If you land in Iceland on an international flight and have a domestic flight from Reykjavík, you must travel overland between two different airports. Keflavík (KEF) is where international flights arrive. Reykjavík Airport (RKV) is where domestic flights leave. Icelandair advises allowing roughly 90 minutes for the transfer by bus and about 60 minutes by taxi or private car. You also need to collect your bags and re-check them yourself.
This guide walks you through the connection step by step, so you can plan a calm, unhurried transfer.
TL;DR
- KEF and RKV are separate airports, about 50 km apart. You cannot walk or take an airside connection between them.
- Collect your checked bags at KEF, carry them to Reykjavík Airport and re-check them there for your domestic flight.
- Allow about 90 minutes by bus or about 60 minutes by taxi or private car, plus your airline's check-in cut-off at RKV.
- A private transfer gives you the most predictable door-to-door connection, especially with luggage, children or a group.
- Leave a generous buffer, or book the domestic leg for later in the day, so a late arrival does not cost you the connection.
Table of Contents
- Two airports, two jobs
- The connection step by step
- Do you have to collect and re-check your bags?
- How much time to allow
- Your transfer options compared
- What the transfer costs
- If your international flight is delayed
- Going the other way: RKV to KEF
- Our perspective
- Book your Keflavík transfer with us
- FAQ
- Sources
Two airports, two jobs
Many first-time visitors assume that "the airport in Reykjavík" is where they will land. It usually is not. Reykjavík Airport is Iceland's main domestic airport, while Keflavík is the main gateway to and from the country. The two are approximately 50 km apart.
KEF has one terminal, and passengers continuing on a domestic flight must transfer to Reykjavík Airport. RKV sits close to the city center, so it is handy for flights to regional destinations once you are in town.
If you want a plain explanation of how the two airports differ, our guide Keflavík vs. Reykjavík Airport: which one is yours? covers it in more detail.
The connection step by step
Here is the sequence most travelers follow when flying in internationally and out domestically.
- Land at KEF and clear passport control. Follow the signs to baggage reclaim.
- Collect your checked bags. This applies to your domestic connection from RKV. Icelandair says to collect the bag at KEF, take it to RKV and re-check it there.
- Walk to your ground transport. Coaches, taxis, rental desks and pre-booked drivers all work from the arrivals area.
- Travel to Reykjavík Airport. If you ride a scheduled coach, you will not be dropped at the domestic terminal itself (see below).
- Check in for your domestic flight with your bags at the RKV desks.
Our drivers track your arriving flight, so a pre-booked transfer adjusts if your plane lands early or late. You do not have to hunt for a ride at the last minute.
Do you have to collect and re-check your bags?
For a domestic flight from Reykjavík, yes. After an international arrival at KEF, you collect your checked baggage, travel to RKV with it and re-check it there. The reverse also applies: for the return direction, you collect your baggage at RKV before travelling to KEF and re-checking it there, and you should allow enough transfer time.
There is one exception that sometimes causes confusion. Icelandair describes through-checking for certain same-ticket international connections via KEF: the booking must be on one ticket, the bags checked to the final destination, and the Iceland stop under 12 hours. That exception does not cover an onward flight that departs from RKV. So if your domestic flight leaves from Reykjavík Airport, plan to move the bags yourself.
Two practical tips:
- Check your booking confirmation to see which airport your domestic flight leaves from. Some domestic routes depart elsewhere.
- Ask your airline about the check-in deadline at RKV so you know when you need to arrive.
How much time to allow
The figures below come from Icelandair's guidance. Actual times depend on traffic, time of day and road conditions.
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Passport control and baggage reclaim at KEF | Varies with how many flights landed at once |
| Transfer by bus | About 90 minutes (Icelandair) |
| Transfer by taxi or private car | About 60 minutes (Icelandair) |
| Check-in at RKV | Follow your airline's cut-off |
The drive itself averages about 45 minutes. The extra time in Icelandair's figure covers loading, traffic and getting to the right door.
A simple rule: add your bag wait, your transfer time and your airline's check-in cut-off, then add a cushion of at least an hour. If that total is longer than the gap between your two flights, move the domestic flight to a later departure.
Your transfer options compared
There are four common ways to make the trip. Each suits a different traveler.
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled airport coach | Solo travelers on a tight budget with light luggage | Runs to the BSÍ bus terminal, not RKV itself, so you continue from there |
| Taxi | Small parties arriving without a booking | Metered fare, varies with time and traffic |
| Private transfer | Families, groups, business travelers, anyone with heavy bags | Pre-booked, fixed price, meets your flight |
| Rental car | Travelers planning to drive around Iceland | Several agencies have offices at KEF |
Scheduled coach
KEF Airport's official transport page says coach departures to BSÍ are scheduled 40 minutes after each plane lands, with extra frequency during rush hours. BSÍ is across from Reykjavík Domestic Airport, so you then continue to the domestic terminal. With bags in tow, that last stretch is one more step to manage. The Reykjavík Airport authority directs passengers between RKV and KEF to the scheduled coach service.
Taxi
A taxi is simple to find, but the fare is not fixed in advance. Icelandair's KEF page gives an indicative taxi cost of around ISK 20,000 from Reykjavík to KEF, and notes the amount varies with accommodation, time and traffic. Check the current rate before you ride, and convert it to euros using that day's exchange rate.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver removes the guesswork. Our private transfer between Keflavík and Reykjavík starts from $45 per traveler (one-off), and the price is fixed, with no hidden fees. Your driver is licensed and English-speaking, and your flight is tracked, so a delay does not leave you without a ride. Free onboard WiFi is included. For a closer look at all the ways to cover this route, see Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík: all transport options.
Traveling with a larger party from Ireland? Our guide to minibus transfers from Reykjavík airport explains which vehicle size to book. Our fleet carries up to 49 passengers, which suits school groups and tour parties.
Rental car
Icelandair notes that several rental-car agencies have offices at KEF. Driving yourself makes sense if you plan to explore beyond Reykjavík. If you are only connecting to a domestic flight, you would need to return the car at RKV, so a point-to-point ride is usually easier. If you are weighing it against a pre-booked airport shuttle, think about how much luggage you carry, how tired you will be after the flight, and whether you are comfortable driving in unfamiliar weather.
What the transfer costs
Costs vary by method:
- Coach: the lowest per-person cost for a solo traveler. Current fares are on the operator's page.
- Taxi: an indicative ISK 20,000 per vehicle, varying with time and traffic.
- Private transfer with us: from $45 per traveler, fixed in advance.
When you compare, count the whole trip and not only the headline fare. A coach ticket gets you to BSÍ, so you may need another short ride to the domestic terminal. With a private transfer, you know the cost before you fly and the driver takes you to the door you need. Because the price is per traveler, a party of four should check the quote for their exact group size on the booking page.
If your international flight is delayed
A late arrival can squeeze your connection, and it is worth knowing where you stand before you travel.
Iceland's official passenger-rights page says airlines must inform passengers of their rights when a flight is delayed or cancelled. It adds that after a cancellation, denied boarding or a delay of at least two hours, airlines may owe meals or refreshments and, where an overnight stay is needed, hotel accommodation and transport. Ask the airline desk what applies to your ticket.
To protect yourself:
- Book the domestic leg on the same ticket where you can. Your airline then deals with a missed connection.
- Tell your driver nothing. If you book with us, flight tracking adjusts the pickup automatically, so you do not need to call.
- Keep your confirmation handy, including the contact for our 24/7 support, in case plans change.
Our booking terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before pickup.
Going the other way: RKV to KEF
The return works the same way in reverse. Collect your bags at RKV after the domestic flight, travel to Keflavík and re-check them for your international flight. Allow the same 60 to 90 minutes of travel, plus your airline's international check-in window. Because international departures are often early in the day, many travelers prefer to sleep in Reykjavík the night before and take a pre-booked transfer in the morning. If that is you, our Keflavík to Reykjavík transfer guide shows what to expect.
Our perspective
We handle airport connections every day, and the same pattern shows up: the transfer itself is easy, but the stress comes from not knowing who is waiting for you and when.
That is why we built our service around certainty. Your price is fixed when you book. Your flight is tracked, so the pickup follows your actual landing time. Your driver is licensed and English-speaking, and our vehicles, including Mercedes and Tesla models, are comfortable after a long flight.
For connections to a domestic flight, we recommend a private transfer whenever you carry checked bags, travel with children, or move as a group. You skip the extra hop from a bus terminal, and you decide when to leave KEF.
And if your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund. We would rather you arrive relaxed than save a few minutes on paper.
Sergiu
Book your Keflavík transfer with us
We run private transfers across Iceland for individuals, families, business travelers, cruise passengers and groups of up to 49. Your booking is confirmed instantly, support is available 24/7, and a friendly driver meets you after you collect your bags.
See the details and book on our Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík private transfer page, or visit Easy Transfer to get a quote for another pickup and drop-off. If you need a route outside the standard ones, send us your locations and a sales agent will reply within 24 hours.
FAQ
Can I walk from Keflavík to Reykjavík Domestic Airport?
No. The two airports are about 50 km apart, so you need a coach, taxi, private transfer or rental car. Plan roughly 60 to 90 minutes depending on the method.
Do I have to pick up my luggage at KEF before a domestic flight?
Yes, if your onward flight leaves from Reykjavík Airport. Collect your bags at KEF and re-check them at RKV. The through-checking exception applies only to certain same-ticket international connections within KEF.
How early should my domestic flight be after I land?
Add your baggage wait, the 60 to 90 minute transfer and your airline's check-in cut-off, then add a cushion of at least an hour. If the gap is smaller, choose a later domestic departure. Your airline can tell you the exact cut-off at RKV.
Does the scheduled coach stop at the domestic terminal?
Not directly. Coaches from KEF run to BSÍ, which is across from Reykjavík Domestic Airport. You continue from there to the terminal. A private transfer takes you straight to the airport door.
Can I book a private transfer for a group?
Yes. We transport groups of any size, including vehicles for up to 49 passengers. Request a quote with your pickup and drop-off and we will reply within 24 hours.
Sources
- Domestic and International Airports in Iceland, Icelandair
- Connecting at Keflavík International Airport, Icelandair
- Keflavík International Airport (KEF) Information, Icelandair
- Welcome to Reykjavik Airport (RKV)
- Domestic Flight Connection to and from Keflavik, Reykjavík Airport
- Getting to and from Keflavík Airport (KEF)
- Air passengers rights, Ísland.is
- Airport shuttle booking