🚌 Public Airport Bus (Strætó 55)

Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík by Bus 55

The budget traveler's choice connecting Keflavík International Airport (KEF) directly with Reykjavík. Fare: 2,400 ISK (4 zones), journey: ~75 min, running ~06:30 to 23:00 daily.

Open Route 55 on Live Map →

🚀 Quick Facts (2026 Updated)

Essential transit details upon arrival at KEF

💰
Affordable 2,400 ISK Public Fare

Strætó Line 55 crosses 4 tariff zones: 2,400 ISK for adults. Youths (12–17), seniors (67+), and disabled riders pay 1,200 ISK. Children aged 11 and under ride free.

💳
Contactless & Klapp Payment

Tap your contactless Visa/Mastercard card or Apple/Google Pay directly on the optical reader, or scan your Klapp mobile app ticket. Cash is not accepted onboard.

📍
KEF Stop Location: Kjóavellir

Exit arrivals, walk ~150 meters past the car rental shuttles to the Kjóavellir public bus stop marked with official Strætó signs.

⚠️
Off-Peak Route Truncation Notice

Select off-peak and weekend Line 55 buses terminate at Fjörður (Hafnarfjörður). If your bus ends at Fjörður, simply transfer to Strætó Line 1 at the same bay to reach downtown Reykjavík (free within your 75-minute ticket).

🗺️ Step-by-Step: Finding the Bus at KEF Terminal

From the baggage belt to your seat on Line 55

  1. Collect luggage from the baggage belts in the arrivals hall (ground floor).
  2. Exit through the automatic sliding doors — you'll emerge onto the terminal forecourt with car rental offices on your right.
  3. Walk past the car rental shuttles and taxis (stay left along the kerb). Continue approximately 150 metres until you see the blue-and-yellow Strætó shelter.
  4. Look for the "Kjóavellir" stop sign — this is the official Strætó name for the KEF airport bus stop.
  5. Check the real-time LED display on the shelter for the next Line 55 departure. Standard headways: every 60–90 minutes during peak hours, every 2 hours off-peak.
  6. Board the bus. Present your Klapp app QR code or tap your contactless card on the reader by the driver.
  7. Luggage goes in the undercarriage bay — open the hatch on the side of the bus before boarding. No extra charge for bags.
🧳
Large Luggage Tip

Line 55 has a large undercarriage luggage bay — standard suitcases fit easily. There is no luggage fee and no size restriction, unlike some airport shuttles. Carry-on bags go in overhead racks inside the bus.

📋 Key Stops: Keflavík → Reykjavík

Line 55 covers the full Reykjanes Peninsula corridor

Stop Name Area Notes
Kjóavellir (KEF Airport)KeflavíkDeparture stop outside arrivals terminal
KeflavíkurflugvöllurKeflavíkSecondary airport stop
Keflavík town stopsKeflavíkTown centre, Njarðvík
Garðabær / ÁlftanesGarðabærSuburban neighbourhood stops
FjörðurHafnarfjörðurSome buses end here — transfer to Line 1 free within 75-min window
BSÍ Bus TerminalReykjavíkMain intercity hub, connections to all country routes
Ráðhúsið (City Hall)ReykjavíkHeart of downtown, near Tjörnin lake
Háskóli Íslands (HÍ)ReykjavíkUniversity of Iceland, near Hlemmur Square

Line 55 makes ~20 stops total. Use the live interactive map above to see every stop on the route.

⏱️ Line 55 Timetable & Departures (Keflavík → Reykjavík)

Interactive schedule table populated live from official Strætó transit data:

🌙 Early Flights & Late Arrivals: What to Know

Line 55 vs. private shuttles when timing is critical

Early Morning Departures (Flying Out)

The first Line 55 departure from Reykjavík (BSÍ) toward KEF airport is around 04:30–05:00, arriving at the terminal approximately 75 minutes later. This is sufficient for most flights departing after 07:00. For flights departing before 07:00, consider Flybus, which runs 24/7 including at 03:30 from BSÍ.

Late-Night Arrivals

The last Line 55 departure from KEF is around 22:30–23:00. If your flight lands after 22:00, verify the exact schedule in the Klapp app — late arrivals after 23:00 have no Line 55 option and will need Flybus (24/7) or a taxi (~25,000–30,000 ISK).

💡
Check Klapp App Before You Travel

Download the Klapp app (iOS & Android) to see real-time Line 55 departures, buy your ticket before boarding, and get live bus tracking. This is the most reliable way to verify that the first or last bus timing works for your flight.

📊 KEF Airport to Reykjavík Transfer Comparison

Transfer Mode One-Way Cost Travel Time Key Features
✅ Strætó Line 55 (Public Bus) 2,400 ISK ~75–80 min Cheapest option. Free luggage bay. Contactless tap. Runs 06:30–23:00.
Flybus Express Shuttle 3,999 ISK (7,298 ISK return) ~45 min Direct non-stop to BSÍ. 24/7 availability. Flight delay guarantee. Optional hotel transfer.
Airport Direct Shuttle ~3,990 ISK ~45 min Direct to Reykjavík Terminal (Skógarhlíð 10) & hotel pickups.
Private Airport Taxi ~25,000–30,000 ISK ~40 min On-demand direct hotel drop-off. Ideal for groups of 4+.
Rental Car Varies (~5,000+ ISK/day) ~45 min Full flexibility. Required for remote areas. Reykjanes road may be icy in winter.

❄️ Winter Travel on the Reykjanes Peninsula

November – March: what changes for Line 55 passengers

The Reykjanes Peninsula experiences Iceland's strongest Atlantic winds and frequent winter storms. The Reykjanes­braut (Route 41) highway — the main corridor for Line 55 between KEF and Hafnarfjörður — can be affected by:

  • Black ice and snowpack (November–March)
  • High crosswinds that can briefly close the road (rare but possible)
  • Volcanic activity near Grindavík — check SafeTravel.is for current alerts

Strætó will suspend or reroute Line 55 only in extreme conditions — check the Klapp app and Strætó.is for service alerts before travel in winter. Bus travel is generally safer than driving a rental car on icy roads if you're unfamiliar with Icelandic winter driving.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the bus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?

Public Strætó Line 55 costs 2,400 ISK (~$17 USD) for a single adult ticket into central Reykjavík. Commercial express shuttles like Flybus cost 3,999 ISK (~$29 USD) one-way or 7,298 ISK roundtrip, dropping passengers directly at the BSÍ Bus Terminal or downtown hotels.

Where is the bus stop at Keflavík Airport?

The Strætó Line 55 stop is located at Kjóavellir street, approximately 150 meters outside the main terminal building past the car rental shuttles. Follow the yellow 'Public Bus / Strætó' signs from the arrivals exit. The stop has a covered shelter with a real-time departure display.

Can I pay by credit card on the bus?

Yes. Onboard municipal Strætó buses (including Line 55), passengers can pay by tapping a contactless Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card, or by scanning the Klapp mobile app. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted. Cash is not accepted onboard any Strætó bus.

What happens if my Line 55 bus ends at Fjörður?

Fjörður is Hafnarfjörður's central bus hub. If your Line 55 trip terminates at Fjörður, simply walk across the platform to Strætó Line 1. Line 1 departs every 10–15 minutes and takes you directly into downtown Reykjavík (Lækjartorg / Hlemmur). Transfers are completely free within your 75-minute ticket window.

How long does Line 55 take from the airport to downtown Reykjavík?

The full Line 55 journey from Kjóavellir (KEF) to Ráðhúsið (City Hall) or Háskóli Íslands takes approximately 75–80 minutes. If you transfer at Fjörður to Line 1, add about 20 minutes for the transfer and the remaining city leg — total ~95–100 minutes.

Does Line 55 run 24 hours?

No. Line 55 runs approximately 06:30 – 23:00 from KEF and roughly 04:30 – 22:30 from Reykjavík BSÍ. For overnight arrivals or very early departures, Flybus operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Taxis are also available at any hour outside the terminal.

Is there space for large suitcases on Line 55?

Yes. Line 55 coaches have a large undercarriage luggage bay that can accommodate standard-size suitcases at no extra charge. There is no luggage size or weight restriction on Line 55. Simply open the side hatch, stow your bags, and board.

What is the difference between Strætó Line 55 and Flybus?

Strætó Line 55 is the public municipal bus costing 2,400 ISK, taking ~75 minutes with multiple neighborhood stops. Flybus is a direct private coach costing 3,999 ISK one-way (7,298 ISK roundtrip), taking ~45 minutes non-stop directly to BSÍ Terminal with optional hotel transfers. Line 55 is cheaper; Flybus is faster and more convenient.