Do Reykjavik And Keflavik Share A Terminal? Here's The Deal
Table of Contents
- 01. Core geography of the two airports
- 02. Terminal structure at KEF
- 03. Terminal setup at Reykjavík Airport (RKV)
- 04. Are Reykjavik and Keflavik "the same airport"?
- 05. Ground transfer between KEF and RKV
- 06. Operational history and passenger volumes
- 07. When should you use KEF vs RKV?
- 08. Quick comparison table: KEF vs RKV
- 09. How to avoid confusing the two airports
- 10. Can you connect airside between KEF and RKV?
- 11. Do Reykjavik and Keflavik share a terminal?
- 12. Practical checklist for travellers
- 13. Navigating during a tight connection: step-by-step
Core geography of the two airports
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) sits about 40-50 kilometres southwest of central Reykjavík, on the Reykjanes peninsula, and serves as Iceland's primary international gateway. It handles roughly 9 million passengers per year, including most flights from North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Reykjavík Airport (RKV), by contrast, is an in-town airport just a few kilometres from the city centre, originally built in the 1940s and historically used for both military and civilian flights. Today it focuses almost entirely on domestic operations within Iceland as well as short-haul routes to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.Terminal structure at KEF
Keflavík International Airport operates a single passenger terminal that was originally named Leifsstöð, after Norse explorer Leif Erikson. This one terminal is divided into three main gate zones: A, C, and D, with a total of 13 jet-bridge gates and 17 remote stands. Within the terminal, Europe-bound flights (excluding the UK and Ireland) typically depart from or arrive at A and C gates on level 2, while transatlantic and long-haul services from the US, Canada, the UK, and Ireland use the D gates on level 1. Walking between zones A/C and D can take up to about 20 minutes, so airlines and transfer guides often recommend at least a 45-minute-1-hour buffer for connections.Terminal setup at Reykjavík Airport (RKV)
Reykjavík Airport has a much smaller, more compact terminal footprint than KEF, reflecting its role as a regional hub rather than a global gateway. The passenger building consolidates check-in, security, and boarding for all domestic Icelandair and Air Iceland Connect flights without the multi-level zoning seen at Keflavík. Because of its short-haul focus, the RKV terminal is designed for quick turnaround; passengers generally clear security, board their aircraft, and land again within domestic airports in under an hour. This makes it popular for travellers who need to hop between Icelandic towns such as Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, and Ísafjörður without returning to KEF.Are Reykjavik and Keflavik "the same airport"?
From a practical-travel standpoint, Reykjavík and Keflavík are not the same airport identity. KEF is the main international airport, marketed as "Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport," while RKV is the domestic airport physically located inside the capital. Their airport codes are distinct, and the two sites are not connected by a shared terminal or landside shuttle within the same fenced airside area. However, from a marketing and booking perspective, many airlines list "Reykjavík (KEF)" on tickets and websites, which can mislead passengers into thinking they are flying into an airport inside the city when they actually land at Keflavík. This has led to repeat incidents where travellers accidentally book car rentals or hotel transfers at the wrong airport, sometimes incurring long taxi rides or last-minute changes.Ground transfer between KEF and RKV
To move between Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Airport by road, passengers must take a roughly 45-50 minute transfer across the Reykjanes peninsula, depending on traffic and weather. Many visitors use the Flybus service, which drops passengers at the BSÍ bus terminal opposite Reykjavík domestic airport, allowing a straightforward connection to RKV flights. For those renting a car in Iceland, the usual pattern is to pick up at KEF's on-site rental counters and then either drive back to KEF for return or coordinate one-way drop-off at Reykjavík if the company permits it. Some rental companies now offer "airport transfer" packages that bundle bus-to-hotel with a KEF pickup, explicitly warning customers not to confuse KEF with RKV.Operational history and passenger volumes
Keflavík International Airport originated as a **US military airbase** during World War II and the Cold War, later converted into a civilian international hub in the 1960s. By 2018, KEF had already handled over 9 million passengers annually, ranking it among the five busiest airports in the Nordic region despite Iceland's population of around 400,000. Reykjavík Airport, meanwhile, has a more modest history as a mixed civil-military field that gradually shifted to domestic and regional routes as KEF expanded. Today RKV handles only a fraction of the passengers who move through KEF, but its proximity to the city makes it a strategic connector between the capital and remote Icelandic regions.When should you use KEF vs RKV?
Most international visitors to Iceland will arrive at and depart from Keflavík International Airport, even if their boarding pass says "Reykjavík (KEF)". KEF is the logical choice for anyone flying from North America, continental Europe, the UK, or Ireland, and for those who plan to rent a car or take a direct bus into Reykjavík. Reykjavík Airport (RKV) becomes more relevant if you are either starting or ending a multi-destination Iceland trip that includes domestic hops, or if you are traveling specifically to Greenland or the Faroe Islands on short-haul services. Because domestic flights do not wait for late international arrivals, travel planners generally recommend at least a three-hour buffer-or an overnight stay in Reykjavík-between landing at KEF and boarding at RKV.Quick comparison table: KEF vs RKV
| Feature | Keflavík International Airport (KEF) | Reykjavík Airport (RKV) |
|---|---|---|
| Airport code | KEF | RKV |
| Distance from city centre | Approx. 40-50 km | Within city, a few km from centre |
| Primary role | Main international hub | Domestic & regional hub |
| Typical passenger volume | Over 9 million per year | Low- to mid- six-figure annual |
| Parking and car rental | Large on-site parking; multiple brands | Limited onsite; smaller counters |
| Transfers to city | Flybus, taxi, hotel shuttles | Walking, short taxi, local bus |
How to avoid confusing the two airports
To avoid mixing up the two airports, always check the airport code on your ticket, confirmation email, or boarding pass: "KEF" for Keflavík, "RKV" for Reykjavík. Third-party booking platforms sometimes default to "Reykjavík" and allow you to select either airport, so it helps to pre-select the correct code early in the process. When booking a hotel transfer or rental car, confirm explicitly whether the provider is picking you up at KEF or RKV; some companies will automatically assign KEF if you simply type "Reykjavík" into the location field. Travel blogs and airport guides now routinely include "KEF vs RKV" sidebars specifically to prevent last-minute confusion at the wrong terminal.Can you connect airside between KEF and RKV?
There is no airside connection between Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Airport; passengers must clear arrivals at KEF, collect baggage if necessary, and then travel by road or bus to RKV as a separate leg. This means that any "Reykjavík stopover" between an international flight and a domestic flight involves a full landside transfer, visa checks (where applicable), and new security screening at RKV. For travelers on electronic tickets, some airlines issue joint itineraries that show both KEF and RKV as connection points, but they still require a physical transfer between the two sites. Because of this, experienced Iceland travel planners often advise treating KEF-RKV pairs as effectively two separate airports, even though they share the same metro area.Do Reykjavik and Keflavik share a terminal?
No, Reykjavík and Keflavík do not share a terminal. Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Airport (RKV) are physically separate facilities with their own terminal buildings, runways, and security checkpoints, connected only by road links rather than a shared airside concourse.
Practical checklist for travellers
- Verify the airport code (KEF vs RKV) on your ticket before booking hotels or transfers.
- Reserve a ground transfer that explicitly mentions the correct airport (e.g., "pickup at Keflavík International Airport" rather than "Reykjavík").
- When connecting from KEF to RKV, allow at least 3 hours between flights or consider an overnight in Reykjavík.
- Confirm with your car rental provider whether returns are allowed at a different airport and whether extra fees apply.
- Use the Flybus or equivalent to travel from KEF to the BSÍ bus terminal opposite Reykjavík Airport for smooth domestic connections.
Navigating during a tight connection: step-by-step
- Land at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and follow signs for baggage claim if you have checked luggage.
- Exit the KEF terminal and proceed to the bus stop for Flybus or your booked transfer service.
- Take the bus or taxi to the BSÍ bus terminal, which is directly across from Reykjavík Airport (RKV).
- Enter the RKV terminal, present your domestic boarding pass, and proceed through security.
- Walk to your assigned gate and board the next flight; remember that RKV gates are typically within a single, compact hall.
Helpful tips and tricks for Do Reykjavik And Keflavik Share A Terminal Heres The Deal
Is "Reykjavik (KEF)" actually in Reykjavik?
"Reykjavík (KEF)" is a marketing label used on tickets and reservation systems; the actual airport is Keflavík International Airport, located about 40-50 km southwest of Reykjavík city centre. The airport code KEF and the name Keflavík reflect the true physical location, while the reference to Reykjavík aims to orient international travellers to the capital region.
Can I rent a car at both KEF and RKV?
Yes, you can rent a car at both Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Airport, but availability and counter options differ. KEF hosts large, multi-brand car rental centres with high capacity, while RKV offers smaller counters suitable for short-duration domestic trips; returns must usually be scheduled at the same airport where the vehicle was picked up.
Do I need to reclear security when transferring from KEF to RKV?
Yes, passengers transferring from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík Airport must reclear security at RKV's terminal. After leaving the KEF airside zone, you travel by road or bus to RKV, then undergo fresh security screening before boarding your domestic or regional flight.
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