Reykjavík With a Car, and Without One

You do not need a car to enjoy Reykjavík. The centre is small, flat enough, and best seen on foot. You may want one for the rest of Iceland: the Golden Circle, the south coast, the Reykjanes peninsula. Many of our guests do both, spending a few days in the city on foot and renting a car only for the days they head out.

Getting in from the airport

Keflavík airport is about forty-five minutes from central Reykjavík by road. There are three simple ways in.

The Flybus leaves after every arriving flight and runs to BSÍ, the bus terminal on the edge of the centre. Flybus+ continues from BSÍ by smaller bus to stops closer to the hotels and apartments of 101. From the stop on the corner of Skúlagata and Klapparstígur it is about ten minutes on foot to Laugavegur.

Taxis wait outside arrivals. The journey is long enough that the fare is significant, so it is worth asking the driver for the price before you set off.

Private transfers can be booked in advance, with a driver waiting in the arrivals hall. For families, late arrivals or a lot of luggage, this is often the easiest option.

A city for walking

Central Reykjavík is compact. From Laugavegur, the harbour is ten minutes away on foot, Hallgrímskirkja five to ten, the pond and City Hall fifteen, Grandi around twenty-five. Parts of Laugavegur and the surrounding streets are pedestrian zones, which makes walking pleasant and driving slow.

Taxis are easy to find in the center, and the city bus network, Strætó, covers the wider area. For short distances, electric scooters are everywhere, though we would think twice in wind or ice.

When a car is worth it

Rent a car when you want to leave the city. The Golden Circle, with Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, is a full day. The south coast, with its waterfalls and black beaches, is a long one. The Reykjanes peninsula is closer and wilder than many people expect.

Guided tours cover all of these, and in winter they are often the better choice. Driving in Iceland between October and April means short daylight, wind, ice and occasional road closures. Before any trip, check road.is for road conditions, vedur.is for the weather forecast and safetravel.is for alerts. If a road is closed, it is closed for a reason.

Parking in the center

Street parking in central Reykjavík is metered in zones, with the most central zones the most expensive and the most time-limited. Payment is made at machines or, more easily, through parking apps such as EasyPark or Parka. Check the sign for the zone you are in, including the hours when payment applies.

For overnight parking, a covered garage is simpler. Traðarkot on Hverfisgata is a short walk from Laugavegur. Vitatorg is a little further. Both charge by the hour with a daily maximum.

Electric cars

Iceland runs almost entirely on renewable electricity, and electric rental cars are common. There are public chargers across the city and along the main roads, though fast chargers can be busy in summer. It is worth planning where you will charge before a long day of driving.

A few practical notes

Petrol stations in Iceland are often self-service and may ask for a card with a PIN. Headlights must be on at all times, day and night. Speed cameras are common. Sheep and horses do not always stay behind fences.

And if you only have a few days, leave the car for the end. Walk the city first. You will understand the country better when you drive out into it.

Our City House on Vatnsstígur has private parking. The Collector's House on Laugavegur is best for guests traveling on foot. You can see both at themuse.is.