Iceland is an island! So, there are only two ways to get there: going by plane or taking a ferry. Most visitors arrive in Iceland by air. Keflavik is the international airport. However, some people choose to travel to Iceland by boat from northern Denmark. Traveling by sea or by air, C-Ludik describes the two ways to plan your trip to Iceland.
Getting to Iceland by air
Iceland has one international airport, located 48 kilometers south of Reykjavik: Keflavík Leifur Eiríksson International Airport (KEF). Icelandair offers regular flights throughout the year. This airline also offers flights to Akureyri with a stopover in Keflavík. Low-cost airlines such as Transavia, EasyJet and Play offer flights especially during the summer months.
Getting to Iceland by air. View on Reykjanes peninsula.
Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, travelers pick up a rental car or take the shuttle bus to Reykjavík (40-50 minutes). The shuttle bus is the easiest and the cheapest way to travel. Three private companies provide shuttle services: Terravision, Flybus and Airport Express Grayline. Taxis are also available 24 hours a day in the arrival hall of the airport.
Getting to Iceland by ferry
If most travelers prefer to fly to Iceland, you may prefer to travel by boat. There’s a ferry between Denmark and Iceland. The Norröna, operated by Smyril Line, connects northern Denmark (Hirtshals) with the port of Seyðisfjörður in the eastern fjords. The ferry has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 800 vehicles. It sails to Iceland from February to November once a week and even twice a week during the summer. The direct trip takes 2 days. The other option is a 5-day trip with stopover in the Faroe Islands at at Tórshavn. If you want to explore the Faroe Islands before or after your stay in Iceland, it is also possible to book a ferry with a longer stopover. if you are feeling adventurous on the sea route and want to explore the Faroe Islands before or after your stay in Iceland, it is also possible to book a ferry with a longer stopover.
Traveling by boat allows passengers to bring their own car, 4×4, motorcycle, caravan, camper or bicycle to Iceland. This can be a smart option for long-stay or family vacations. Renting a vehicle in Iceland can be very expensive, so this may be a great alternative. However, getting to Iceland by boat can be quite expensive. So, you need to calculate everything carefully to compare air and sea options!
