The Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is the largest and busiest airport in Iceland, and serves the capital city of Reykjavik. Located roughly 50km from downtown Reykjavik, this airport is convenient to reach, and also well-equipped to deal with incoming passengers. Facilities you can access include full-service banks, ATMs, postal services, a good range of duty-free retailers, several eateries, free WiFi access, a travel agency, information desks, and currency exchange services.
Buses, shuttles, and taxis make the journey to and from the city centre and the airport. Taxis can be taken directly from the terminal building, and will cost upwards of 8,500ISK ($105).
Flying to Reykjavik can be done with Icelandair, Qantas, American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Canada, United, Emirates, airberlin, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and Delta.
Why visit Reykjavik?
Reykjavik is the capital of the “Land of Fire and Ice”, and is home to much of the country’s cultural attractions, and a brilliant gateway for its natural ones. A rather small city by other European stalwarts, this city is nevertheless utterly charming. Dip into some of the country’s best eateries, tour the excellent museums, and walk along the sparkling lakeside before heading out of Reykjavik’s borders to discover the raw Icelandic wilderness.
Things to do in Reykjavik
Within the city, you must start in the downtown area, where most of the city’s attractions are clustered. Visit the National Museum of Iceland, which will give you an insight into the birth and past of this nation. After learning about its history, enjoy the city’s aesthetic bent by strolling through the Einar Jonsson Museum, one of Iceland’s first art galleries. If you’d rather a more interactive experience of the country’s spirit, why not book a show at the City Theatre, or be moved by the tunes of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
For city landmarks, you must make time for the striking Hallgrimskirkja, a modernist church whose tower you can climb for a panoramic view of the city and the North Atlantic Ocean. Or head out to the Sun Voyager sculpture, by artist Jon Gunnar Arnasin. An interpretation of a dreamboat that sits beside the sea.
You can also enjoy several natural attractions in and around the city, such as embarking on a whale watching tour from the Old Harbour, or taking the short trip out to the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, where you can enjoy the hot springs no matter what the weather outside.
If you choose to head outside of the city for your own Icelandic adventure, you will be treated to spectacular waterfalls, black beaches, launching geysers, fiery volcanoes, and ice caves. Once you step into this land of magic, you won’t soon forget it.
Best time to visit Reykjavik
· Iceland is just one of those enchanting places that can be visited at any season, though when you visit is dependent on what you want to see. For those white nights and the warmest possible weather, visit in summer, when the days are 15°C.
· Winters (December-February) are for the Northern Lights, hot chocolates, and a chance at some of the snow sports outside of the city. Pack warmly, this is a frigid season with lows of -3°C.
· The shoulder seasons are chilly, but the city is far less crowded, but there are tons of local festivals, which make it a brilliant time to see the city.
Arriving in Reykjavik by plane
· This is a long-haul flight and will involve two layovers if you are flying from any point in Australia. You’ll find these stops are often in Dubai (DXB), San Francisco (SFO), Vancouver (YVR), and Amsterdam (AMS).
Currency
· Icelandic Krona (ISK).
Visa requirements
· As an Australian citizen, you can enter and stay for up to six months in Iceland. For more information, please visit the Smart Traveller portal and their page on Iceland for a comprehensive guide to conditions of entry.
Please note that information is correct as of December 2016
