Reykjavik has no single cruise terminal. Most large ships dock at Skarfabakki in the Sundahöfn district, next to the new Vör passenger terminal. Smaller and expedition ships may use the Old Harbour, and a few berths sit nearby. Your ship's berth is confirmed by your cruise line, and it can change with port traffic, so check it before you book any onward transfer.
This guide explains how the port is laid out, what the new terminal changes, and how to plan the first hour after you step off the ship. It also covers a point readers from Ireland often ask about: how the port connects to Keflavík Airport, the Blue Lagoon and the city.
TL;DR
- Most large ships use Skarfabakki, roughly 4 km east of the center, where the new Vör terminal opened in 2026.
- Smaller and expedition ships may berth elsewhere, such as the Old Harbour. The word "Reykjavik" in an itinerary can mean several berths.
- Confirm your berth with your cruise line before booking a pickup, and give your driver the exact terminal and meeting point.
- Walking from Skarfabakki to the center takes about 50 minutes, so a pre-booked transfer is the easy option if you have luggage, a flight or a tight schedule.
- We run private transfers from the port to the airport, Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon and hotels, with fixed prices and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Table of Contents
- How Reykjavik's port is organized
- Vör: the new passenger terminal
- Reading a Reykjavik port terminal map
- Getting from the port to the city
- Port to airport, Blue Lagoon and hotels
- How to plan your transfer from the terminal
- Arranging the home leg before you sail
- Our view: what we see at the terminals
- Book a transfer from your terminal
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
How Reykjavik's port is organized
The harbors around Reykjavik are run by Associated Icelandic Ports (Faxaflóahafnir), a joint venture in which the City of Reykjavik holds a 75.6% share. The same authority also manages Akranes, Grundartangi and Borgarnes, which is why the port authority's own site covers more than one harbor.
For a cruise passenger, the practical picture is this:
| Berth | Where it is | Typically used by | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skarfabakki (with Vör terminal) | Sundahöfn, about 4 km east of the center | Large cruise ships | Main cruise quay, now with a purpose-built terminal building |
| Old Harbour | Beside the fish market and whale-watching boats | Smaller and expedition vessels | Walkable to the center |
| Other Sundahöfn berths | Same district as Skarfabakki | Ships when the main quay is busy | Usually a short distance from the Vör terminal |
The Skarfabakki distance and the Old Harbour's walkability come from a port guide that describes both berths. Berth allocation changes by day and by ship size, so treat the table as a guide to the usual pattern and not a guarantee.
Vör: the new passenger terminal
The Vör passenger terminal at Viðeyjarsund opened on May 29, 2026. The city describes it as the first new passenger terminal built in Reykjavik in 60 years. It covers 5,700 square meters, about the size of a football pitch, and is designed to handle between 2,000 and 4,000 guests at a time.
The name was chosen in a public competition with more than 3,000 entries. In Icelandic, Vör means a landing place and shelter by the sea.
What this means for you:
- More space for embarking and disembarking. A larger building is meant to ease passenger flow, which matters when several thousand people leave a ship in the same morning.
- A clearer meeting point. With one named building, it is easier to tell a driver where to find you than "the cruise port".
- Turnaround cruises are the focus. The city's port chair has said that passengers who begin or end a cruise in Iceland bring far more value to the local community than short transit stops. If your cruise starts or finishes in Reykjavik, you are the traveler this terminal was built for.
Do not assume your ship docks at Vör
The new terminal is the main facility, but not every ship uses it. Depending on port traffic and ship size, some vessels still use other berths at Skarfabakki or Sundahöfn. Expedition ships, such as the Ocean Nova, may dock somewhere different from a large liner. If you are on one, our Ocean Nova transfer guide covers the specifics.
Check your cruise line's arrival instructions, then pass the exact berth to whoever is collecting you.
Arriving outside the summer season
Vör is also planned as a multipurpose building that works as a community space in the off-season, October to March. If you arrive in those months, do not expect the busy atmosphere of a July call. Services in the building may differ from the peak season. Make sure your driver has the correct entrance information, and keep your driver's phone number handy rather than relying on someone being at a desk.
Reading a Reykjavik port terminal map
Readers often look for a terminal map. Rather than a drawing, it helps to hold four reference points in your head:
- Skarfabakki and Vör sit in the Sundahöfn industrial and port district on the eastern side of the city.
- The Old Harbour is next to the center, near the fish market, the Harpa concert hall and the whale-watching boats.
- The center (Laugavegur, Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa) is about 4 km from Skarfabakki along the coastal road.
- Keflavík Airport lies on the Reykjanes peninsula, to the southwest, roughly a 45 to 60 minute drive from the capital area depending on traffic and your starting point.
Sundahöfn is still changing. The city lists it among four major business districts in development, with cruise-related facilities among the projects. Expect some construction and the occasional rerouting around the port, and rely on your cruise line's current instructions over an old map.
Getting from the port to the city
Your options depend on how much time you have and how many people are in your party.
Walking. From Skarfabakki the walk into town follows the coastal path and takes about 50 minutes. It is flat and pleasant in good weather and exposed when it is windy or wet. From the Old Harbour, the center is on the doorstep.
Ship shuttles and taxis. Some cruise lines run their own shuttles. Availability and cost vary by line and by call, so ask your ship before you disembark.
Private transfer. A pre-booked private car or minibus meets you at the terminal and takes you straight to a hotel, restaurant or attraction, with no queue and no splitting luggage across vehicles. This is the option that suits families, groups and anyone with a deadline.
For a deeper look at the options, see our Reykjavik cruise port transfer guide and the overview of premium transport options for cruise visitors.
Port to airport, Blue Lagoon and hotels
Port to Keflavík Airport
If your cruise ends in Reykjavik, the airport run is the transfer that matters most. Allow generous time for the drive and for check-in, and tell us your flight number so we can track it. Our guides for Irish travelers going from the cruise port to the airport and the reverse trip from Keflavík to the cruise port walk through timings. If you are heading the other way after a flight, see getting from Keflavík to Reykjavik harbor.
Our Keflavík Airport private transfer starts from 45 USD per traveler one-off, for any group size.
Port to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
Many cruise passengers want a soak on their port day. Both lagoons need a booked time slot, so build your schedule around your ship's all-aboard time, not the other way round. Our Blue Lagoon private transfer starts from 36 USD per traveler one-off, and the Sky Lagoon transfer is also from 36 USD per traveler one-off. You can read more in our guide for Irish cruisers heading from port to the Blue Lagoon.
Port to your hotel
If you are staying a few nights before or after the cruise, a hotel pickup removes the guesswork. Here is what to expect from a Reykjavík hotel pickup.
How to plan your transfer from the terminal
- Find your berth. Look at your cruise line's port-day instructions or ask the shore excursion desk. Do not rely on the itinerary name alone.
- Note your all-aboard time. Work back from it and leave a buffer. Ships do not wait for private tours.
- Pick your destination and group size. Luggage and party size decide between a car and a minibus.
- Book a fixed-price transfer and enter the exact terminal and meeting point.
- Keep your driver's number and your booking confirmation on your phone.
- Meet at the agreed spot outside the terminal building and look for your name.
If the ship's schedule or berth shifts, tell us as soon as you know. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before pickup.
Arranging the home leg before you sail
Most Irish travelers fly to Iceland or join a ship elsewhere, and the journey to the departure port needs planning too. If you are organizing a group that needs coach transport at home before the cruise, a marketplace for vetted UK coach operators can help you compare quotes for the departure-port leg. It does not cover Iceland, so treat it as the home-side piece of the journey.
Our view: what we see at the terminals
We drive cruise guests every season, and the same three mistakes cause most of the stress.
The first is trusting the word "Reykjavik". Itineraries use it loosely. A ship can berth at Skarfabakki, in the Old Harbour or at another nearby facility, and a driver waiting at the wrong one is a bad start to the day. We ask every guest for the ship's name and the arrival instructions, and we confirm the meeting point with them in writing.
The second is underestimating the day. Disembarking a large ship takes time, and a few thousand passengers arrive at once. A realistic plan allows for slow exit, then the drive, then the activity, then a margin before all-aboard. We would rather you have thirty spare minutes than thirty minutes short.
The third is treating the transfer as an afterthought. With a fixed price, a vehicle sized to your group and a driver who knows the terminal, the port day becomes simple. Our fleet includes Mercedes and Tesla vehicles, plus larger vehicles for groups of up to 49 passengers. We track flights, so an airport pickup adjusts if your plane is delayed.
For guests going on from the terminal to a full day out, a private day tour often works better than a standard bus excursion, because you set the pace. Tell us your ship's schedule and we will say honestly whether a tour fits in the time you have.
— Sergiu
Book a transfer from your terminal
We cover all of Iceland. For the most common cruise-day trips, you can book online: private transfers to the airport, Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are listed with fixed prices, instant confirmation and free onboard WiFi. If you want a longer day, our private day tours include the Golden Circle from 1550 USD per group, the South Coast from 1800 USD per group and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from 1950 USD per group, all one-off prices.
For a route that is not listed, request a quote with your pickup and drop-off locations. A sales agent replies within 24 hours. Travel agents and tour operators can also work with us on group arrangements. Start from our main page.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal do cruise ships use in Reykjavik?
Most large ships use Skarfabakki in the Sundahöfn district, where the Vör terminal opened in 2026. Smaller and expedition vessels may use the Old Harbour or another nearby berth. Your cruise line confirms the exact berth, and it can change with port traffic.
How far is the cruise terminal from the city center?
Skarfabakki is about 4 km from the center, which is roughly a 50 minute walk. The Old Harbour is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the center. A private transfer takes you from the terminal to your hotel or attraction without the walk.
Is Vör the only cruise terminal in Reykjavik?
No. It is the main passenger terminal building, but some ships still use other berths at Skarfabakki or in Sundahöfn, and smaller ships may dock at the Old Harbour. Always check your arrival instructions before you arrange a pickup.
Can I book a transfer from the port to Keflavík Airport?
Yes. Give us your flight number and the terminal where your ship is docked. Our private transfer to Keflavík Airport starts from 45 USD per traveler one-off, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup.
Will the terminal be busy if I arrive in winter?
Probably not. Vör also serves as a community space in the off-season, October to March, so service levels may differ from the summer. Confirm the entrance and your driver's contact details in advance.
Sources
- Vör passenger terminal opens at Viðeyjarsund, Reykjavik
- Port Authority, Associated Icelandic Ports sf., Reykjavik
- Associated Icelandic Ports (Faxaflóahafnir)
- Four major business districts in development, Reykjavik
- Nýir tímar í móttöku skemmtiferðaskipa, Reykjavik
- Reykjavik Cruise Port Guide 2026, Port Adventurer