Question 1

Which gate will my flight use at Keflavík Airport?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where you are flying, not which airline you fly. Keflavík has three gate zones — A, C and D. Flights to and from Europe (Schengen) use Gates A or C; flights to and from the US, UK and Canada use Gates D. Check the flight information screens for your specific gate.

Question 2

Do I need my passport to fly within Schengen from Keflavík?

Accepted Answer

No passport is required at the border for flights within the Schengen Area, but you must still carry a valid identity document to prove who you are if asked. Flights outside Schengen — to the UK, Ireland or North America — do go through passport control, both on departure and on arrival back in Iceland.

Question 3

How do I get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík without a car?

Accepted Answer

There is no railway to Keflavík. The Flybus is the main option: it leaves the airport 40 minutes after each plane lands for the roughly 50 km run to Reykjavík’s BSÍ Bus Terminal, and the trip is billed as taking 45 minutes. Regular public Strætó buses also connect the airport with the capital area, and taxis wait outside arrivals 24 hours a day — you choose the taxi, and drivers cannot refuse a ride or turn down card or phone payment.

Question 4

How early should I arrive at Keflavík Airport before my flight?

Accepted Answer

The airport recommends arriving 2.5 to 3 hours before departure. Kiosks for self-check-in stand in the check-in hall around the clock next to the staffed desks, and Fast Track through security can be booked in advance if you want to skip the general screening line.

Question 5

Can I claim a VAT refund at Keflavík Airport?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you are permanently resident outside Iceland and your goods, including VAT, cost at least ISK 12,000. Prosegur Change handles both currency exchange and VAT refunds from a branch in the arrivals hall — reclaim before you check in your luggage, since you need to present the goods with the completed form.

Question 6

Is there a lanyard scheme for hidden disabilities at Keflavík?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Sunflower lanyard. It signals to staff that you might need more time, patience or understanding, and you do not have to explain your condition to get one. Lanyards are available at the check-in desks in the departure hall and at the information desk in the arrivals hall — no need to order one in advance.

Reykjavík, Southern Peninsula

KEF questions travelers actually ask