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Airports in Iceland are the main entry points to the beautiful Nordic island. They connect different parts of Iceland and even remote areas in the country’s intricately beautiful structures. These airports vary from international airport hubs to airstrips serving the domestic community. They are famous among foreign visitors due to their location or proximity to well-known places. From modern and well-equipped terminals to winding runways surrounded by glaciers and volcanoes, these are functional access points to the country’s exceptional beauty.
Top 10 Airports In Iceland
Here are the 10 airports in Iceland that offer tourists easy access to natural and cultural sites around the country:
1. Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
Photo: SuperJet International / Wikimedia Commons
The main airport serving international traffic for Iceland is Keflavík International Airport. It is located about 50 km to the southwest of Reykjavík. It manages more than 99% of the country’s international flights to Iceland. It is the hub of Play Airlines and Iceland Air. It also has modern amenities such as restaurants, duty-free shopping areas, WiFi and charging ports. The airport is now expanding its services by increasing the number of gates, services offered, and other facilities. It also serves as a starting place for many tourists wishing to roam Iceland’s Ring Road.
Location: Reykjanesbær, 50 km southwest of Reykjavík
Best Time To Visit: Summer months for maximum flight options
Nearby Attractions: Blue Lagoon, Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, Viking World Museum
2. Reykjavík Airport (RKV)
Photo: Gordon Leggett / Wikimedia Commons
Serving as the main domestic airport in Iceland, Reykjavik Airport is located in the heart of the capital. Its main focus is to accept domestic flights from all parts of Iceland. Iceland also receives some international flights from Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Reykjavik Airport has three medium runways and a simple terminal. In addition, the airport is home to private aviation services and flight schools. Due to its strategic location in the centre of the city, it is an attractive location for business travellers. This airport is quite popular among tourists for quick day trips around Iceland.
Location: Central Reykjavík
Best Time To Visit: Year-round for domestic connections
Nearby Attractions: Perlan Museum, Hallgrímskirkja Church, Reykjavík Old Harbor
3. Akureyri Airport (AEY)
Photo: Bair175 / Wikimedia Commons
Akureyri Airport has very few international connections compared to Keflavik. It serves as an important regional hub in northern Iceland. Even without offering direct flights, this airport enables easier access to Icelandic nature. Like other international airports, it is equipped with a small passenger terminal and a café. It also has a limited selection of rental cars and duty products available. Akureyri is surrounded by fjords and mountains which makes getting there a beautiful adventure. Akureyri airport does have the downside of getting closed for weather and offers limited connections. However, it acts as a vital hub for medical transport in northern Iceland.
Location: Akureyri, North Iceland
Best Time To Visit: Summer for reliable operations, winter for skiing connections
Nearby Attractions: Akureyri Botanical Garden, Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss Waterfall
4. Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)
Photo: Simisa / Wikimedia Commons
Egilsstaðir Airport is the primary hub of air transport for the eastern region of Iceland. It connects the eastern part with Reykjavik through daily flights. The contemporary terminal was improved in 2007 for better passenger services. Egilsstaðir is one of the biggest domestic airports in Iceland. Its single runway is capable of accommodating regular domestic flights. Sometimes it is used as an alternative landing field for international flights. There is a cafeteria, vehicle renting facilities, and other basic stores available in the terminal. The airport receives about 50,000 passengers annually. This airport is very important to this region in winter as the majority of the mountain roads are shut off.
Location: Near Egilsstaðir, East Iceland
Best Time To Visit: Summer for hiking access, autumn for fall colours
Nearby Attractions: Hallormsstaðarskógur (Iceland’s largest forest), Hengifoss Waterfall, Lagarfljót Lake
5. Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ)
Photo: Smiley.toerist / Wikimedia Commons
Iceland’s distant Westfjords region is connected by Ísafjörður Airport. This airport guarantees flights to Reykjavik during all times of the year. It has one of the shortest runways and a terminal building that is small in size. The access road to Ísafjörður Airport is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The airport serves a vital function for the Westfjords area which is poorly served by roads. Many travellers make use of this airport to avoid the long road journey from Reykjavík. Passengers have basic amenities which include a boarding lounge and toilets. Ísafjörður town is just minutes away from the airport terminal.
Location: Ísafjörður, Westfjords
Best Time To Visit: Summer when the weather is most reliable for flights
Nearby Attractions: Dynjandi Waterfall, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Arctic Fox Center
6. Höfn Airport (HFN)
Photo: Planespotter Geneva / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Höfn Airport serves important flights to the southeastern region of Iceland. It is a small regional airport with scheduled flights to Reykjavík. Strategically, Höfn Airport is located close to Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. In terms of infrastructure, the airport has one runway and a small terminal building. It offers spectacular views of the volcanic landscape and ice glaciers. The terminal is located about five kilometres from the city centre, giving residents easy access to the airport. With Höfn Airport open, it is very easy to reach nearby attractions and Vatnajökull National Park. Charter flights give this airport exclusive access to glacier sightseeing.
Location: Near Höfn, Southeast Iceland
Best Time To Visit: Summer for glacier hiking, winter for ice caves
Nearby Attractions: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell Nature Reserve
7. Húsavík Airport (HZK)
Photo: Simisa / Wikimedia Commons
Húsavík Airport is regarded as the gateway to Iceland’s whale-watching capital. The airport is quite small in size and caters to local travellers and private aviation. The growth in tourism to North Iceland has resulted in increased significance for this airport. Húsavík provides seasonal flights to and from Reykjavík. The single runway airport has very basic infrastructure including a small terminal building. Many tourists arrive here to join the famous whale-watching tours in Skjálfandi Bay. The airport also serves other tourist destinations in the Lake Mývatn Area. Sometimes charter flights use this airport during the peak summer months.
Location: Húsavík, North Iceland
Best Time To Visit: Summer for whale watching season
Nearby Attractions: Húsavík Whale Museum, GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths, Ásbyrgi Canyon
8. Grímsey Airport (GRY)
Photo: Aero Icarus / Wikimedia Commons
Located on Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, Grímsey Airport is special due to having the lowest elevation in traffic. Grímsey Airport lies right on top of the Arctic Circle, making it unique for crossing the line with an airport. The airport serves the purpose of connecting the isolated island community to the rest of Iceland. Regular flights to Akureyri are also available several times a week. The airport has a short runway, on which only small aircraft can land. Despite being small, this airport is important for about 60 residents. The terminal consists of a simple building with necessities for waiting. The island is known for its breathtaking scenery and its population of birds like puffins in the summer. Visitors are allowed to walk on a specially marked part of the airport.
Location: Grímsey Island, North Iceland
Best Time To Visit: Summer for midnight sun and puffin watching
Nearby Attractions: Arctic Circle Monument, Bird Cliffs, Grímsey Church
9. Mývatn Airport (MVA)
Photo: Simisa / Wikimedia Commons
Mývatn Airport caters to the geothermal area of Lake Mývatn located in North Iceland. This is a relatively smaller airport in Iceland and has a few scheduled services. The airport is primarily used for charter flights and privately owned aeroplanes. Mývatn Airport has a gravel airstrip best suited for small aeroplanes. The terminal is basic and only has the most essential amenities. Most tourists can use it only during the summer season. The airport is in a region which allows easy access to the volcanic wonders of Mývatn. While there are no regular commercial flights to this airport, air taxis are available.
Location: Near Lake Mývatn, North Iceland
Best Time To Visit: Summer for accessibility and geothermal activity
Nearby Attractions: Mývatn Nature Baths, Dimmuborgir Lava Fields, Hverfjall Crater
10. Siglufjörður Airport (SIJ)
Photo: Gylfi Gylfason / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Siglufjörður Airport is located near to Iceland’s northernmost mainland town, Siglufjörður. It is primarily private, but it serves other types of aviation as well. At the peak of Iceland’s herring business, Siglufjörður flew large aircraft using the airstrips. At other times, the facility had very limited function. Siglufjörður has one gravel airstrip that does not have any infrastructure. Currently, no commercial airlines service this airfield which also doubles as a medical emergency base. The town of Siglufjörður is located close to the airstrip. One of the airport’s main attractions are the stunning mountains that surround it alongside the fjords. Winter enthusiasts sometimes resort to using charter flights to much-needed ski resorts.
Location: Siglufjörður, North Iceland
Best Time To Visit: Summer for hiking, winter for skiing
Nearby Attractions: Herring Era Museum, Segull 67 Brewery, Avalanche Barriers Hiking Path
The airports of Iceland give critical links to this breathtaking island of glaciers and volcanoes. From the international air hub to the minor airports in the stock-raising outposts, these transport centres enable access to even the most remote communities. These facilitate travel to different parts of the country. If seeing the Northern Lights, exploring glacier ice caves, or relaxing in hot springs sounds interesting, these airports are in place to assist efficiently. Plan your journey with TripXL to uncover the beauty and cultural riches of Iceland through its diverse airports.
Cover Photo: Planespotter Geneva / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
