If you are joining or leaving the National Geographic Explorer in Reykjavik, the simplest plan is a private transfer booked in advance: a driver tracks your flight, meets you at arrivals, and takes you to the ship or your hotel at a fixed price. Expedition itineraries sometimes include a basic transfer, but many guests also need to move between the airport, the port, a pre-cruise hotel and the city on their own schedule. This guide explains what is usually covered, what your other options are, and how to book without stress.
TL;DR
- Check your cruise documents first: Lindblad itineraries have listed an airport-to-ship transfer on arrival and an airport transfer after disembarkation, but extra nights, early arrivals and sightseeing are on you.
- Reykjavík's main cruise terminal, Skarfabakki, is about 4 km from the city centre, so the port-to-town leg is short.
- Keflavík Airport is the long leg. A scheduled coach is the budget choice and a taxi is expensive, so a private transfer is often the better value for two or more people.
- Our private Keflavík Airport transfers start from $45 per traveler, with flight tracking, fixed pricing and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Book before you fly and send us your flight number and ship name so your driver is waiting.
Table of Contents
- What a National Geographic Explorer cruise usually includes
- Where the ship docks and how far it is from town
- Keflavík Airport to the ship: the longer leg
- Timing: matching your flight and the ship
- What to check if you travel with family, a group or extra luggage
- How to book your transfer, step by step
- Our view: why a private transfer suits expedition guests
- Make the most of your days around the cruise
- Book your Reykjavik transfer with Easytransfer
- FAQ
- Sources
What a National Geographic Explorer cruise usually includes
The National Geographic Explorer is an expedition ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions, and its Iceland voyages commonly start and finish in Reykjavik. Sailings differ in what they bundle, so the cruise documents for your own booking are the final word.
As an example, one published Iceland circumnavigation itinerary lists an airport-to-ship transfer on arrival and a transfer to the airport after disembarkation. That covers the core journey for guests who follow the group schedule.
Where guests still arrange their own transport:
- Arriving early. If you land a day or two before embarkation, nothing is included between the airport and your hotel.
- Staying after the cruise. Extra nights in Reykjavik, a Blue Lagoon visit or a Golden Circle day all need separate transport.
- Different flights. If your flight does not match the group transfer time, you may wait at the airport or need your own ride.
- Travelling in a party. Families and friends who want to stay together, with all their luggage, often prefer a private vehicle.
- Missed or changed connections. A delayed flight from Dublin or a US gateway can break a fixed group schedule. A driver who tracks your flight absorbs that.
Ask your cruise line or travel agent which legs are included, on which dates, and what happens if your flight arrives outside the group window. Then fill the gaps.
Where the ship docks and how far it is from town
Skarfabakki is Reykjavík's primary cruise ship terminal, roughly 4 km from the city centre. The same official page notes that a new terminal building was expected to be fully operational by 2026. Check the latest berth information with your cruise line before you travel, since ship size, tides and port traffic can change where a vessel ties up.
Expedition ships are smaller than mainstream cruise liners, so berth arrangements can differ from the big ships you may see in port the same day. If you want a deeper look at the terminals, our guide to Reykjavik port terminals and where your cruise ship docks explains the layout.
Getting from the port to the city centre
The city is close, so you have several choices. According to Visit Reykjavík, at Skarfabakki you can walk, rent an electric scooter, take bus 16 or book a taxi.
Here is how that looks in practice:
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Light bags, good weather, time to spare | 4 km each way, wind and rain are common |
| Electric scooter | Solo travelers with no luggage | Not suited to bags, children or older guests |
| Public bus 16 | Budget travelers with a day pass plan | Stops and timetable to check, luggage space is limited |
| Taxi | Short hops, two to four people | Fare depends on distance and vehicle, large groups need several cars |
| Private transfer | Luggage, families, groups, tight timings | Book ahead |
If you are only going into town for lunch and a walk, any of these will do. If you are carrying suitcases, travelling with children, or need to be at the airport on a fixed time, a pre-booked car removes the guesswork.
Keflavík Airport to the ship: the longer leg
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is where nearly all international visitors land, and it sits on the Reykjanes Peninsula, roughly 50 km from Reykjavik. In normal conditions the drive takes around 45 minutes, and longer in winter weather or heavy traffic. Allow extra time for baggage, border control and finding your driver after you land.
Three broad choices cover the airport journey:
- Scheduled coach. The cheapest option. KEF+ lists airport coach fares from 3,999 ISK and 3,890 ISK, timed to flight schedules. You will usually still need a second leg from a city stop to the port or hotel.
- Taxi. The same KEF+ page puts a taxi between the capital area and the airport at approximately 20,000 ISK for a standard car, varying by destination.
- Private transfer. A set price for the whole vehicle or per traveler, door-to-door, with no changes between vehicles.
For help with the details of the road trip, read our guide to getting from Keflavík Airport to the Reykjavík cruise port. If you are comparing airport-to-port transfer options in general, the same questions apply anywhere: who meets you, what happens if your flight is late, and is the price fixed?
How the numbers compare for a group
A scheduled coach looks cheapest per seat, but the cost changes with group size and luggage:
- Solo traveler, one carry-on: a coach is the lowest fare, though you may transfer in the city.
- Two travelers with checked bags: a taxi at around 20,000 ISK per car starts to look expensive, and a private transfer from $45 per traveler is competitive, with door-to-door service.
- Family of four or more: taxis may need two cars, while one private vehicle keeps everyone and the luggage together.
- Larger groups: our fleet carries up to 49 passengers, so a whole party travels together.
Exchange rates move, so convert the ISK figures on the day you book. Coach and taxi fares are also revised from time to time, and the KEF+ figures come from a 2024 notice.
Timing: matching your flight and the ship
Most transfer stress comes from timing, not distance. Think through these points.
Arrival day. Embarkation windows are set by the cruise line. Landing in the morning does not always mean you can board straight away. Many guests drop their luggage at a hotel first, or enjoy a few hours in the city. Your driver can take you wherever suits your schedule, as long as you have told us in advance.
Departure day. Disembarkation usually happens in the morning. Ask your ship's team for the exact time, then add the drive to Keflavík and the time you want at the airport before your flight. Do not plan a departure flight too close to disembarkation.
Flight delays. Our drivers monitor your flight in real time and adjust the pick-up automatically if you land late, so you do not pay extra or lose your ride.
Winter and shoulder season. Weather can slow roads on the peninsula. Build in a cushion, especially for outbound flights.
What to check if you travel with family, a group or extra luggage
This is the part many guides skip, and it is where a private transfer earns its price.
- Count the bags, not just the people. Expedition cruisers often carry bulky cold-weather gear, camera cases and boots. Tell us the number of large suitcases so we send a vehicle with space.
- Child seats. Tell us the ages of any children when you book so the right seat is ready.
- Mobility needs. If someone has trouble with steps or needs a wheelchair or walker space, say so at booking and we will plan the vehicle for it.
- Group size. Parties of more than a few people travel better in one vehicle. We can arrange transport for groups up to 49 passengers.
- Different arrival times. If your party lands on two flights, we can discuss separate pick-ups.
- Pick-up point. Confirm exactly where your driver will meet you: arrivals hall, hotel lobby or the pier.
If you are booking for a school group, an extended family or clients as a travel agent, our team can quote the full route. Our cruise port transfers guide walks through typical set-ups.
How to book your transfer, step by step
- Gather your details. Your flight number, arrival or departure time, ship name, number of travelers and luggage.
- Choose your route. Airport to ship, ship to hotel, hotel to airport, or a loop that includes a sightseeing stop.
- Book online. You receive instant confirmation with the fixed price.
- Share any special needs. Child seats, mobility needs, extra stops.
- Land and meet your driver. Your driver tracks your flight and waits at arrivals. If a delay occurs, we adjust the pick-up for you.
- Ride in comfort. Vehicles include Mercedes and electric Tesla models, with free WiFi on board and a licensed, English-speaking driver.
- Need to change plans? You can cancel up to 24 hours before pick-up for a full refund, and our support team is available 24/7.
If your pick-up or drop-off is somewhere unusual, request a quote through the site. We cover all of Iceland, and a sales agent will get back to you within 24 hours.
Our view: why a private transfer suits expedition guests
We talk with cruise travelers every week, and the same worries come up: will someone be there when I land, will the price change, and what if my flight is late?
Expedition guests are often traveling a long way and have paid for a well-organized trip. They do not want the first hour in Iceland to be a guessing game with coach timetables and luggage. A fixed price with no hidden fees, a driver who is watching your flight, and one vehicle from door to door answer all three worries at once.
We would also say this: if your cruise already includes a transfer that matches your flights, use it. The value of a private transfer is in the gaps: early arrivals, extra nights, a Blue Lagoon stop before boarding, or a family that wants to travel together at its own pace. For those moments, we make the day simple.
— Sergiu
Make the most of your days around the cruise
Many guests add a day or two before or after sailing. Our private transfers include popular stops:
- Blue Lagoon. A private transfer from Reykjavik or Keflavík Airport starts from $36 per traveler. A good first stop after a night flight, with your bags looked after by your driver arrangement.
- Sky Lagoon. The same route and price from $36 per traveler, closer to the city.
- Private day tours. The Golden Circle Classic Tour with Kerið Crater starts from $1,550 per group, the South Coast Tour with Vik and Black Sand Beach from $1,800 per group, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour from $1,950 per group, and the Northern Lights Evening Tour from $950 per group.
See all options on our private transfers page and day tours page. Check each page for what is included and the latest details.
Book your Reykjavik transfer with Easytransfer
For guests of the National Geographic Explorer, we offer a private Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik transfer from $45 per traveler, for any group size. You get a fixed price, flight tracking with automatic adjustment for delays, instant booking confirmation, free WiFi and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Tell us your ship, your flight and your hotel, and we will plan the rest. Browse all our transfers or get a quote for a custom route anywhere in Iceland. If you want more route details first, our Keflavík to Reykjavík transfer guide covers every option.
FAQ
Is the transfer between Keflavík Airport and the National Geographic Explorer included in my cruise?
It depends on your sailing. A published Lindblad itinerary for an Iceland voyage lists an airport-to-ship transfer on arrival and an airport transfer after disembarkation. Confirm with your cruise documents what applies to your dates, and arrange a private transfer for any leg that is not covered.
How far is the cruise terminal from central Reykjavik?
Skarfabakki, the main cruise terminal, is about 4 km from the city centre. You can walk, rent a scooter, take bus 16 or use a taxi. With luggage, a pre-booked car is easier.
How much does a taxi from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik cost?
KEF+ gives approximately 20,000 ISK for a standard car, depending on destination. A private transfer with us starts from $45 per traveler and the price is fixed when you book.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Your driver tracks your flight and adjusts the pick-up time automatically, so you do not need to call ahead. If you need to change anything else, cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund or contact our 24/7 support.
Can you take a large family or group?
Yes. We carry groups up to 49 passengers and can match the vehicle to your luggage, child seats and any mobility needs. Tell us the details when booking, or request a quote for a custom route.
Sources
- Arriving by Cruise Ship, Visit Reykjavík
- Various routes to and from KEF Airport, KEF+
- 9 Night Circumnavigation of Iceland Cruise from Reykjavik, Lindblad Expeditions