Iceland by Public Bus: Getting Between Regions Without a Car

Straeto's long-distance coaches link Reykjavik with the south coast, Borgarfjordur and Akureyri, and knowing which routes actually work saves you a rental car.

How the intercity network is actually organised

Straeto runs the public bus system, and the useful distinction for visitors is between the capital-area city buses and the long-distance coaches that leave from Mjodd bus terminal in Reykjavik, a short city-bus ride from the campsites and hotels around Laugavegur. Route 51 follows the south coast to Selfoss and Vik, route 52 continues east towards Hofn via Kirkjubaejarklaustur, and route 57 runs the northern ring towards Akureyri. These are scheduled public services, not tours: they stop at named roadside points and often at N1 fuel stations rather than at visitor attractions.

Frequencies are thin. The south coast route generally runs once or twice a day in each direction, more often in summer, and the northern routes similarly. That single daily departure dictates your itinerary more than any guidebook does. Buy tickets in the Straeto app or online in advance, keep your booking reference, and treat the bus as the backbone around which you book two or three nights in each place rather than as a way to hop off and back on. Luggage goes in the hold, so pack one manageable bag.

The south coast: where the bus genuinely works

The Selfoss-Vik stretch is the best-served and best-value use of the network. From Mjodd the coach reaches Selfoss in roughly an hour, Hvolsvolllur in about 90 minutes and Vik in around three hours, depending on stops. Selfoss makes a sensible first night: it has supermarkets, guesthouses and the river walk, and it is the practical base for the Golden Circle if you join a day tour from there rather than from Reykjavik. Vik then gives you Reynisfjara, the sea stacks and the kirkja on the hill without a car.

What the bus does not do is deliver you to Skogafoss or Seljalandsfoss mid-journey with your luggage. Both are on the route but you cannot reliably leave bags on the coach while you walk to the falls. My recommendation is to book two nights in Vik and join a small-group south-coast tour from there, or accept that the waterfalls are a day trip rather than a stop. For longer stays, a hotel in Vik village within walking distance of the bus stop is worth paying a little more for than a remote farm stay.

The west and north: realistic expectations

Borgarfjordur and the Snæfellsnes peninsula are reachable but scattered. Route 58 runs towards Borgarnes, roughly an hour and a quarter from Reykjavik, and Borgarnes is a decent one-night stop with the Settlement Centre and easy walking. Beyond that, buses towards Stykkisholmur and the peninsula are limited and mostly geared to school and work travel. If Snæfellsnes is the point of the trip, hiring a car for two days there is more honest than wrestling the schedule, and you can return it in Reykjavik and take the bus north.

Akureyri is the strongest long-distance case for the bus. The northern route takes roughly four and a half to five hours from Mjodd, crossing Holtavorduheidi, and drops you in the town centre, where most hotels are within ten minutes' walk of the bus station on Hafnarstraeti. From Akureyri, local services reach Godafoss and the surrounding valleys in summer, and whale-watching leaves from the harbour. Book two nights minimum: the journey eats half a day each way, and a single night is not worth it.

Seasonality, booking and what to skip

Summer, roughly June to late August, is when the network is at its most usable: more departures, daylight for late arrivals, and open mountain roads. May and September are quieter and cheaper for hotels but some routes drop to a few days a week, so check the timetable for your exact travel dates before booking accommodation. Winter services exist on main routes but weather cancellations happen, and a bus that cannot cross a heidi is not a delay you can plan around. Build a spare day into any winter itinerary that relies on public transport.

Skip the temptation to use the bus for the Golden Circle in a single day. The circuit is not one line, and Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss are poorly connected for a return trip. Join an organised day tour from Reykjavik or Selfoss instead. I would also skip the airport bus as a sightseeing route: the Flybus between Keflavik and Reykjavik is efficient but there is nothing to see. Base yourself in Reykjavik for the first and last nights, near Laugavegur or the Hlemmur area for easy terminal access, and book that room early in high season.

Questions, answered

Can I reach Vik from Reykjavik by public bus?

Yes. Straeto route 51 runs from Mjodd terminal to Selfoss and on to Vik, usually once or twice daily each way in summer, taking around three hours. Buy the ticket in the Straeto app beforehand and check the timetable for your specific date.

Is the bus to Akureyri practical for a short trip?

It takes roughly four and a half to five hours each way, so it only makes sense with at least two nights in Akureyri. The town centre stop puts most hotels within a short walk, making it one of the easiest long-distance routes without a car.

When is the best time to rely on Iceland's public buses?

June to late August offers the most departures and daylight for late arrivals. May and September are quieter for hotels but some routes reduce frequency, and winter services on mountain roads can be cancelled at short notice, so keep a spare day.

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