Getting to and from Iceland
Iceland Air - Minneapolis to Keflavik
Iceland Air is the flagship airline of Iceland and has developed a special program called the Iceland Air Stopover. Stopovers allow tourists to book a flight from their home airport to a European Destination with a multiple-day layovers in Iceland. Since all Iceland Air flights travel through Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport, it makes sense for tourists to take advantage of this outstanding deal. It does not alter the price at all. The only thing that changes is the length of the layover from hours to days.
I priced my flights out many times using various dates and destinations. I knew I wanted to visit Iceland, Barcelona, Andorra, and my second cousin in London. For me, an Iceland stopover was more expensive than buying two one-way tickets. My initial flight took me on Iceland Air from Minneapolis to Keflavik at a one-way cost of $284. Included in the fare is a checked bag and an advanced seat assignment.
My flight left Minneapolis at 7:30 P.M. and six hours later arrived in Iceland at 6:30 A.M local time. The plane was a Boeing 767 with a 2-3-2 layout. I chose an aisle seat, in the middle section, and lucked out that no one was in the middle seat. Flight attendants served dinner, then a light snack for breakfast and the drink cart came by numerous times. I was quite pleased with the service on Iceland Air and found it to be much better than the typical American Carriers I fly. We arrived in Iceland on time along with many other transatlantic flights. Passport control had a bit of a line, and it was about a thirty-minute wait in line before I was cleared. When I arrived at the baggage claim, my bag was already there, and I walked through unmanned customs towards the ground transportation signs.
Getting to and from Iceland - Table of Contents
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Getting to Reykjavik
Since I arrived at 6:30 A.M local time, I knew I would need to spend some time occupying myself before I could check-in to my hotel. I figured this was a perfect chance to visit the Blue Lagoon which is in between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik. The package that I booked was through the company Gray Line. Included were tickets to the Blue Lagoon, as well as transportation from Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon, and then on to my hotel in Reykjavik. The total cost of this package was $127. Had I chosen to merely take Gray Line from the airport to my hotel the price would have been $27. I chose this option for my return from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport.
It was easy to find the Gray Line van and by 8:30 A.M. I was swimming in the geothermally heated water of the Blue Lagoon. You can read more about the my visit to the Blue Lagoon by clicking HERE.
Below, are two options to visit the Blue Lagoon on your way to/from Keflavik Airport. The $425 option is for a group, the $107 option is for an individual. Please note, that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you purchase a package using my link. This commission will be at no additional cost to you.
 PrivateTransfer to Reykjavik KEF in Lux Van with 2 hour stop at Blue Lagoon - $320.74 Why spend your precious time waiting in long shuttle or taxi lines. Avoid the language barrier and currency exchange. Travel in style from your Hotel in Reykjavik city center to Reykjavik Airport KEF by private vehicle and reach your final destination relaxed and refreshed. Includes a 2 hour stop at the world famous Blue Lagoon (entry not included) The Blue Lagoon is open every day of the year from 08:00 - 21:00 h. |
GermanWings - Keflavik to Barcelona Via Berlin-Tegal
For my outbound flight, I was headed to Barcelona. I was looking for a redeye flight so I could experience an extra day in Reykjavik without having to pay for another night of hotel. I am not usually able to sleep on airplanes, but I was hoping I would be so exhausted that I would pass out. The best deal I could find was on German Wings with a stop in Berlin. The total cost of the two-legged flight was $257.
I quickly made it to Keflavik Airport on time thanks to Gray Line. The bus picked me up at the bus stop closest to my hotel and dropped me off at the main terminal. My flight was departing at 12:35 A.M but I decided to go to the airport at 10:00 P.M as I knew I would be exhausted from a full day of touring. Upon arriving, there was no one at the German Wings counter. I wouldn’t be able to check-in until roughly 11:00 P.M. After a long wait in line, I was able to check-in, clear security, and find the gate. I was happy to see that there were only about 30 people on our Airbus A320 Aircraft. I had my regular exit row aisle seat, but to my misfortune, someone was sitting in the window seat. Being so tired I wanted to lay across the row, so I simply moved back to an empty row and fell asleep. I woke up as the wheels were touching down in Berlin at 6:05 A.M local time.
Berlin’s Tegel Airport is my least favorite airport that I have ever flown into. I will never connect in Berlin again. Upon arrival, I did not have to clear passport control because Iceland, although not a member of the European Union, is a member of the Schengen Zone. Despite this, after landing there was no option to stay in the terminal. Everyone had to collect their bags, exit the terminal and then re-check. My connecting flight was not until 10:55 A.M and I could not re-check until 90 minutes before my departure. I also had to re-clear security. Thankfully Tegel Airport did have some good food, and there were some interesting shops in the check-in area. Had I not been exhausted and merely wanting to sleep at the gate I probably would have had a better attitude about my time at Tegal Airport.
I finally was able to re-check, clear security, and was on my way to Barcelona.
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