Pickup at KEF if driving day one
Best if: Daylight on arrival, confident driver, short transfer to first stay.
First compare: Local Iceland car rental with KEF pickup.
Iceland · Arrival day
Keflavík Arrival Day: Rental Car, Reykjavík Transfer, Blue Lagoon or Rest?
Your first decision in Iceland is what to do with arrival day. The answer depends on landing time, energy, weather and whether you're starting a road trip or a city break. Here are the four sensible options.
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Short answer
Pick the option that matches your landing time
Last updated ·
Morning arrival + road trip starting tomorrow: pick up car, Blue Lagoon, drive to Reykjavík. Afternoon arrival: car or transfer, light Reykjavík evening. Late-night arrival: skip everything optional, sleep. Don't try to fit a Golden Circle into day 1 — you'll regret it.
Four shapes
Pick one based on your landing time
Common arrival-day shapes
- 1Option A — Car + Blue Lagoon + Reykjavík (best for morning landings)
- 2Option B — Transfer to Reykjavík + light walk (best for afternoon landings without a car)
- 3Option C — Hotel near KEF (best for very late landings or very early next-day flights)
- 4Option D — Car at KEF + drive straight to South Coast (only if you have 7+ days and slept on the plane)
Car or transfer
Pick up your rental at KEF or in Reykjavík?
Pick up at KEF
- Best if you're starting a road trip within 24 hours
- Includes Blue Lagoon detour without backtracking
- Avoids paid parking in central Reykjavík
- Watch out: late-night arrivals can miss rental desk hours
Transfer + pick up later
- Best for 2–3 city days before any driving
- FlyBus / Airport Direct on every arrival
- No driving while jet-lagged
- Easier in winter weather
Car rental
Car rental options for arrival day
If your arrival-day plan includes picking up a car, compare local Iceland rental options after you know whether you are collecting at Keflavík or later in Reykjavík.
Mistakes
Arrival-day mistakes
What to avoid
- Booking a Northern Lights or Golden Circle tour for arrival evening
- Planning to drive 4+ hours after a red-eye flight
- Booking a rental for KEF pickup at a time the desk is closed
- Skipping the Blue Lagoon booking and hoping for a walk-up slot
- Forgetting that fuel stations sometimes only take cards with PIN
Before booking
What to lock in for day 1
Day-1 checklist
- First-night Reykjavík hotel (or near KEF for very late landings)
- Rental car with correct pickup time and location
- Blue Lagoon time slot if doing option A
- Transfer ticket (FlyBus) if not driving
- Backup taxi number in case of delays
Useful starting points
Partner links may appear in this section.
Reykjavík first-night hotelsvia Hotels.com · partner siteSearch Hotels.com Local Iceland car rental at KEFvia Go Car Rental · partner siteCompare Go Car Rental Broader car rental comparisonvia EconomyBookings · partner siteCompare broader car rentals Blue Lagoon & transfer packagesvia GetYourGuide · partner siteBrowse lagoon options
Ready to compare?
Ready to choose your arrival-day path?
Three common arrival-day shapes — pick the one that fits your flight time and energy.
Transfer / hotel first if tired or late
Best if: Late or red-eye arrival, winter, or first time in Iceland.
First compare: A Keflavík-area or Reykjavík hotel for the first night.
via Hotels.com · partner site
Car later if Reykjavík first
Best if: 1–2 nights in Reykjavík before any driving.
First compare: A downtown Reykjavík stay; pick up the car the day you leave the city.
via Hotels.com · partner site
Paid partner links — IcelandStart may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate Disclosure.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- How far is Keflavík from Reykjavík?
- Roughly 45–50 km, about 45 minutes to 1 hour driving. The FlyBus and Airport Direct shuttles run on every arrival.
- Should I pick up a rental car on arrival day?
- If you're starting a road trip the next morning, yes — pick up at KEF and skip the transfer. If your first 2–3 days are city-based, consider picking up later in Reykjavík to avoid parking fees.
- Is the Blue Lagoon worth the arrival-day detour?
- Yes if you have an early-to-midday landing and energy left. It's roughly 20 minutes from KEF and 45 minutes to Reykjavík afterward — the layout is genuinely convenient.
- What if I land late at night?
- Skip everything optional. Transfer straight to Reykjavík (or sleep near KEF if you arrive after midnight), and start fresh the next morning. Jet lag plus winter weather is a bad combo.
- Are there ATMs and shops at KEF?
- Yes — ATMs, SIM cards, food and a duty-free both arriving and departing. Card payment works everywhere in Iceland, so you barely need cash.
Author
Maintained from Iceland
Written and maintained by Marteinn Hilmarsson, based in Iceland.
This guide is maintained from Iceland and focuses on practical planning decisions before booking. If you spot something outdated or unclear, email . Corrections welcome.
Official Iceland resources · Non-affiliate
Official Iceland travel resources
These official resource links are included for safety and planning. They are not paid partner links.
Visit Iceland
Official Iceland travel information — destination inspiration, things to do, accommodation information, and general travel guidance.
Visit official site
SafeTravel Iceland
Official safe-travel information for Iceland. Useful for travel conditions, safety guidance, and preparation before outdoor or road-trip travel.
Check SafeTravel
Iceland road conditions
Road condition information for Iceland (Vegagerðin / Umferðin). Useful before driving — especially in winter, high winds, snow, or changing conditions.
Check road conditions
Icelandic Meteorological Office
Official Icelandic weather forecasts (Veðurstofa Íslands). Useful before driving, outdoor activities, or winter travel.
Check weatherThese are official, non-affiliate links — provided for traveler safety and planning. Always check the most recent information on the official site before you travel.
Related planning guides
Keep planning your Iceland trip
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