Getting Around Reykjavik and Nearby Towns Without a Car

How the Strætó bus network, the Flybus airport link and a handful of regional coaches cover the capital area and the towns within day-trip range.

The Strætó network in the capital area

Reykjavik's public transport is run by Strætó, and the whole capital area — Reykjavik, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær and Seltjarnarnes — sits inside one fare zone. Single fares are roughly in the low hundreds of krónur on the app, and a 24-hour or 72-hour pass quickly pays for itself if you plan more than two journeys a day. Buses run frequently on the main corridors, such as route 1 along Hringbraut and route 6 through Laugardalur, but suburban routes thin out sharply in the evening and at weekends.

The hub is Hlemmur, on Laugavegur at the top of the main shopping street, with a second interchange at Lækjartorg near the old harbour district. Reykjavik's central hotels in Miðborg and around Skólavörðustígur are within easy walking distance of both. Buses are cashless: you pay in the Strætó app or with a card, and you cannot buy a ticket from the driver. Download the app before you land, load a pass, and use the journey planner — it is reliable and gives real departure times.

From Keflavík Airport into the city

Keflavík Airport sits about 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavik, roughly a 45-minute drive. The main transfer is the Flybus, which meets every scheduled arrival and runs to the BSI bus terminal near the city centre. The standard service drops at BSI only, while the plus version continues to selected hotels and guesthouses in Miðborg and beyond. Book a seat online before you fly; walk-up places exist but the popular morning departures fill.

If your hotel is in the 101 postcode, BSI is a 15-to-20-minute walk, or a short taxi ride with luggage. Many travellers staying in Kópavogur or Hafnarfjörður assume the airport coach will drop them at the door — it will not, so plan a local bus or taxi for the last leg. For very early flights, note that the first coaches leave the city well before dawn. Check the timetable for your date rather than assuming a round-the-clock service.

Day trips to nearby towns by coach

Beyond the capital area, public buses become regional coaches, and they are genuinely useful for a few targets. Akranes, across the fjord to the north, is about 50 kilometres and roughly 45 minutes by coach through the Hvalfjörður tunnel. Borgarnes, a further 75 kilometres north on Route 1, is a straightforward coach ride and a sensible base for the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Both are served from the Mjódd terminal in the eastern suburbs, not from the city centre, so allow time to reach Mjódd first.

Selfoss and Hveragerði in the south, on the ring road towards the hot springs of the Reykjanes and the geothermal village, are reachable on scheduled coaches in around an hour to 75 minutes. What is not practical by public transport is the Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss have no useful scheduled service, so a tour or a car is the honest answer. I would book a hotel in central Reykjavik for a short city stay and a second night in Borgarnes or Selfoss if you want to push further without driving.

Where to stay to make the buses work

Location decides whether public transport is a pleasure or a chore. Hotels around Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur and the streets near Hlemmur put you on the frequent routes and within walking distance of the harbour, Hallgrímskirkja and the National Museum. The old harbour district and Grandi are quieter, with good apartments, but you will walk 20 minutes to the main bus corridors or change once. Avoid booking far out in Grafarvogur or the outer parts of Kópavogur unless you have a car.

Summer is the season for this plan: June to August brings long daylight, frequent services and open highland access, while winter buses run reduced suburban timetables and snow can slow coaches to Akranes and Selfoss. Spring and autumn are cheaper for accommodation and quieter on the buses, but check regional timetables carefully — some routes drop to a few departures a day. My advice: base yourself centrally, buy a 72-hour Strætó pass, and treat the coach network as a bonus rather than the backbone of the trip.

Questions, answered

Can I pay cash on Reykjavik buses?

No. Strætó buses are cashless, so you need the Strætó app or a contactless card. Buy a single ticket or a 24/72-hour pass before boarding; drivers do not sell tickets.

Does the airport bus go to every hotel?

The standard Flybus goes to BSI terminal only, while the plus service stops at selected hotels and guesthouses, mostly in central Reykjavik. Check whether your accommodation is on the drop-off list before booking.

Can I reach the Golden Circle by public bus?

Not practically. Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss have no useful scheduled service, so join a tour or hire a car. Regional coaches do serve Akranes, Borgarnes, Selfoss and Hveragerði.

← Iceland's page