Major city · Iceland
Keflavík
Spend a half‑day in Keflavík for airport transit or a quick whale‑watch tour; stay 1 night if you want a night by the sea.
Keflavík is Iceland’s main gateway, with a compact town centre, a museum, whale‑watch tours and easy walking routes. Most travellers only need a few hours for airport transfer and a short activity, but a night‑stay adds a seaside dinner and a chance to explore the Viking World museum.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ISK
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Winter storms can disrupt ferry and road travel – check weather forecasts
- Airport
- KEF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Iceland ↗Iceland is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Iceland ↗Driving off marked roads is illegal and fined heavily; F-roads into the highlands open only in summer and require a 4x4.
- Iceland ↗Check the road authority's conditions map and the Met Office forecast every morning, and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel for hikes and remote drives.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Keflavík112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Keflavík, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK, kr).Iceland-wide
- SIM or eSIMEEA roaming applies: EU/EEA SIMs work at home prices.Iceland-wide
- Tap waterCold tap water is excellent; hot tap water is geothermal and smells of sulphur — do not drink it.Iceland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected.Iceland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Iceland-wide
- SafetyKeflavík is safe for tourists; main risks are traffic on narrow roads and occasional rough sea conditions for boat tours – ask guides about weather.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew on long drives; petrol stations and paid toilets (ISK 200–500 (≈ US$2–5)) at sites.Iceland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany rural guesthouses and cafés close October–April; highland huts only in summer.Iceland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKEF Keflavík International Airport (5 km (3.1 mi) from town centre; main entry point for Iceland).KEF Keflavík International Airport (3.1 mi (5 km) from town centre; main entry point for Iceland).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; bus 55 connects to Reykjavík (≈2,400 kr); taxis cost 2,200–2,700 kr from airport to centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₭400–₭700
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₭2,200–₭2,700
- Museum or sight ticketViking World entry₭3,420 adult
- Budget bedHotel Keflavik double, a night, per roomISK 12,480 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedHotel Keflavik double, a night, per roomISK 16,640 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedHotel Keflavik double, a night, per roomISK 20,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ISK 5,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ISK 8,000 (≈ US$65) · High ISK 12,000 (≈ US$100)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KEF Keflavík International Airport (5 km (3.1 mi) from town centre; main entry point for Iceland)KEF Keflavík International Airport (3.1 mi (5 km) from town centre; main entry point for Iceland)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Keflavík: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; bus 55 connects to Reykjavík (≈2,400 kr); taxis cost 2,200–2,700 kr from airport to centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Viking World museum
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Walk 10 min from town centre
Adults 3,420 kr, students 2,280 kr
Whale watching tour
goDoor to door: ≈30 min to harbour + 3 h tour
Harbour departure, 3‑hour boat
See dolphins, orca, minke, humpback
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Guesthouse 1x6
Old cultural quarter, ocean view, hot‑tub; 20,000 kr per night
Hotel Keflavik
Gym, restaurant, free airport transfer (taxi cost ~2,500 kr on departure); 12,480 kr winter, 16,640 kr summer
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₭5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₭8,000–12,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₭12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Keflavik double1 × 1 night × ISK 16,640 | ISK 16,640 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ISK 8,000 | ISK 16,000 |
| Bus 55 airport‑centre (one‑way)2 × ISK 2,400 · check | ISK 4,800 |
| Taxi airport‑centre (one‑way)2 × ISK 2,600 · check | ISK 5,200 |
| Viking World entry2 × ISK 3,420 · adult price | ISK 6,840 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ISK 4,950 |
| Trip total≈ ISK 27,220 per person per day, bed included | ISK 54,430≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in ISK; flights and car rentals excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₭400–₭700 |
| Hot dog | ₭800–₭1,200 |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₭2,200–₭2,700 |
| Bus 55 (airport‑centre) | ₭2,400 |
| Viking World entry | ₭3,420 adult |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi fares are high; confirm price before boarding.
- Bus schedules vary; check Strætó for exact times.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Medical
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KeflavíkKeflavík
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Á þennan heimilisfang, vinsamlegastTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Medical112
Embassy
US consulate in Reykjavík; nearest Icelandic embassy in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 55 airport → Keflavík: about ₭2,400, 30 min (check)
- Taxi airport → centre: ≈₭2,500, 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Afsakið — Excuse me / Sorry (af-sa-keeth)
- Takk — Thank you (tahk)
- Hversu mikið kostar það? — How much is it? (hvair-su mik-ta kost-ar that?)
- Hvar er klósettið? — Where is the toilet? (kvar er klo-set-thi?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Keflavík. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Winter storms can disrupt ferry and road travel – check weather forecasts · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑centre bus (2400 kr) – check schedule
- Taxi fallback (2,200–2,700 kr) for quick transfers
- Walking routes to lighthouse and coastal path
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Keflavík
- secondaryWikivoyage: Keflavík, revision 5327499 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Keflavík
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