Getting Between Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Towns Without a Car

Bus routes, airport shuttles and the case for basing yourself in Keflavík or Grindavík instead of commuting from the capital.

The Airport Run Is the Easy Part

Almost every journey on the Reykjanes peninsula starts with the 45-kilometre run between Reykjavik and Keflavík International Airport. Flybus and Airport Express both leave from BSÍ terminal on Vatnsstígur, timed to arrivals, and take roughly 45 to 50 minutes. Fares sit in the region of 3,000 to 4,000 kronur one way; round trips are cheaper. If your flight lands after midnight or before 6am, check the schedule carefully, because departures thin out considerably and a taxi will cost several times the bus fare.

The bus drops passengers at a handful of hotels and guesthouses in Keflavík town rather than at every door, so look up which stop is closest before you book. A common trap is reserving a Reykjavik hotel for the night before an early departure and then paying for a 4am transfer. If your flight leaves before 8am, staying in Keflavík the night before is the calmer, cheaper choice.

Local Buses Along the Peninsula

Strætó route 55 links Reykjavik's Mjódd terminal with Keflavík, taking around an hour and costing a fraction of the airport coaches. It runs a limited timetable, roughly hourly on weekdays and less at weekends, so plan around it rather than expecting turn-up-and-go service. Once in Keflavík you can pick up local routes toward Njarðvík and the airport perimeter, though evening frequencies drop sharply and Sunday service is sparse.

For Grindavík, buses are genuinely awkward: you generally need to change in Keflavík and the connection may not wait. Given the distance of only about 25 kilometres from Keflavík, a shared taxi or a pre-booked seat can be the sensible buy on the days the timetable does not cooperate. Do not assume you can reach the Blue Lagoon or the coast by bus in the evening.

Reykjanes Without a Bus: Walking and Taxis

The peninsula rewards a car, but walkers can still do a great deal from a Keflavík base. The coastal path toward Njarðvík passes old harbour buildings and lava shoreline, and the airport area's perimeter tracks offer flat, breezy walking. The Bridge Between Continents and Gunnuhver are reachable only by road, so budget for a taxi if those are priorities. Distances are short but exposed, and winds are strong year-round.

Weather shapes everything. Snow and sleet are common from October to April, and the Reykjanes wind makes cycling or long walks unwise on rough days. June to August gives long daylight, mild temperatures and the best chance of dry spells; May and September are quieter and often cheaper. Pack a waterproof shell regardless of season, and check road and bus status on the morning of travel.

Where to Sleep for the Easiest Trip

For a two- or three-night peninsula stay, base in Keflavík. Guesthouses and mid-range hotels cluster around Hafnargata and the streets near the harbour, with late check-in commonly available because the airport trade demands it. Njarðvík is quieter and slightly cheaper, a short bus or taxi hop from the terminal. Grindavík is small and close to the coast, but has fewer rooms and thinner transport links, so it suits travellers with a car or a flexible schedule.

My recommendation: book a Keflavík hotel for the first and last nights of an Iceland trip and use it as a launchpad, spending the middle nights in Reykjavik near Laugavegur or the Hlemmur bus hub. That way the awkward 45-minute airport run happens once at each end. Skip heavy day-tripping between the two cities; the bus works, but an hour each way eats a surprising amount of a short break.

Questions, answered

How long does the bus from Reykjavik to Keflavík take?

The airport coaches from BSÍ take about 45 to 50 minutes, while Strætó route 55 from Mjódd takes roughly an hour. Timetables are limited, especially in the evening and at weekends, so check departures before setting out.

Can I reach Grindavík without a car?

It is possible but awkward. You usually change buses in Keflavík, and connections may not line up. With only about 25 kilometres between the towns, a taxi or pre-booked seat is often the more practical option.

When is the best time to visit the Reykjanes peninsula?

June to August offers the longest daylight and the mildest weather. May and September are quieter and often cheaper, though wind and rain are still likely. Winter travel is possible but requires flexible plans.

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