day you arrive before check-in, or the day you stay on after the ship leaves. A driver can take your bags to the door while you head off to explore, or collect you in the morning for the quay.
For pre- and post-cruise stays, tell us your hotel name, the ship name, and when you will be off the ship. Pickups from the harbor to central hotels are usually a matter of minutes, though traffic around the Old Harbour can slow things when several ships are in.
If you stay on after the cruise, our Keflavík to Reykjavík transfer guide explains what the airport end of the trip looks like.
Miðbakki to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
The lagoons are the most requested add-on for cruise passengers. They suit a port day because the transfers can be timed around your booking slot and all-aboard time.
- Sky Lagoon is in Kópavogur, near Reykjavík. Our Sky Lagoon private transfer starts from $36 per traveler.
- Blue Lagoon is on the Reykjanes Peninsula, on the way to Keflavík. Our Blue Lagoon private transfer also starts from $36 per traveler.
On your last day, the Blue Lagoon sits conveniently on the route to the airport, so it can combine with a flight home. Check your lagoon entry time and the bag arrangements on site, then build the timing from there. Tell us the ticket slot when you book so the pickup works backwards from it.
Longer days: private tours from the harbor
If your ship stays long enough and you want to see more than the city, we run private tours for your own group. Prices are per group, not per person:
| Tour | Price |
|---|---|
| Golden Circle Classic with Kerið Crater | from $1550 per group |
| South Coast with Vík and Black Sand Beach | from $1800 per group |
| Snæfellsnes Peninsula | from $1950 per group |
| Northern Lights Evening Tour | from $950 per group |
Be realistic about the clock. The South Coast and Snæfellsnes are long days, and a ship with an early all-aboard time may not allow them. Check your return time first. If you are staying before or after the cruise, there is far more room.
Planning a wider trip? A broader Iceland travel guide with itineraries can help you decide how much of the country to fit around your cruise.
What does a Miðbakki transfer cost?
The honest answer: it depends on the route, the vehicle and the group size. Here is what we can say for certain.
- Airport and lagoon transfers are priced per traveler, from the figures above.
- Tours are priced per group.
- For a pickup at Miðbakki to a specific hotel or another address, send us the pickup and drop-off through the quote form and one of our sales agents will reply within 24 hours.
Factors that move a price: distance, group size and therefore the vehicle class, luggage volume, the time of day, and extra stops. A fixed price means you know the figure before you commit. We do not add charges on the day.
What if your ship is delayed, tenders, or changes berth?
Cruise schedules are not as fixed as flight times, and Reykjavík has several berths. Plan for three situations.
A late arrival. If your ship docks later than scheduled, tell us as soon as you can. Our 24/7 support line exists for exactly this. Do not assume a driver can wait indefinitely. Agree up front what happens with a late arrival.
Anchoring and tenders. Sometimes ships anchor in the bay and bring passengers in by tender. The landing point can then differ from the berth you expected. Ask your cruise line where the tender lands, then give us that exact spot.
A berth change. Because the port manages berth allocation, your ship can move to a different quay. Confirm the berth the day before and again in the morning.
In each case, we match the pickup to where you actually are. Because our drivers know the harbor, they can usually adapt quickly, provided you tell us early.
Our view: why we plan quay pickups differently
We get asked often whether a private transfer is worth it from a quay as central as Miðbakki. Our answer is that it depends on what you are carrying and where you are going.
The most common problem we see is not distance. It is uncertainty. Passengers do not know which berth the ship will use, where the driver will stand, or how long they have. A transfer that begins with a clear meeting point, a ship name, and a phone number for 24/7 support removes that stress.
We recommend the following before every cruise day:
- Give us your ship name, date and all-aboard time, not only "the port".
- Share a mobile number that works in Iceland, or a messaging app.
- Ask for the meeting point in writing.
- Count your luggage honestly, including carry-ons.
- Tell us if anyone needs step-free access or a child seat.
Our fleet includes Mercedes and Tesla models and group vehicles up to 49 passengers, with free WiFi on board, and our drivers are licensed and English-speaking. Our cruise port transfers guide explains the process in more detail, and our Celebrity Eclipse transfer tips show how one specific ship call works.
— Sergiu
Book your Miðbakki pickup with us
We handle private transfers across Iceland, including quay pickups in Reykjavík, with fixed pricing, flight tracking, instant booking confirmation and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Airport and lagoon transfers start from $45 and $36 per traveler respectively.
You can see every option on our private transfers page and book in a few minutes. For an address outside the standard routes, or anywhere else in the country, request a quote on our main site and we will reply within 24 hours. Travel agents and tour operators can contact us about group and partner arrangements.
Groups, families and luggage: what to check
Groups bring complications that a solo traveler does not.
- Headcount and vehicle. We can carry up to 49 passengers. Give us your exact number, and tell us if it may change.
- Luggage. Count the large cases. Faxaflóahafnir notes luggage is screened on turnaround days, so bags may need to clear before loading.
- Children. Ask about child seats when you book and confirm them in writing.
- Accessibility. If anyone uses a wheelchair or walks slowly, say so early so the right vehicle is assigned.
- Meeting point. For a large group, one named person should hold the driver's number.
Families from Dublin, Cork or Shannon often travel multigenerationally. A single vehicle with everyone aboard is usually calmer than splitting across two taxis, and the cost per person falls as the group grows.
FAQ
Is Miðbakki the same as Skarfabakki?
No. Miðbakki is the Old Harbour quay in central Reykjavík, while Skarfabakki is in the Sundahöfn area, further out. Smaller ships tend to use Miðbakki and larger liners the outer berths. Check your ship's berth with your cruise line before booking a pickup.
Can I walk from Miðbakki into Reykjavík?
Yes, the quay is next to the old town and its sights, restaurants and shops. Walking works well for sightseeing with light bags. For suitcases, a hotel across town or a flight, a pre-booked transfer is easier.
Can I cancel a transfer if my plans change?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before your pickup for a full refund. If your ship is delayed or its berth changes, contact our 24/7 support as early as possible so we can adjust.
Do you cover places outside Reykjavík?
Yes, we cover all of Iceland. Request a quote with your pickup and drop-off locations, and a sales agent will get back to you within 24 hours.
Sources
- Arriving by Cruise Ship, Visit Reykjavík
- Cruise, BagBee
- Cruise port facilities, Faxaflóahafnir
- Cruise Port facilities overview 2026, Faxaports
- Taxi in Reykjavík, Visit Reykjavík
- Public transport, Visit Reykjavík
- Iceland travel guide itineraries