Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [73]
International flights operate through Keflavík International Airport ( 425 0600, 425 6000; www.kefairport.is), 48km west of Reykjavík. The easiest way to get there is on the Flybus – see right. For international airlines, Click here.
Boat
For information on the Viðey ferry service, Click here.
Bus
Almost all long-distance buses use the BSÍ bus terminal (Map; 562 1011; www.bsi.is; Vatnsmýrarvegur 10), near the domestic airport – the company name is pronounced bee ess ee. The desk here can book you onto bus services around Iceland. You can pick up summer (June to August or mid-September) or winter (mid-September to May) bus timetables, and there’s also a rack of tourist information available. There’s a good cafeteria, Fljótt og Gott, with internet access.
In summer regular direct services include those listed in the table (see boxed text, above). There’s reduced or no service the rest of the year.
For other destinations on the northern and eastern sides of the island (eg Egilsstaðir, Mývatn and Húsavík), you’ll need to change buses in Höfn or Akureyri, which may involve an overnight stop.
Buses to Reykjanes, Snæfellsnes and the main towns on Rte 1 run year-round, with the exception of the section from Akureyri to Höfn. Services are less frequent on all routes between September and May.
Buses to the Westfjords (Click here) only run from June to August, and routes across the highlands also close down for winter.
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GETTING AROUND
To/From the Airport
From Keflavík International Airport it’s easy: the Flybus ( 580 5400; www.re.is) meets all international flights. One-way tickets cost Ikr1700/850 per adult/child 12 to 15 years, or Ikr2200/1100 if you want to be dropped off at your hotel. Buy tickets before you board from the booth just inside the airport doors (credit cards accepted). The journey to Reykjavík takes around 50 minutes.
On the return journey the bus leaves the BSÍ bus terminal two hours before international departures. Reykjavík City and Downtown hostels and the main hotels can arrange transfers to the bus station, if you let them know the night before you intend to travel.
The Flybus will also drop off and pick up in Garðabær and Hafnarfjörður, just south of Reykjavík, if you book in advance. Taxis to/from the airport cost at least Ikr9500 one way.
From the domestic airport terminal it’s a 1km walk into town or there’s a taxi rank outside. Bus 15 runs from here to Hlemmur bus station.
Bicycle
Reykjavík has a steadily improving network of well-lit cycle lanes – ask the tourist office for a map, or www.rvk.is/paths (click on Footpaths and Cycle Paths in Reykjavík for the English version). At times, though, you will probably end up on busy roads. Be cautious, as drivers show little consideration for cyclists. Refreshingly, you are actually allowed to cycle on pavements as long as you act sensibly and don’t cause pedestrians any problems.
Bicycles are available for hire from Borgarhjól SF (Map; 551 5653; www.borgarhjol.net; Hverfisgata 50; 4/24hr Ikr2000/3600; 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat), and from Reykjavík City Hostel and the campsite Click here.
Bus
Reykjavík’s excellent Strætó city bus system ( 540 2700; www.straeto.is/english) offers regular and easy transport around central Reykjavík and out to the suburbs of Seltjarnarnes, Kópavogur, Garðabær, Hafnarfjörður and Mosfellsbær.
For the most up-to-date information on bus numbers and routes, pick up a copy of the Welcome to Reykjavík City Map, which includes a very clear bus-route map. The map is widely available, including from tourist offices and bus stations.
Buses run from 7am until 11pm or midnight daily (from 10am on Sunday). Services depart at 20-minute or 30-minute intervals. A limited night-bus service runs until 2am on Friday and Saturday. Buses only stop at designated bus stops, marked with a yellow letter ‘S’.
TICKETS