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Travel to Reykjavik

Flying to Reykjavik

Airlines offering direct flights to Reykjavik from the UK include British Airways, easyJet, Icelandair and WOW Air. Icelandair also operates direct flights from the USA. Cheap flights to Reykjavik are available during the winter and off-peak months, when demand is much lower. Summer is the most expensive time to travel.

Flight times

From London - 3 hours 15 minutes; New York - 5 hours 45 minutes; Los Angeles - 9 hours; Toronto - 5 hours 35 minutes; Sydney - 27 hours (including stopovers).

Travel by road

Traffic in Reykjavik drives on the right and the legal driving age in Iceland is 17 years with supervision, 18 years without.

The use of headlights at all times of the day and night and fastening seat belts are obligatory legal requirements. Streets in towns are generally asphalt and have excellent surfaces. However, outside towns, the roads are often gravelled, so care must be taken. The speed limit is 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, 80kph (50mph) on unpaved roads and 90kph (56mph) on paved roads.

Drivers must carry the vehicle's registration plus a valid driving licence (foreign licences are valid for visitors to Iceland). If driving your own car, you must carry a Green Card or other proof of third-party insurance, unless you come from the EU/EEA.

Information on road conditions is available from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (tel: +354 522 1100 or 1777, in Iceland only; www.road.is). The Icelandic Automobile Association (FÍB) (tel: +354 414 9999; www.fib.is) provides more information.

Emergency breakdown services

FÍB (tel: +354 511 2112); Krókur (tel: +354 522 4600).

Routes

A 1,351km (840-mile) ring road (Highway 1) traces Iceland's entire coastline (the interior is largely inaccessible). The main routes to Reykjavik are along this road from the east or the west.

Coaches

The central bus station in Reykjavik, at Vatnsmýrarvegi 10, near Reykjavik City Airport, is run by BSÍ Travel (tel: +354 580 5400; www.bsi.is), which offers an extensive bus service to most parts of the country, as well as a large number of organised bus tours. Reservations are not usually necessary and tickets are available at the bus station or from the driver.

Time to city

From Akureyri - 5 hours; Höfn - 6 hours; Isafjördur - 6 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

There is no rail system in Iceland.

Travel by boat

Gamla Höfnin (Old Harbour) and Sundahöfn are the two main harbours. They are known collectively as the Reykjavik Harbour and governed by the Port of Reykjavik. There are no passenger facilities available, as the harbour caters exclusively for cargo ships.

Ferry operators

Direct sea journeys to Reykjavik can be made with the ferry company Smyril Line (tel: +298 345 900; www.smyrilline.com). Ships sail weekly between the harbour in Reykjavik and Hirtshals in Denmark, stopping at the Faroe Islands.

Transfer

Reykjavik Harbour is situated in northeast Reykjavik, within walking distance of the city centre.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Hotel Reykjavik Natura

Located a 20-minute walk from the city centre, close to the domestic airport, Hotel Reykjavik Naturais is run by national carrier Icelandair. A short stroll from the Perlan complex, it is good for nature fans with biking, running and walking paths and a nearby geothermal beach. Inside, rooms are comfortable and there’s an onsite spa.

Hotel Cabin

It might not have much in the way of frills, but what Hotel Cabin lacks in decorative flourishes, it more than makes up in convenience and charm. That’s not to say that the rooms are unappealing. Most are comfortable and well-appointed, with huge beds and single Scandinavian-style pillows.

Hotel Fron

With its bright blue facade, you can't miss Hotel Fron. When the runtur (pub crawl) gets underway at the weekend, a couple of rooms at the front might get a bit noisy, but most of the rooms are remarkably quiet. It's an excellent choice for leisure travellers wanting a central location at a reasonable price.

Sunna Guesthouse

Just behind Hallgrimskirkja, this guesthouse in the heart of the old town is within easy walking distance of the major attractions, shops and restaurants. The rooms are basic but clean, and the buffet breakfast is included in the rate. Accommodation options range from rooms with shared facilities to studios and apartments.

Hotel Borg

A Reykjavik institution, the grand Hotel Borg overlooks Austurvöllur and the Parliament building on the other side. Inside, rooms are comfortable and well appointed, while the split-level Tower Suite has proved a hit with visiting VIPs. Downstairs, it boasts its own gourmet restaurant, Silfur, which serves top-notch French fare.

Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel

One of the newer hotels in Reykjavik, the Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel is housed in the former offices of an old Icelandic shipping line. It has been meticulously refurbished with urbane minimalist chic, so sleek dark wood furnishings cut a fashionable jib against the tastefully off-white décor. Outside it's officious, inside it's delicious.

Introducing Reykjavik

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