Best way to get around Reykjavik: Helpful tips and tricks

Best way to get around Reykjavik: Helpful tips and tricks

From travel passes to public transportation, these tips and tricks make getting around Reykjavik easy and stress-free.

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, is an excellent destination for travelers seeking stunning natural beauty and adventure. With vibrant attractions, bustling creative and food scenes, and exciting nightlife, there is so much to explore. Reykjavik is best explored on foot, by scooter, or public transportation. Get to know the main street of Laugavegar, one of the city’s best places to visit. Knowing which transportation method makes the most sense is an essential first step to having an enjoyable trip, and this guide will cover the best ways of getting around Reykjavik.

Getting around Reykjavik: tips and tricks

  • Take the Flybus Airport transfer to get into Reykjavik: Getting to Reykjavik from Keflavik Airport is easy with Flybus, which offers shuttles that depart 35-40 minutes after each flight’s arrival. Don’t worry; delayed flights are always taken care of.
  • Get the Reykjavik City Card: The Reykjavik City Card is an unlimited bus pass and also grants free access to twelve popular museums and the city’s public pools.
  • Download the Klappið app: The most convenient way to purchase single tickets or period cards for Reykjavik’s buses, Strætó, is to download the Klappið app. Simply scan your phone when you board the bus.
  • Avoid rush hour: Expect longer commute times on public transportation and roads during rush hour, which is between 7:30 and 9:00 AM and 4:00 and 5:00 PM.
  • Zoom around town on an electric scooter: Travel like a local with Hopp’s electric scooter service. The app also offers car-sharing and ride-sharing.
  • Discover Reykjavik on foot: Reykjavik is very compact, walkable, and pedestrian-friendly, so exploring the city on foot is a fantastic option, especially if you’re exploring Laugavegur and Miðborg.

Useful apps

  • Google Maps: Plan your routes and get real-time walking or biking directions. The app provides public transportation schedules and updates for Reykjavik’s buses.
  • Citymapper: An excellent app for mapping out Reykjavik’s public transportation routes. Citymapper includes live departure times, disruption alerts, and walking options.
  • Klappið app: The Anda App allows you to load your Andante Card online and plan your trip around the city
  • Hopp: Hopp is a locally owned, all-in-one mobility app covering rentals for electric scooters, car-sharing and ride-sharing
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photo: 7beachbum

Take the bus system in Reykjavik to get basically anywhere in the city.

1. Taking the bus in Reykjavik

Exploring Reykjavik by bus is convenient, affordable, and reliable. The Straeto bus system, which includes 36 routes, spans from the city to the countryside. It’s no wonder the Strateo is the primary way locals get around. Buses run as early as 6:30 AM on weekdays and operate until midnight. Five bus routes (101, 103, 104, 105, 106) operate late nights on Saturday and Sunday when Reykjavik’s nightlife is at its peak. These buses depart between 1:20 AM and 3:45 AM.

How to plan your journey

Use the Klappið app, which has a route planner to help you plan your journey, see bus timetables, and get live location updates. To use the planner, type in your departure location, your desired destination, and the preferred departure or arrival time. The app will then show you options for embarking on your journey to get there on time!

How to buy and use train tickets in Reykjavik

Tickets and passes can be purchased directly on the Klappið app. Scan your phone at the entrance of the bus before your trip. You’ll see a screen that will turn green when your ticket is accepted.

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Bike around the city or for day trips for an exciting and picturesque journey

2. Getting around Reykjavik by bike

Reykjavik has plenty of bike paths that are worth exploring. Go on the coastal bike path along Reykjavik’s waterfront, which twists and turns down to Seltjarnarnes. The path is smooth, and the views of the mountains are worth the trip while you head towards the Grotta lighthouse and the Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach.

Biking within Reykjavik will be quick and easy since the city only spans a few kilometers. Biking along the harbor is particularly enjoyable, and you’ll get to many museums along the way, including the Saga Museum and the Phallological Museum.

Renting a scooter in Reykjavik

Electric scooters have become a popular alternative to biking for locals, and they’re very easy to try, even for tourists. Simply download the Hopp app, which lets you locate the nearest scooter based on your location, unlock the vehicle, and enjoy the ride. Scooters are a quick way to explore Reykjavik’s unique neighborhoods and get to your destination in style. There is a starting fee when you unlock the scooter, and then a cost per minute used will be added.

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Get around by boat and also see the magnificent sea creatures

3. Getting around Reykjavik by boat

Boats in Reykjavik are mainly used for sightseeing. Many ferries regularly visit places like Viðey Island, which has plenty of hiking trails, wildlife, and historical buildings to explore. Take the Grímsey ferry to the Arctic Circle to see beautiful natural cliffs and basalt rock formations.

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photo: Raf24

Taxis are readily available in busy city areas and are an easy way to get around in Reykjavik

4. Using taxis and ride-sharing services in Reykjavik

Traveling by taxi in Reykjavik is a convenient and quick way to get to where you want to go. You can find taxi stands at major hotels, transportation hubs, and other popular tourist spots. Hail a cab the traditional way: just look for a car with a “Taxi” sign on the roof; if it’s lit, it is vacant and available for your trip.

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Bolt are not available in Reykjavik. Instead, use the Hopp app to book one of their taxis. Hopp is effectively Iceland’s one-stop app for commuters, with features similar to Uber.

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Drive around on a day trip easily with Iceland's carsharing service, Hopp

5. Hourly car rental services in Reykjavik

For car-sharing services, use the Hopp app to rent a car or van for short-term trips. With Hopp, you pay per minute of your travel. Simply rent a car to explore the city and return it within the allowed zone.

FAQs

What’s the best way to get from Reykjavik airport to the city center?

The best way to get into the city from Reykjavik is by taking the Flybus, which offers shuttles from the airport to the city center in 35–40 minutes.

How accessible is public transportation in Reykjavik?

All Strætó buses are wheelchair accessible, equipped with kneeling systems and fold-out ramps that simplify entering the bus. There is also dedicated space for wheelchair users while on the bus. The Flybus airport shuttle is also wheelchair friendly.

Does public transportation run all night in Reykjavik?

Reykjavik’s Strætó buses operate until midnight on weeknights. On weekends, there are night buses that run past regular operating hours until 4:30 AM. Remember to consult the latest schedules and routes and use apps like Google Maps or Citymapper to check departure times and updates. You can also walk or use the Hopp app to get a ride from a driver to get to your destination more directly.

Is it safe to use public transportation late at night?

Reykjavik is generally a very safe city at night, and public transportation is no exception. However, exercise general caution and be aware of your surroundings. Try to stay in well-lit areas or where there are people.

Are there any transportation passes in Reykjavik?

Travelers can get 24-hour or 72-hour passes for unlimited transportation on Strætó buses directly on the Klappið app.

What’s the best mode of transportation for travelers in Reykjavik?

The best mode of transportation in Reykjavik depends on where you’re beginning your journey and where you’re trying to go. Walking remains the ideal mode of getting around, especially in downtown Reykjavik, where you can stumble upon many historical landmarks like Harpa Concert Hall or the Sun Voyager sculpture. For trips across town, consider taking a scooter or Strætó buses.

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