Iceland Travel: Your Transport Guide

Getting to and around Iceland is incredibly easy thanks to a myriad of public and private travel options. While there are multiple car, van, and RV rentals available, the average first-time visitor may be better matched with the (mostly) stress-free aspect of group transport, whether it’s exploring the island or simply getting from the airport to the capital. Here’s a look at the most popular Iceland travel methods and what we’ve learned about them from our own experiences.

Iceland Travel: How to Get Around the Island

Flights to Iceland

Virtually everyone’s Icelandic journey begins with a plane ride. The island has become such a popular destination on a global scale that there are flights to the island from many of the most popular airlines. 

We’ve flown from both the U.S. and the U.K., and by far, I have to say the best experience was via Iceland Air. The flight from London was only a few hours, but the plane was comfortable with even our very inexpensive seats being more spacious than other airlines we’ve flown, and the crew was both efficient and incredibly kind – the latter of which is enough on its own to make me a repeat customer. 

Public Bus 

Even though the island is fairly small, the public transport system is pretty extensive, making it one of the most popular Iceland travel options. The public bus system, Strætó, offers multiple routes in Reykjavik as well as around the perimeter of the entire island, including a stop at Keflavík Airport (Route 55). 

Opting for the bus is cheaper than shuttles and tour bus services, but with a lower frequency of operation, it does require more time and walking to get to destinations. Now that we’re public transport pros after moving to the UK, I think we’ll definitely opt for the public bus during our next trip. 

Airport Transfer

For a faster – yet more costly – way to get from the airport to the city, there are numerous companies that offer coach transfers, including Flybus and Airport Direct. We chose a shuttle for our last trip for convenience. While the price is higher, they do have more frequent departures than the public bus. Plus, since they’re mostly large, Greyhound-style coaches, there’s also plenty of room for luggage and places to sit. 

Most of the services also offer drop-offs at hotels or at convenient preset locations across Reykjavik, so there’s minimal on-foot trekking required, which is extra wonderful in a post-flight haze. Additionally, there are options that take guests directly to popular spots around the island, like the Blue Lagoon.

Group Tour Bus

When it’s time to explore the island, group tours are an excellent way to get your feet wet as a first-time visitor without the stress of navigating on your own. There are both large coach and small-group tours all over the island with a variety of different landmark and stop combinations available. 

On our first Iceland travel journey, we opted for the smaller, more intimate tour with only about 10 travelers and a knowledgeable guide. Honestly, I wouldn’t opt for that option again as it felt rushed – a main concern we had when considering the larger groups, and even though we’re both fairly fast walkers, we struggled to keep up with the guide, who wasn’t friendly in the slightest. In fact, we skipped half of the glacier-site tour as we didn’t want to slow anyone down. 

If we had to do it again, I’d go for a larger coach tour as they still share valuable information, but there’s independence when exploring each stop. They’re also a bit more cost-effective. 

Transport Tips for Iceland Visitors 

While it may feel overwhelming at the start, once you narrow down your Iceland travel options, the process becomes much more approachable. Based on our journeys, I think group shuttles to and from the airport and around the island are the best match for budget, safety, and experience. However, if you’re well-versed in international travel or simply extra adventurous, then renting a car or camper van may be the better choice. 

Which transport style are you choosing for Iceland? Let us know by dropping a dm or comment on social! We’d love to hear from you.