Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic, known for dramatic volcanic landscapes, glaciers, geysers, and the Northern Lights. Despite a population of only 380,000, Iceland has become a major aviation destination, welcoming over 2 million visitors annually.

Keflavik International Airport (KEF) serves as the country's primary international gateway and the hub for Icelandair, which has positioned Iceland as a transatlantic stopover point between North America and Europe. The airline's Stopover Program allows passengers to break their journey for up to 7 days at no additional airfare.

Iceland's compact size means most attractions are accessible from Reykjavik, though domestic flights serve remote regions like the Westfjords and northern towns during winter when roads may be impassable.

International Gateway

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
KEF	Keflavik	International hub	Icelandair, PLAY, Delta, United

Keflavik International Airport (KEF) — Located 50 km southwest of Reykjavik, KEF handles nearly all international traffic. The airport has undergone significant expansion to handle growing tourism. It serves as Icelandair's hub and offers direct flights to over 80 destinations in North America and Europe. Terminal facilities include duty-free shopping (popular for Icelandic goods), lounges, and car rental desks.

Domestic Airports

Airport	City	Role
RKV	Reykjavik	Domestic hub
AEY	Akureyri	Northern Iceland gateway
EGS	Egilsstadir	East Iceland gateway
IFJ	Isafjordur	Westfjords gateway

Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV) — Located in central Reykjavik, just 2 km from downtown. Serves domestic routes and some flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Useful for connections to Akureyri, the Westfjords, and other remote areas.

Akureyri Airport (AEY) — Iceland's second-largest town and the gateway to northern attractions including whale watching, Godafoss waterfall, and the diamond circle route. Multiple daily flights from Reykjavik (45 minutes).

Egilsstadir Airport (EGS) — Serves eastern Iceland, providing access to Seydisfjordur (ferry to Europe) and the East Fjords region.

Flag Carrier

Icelandair (FI) is Iceland's flag carrier and primary international airline, founded in 1937. A member of no major alliance, Icelandair operates a hub-and-spoke model from KEF, connecting North America and Europe with its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX and 767 aircraft.

Key features:

• Stopover Program: Free 1-7 day stopover in Iceland on transatlantic routes
• Routes: 50+ destinations in North America and Europe
• Premium service: Saga Class (business), Economy Comfort, Economy

Low-Cost Carrier

PLAY (OG) — Iceland's low-cost carrier, launched in 2019 as a successor to the defunct WOW air. Based at KEF, PLAY operates narrowbody Airbus A320neo family aircraft to destinations in Europe and North America. Unbundled pricing model with paid extras for baggage, seat selection, and meals.

Domestic Carrier

Icelandair Regional (operated by Air Iceland Connect) — Provides domestic flights from Reykjavik (RKV) to smaller airports throughout Iceland, essential for accessing remote areas in winter.

International Carriers Serving Iceland

Major airlines with seasonal or year-round KEF service:

• Delta Air Lines — New York-JFK
• United Airlines — Newark
• Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) — Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo
• British Airways — London-Heathrow
• Lufthansa — Frankfurt
• Wizz Air — Various European cities
• Transavia — Paris, Amsterdam
• easyJet — London-Gatwick, various European cities

Schengen Area

Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area, allowing passport-free travel from other Schengen countries. However, Iceland is not an EU member.

Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of the following can visit Iceland visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period:

• EU/EEA countries — Passport or national ID card
• USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea — Valid passport
• Most countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and others

Visa Required

Citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list must apply for a Schengen visa at an Icelandic embassy or consulate (or through VFS Global in some countries).

• Processing time: 15-45 days
• Fee: EUR 80 (adults), EUR 40 (children 6-12)
• Validity: Up to 90 days

Passport Requirements

• Valid for at least 3 months beyond planned departure from the Schengen area
• Issued within the previous 10 years
• At least two blank pages

ETIAS (Coming Soon)

Starting in 2025, visa-exempt travelers (including US, UK, Canadian citizens) will need ETIAS authorization to enter Iceland and other Schengen countries.

• Cost: EUR 7 (valid 3 years)
• Apply: Online before travel

Official visa information: government.is/visas

Domestic Flights

Domestic flights are practical for reaching remote areas, especially in winter:

Route	Duration	Frequency
Reykjavik ↔ Akureyri	45 min	4-6 daily
Reykjavik ↔ Egilsstadir	1 hour	1-2 daily
Reykjavik ↔ Isafjordur	40 min	1-2 daily

Book via Icelandair or local operators. Prices range ISK 15,000-30,000 one-way.

Car Rental

The most popular way to explore Iceland. The Ring Road (Route 1) circles the entire island (1,332 km) and is the basis for most self-drive itineraries.

Considerations:

• 2WD vs 4WD: Standard cars sufficient for Ring Road in summer; 4WD/AWD required for F-roads (highland tracks) and recommended in winter
• Winter driving: Challenging conditions October-April; check road.is for conditions
• F-roads: Unpaved highland roads requiring 4x4; many rental agreements prohibit F-road driving
• Fuel: Expensive (around ISK 300/liter); stations can be 100+ km apart in remote areas
• Insurance: Gravel and wind damage common; consider additional coverage

Major rental companies at KEF: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, plus local operators like Blue Car Rental and Lotus Car Rental.

Road conditions: road.is

Buses

Limited public bus service. Useful options:

• Strætó: Public buses in Reykjavik area and some intercity routes
• Reykjavik Excursions/Flybus: Airport transfers KEF-Reykjavik (45 min, ISK 3,500)
• Highland buses: Summer-only service to interior areas

Tours

Organized tours are popular for:

• Golden Circle day trips
• Northern Lights tours (September-March)
• Glacier hikes and ice caves
• South Coast waterfalls
• Snorkeling at Silfra

Summer (June-August)

Peak season with highest prices and best weather. Key advantages:

• Midnight sun (24 hours of daylight)
• All roads open, including F-roads
• Full range of outdoor activities
• Wildlife (puffins, whales)
• Warmest temperatures (10-15°C)

Drawbacks: Most crowded, highest prices, no Northern Lights.

Shoulder Season (May, September)

Best overall value. Good weather with fewer crowds and lower prices.

• Northern Lights possible from late September
• Most roads accessible
• Flights 20-30% cheaper than peak
• Autumn colors in September

Winter (October-April)

Northern Lights season. Iceland becomes a winter wonderland with unique attractions.

• Northern Lights: Best viewing September-March
• Ice caves: Only accessible November-March
• Cheaper flights: January-February often 40-50% less than summer
• Challenges: Limited daylight (4-6 hours in December), road closures, some attractions inaccessible

Weather Patterns

Season	Temperature	Daylight
Summer	10-15°C	20-24 hours
Winter	-1 to 4°C	4-7 hours
Spring/Fall	4-10°C	12-15 hours

Note: Iceland's weather is notoriously unpredictable. Pack layers regardless of season.

Reykjavik Region

Destination	Distance from KEF	Known For
Reykjavik	50 km	Capital city, nightlife, culture
Blue Lagoon	20 km	Geothermal spa
Golden Circle	100-150 km	Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir

South Coast

Destination	Airport	Known For
Vik	KEF (2.5hr drive)	Black sand beaches
Jokulsarlon	KEF (5hr) or EGS	Glacier lagoon, ice beach
Skogafoss/Seljalandsfoss	KEF (2hr)	Iconic waterfalls

North Iceland

Destination	Airport	Known For
Akureyri	AEY	Northern capital, whale watching
Lake Myvatn	AEY (1hr drive)	Volcanic landscapes, hot springs
Husavik	AEY (1hr drive)	Whale watching capital

Other Regions

• Westfjords: Remote, dramatic fjords (fly to IFJ or drive from Reykjavik)
• Snaefellsnes: "Iceland in miniature" (3hr drive from Reykjavik)
• East Fjords: Less touristy, scenic coastline (fly to EGS)

Money

• Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
• Cards: Accepted virtually everywhere, including gas stations and remote areas. Visa/Mastercard universal
• Cash: Rarely needed; some may be useful for small purchases
• Tipping: Not customary; service included in prices
• Costs: Iceland is expensive. Budget ISK 5,000-10,000 for meals, ISK 25,000+ for mid-range hotels

Connectivity

• Mobile: Excellent 4G coverage along Ring Road; patchy in highlands
• Carriers: Siminn, Vodafone Iceland, Nova
• eSIM: Airalo, Holafly, and local providers available
• WiFi: Free at most hotels, cafes, airports, and many gas stations

Electrical

• Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
• Plug types: Type C (Europlug) and Type F (Schuko)
• Adapters: Travelers from US, UK, Australia need adapters
• Note: Most laptop and phone chargers are dual-voltage (100-240V)

Safety

Iceland is one of the world's safest countries. Main hazards are natural:

• Weather: Changes rapidly; check vedur.is (weather) and safetravel.is (safety conditions)
• Driving: Respect road conditions; single-lane bridges common
• Geothermal areas: Stay on marked paths; ground can be unstable
• Waves: Sneaker waves at black sand beaches—never turn your back on the ocean
• Emergency: 112 for all emergencies

Practical Notes

• Language: Icelandic is official; English is widely spoken (near-universal in tourism)
• Time zone: UTC+0 year-round (no daylight saving time)
• Alcohol: Only sold at state-run Vinbudin stores and bars; expensive
• Water: Tap water is excellent—no need to buy bottled
• Hot springs: Bring swimsuit; many natural hot pots throughout the country

Useful Apps

• 112 Iceland: Emergency app with GPS location
• Vedur: Weather forecasts
• Road.is: Real-time road conditions
• Straeto: Public bus in Reykjavik

• Tourism: Visit Iceland
• Visa/Immigration: government.is
• Road Conditions: road.is
• Weather: vedur.is
• Safety: safetravel.is
• Icelandair: icelandair.com
• PLAY: flyplay.com
• Reykjavik Airport Info: isavia.is