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.
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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 with two buildings: South Building (main passenger hub) and North Building (additional gates). Keflavik is modern and compact, with standard 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.
Sleeping in Keflavik airport
Many travellers land here as a halfway point between North America and Europe, so plenty of people are 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, 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. The best areas are near Gates 7 and 10-15. Stave off cold temps and bright lights with an extra sweater and an eye mask.
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.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Keflavik Airport Guide.
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.
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.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones; but informal spots with recliner chairs can be found scattered around the airside near the windows.
Take precautions 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.
Cots
Keflavik 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 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 within a ten-minute drive from the airport – a few hotels offer a free shuttle. You will find more options in Reykjavik, but you must 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 for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport 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 incorrect, 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. Location: Airside, North Building, near Gate D20.
Drinking Water
Free water refill stations/water fountains can be found on the airside near the restrooms. On the landside, tap water is reportedly drinkable and high quality (at the time of this update).
Food & 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 a day and may be a good option for snack items.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Store your luggage at the airport, with rates at ISK 1,500/$11 USD (small bag), ISK 2,000/$15 USD (large bag) for 24 hours. Maximum storage time is three days. Twenty-six 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 Charging
Power up your mobile devices. There are over 100 charging stations available throughout the terminal.
Showers
A reader tells us there is a shower in the family room, downstairs by D gates. (August 2022) Another shower is available in the Icelandair Saga Lounge. See Lounges above.
WiFi / Internet
Unlimited free WiFi is available at Keflavik Airport. Connect to the “Kefairport-FreeWifi” network and log in to access. No registration required!
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Reykjavik Keflavik Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Eight of the machines located in the departure hall offer several currencies. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and 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 unknown 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
Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by leaving the airport to do some sightseeing? Check out our Keflavik Airport Layover Sightseeing guide or explore Things to do in Reykjavik on Tripadvisor.
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 eight passengers is available. For rates and more information, visit the Airport Direct website.
Local Bus No. 55 connects 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 on-site: Avis • Budget • Hertz • Europcar.
Hotel Shuttles
Some area hotels provide an airport shuttle: BB Hotel Keflavik Airport • Hotel Berg • Hotel Keiler • Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Taxis are available outside the terminal.
Last updated: 2025-03-18
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.