Getting Around Reykjavík by Bus

Strætó's city network is the easiest, cheapest way to explore Iceland's capital. No car needed — just hop on, tap your Klapp card, and go.

Open Live Map →
Reykjavík Strætó bus network map — click to open full interactive version
🗺️ Reykjavík Bus Network Map
Click to zoom & pan
Night Buses Guide (Routes 101–107) →

Friday & Saturday nights only · Lækjartorg 01:00–04:30 AM · 690 ISK flat fare

🚀 Quick Start

Three things to know before your first ride

💳
Pay with Klapp

Download the Klapp app (iOS/Android) — it's the official way to buy tickets. No cash? No problem. Credit card in the app, tap phone on reader, you're on.

🎫
One Ticket, 75 Min

All city buses are Zone 1. Single ride = 690 ISK (contactless/Klapp app). Valid 75 minutes with unlimited transfers. Kids under 12 ride free. No cash accepted on city buses.

📍
Find Your Stop

Yellow Strætó signs mark every stop. The app shows real-time departures. Buses run ~every 15–30 min on main lines, less on weekends. Last buses around 23:00.

🚌 Most Useful Routes for Visitors

These lines hit the main sights. Tap any route to open it on the live map with real-time departures.

1 City Centre Loop — Hallgrímskirkja ↔ Harpa ↔ Old Harbour ↔ City Hall
2 Laugardalur Valley — BSÍ Terminal ↔ Laugardalslaug Pool ↔ Camping ↔ Zoo
3 Airport Express — BSÍ ↔ Domestic Airport ↔ Grandi ↔ City Centre
4 Vesturbær / University — City Centre ↔ University ↔ Nauthólsvík Beach
5 Seltjarnarnes Peninsula — City Centre ↔ Grótta Lighthouse (great for Northern Lights!)
6 Mosfellsbær — City Centre ↔ Mosfellsbær town (gateway to hiking trails)
14 Kópavogur — BSÍ ↔ Smáralind Mall ↔ Kópavogur centre
15 Hafnarfjörður — BSÍ ↔ Hafnarfjörður town (lava fields, Viking village)

✈️ From Keflavík Airport (KEF)

Public bus is ½ the price of shuttle buses

💰
Save ~2,500 ISK

Flybus/Flybus+ = 4,500–5,500 ISK. Strætó Route 55 = 2,400 ISK adult (4 zones × 600 ISK). Same comfort, half the price. Runs ~every 30–60 min, 06:30–23:00.

Bus stop is right outside the terminal — follow signs for "Public Bus / Strætó" past the car rental shuttles. Takes 70–80 min to BSÍ (main terminal), then transfer to Route 1/3/4 for your hotel.

Full Airport Bus Guide →

📋 Practical Info at a Glance

Topic Details
App to Download Klapp (official Strætó app) — buy tickets, see live departures, plan trips
Single Ticket 690 ISK — valid 75 minutes, unlimited transfers (contactless tap / Klapp app)
Klapp Ten (10 Rides) 6,900 ISK (Adults) / 3,450 ISK (Youths & Seniors)
Automated DayCap (Klapp) 2,070 ISK — capped at 3 adult single fares per day (all further rides that day free)
Automated WeekCap (Klapp) 6,210 ISK — capped at 9 adult single fares within Mon–Sun calendar week
24-Hour Pass 2,750 ISK — unlimited rides all capital zones
72-Hour Pass 6,000 ISK — unlimited rides for 72 hours
30-Day Pass (Adult) 12,000 ISK — unlimited rides across Capital Area (Zone 1)
Children Free under 12 years old (max 2 children per paying adult)
Payment Contactless bank card tap, Apple/Google Pay, or Klapp app — no cash on city buses
Penalty Fee (Sekt) 18,000 ISK for riding without a valid ticket (9,000 ISK for youth/seniors)
Night Buses Routes 101–107 run Fri/Sat nights from Lækjartorg (01:00–04:30 AM). Standard 690 ISK fare. Full night bus guide →
Tourist Info Visit Reykjavík (Aðalstræti 2) — free paper maps + advice

🧠 Local Tips You Won't Find in Guidebooks

🌅
Golden Hour at Grótta

Take Route 5 to the end of the line at Grótta Lighthouse. It's the best sunset/Northern Lights spot near the city — and the bus drops you right there. Bring a thermos!

🏊
Pool Culture is Real

Every neighborhood has a geothermal pool. Route 2 goes to Laugardalslaug (the biggest). Locals go daily — it's cheaper than Blue Lagoon and way more authentic. Don't forget your towel!

🛍️
Smáralind via Route 14

Iceland's biggest mall is one bus ride from downtown. Great for rainy days, grocery runs (Bonus/Krónan inside), or picking up forgotten essentials.

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Street Art Tour on Route 1

Stay on Route 1 the full loop — it passes the best murals in Grandi, by the harbour, and near the university. Free art gallery on wheels.

❓ Frequently Asked

Can I pay with cash on the bus?

No. Reykjavík city buses don't accept cash. Pay with contactless card/phone or the Klapp app — single ticket is 690 ISK, valid 75 minutes with unlimited transfers. You can buy a physical Klapp card at 10-11, N1, or Olís convenience stores if you prefer.

Yes! With contactless or Klapp app: your ticket is valid for 75 minutes with unlimited transfers across the city. Just tap on each bus — the system tracks your transfer automatically.

Does the public bus go to the Blue Lagoon?

No public bus goes directly to the Blue Lagoon. Strætó Line 55 stops 8 km away at the highway junction (Grindavíkurafleggjari), which is unsafe for walking. Instead, book a direct coach shuttle like Destination Blue Lagoon or Flybus from BSÍ / city terminals. Read our complete Blue Lagoon Bus Guide →

It's okay but not perfect. Strætó's GTFS feed sometimes lags. Better: use the Klapp app or our interactive map — they pull live Strætó data. Google often misses weekend/holiday schedule changes.

The Reykjavík City Card (24h/48h/72h) includes unlimited bus rides + free entry to all city pools, museums, and the ferry to Viðey Island. Great value if you're museum-hopping. Buy at tourist info, pools, or online.

Ready to Ride?

Open the live map, tap any stop, and see the next bus in real time. Works offline-first once loaded.

Open Live Map →