Víkurkirkja church above blooming lupins in summer

Iceland

Iceland is a North Atlantic island of waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches and geothermal pools, with one lively capital and small towns spread along a single ring road. Most visitors travel by rental car, so plans move between regional bases and use road times rather than a city transit map. Summer brings long light and open highland roads, while winter brings short days, ice caves and the northern lights.

How long are you staying?

Dates

Your layover plan

CurrencyIcelandic Króna

Local time—

LanguageIcelandicA few useful words

Power plugs: C, F · 230 V, 50 HzAirports: KEF

Power plugsC, F · 230 V, 50 Hz

AirportsKEF

Plan: layover in Iceland

A layover in Iceland can cover a little of Reykjavík and the Reykjanes peninsula when the gap between flights is long. The plan walks from the Sun Voyager through the old harbour and Laugavegur to Hallgrímskirkja, then drives south to the geothermal area at Krýsuvík and Seltún and ends at the Blue Lagoon, which is close to Keflavík airport.

Layover · KEF 06:00 → 21:00

Layover · 2 adults ·

You get between stops by road: rental car, campervan or taxi, and in some places domestic flights. Public buses cover only some routes, and there are no trains.

Flybus + Rental car · about 45 min
09:001
Morning · 10–25 min
Open public space
6–8 min walk
09:162
Morning · 90–180 min
Open public space
7–9 min walk
10:533
Morning · 30–60 min
Ticket at the entrance
usually 40–80 min by road
12:434
Midday · 30–90 min
Open public space
usually 36–72 min by road
14:255
Afternoon · 2–3 h
Book
Flybus + Rental car · about 45 min

Leaving the airport means passing passport control. Before you fly, check that you're allowed to enter Iceland with your passport.

5 stopsTap a stop for photos, hours and tips

Flights: getting to Iceland

Flights, car rental, airport transfers and ferries for your trip: 1 day · 1 adult.

Find your flight.

Fly from anywhere, to anywhere.

One-way or return
Choose your dates and travellers
Return is optional

Prices in

Stays: where to base yourself in Iceland

Pick a base for each part of your trip. Road times are typical ranges; traffic can make them longer.

Tours: things to do in Iceland

Tours and tickets matched to your plan and interests. Tap the heart to save one for Build your own.

Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park): guided visit
Viator
Book
Lake Mývatn and the Nature Baths: day trip from Akureyri
Viator
Book
Perlan: entry ticket
Viator
Book
Iceland day trip
Viator
Book
Iceland food tour
Viator
Book
Skip the line
National Museum of Iceland: skip-the-line ticket
Viator
Book
Blue Lagoon: entry ticket
Viator
Book
Iceland walking tour
Viator
Book
See all Iceland tours
Tours, day trips and more on Viator
Browse all tours

Visiting places of worship

Open to visitors, with a few customs.

Churches

Churches are usually open to visitors outside services, and some areas may close while a service is on. Visitors are usually asked to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and to keep their voices down. Photography rules usually vary, and flash is often not allowed. Rules can vary, so please follow any instructions and ask the staff on arrival.

Essentials: before you travel

What to sort before your 1-day trip, plus a few useful words.

Entry requirements

Which passport are you travelling on? Every nationality is covered.

Entry checker by VisaHQ. Please confirm before you travel.

VisaDepends on your passport
PassportValidity rules apply
eVisaOnline, where offered

Check your government's official travel advisory before you go.

Power plugs
Plug type C, F
230 V, 50 Hz

eSIM

Mobile data for your trip. Set it up before you fly.

per plan, one phone

See plans

Travel insurance

Pick a plan for your trip dates.

See travel insurance

Luggage storage

Leave your bags for a few hours or a day.

per bag a day

Find storage

A few words of Icelandic

Tap to hear.

Food: where to eat in Iceland

Places to eat near your plan and your stay. Tap the heart to save one.

Chosen from places featured in respected travel and food guides, or on a halal certifier's list, as of October 2026. We don't take payment to include a place.

Dietary

Please confirm with the restaurant if you have any allergies.

Near your planYour plan

11 min from Friðheimar
Friðheimar
Tomato soup served with a buffet of freshly baked bread · Golden Circle & Selfoss
Price level$$
Vegetarian options
Open in a map
Sources
Vegetarian options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Price level: Source: Friðheimar, checked Oct 2026

No places near your plan with this option

Elsewhere in Iceland

2
Lóla
Lemon spaghetti, a fresh pasta main · Reykjavík & Reykjanes
Price level$$$
Vegan options
Open in a map
Sources
Vegan options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Price level: Source: Lóla own menu, checked Oct 2026
3
Pakkhús Restaurant
Creamy langoustine soup with herb oil, fried wild shrimp and house-baked bread · Southeast & Vatnajökull
Price level$$$
Vegan optionsVegetarian options
Open in a map
Sources
Vegan options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Vegetarian options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Price level: Source: Pakkhús Restaurant, checked Oct 2026
4
Austur-Indíafjelagið
Charred salmon from the tandoor in a ginger, garlic and fresh-herb marinade · Reykjavík & Reykjanes
Price level$$$
Open in a map
Sources
Price level: Source: Austur-Indíafjelagið, checked Oct 2026
5
Flatey Pizza (Grandi)
Neapolitan-style pizza with San Marzano tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil and olive oil · Reykjavík & Reykjanes
Price level$$
Open in a map
Sources
Price level: Source: Flatey Pizza, checked Oct 2026
6
Kaffivagninn
Icelandic fish stew with melted cheese, béarnaise and sweet rye bread · Reykjavík & Reykjanes
Price level$$
Vegan optionsVegetarian options
Open in a map
Sources
Vegan options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Vegetarian options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Price level: Source: Kaffivagninn, checked Oct 2026
7
Fish Company (Fiskfélagið)
Homemade fish cakes with lobster and haddock, pickled cabbage and a creamy langoustine sauce · Reykjavík & Reykjanes
Price level$$$$
Vegan optionsVegetarian options
Open in a map
Sources
Vegan options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Vegetarian options: Source: the restaurant's own menu
Price level: Source: Fish Company, checked Oct 2026

Near your stopsElsewhere

OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

Nature: hikes, beaches and day trips

Green escapes and the sea, a short trip from the centre. Planning information only.

Askja
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
Landmannalaugar
Langjökull ice tunnel
Þórsmörk
Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar, Heimaey)

Maps and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Transport: getting around Iceland

Most trips here go by road, with a driver or a taxi; buses cover only some routes. Airport routes are in Flights.

Drivers and taxis

Taxis are available around the clock at Keflavík Airport, and the airport says drivers accept cards and phone payments. A trip in Reykjavík typically starts at about 880 ISK plus a per-kilometre rate, and a fixed airport fare of about 22,500 ISK for a small car is listed by one operator (as of October 2026). Apps such as Hopp and Hreyfill book licensed taxis.

Driving or riding yourself

Most visitors drive a rental car or campervan, so check your rental company's licence and age rules before you book. Paved and gravel roads suit a normal car, while F-roads are mountain tracks open for a short time in summer and need a four-wheel-drive vehicle with good ground clearance. Stay on marked roads, because off-road driving is not allowed, and check road conditions before you drive.

Buses

Strætó contactless bank card or phone

Capital-area Strætó buses; one adult fare per tap on board.

One ride: ISK 690

Per person, paid locally · as of October 2026

Buy a ticket in the free Klappið app, or pick up a refillable Klapp card or a ten-ride paper card at a vendor listed on the Klappið site.
Load a single fare or a pass in the app, or top up a Klapp card through My pages online; a single adult fare is 690 ISK (as of October 2026).
Board at the front, then scan the app code or Klapp card on the reader, or tap a contactless bank card or phone for one adult fare. An app ticket is valid for 75 minutes after activation.

How to use the card

Buy a ticket in the free Klappið app, or pick up a refillable Klapp card or a ten-ride paper card at a vendor listed on the Klappið site.
Load a single fare or a pass in the app, or top up a Klapp card through My pages online; a single adult fare is 690 ISK (as of October 2026).
Board at the front, then scan the app code or Klapp card on the reader, or tap a contactless bank card or phone for one adult fare. An app ticket is valid for 75 minutes after activation.

Expand map

Your layover plan usesTaxi

Money: costs in Iceland

Typical costs, and how to pay.

Typical day, per person

Excluding your stay.

For 1 day ·

BudgetISK 15,010a day1 day: ISK 15,010
Mid-rangeISK 19,738a day1 day: ISK 19,738
ComfortISK 32,028a day1 day: ISK 32,028

Food and drinksGetting aroundSights (entry tickets)

What's included

What's included, per person per day
Per person, per day	Budget	Mid-range	Comfort
Breakfast	ISK 1,410	ISK 2,130	ISK 3,920
Lunch	ISK 3,042	ISK 3,590	ISK 5,450
Dinner	ISK 3,590	ISK 5,450	ISK 9,400
Drinks	ISK 398	ISK 1,998	ISK 3,538
Getting around	ISK 2,070	ISK 2,070	ISK 5,220
Sights (entry tickets)	ISK 4,500	ISK 4,500	ISK 4,500
Total a day	ISK 15,010	ISK 19,738	ISK 32,028

Sights are counted at the standard entry ticket. Guided tours cost more.

Everyday prices

Typical prices, as of October 2026

ISK 870Coffee
ISK 128Bottle of water
ISK 1,410Bakery breakfast
ISK 3,042Lunch deal
ISK 3,590Casual restaurant meal
ISK 5,450Mid-range dinner
ISK 142Soft drink
ISK 690One ride
ISK 2,070Day of transport
ISK 3,150Short taxi (5 km)

Cards

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless and phone payments, so very little cash is needed. Bring a card with a PIN for unattended fuel pumps, which often will not take a card without one.

Cash machines

ATMs run by banks are usually cheaper than stand-alone machines, though many banks also charge foreign cards a fee. If asked, choose to be charged in Icelandic Króna. Your own bank may also charge a foreign-use fee. Check with your bank before you go.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Iceland because service is normally included in the price. A small tip for good service is fine but never expected.

Supermarkets near your stay

Reykjavík & Reykjanes

NettóGrocery store
28 min walk
HagkaupGrocery store
32 min walk
BónusGrocery store
35 min walk

Seasons: best time to visit Iceland

Seasons, weather, and the events and holidays that change opening hours, crowds and prices.

FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

Can you see Iceland on a layover?

With a long gap between flights, yes. Keflavík airport is on the Reykjanes peninsula, a drive from Reykjavík, and the layover plan visits the old centre of the capital and ends at the Blue Lagoon near the airport.

How long a layover do you need?

Plan on most of a day between flights: time to go through the airport twice, the drive into Reykjavík and back, and several hours for the stops.

Month	Average high	Average low	Rainy days
January	2°	-3°	19 days
February	2°	-3°	18 days
March	3°	-2°	19 days
April	6°	1°	17 days
May	9°	4°	16 days
June	12°	8°	15 days
July	14°	9°	15 days
August	13°	9°	16 days
September	11°	6°	18 days
October	7°	3°	16 days
November	4°	0°	17 days
December	2°	-2°	18 days

Month	Average high	Average low	Rainy days
January	2°	-3°	19 days
February	2°	-3°	18 days
March	3°	-2°	19 days
April	6°	1°	17 days
May	9°	4°	16 days
June	12°	8°	15 days
July	14°	9°	15 days
August	13°	9°	16 days
September	11°	6°	18 days
October	7°	3°	16 days
November	4°	0°	17 days
December	2°	-2°	18 days

Iceland

Plan: layover in Iceland

Sun Voyager (Sólfarið)

Downtown Reykjavík (Old Harbour and Laugavegur)

Hallgrímskirkja

Krýsuvík and Seltún Geothermal Area

Blue Lagoon

Flights: getting to Iceland

Find your flight.

Stays: where to base yourself in Iceland

Tours: things to do in Iceland

Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park): guided visit

Lake Mývatn and the Nature Baths: day trip from Akureyri

Perlan: entry ticket

Iceland day trip

Iceland food tour

National Museum of Iceland: skip-the-line ticket

Blue Lagoon: entry ticket

Iceland walking tour

See all Iceland tours

Visiting places of worship

Essentials: before you travel

Entry requirements

Power plugs

eSIM

Travel insurance

Luggage storage

A few words of Icelandic

Food: where to eat in Iceland

Near your planYour plan

Friðheimar

Elsewhere in Iceland

Lóla

Pakkhús Restaurant

Austur-Indíafjelagið

Flatey Pizza (Grandi)

Kaffivagninn

Fish Company (Fiskfélagið)

Nature: hikes, beaches and day trips

Askja

Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

Landmannalaugar

Langjökull ice tunnel

Þórsmörk

Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar, Heimaey)

Transport: getting around Iceland

Drivers and taxis

Driving or riding yourself

Buses

Strætó contactless bank card or phone

How to use the card

Money: costs in Iceland

Typical day, per person

Everyday prices

Cards

Cash machines

Tipping

Supermarkets near your stay

Seasons: best time to visit Iceland

FAQ

Plan: layover in Iceland

Sun Voyager (Sólfarið)

Downtown Reykjavík (Old Harbour and Laugavegur)

Hallgrímskirkja

Krýsuvík and Seltún Geothermal Area

Blue Lagoon

Flights: getting to Iceland

Find your flight.

Stays: where to base yourself in Iceland

Reykjavík & Reykjanes

South Coast (Hella to Vík)

Akureyri, Mývatn & North Iceland

Golden Circle & Selfoss

Snæfellsnes & West Iceland

Southeast & Vatnajökull

East Iceland & the Eastfjords

Westfjords

Hotels and rentals on the map

Tours: things to do in Iceland

Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park): guided visit