Locals treat this landside duty free as the last cheap booze stop
Duty Free Store Landside sits in Terminal 1 arrivals at Keflavík, just past customs before you hit the car rentals and buses. It’s open to anyone coming through the doors, not just boarding passengers, and it’s the spot where Reykjavík locals grab liquor and snacks before driving into town. Prices on spirits and wine here are noticeably lower than state-run Vínbúðin shops in the city.
Because it’s landside, you can shop the store on arrival in T1 and then walk straight to your rental counter in the same building level. Expect the usual duty free lineup: liquor, wine, local schnapps, Icelandic chocolate, candy, and some skincare. Spirits often run 20–40% under downtown prices, and multi-bottle promos are common around holidays and weekends.
Regulars on r/VisitingIceland literally plan a “mandatory stop in the duty free” between baggage claim and the parking lot, using this store to stock an apartment or camper van for a week-long trip. If you’re heading into Reykjavík by Flybus or rental car, factor in an extra 10–15 minutes here; trolleys fit fine between the aisles near the entrance.
No major complaints show up in recent reviews, but stock on specific brands can thin out on early-morning waves when three or four flights land around 06:00. If you care about a certain gin, whisky, or craft beer pack, grab it before you leave customs instead of hoping to find it later in town.
Tip: Check your airline’s alcohol allowance and your home country import limits before loading a basket; KEF staff do enforce the Icelandic duty free limits printed on the receipts at checkout.