Keflavík International Airport is only about a 40-50 minute drive from Reykjavik. Check out our tips below for getting through the airport without a hitch and be sure to read our article about how to get to Reyjkjavik from the airport.
If you have some time to spare, explore the duty-free shops for Icelandic specialties like sweaters and their local delicacies. And here’s a pro tip: the airport has some great spots for a quick Icelandic snack or coffee while you wait for your transport, so you can start immersing yourself in the local culture right from the get-go. Welcome to Iceland – your adventure begins here!
Make life easier for everyone – have your passport easily accessible and on hand at all times when in the airport.
The boarding process for pretty much any flight at Keflavík International Airport is a bit convoluted, in that there is just one long line for all passengers. Airlines don’t call in groups here and it’s more of a first come first serve basis.
We would definitely recommend purchasing alcohol at the airport, as it is almost half the price there compared to when you buy it around the country.
Make sure all your liquids are in a quart sized plastic bag, or available to easily be put in a quart sized plastic bag, since they are available and given out for free at security. Anything that doesn’t fit will need to get thrown out! Individual containers of liquids and gels must be in 3.4 ounces.
When departing Iceland, it’s important to note that there are two separate lines you need to wait in. One is for initial security (which takes about 30-45 minutes) and after you get through, you need to walk through the airport a bit more before getting on line for border control. The separate border control line (which takes about 15-30 minutes) looks extremely long, but does move quicker and is much more efficient than the security line. They both still take quite a bit of time to get through, however, so make sure you leave plenty of buffer time getting to your flight.
There are sections of Keflavík International Airport where you need to show your boarding pass to purchase items. It’s important to note that if you’re arriving at the airport via a flight, you won’t be able to buy anything until you get past border control and exit the main airport area (not the building).
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