Sleeping in Airports

Reykjavik Keflavik Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Reykjavik Keflavik Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

I saw a completely bizarre scene: a security guard pacing up and down angrily and rudely telling people to sit up, barking, ‘this isn’t a hotel! Hey! Get up!’ – sleeplessinseattle

KEF Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport (code: KEF).

What to Expect

Keflavik Airport consists of a single terminal. Though Keflavik is modern and compact, it’s not big on amenities. You’ll find a few (pricey) eateries and shops, and a general store is open 24 hours in the landside (public) area. WiFi is available to help pass the time.  There are currently no lounges that economy class passengers can pay to use.

Keflavik airport guide
(Photo courtesy of a guest traveller / 25Apr2019)

Sleeping in Keflavik airport

Many travellers land here as a halfway point between North America and Europe, so there’s plenty of people milling about by day. Unfortunately, this airport has a history of being unfriendly to airport sleepers. Posted signs warn against sleeping in the airport, but travellers report that a security guard waking you up is the worst that will happen. More recently (2022), there have been reports of security ignoring sleepers if they have a ticket for a flight the next morning.  Most benches have armrests, but there are a few without. Stave off cold temps and bright lights with an extra sweater and an eye mask. Explore our guide to sleeping in Keflavik Airport or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.  If you want to take a pass on sleeping in the airport overnight, there is a hotel located within a 2-minute walk from the main terminal.  Several other nearby hotels offer free shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Keflavik Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

airport hotelsKeflavik Airport Hotels

Quick Facts
  • Nearest Hotel:  On airport grounds
  • Sleep Cabins or Pods: No
  • Day Rooms: No
  • Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes

When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there are some options for those of you who are looking to sleep at Keflavik Airport in comfort.   While there is no transit hotel, there is a hotel on airport grounds and a few other hotel options that are within a 10 minute drive from the airport – a few hotels offer a free shuttle.  You will find more options in Reykjavik, but you will need to take the bus into town.

  • Airport Hotel Aurora – Three minute walk to the terminal.   » Check Rates
  • Courtyard Reykjavik Keflavik Airport – No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport – No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Hotel Keflavik – No airport shuttle, but they can arrange your transfers for a fee  » Check Rates
  • Hotel Berg – Free airport drop-off is available.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Reykjavik, search deals and read traveller reviews.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

At the time of this update, pay-per-use lounges were not available.  If this information is not correct, click here to update this airport guide.

Airline Lounges

Icelandair has a very nice looking lounge called the “Saga Lounge” that features padded rest loungers and showers. However, the lounge is only accessible to Icelandair Saga Class and Economy Comfort flyers, Saga Gold and Silver members, as well as certain American Express, Mastercard, Alaska Airlines and Lufthansa Elite/Gold Status flyers.

water bottle refillsDrinking Water

Information is unavailable. Does Keflavik Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.

foodFood & Drinks

Food concessions throughout the airport operate according to flight schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining concessions. The 10/11 Convenience Shop (Landside Arrivals/Departures) is open 24-hours and may be a good option for snack items.

Luggage StorageLuggage Storage & Lockers

Store your luggage at the airport, with rates for normal sized luggage at ISK 490 for 24 hours.  Maximum storage time is 3 days. 26 lockers are available.  Rates are also available for odd-sized items (bicycles, instruments, etc.). Location: 500m from the Departure side of the terminal, located between Enterprise and Avis car rentals. You can take the car rental bus which departs every 15 minutes. Hours: Open 24 hours.

mobile chargingMobile Charging

Power up your mobile devices.  There are over 100 charging stations available throughout the terminal.

rest zonesRest & Relaxation Zones

Recliner chairs can be found scattered Airside near the windows.

Take precaution even when sleeping in the rest zones.  In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them.  Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

showersShowers

A reader tells us there is a shower in the family room, downstairs by D gates.  (August 2022)

wifiWiFi / Internet

Unlimited free WiFi is available at Keflavik airport. Connect to the “Kefairport-FreeWifi” network and log in to access. No registration required!

airport infoMore Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Eight of the machines located in the departure hall offer several currencies. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.

Currency Exchange – Arion Bank offers currency exchange service. Location: arrival and departure hall.  Hours: open 24 hours.

Duty Free & Shopping – In addition to Duty Free Iceland, the following shops are available: 66°North • Blue Lagoon • Elko • Optical Studio • Penninn Eymundsson • Rammagerdin Iceland Gift Store. All shops are open according to flight schedules.

Family Services – The following services are available to families at the airport:

  • Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Locations: South Building (Gate C).
  • Family Washrooms – Available on the 2nd level of the airport.
  • Strollers are available throughout the terminal for use in the airport. Rate: free of charge.

Information Desk – If you have any questions, an Information Desk is available to provide assistance Location: Landside, near Exit E. Additional information points are available throughout the airport; however, it is not known if staff are available.

SIM Cards – A reader tells us “You can buy tax-free Nova SIM cards (2, 10, or 250 GBs) in the tech section of the duty free next to baggage claim in the arrivals hall”. (August 2022)

Smoking – Smoking is allowed in the designated area beside the restrooms in the Departure Hall.

Related Pages: Things to do at Keflavik Airport

Airlines
Reykjavik Keflavik airport is served by the following airlines: Air Baltic • Air Canada • Air Greenland • Atlantic Airways • Austrian Airlines • British Airways • Czech Airlines • Delta Air Lines • EasyJet • Edelweiss • Eurowings • Finnair • Iberia Express • Icelandair • Jet2.com • Lufthansa • Neos • Norwegian • Play • SAS • Transavia • United Airlines • Vueling • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Flybus is located just outside the terminal. The bus leaves 35-40 minutes after the arrival of each flight; however, it is advised that passengers check the terminal screens for actual bus departure times or talk with customer service at the Flybus information desk in the arrival hall.  Flybus will also connect you from your hotel back to the airport. Just make a request at your hotel the day before departure.

Airport Direct provides transfer services to the city centre including hotel drop-offs/pick-ups. The service operates 24 hours a day. Coach service or premium service to a maximum of 8 passengers are available. For rates and more information, visit the Airport Direct website.

Local Bus No. 55 connect the airport to the city center, for more information regarding schedules, the route and fare rates, visit the Straeto website.

Car Rentals

The following companies have car rental companies onsite: Avis • Budget • Hertz • Europcar.

Hotel Shuttles

Some area hotels provide an airport shuttle:  BB Hotel Keflavik AirportHotel BergHotel KeilerPark Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis are available outside the terminal.

layover sightseeingLayover Sightseeing

Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by getting out of the airport to do some sightseeing?  Check out our Keflavik Airport Layover Sightseeing guide or explore Things to do in Reykjavik on Tripadvisor.

Airport Photo Gallery

See more: Keflavik Airport Photos

Last updated: 2024-02-28

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.