Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is Iceland’s main international airport, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula about 45-50 minutes by road from Reykjavík. It uses a single passenger terminal handling arrivals and departures for international services; several Icelandic carriers (notably Icelandair and PLAY) operate many routes through KEF.
Terminal Guide for Keflavik International Airport #
KEF has a single consolidated passenger terminal building for all international arrivals and departures. The terminal is compact and walkable from curb to gate; check-in, arrivals immigration and baggage reclaim are all handled within the same building.
Getting to and From Keflavik International Airport #
Reykjavík is about 50 km from the airport; typical travel time is 40-60 minutes by road depending on destination and weather.
- Coach / shuttle: Scheduled airport coaches (Flybus/Reykjavík Excursions and others) connect KEF with Reykjavík and major hotels; journey time ~45-60 minutes and fares vary (book in advance in high season).
- Taxis: Metered taxis operate 24/7; journey time to Reykjavík ~45-60 minutes and fares are significantly higher than coach services.
- Car hire: Several international and local rental firms have desks in the arrivals hall; roads are well signed but weather can affect driving times.
- Buses: Local bus services run between the airport and nearby towns; schedules vary seasonally.
Facilities, Shopping, and Dining at Keflavik International Airport #
The terminal offers a range of shops including duty-free, cafés and restaurants, tourist information and car‑hire desks. Free Wi‑Fi is available throughout the terminal. There are also basic passenger facilities such as ATMs, currency exchange and family toilets; seasonal crowds can make seating and outlets busy.
Tips for Keflavik International Airport #
- Buy prepaid data at the arrivals kiosk (Síminn, Vodafone) - shops are located just after immigration.
- The scheduled coach transfers (Flybus/Reykjavík Excursions) are the cheapest door-to-door option to Reykjavik; book seats ahead in high season.
- If your flight lands late check schedules for public buses - taxis are available 24/7 but can be expensive on longer runs.
Weather & Climate near Keflavik International Airport #
Keflavik International Airport's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 13°C. Moderate rainfall (956 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 3° | -6° | 91 mm | overcast | 88% | 7.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.4h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 3° | -6° | 102 mm | overcast | 88% | 8.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.4h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 3° | -5° | 98 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 60 mm | overcast | 85% | 7.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 14.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 2° | 59 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 17.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 6° | 52 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 19.8h |
| July | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 11° | 54 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 18.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 10° | 78 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.7 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 15.9h |
| September | Acceptable | 5° - 10° | 4° | 73 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 97 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 4° | -4° | 94 mm | overcast | 88% | 7.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 4° | -5° | 98 mm | overcast | 88% | 7.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 4.2h |
