Iceland
Trains in Iceland: tickets, passes and routes
There is no train travel in Iceland — the country has no public railway, so no tickets and no rail pass exist. Skip trains entirely and plan around a hire car, long-distance buses, domestic flights or guided tours instead. Only a small heritage railway near Reykjavík runs, and it is not transport.
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GuideIceland
Key facts
- Public rail network
- None — Iceland has no scheduled passenger trains
- Rail passes
- Not sold; Eurail and Interrail do not cover Iceland
- Heritage linecheck
- A short museum railway near Reykjavík runs in summer only (check)
- Practical alternative
- Hire car for the south coast and Ring Road; Strætó buses for budget summer travel
- Winter alternative
- Day tours from Reykjavík; domestic flights to Akureyri and Egilsstaðir
- Booking ahead
- Book cars, buses and flights weeks ahead in summer; tours sell out
Details
Iceland never built a national rail network. The terrain, the small population and the weather made road and sea transport cheaper, so the island today has no scheduled passenger trains between towns. That means no ticket machines, no timetables and no rail pass to buy. If you have seen an Iceland rail pass advertised, it is either a bus pass under a misleading name or a product for a different country.
The one exception is a short heritage railway near Reykjavík, run by enthusiasts on summer weekends. It is a museum piece, not a way to reach Akureyri, Vík or the Westfjords. Treat it as an afternoon outing if you are already in the capital, not as transport.
For getting around, the parent country facts point to the same options locals use: a hire car (ISK 10,000–30,000 a day, more for 4x4 and campervans) is the only practical way to see most of the country; Strætó long-distance buses cover Route 1 in summer at ISK 5,000–15,000; domestic flights link Reykjavík city airport (RKV) with Akureyri in about 45 minutes for ISK 15,000–35,000; and guided day tours handle winter, glaciers and ice caves. Ferries reach the Westman Islands and the Westfjords.
If your trip is built around rail travel, Iceland is the wrong country. Pair it with a European rail trip instead, or accept that here you will drive, fly or ride a bus.
Summary table
| Option | Time | Cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | None available | — | Not an option; no public railway |
| Hire car | About 2 h 30 to Vík; Ring Road 1,322 km | ISK 10,000–30,000 a day | The only practical way to see most of the country |
| Long-distance bus (Strætó) | Reykjavík – Akureyri about 6 h 30 | ISK 5,000–15,000 | Budget summer travel along Route 1 |
| Domestic flight | 45 min RKV – Akureyri | ISK 15,000–35,000 | North or Westfjords in winter without driving |
| Day tour | Golden Circle 8 h; south coast 10–12 h | ISK 12,000–25,000 | Winter without driving; guided glacier trips |
| Ferry | Landeyjahöfn – Vestmannaeyjar 35 min | ISK 1,500–8,000 per person | Westman Islands and a Westfjords shortcut |
Prices are 2026 estimates. A per-kilometre road fee introduced in 2026 may apply to driving — check.
Tips
- Do not buy any product sold as an Iceland rail pass; no such pass exists.
- Book hire cars and summer buses weeks ahead — availability tightens in July and August.
- In winter, keep buffer days for storms and check road conditions before setting out.
- Domestic flights leave from Reykjavík city airport (RKV), not Keflavík (KEF).
- If you want a rail holiday, choose mainland Europe; Iceland rewards driving instead.
Questions people ask
Is the train a good way to get around Iceland?
No. Iceland has no public railway, so there is no train to take between towns. Use a hire car, Strætó buses, domestic flights or guided tours instead.
Do I need a rail pass for Iceland?
No. No rail pass covers Iceland, and Eurail and Interrail do not include it. If you see one advertised, it is not a real train pass for the country.
How far in advance should I book trains in Iceland?
There are no trains to book. Book hire cars, long-distance buses and domestic flights weeks ahead for summer, and reserve winter tours early because popular departures sell out.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check