How to get from Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík Cruise Terminal

How to get from Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport (KEF) to the Reykjavík Cruise Terminal area (Skarfabakki / Korngarður / Miðbakki / Faxagarður): the fastest choices are a scheduled airport coach (Flybus or Airport Direct) plus a short taxi/shuttle to the pier, or a pre-booked private transfer that goes straight to your ship.

At A Glance (Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík Cruise Terminal)

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest / most convenient: Choose Option #4 (Private transfer / taxi) if you’re worried about missing your ship’s check-in window or you have lots of luggage.
• Best balance of price & simplicity: Use Option #1 (Flybus) if you want a scheduled airport coach that’s designed around flight arrivals.
• Cheapest / most economical: Use Option #3 (Strætó Route 55) if you’re happy to connect onward in Reykjavík.
• Alternative coach network: Use Option #2 (Airport Direct) if its schedule/pickup points fit your plans better than Flybus.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Know your pier name: Reykjavík cruise docking points can differ (Skarfabakki, Korngarður, Miðbakki, Faxagarður). Check your cruise documents or the port authority’s live port calls list if you’re unsure.
• Pad your timing: In Iceland, wind and winter conditions can slow road travel. Add a buffer if you’re boarding the same day you land.
• For coaches: Have your arrival flight time and luggage ready, then head to the airport coach bays right outside the terminal.
• For the public bus: Route 55 is a provincial bus—great value, but less frequent. Confirm times and fare rules on the Route 55 timetable.
• For private transfers: If you want meet-and-greet and a fixed plan, compare pre-booked pickups like Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer.
• Staying overnight? If you’re doing KEF → hotel → cruise terminal the next day, compare Reykjavík stays on Booking.com and store bags short-term with Radical Storage in Reykjavík.

🚌 Option #1 — Flybus (Most Popular, Good Value)

Good value Timed to flights Onward hop needed

• Overview: Take the scheduled Flybus from KEF to Reykjavík’s BSÍ Bus Terminal (and/or selected hotel stops). From BSÍ, continue to your cruise pier by taxi, a short local bus ride, or a pre-booked transfer.
• Typical duration: ~45–60 minutes to BSÍ, then ~10–20 minutes onward to most cruise terminals.
• How to book (with price): Book direct on the operator site (Flybus) or compare deals on marketplaces such as Klook and GetYourGuide. Prices vary by one-way/return and hotel drop-off add-ons.
• Pros: Designed around flight arrivals; straightforward for first-timers. Cons: Most cruise piers are not the final stop, so budget for a short onward ride.

Step-by-step: Flybus to BSÍ, then to your cruise terminal

1. At KEF arrivals: Follow signs for buses/coaches and go to the Flybus boarding area outside the terminal.
2. Ride KEF → Reykjavík: Stay onboard to BSÍ Bus Terminal (or your booked drop-off zone).
3. Identify your pier: If your ticket/ship info only says “Reykjavík Cruise Terminal,” confirm whether it’s Skarfabakki / Korngarður / Miðbakki / Faxagarður before you leave BSÍ.
4. Finish the last leg: Take a taxi from BSÍ to the pier, or pre-book a cruise-port drop-off using Reykjavík cruise port transfers if you want a driver waiting.

Getting to the main embarking points (KEF bus bays & BSÍ Bus Terminal)

• At KEF: Coach bays are directly outside the terminal; keep your confirmation/QR code handy.
• In Reykjavík: BSÍ is the main hub for many airport coaches; arrive a little early if you’re connecting onward.
• If you need a hotel pickup later: Reykjavík uses designated tour bus stops in the center—check your closest stop on the operator’s pick-up location list.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #2 — Airport Direct (Fast Coach Alternative)

Frequent service City terminal drop Onward hop needed

• Overview: Take Airport Direct from KEF to Reykjavík Terminal (a central transfer hub). Then continue to your cruise terminal via taxi/local bus or a pre-booked port transfer.
• Typical duration: ~45–60 minutes to Reykjavík Terminal, then ~10–20 minutes onward (longer if your ship is at Skarfabakki/Korngarður).
• How to book (with price): Book on the operator website, or compare packaged transfer offers on Klook. If you prefer a single booking that goes all the way to the pier, browse cruise-port transfers that specify your terminal name.
• Pros: Another reliable airport-coach network; useful if the timing fits better than Flybus. Cons: Usually still requires a short onward ride to the port.

Step-by-step: Airport Direct to Reykjavík Terminal, then to your cruise terminal

1. At KEF: Go to the coach pickup area outside arrivals and board the correct Airport Direct service.
2. Ride to Reykjavík Terminal: Keep your luggage accessible if you plan to hop straight into a taxi on arrival.
3. Go terminal-to-terminal: If your ship is at Skarfabakki/Korngarður, expect a short drive across town; if you’re at Miðbakki (Old Harbour), it’s closer and sometimes walkable from central areas.
4. For a direct-to-pier booking: Choose a listing that names your docking point (Skarfabakki 312/315, Korngarður, Miðbakki, Faxagarður) on GetYourGuide.

Getting to the main embarking points (KEF bus bays & Reykjavík Terminal)

• At KEF: Coach bays are directly outside the terminal; allow a little time after landing for baggage and customs.
• At Reykjavík Terminal: Plan the last leg based on your pier; taxis are the simplest with luggage.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #3 — Strætó Public Bus (Cheapest)

Lowest cost Pay by card Less frequent

• Overview: Use Strætó’s Route 55 from KEF toward the capital area, then connect onward to the cruise terminal by taxi or local bus.
• Typical duration: ~60–90 minutes total (depends on departure time and your connection).
• How to book (with price): No advance booking needed—pay onboard. Strætó lists the Route 55 fare as ISK 2,400 for adults (check current rules on Bus to/from KEF-Airport).
• Pros: Cheapest way into Reykjavík. Cons: Not as frequent as airport coaches; less convenient with bulky luggage or tight boarding windows.

Step-by-step: Route 55 + onward connection

1. Find the stop at KEF: Follow Strætó signage and confirm the stop location using Strætó’s KEF bus stop info.
2. Ride Route 55: Stay alert for your drop-off (common connection hubs include BSÍ area and other capital-area nodes depending on the timetable).
3. Connect to the pier: With luggage, the simplest connection is a short taxi ride to your terminal; if you’re traveling light and docking at Miðbakki (Old Harbour), you may be able to walk from central Reykjavík.
4. Want a smoother last leg? If you decide the savings aren’t worth the hassle, switch to a pre-booked pier drop using Welcome Pickups or browse transfer listings on Klook.

Getting to the main embarking points (KEF Strætó stop & your connection point)

• At KEF: Confirm the stop and the next departure on the Strætó KEF page to avoid long waits.
• In Reykjavík: Decide your onward plan (taxi vs. local bus vs. walk) based on which cruise terminal you’re using.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚗 Option #4 — Private Transfer / Taxi / Self-Drive (Most Convenient)

Door-to-door Best with luggage Higher cost

• Overview: Go directly from KEF to your specific cruise terminal (Skarfabakki / Korngarður / Miðbakki / Faxagarður) with a pre-booked car, a taxi, or a rental car.
• Typical duration: ~45–60 minutes under normal conditions (allow extra in bad weather).
• How to book (with price): For a meet-and-greet pickup and clear instructions, pre-book through Welcome Pickups or compare drivers on GetTransfer. If you’d rather drive yourself, compare rental deals at car rental at KEF.
• Ride-hailing note: Iceland generally doesn’t have Uber/Lyft. Instead, look for local taxi companies and their apps (often the easiest way to request a car in Reykjavík) or stick to a pre-booked transfer.
• Pros: No connections; best for families, groups, and tight schedules. Cons: Pricier than buses, especially solo.

Step-by-step: Private transfer or taxi to the pier

1. Choose your terminal: Confirm your docking point (for example, Skarfabakki in the Sundahöfn area vs. Miðbakki at the Old Harbour).
2. Book a pickup (recommended): Enter “KEF” as pickup and your terminal name as drop-off on Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer.
3. Meet your driver: Follow the provider’s meeting instructions (typically in arrivals). Keep your phone on in case the driver messages you.
4. If self-driving: Pick up your vehicle at KEF, then drive to the pier and follow port signage; allow time to find the correct gate/parking area.

Getting to the main embarking points (KEF arrivals & your cruise terminal gate)

• At KEF: Drivers typically meet you in or just outside arrivals; taxis queue at the airport’s designated taxi area.
• At the port: Keep your ship name handy—Skarfabakki has multiple berths/terminals on busy days.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík Cruise Terminal)

Which cruise terminal does my ship use in Reykjavík?
Reykjavík commonly uses Skarfabakki (Sundahöfn area) for larger ships and Miðbakki (Old Harbour) for smaller ships; Korngarður and Faxagarður can also be used. If your documents are unclear, check the port authority’s vessel/berth information and match it to your ship name.

Is there a direct bus from KEF to the cruise terminal?
Not usually as a standard public route. The common pattern is an airport coach to a city terminal (BSÍ or Reykjavík Terminal) plus a short taxi/shuttle to the pier, or a pre-booked private transfer that lists your terminal explicitly.

How early should I leave the airport if I’m boarding the same day?
Aim to build in a buffer for baggage, possible weather delays, and finding the correct pier gate. If you have a hard check-in cutoff, Option #4 is the least risky.

What’s the cheapest way to get from KEF to Reykjavík?
For most people, Strætó Route 55 is the lowest-cost option, but you’ll still need a connection to the cruise terminal.

Is BSÍ close to the cruise terminal?
It depends on your pier. Miðbakki (Old Harbour) is relatively close to central Reykjavík, while Skarfabakki/Korngarður are farther out in the Sundahöfn area and are easiest by taxi or pre-booked transfer.

Can I store luggage in Reykjavík before boarding?
Yes—if you arrive early and want to explore before embarking, consider short-term storage such as luggage storage in Reykjavík (availability varies by location/time).

This guide was researched and written by Jacob, and it was last updated on June 26, 2026. 0 people found this post useful.

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