Blue Lagoon or Reykjavík hotel run from KEF in one shared coach
Airport Direct runs airport coaches from Terminal 1 at Keflavík (KEF) to central Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon, sitting in the same niche as Flybus and Gray Line but as a separate company. Coaches are timed around flight arrivals and set departures, not like route 55 city buses, so you buy a specific departure rather than just showing up whenever.
Most KEF–Reykjavík transfers take about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic, and the KEF–Blue Lagoon leg is usually around 20 minutes. Airport Direct sells two main flavors: direct to Reykjavík Terminal (Holtagarðar) or via hotel/guesthouse stops using small shuttles that meet the main coach, similar to how Flybus handles drop-offs.
Prices fluctuate, but expect roughly 3,000–4,500 ISK one-way between KEF and Reykjavík and more when you add the Blue Lagoon segment or hotel pickup. Tickets are sold online and at the airport desks in the arrivals hall at Terminal 1, so you can still book after you land if your flight is late.
For the Blue Lagoon, Reddit users flag that Airport Direct only runs a few trips per day, with fixed times that need to match your pre-booked lagoon slot. One post in 2024 notes that these departures are far less frequent than Flybus-style Reykjavík runs, so lock in your lagoon time and coach time together.
Compared with Flybus, one transit guide lists Airport Direct and Gray Line in the same transfer category, all doing KEF–Reykjavík and KEF–Blue Lagoon with similar hotel shuttles and flight-conscious timetables. Regulars basically pick on price and exact timing instead of assuming one brand covers everything.
Watch out for the schedule gaps: frequency is fine for planned flights, but it is not like a city bus every 15 minutes, and last‑minute changes can leave you waiting an hour or more. If your landing time at KEF shifts by 90 minutes, you may have to move to the next listed departure and pay a change fee depending on fare rules.
Step-by-step from KEF with Airport Direct
- 1. Land at Terminal 1 and clear passport control and customs; this usually takes 15–45 minutes depending on arrival banks.
- 2. In the arrivals hall, find the Airport Direct sales desk or kiosk near the other coach counters and confirm the next departure that matches your flight or Blue Lagoon slot.
- 3. Buy a ticket for Reykjavík Terminal, hotel drop-off, or Blue Lagoon; check the printed departure time and stand number on the ticket or email.
- 4. Walk outside to the signed Airport Direct bus bays near the main coach parking; buses typically pull in 10–15 minutes before departure.
- 5. Board with your ticket or QR code, stash large bags in the luggage hold, and keep valuables in a small carry-on for the 20–60 minute ride.
- 6. In Reykjavík, transfer to the smaller shuttle if you booked a specific hotel stop, or stay on until the main Reykjavík Terminal stop if you prefer to walk or grab a taxi.
One tip: check both Airport Direct and Flybus departure times for your exact flight number and pick the schedule that leaves you at least 30 minutes of buffer after scheduled landing.