All the ways to get around Reykjavík

A city of just 140,000 people, Reykjavík sprawls across city limits that are double those of Paris. To get around, locals tend to rely on their automobiles – then spend the next 12 hours stuck in traffic, dreaming of flying cars.

But the city is changing, as are the habits of city folk – and walking, cycling and taking the bus are now all viable options for crisscrossing the town. Our guide has all you need to know about the best ways to get around Reykjavík.

Getting around the city center is easy on foot

Visitors staying solely in the city center may not notice Reykjavík’s sprawling size. The core of the city – from the Old Harbor to Hlemmur Food Hall (formerly a bus terminal) – is less than 3km in length, making it easy to explore by walking. Buses travel up and down Hverfisgata street, but it’s best to wander Laugavegur – the main shopping street, parallel to Hverfisgata – on foot.

Rent an electric scooter for easy, fun exploring

Electric scooters are widely available for rent in Reykjavík, with three main companies (Hopp, Zolo and Bolt) operating over 3000 dockless two-wheelers for by-the-minute rental. Expect to pay around 1200 króna for a 30-minute ride. Helmets are harder to find, however, and riders aged 16 or younger are legally required to wear one. If you have a cycle helmet at home, bring it with you.

Strætó buses are a great way to get around the metropolitan area

Reykjavík’s public-transport fleet is painted yellow on the outside – and runs green on the inside: the city’s brightly colored Strætó buses largely operate using renewable electric energy supply. At peak times, buses arrive every 10–15 minutes, but in the middle of the day and during the evening, frequency drops to every 30 minutes. (You’ll have to brave the elements as you wait at curbside bus stops.) Service stops around midnight, resuming around 6:30am on weekdays; Sunday services are considerably less frequent.

The City of Reykjavík is one of five municipalities making up the urban sprawl known as the Capital Region. Altogether, about 65% of Iceland’s population lives in the area, and the 27 bus routes operated by Strætó cover the entire metropolitan area.

Buses no longer accept cash or bank cards on board; riders have to pay via the KLAPP platform. Most riders use their smartphones as a bus pass thanks to the KLAPP app; prepaid cards are also available from numerous vendors in Reykjavík and the Capital Region. Rides cost 690kr, valid for 90 minutes in transit. Children under the age of 12 travel for free, and bicycles are allowed on board, unless space is limited.

A Reykjavík City Card gets you onto buses and into museums and swimming pools

For those visiting for just a few days and looking for savings, the Reykjavík City Card is available for 1, 2 or 3 days. The card is essentially an unlimited bus pass with generous perks, including free access to 17 museums and exhibitions and attractions, plus the city’s lively public swimming pools. The 24-hour option costs 6100kr – the equivalent of nine bus tickets.

Rideshare services are illegal; use a taxi instead

You won’t be able to arrange an Uber in Reykjavík: rideshare services are illegal in Iceland due to a license-quota system intended to promote job security among taxi drivers. Instead, count on calling a taxi the old-fashioned way – Reykjavík’s two main taxi companies are Hreyfill and BSR – or using the Hopp app to arrange a taxi with your phone. This is not a budget option: expect to pay around 25,000kr for a one-way transfer to or from Keflavík Airport.

Use a car share to drive yourself around Reykjavík

If you want to drive yourself around town, you can sign up for a car-sharing service to rent a car by the hour. Zipcar has stations throughout the city where you can pick up and return vehicles, while Hopp allows you to pick up and park on streets within a set zone. You’ll need to upload your driver’s license to set up an account with either company. These services are largely aimed at locals seeking to move groceries or other items within city limits – and the rental terms forbid drivers from leaving the Capital Region. Which means you’ll need a regular rental car to take a day trip from the city.

Rent a car for easy day trips or to get further afield

When booking a rental car for exploring Iceland, note that Keflavík International Airport is an hour by bus from Reykjavík – making picking up your car at the airport or in the nearby town of Keflavík is more convenient than doing so in Reykjavík. In July and August, count on reserving a rental car well in advance of your arrival.

If you plan on driving around the capital by car, avoid the morning rush hour from 7:30am to 9am, and the afternoon rush from 4pm to 5pm. This, of course, depends on direction – traffic heads into the city in the morning, and out to the suburbs in the afternoon.

Where to park in Reykjavík

Parking a car on the street may seem like an impossible task, but fear not: the capital has a network of multi-level parking garages and a website showing by-the-minute availability. The largest garages are at and close to the Harpa Concert Hall. Expect to pay around 525kr per hour.

Bikes are handy for exploring the coast

A series of shared-use paths designed for both cyclists and pedestrians connect the inlets of the Capital Region by threading along the coastline, running all the way from the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula to downtown Hafnarfjörður. Following these paths is not just a shortcut, but a great way to enjoy an urban excursion in a car-free environment.

To rent bikes for long or short terms, the two main downtown options are Reykjavík Bike Tours by the Old Harbor, and Borgarhjól on Hverfisgata. The city’s largest bike store is Örninn, in southeast Reykjavík; used bikes are largely traded via Facebook marketplaces such as Hjóladót til sölu, which counts one-fifth of Iceland’s population as members.

​Why cycling is my favorite way to get around Reykjavík

By Nordic standards, Reykjavík is hardly a city of cyclists. Blame the wind: mere statistics cannot explain why it always seems to blow in the direction opposite to the way you are riding. Still, major improvements to bike paths, led by former mayor Dagur Eggertsson (known for showing up to meetings with world-famous leaders with a bike helmet in tow), have made cycling a serious alternative to cars and traffic jams.

Electric bikes are another revolution in Iceland’s cycling culture. Beating the wind with a motor makes it easier to estimate travel times and means you'll be less likely to arrive dripping in sweat. In winter, most cyclists use stud tires for safety.

For fun, I like to cycle the Elliðaárdalur, the city’s largest public park. For an extra stretch, I continue onward to the hills of Rauðhólar and loop the outskirts by traveling along Lake Rauðavatn – or wait for the bus back to the center.

​Accessible transportation in Reykjavík

Public transport in Reykjavík is highly accessible to those with mobility issues. Strætó buses are equipped with boarding ramps, low floors and reserved areas on board for wheelchairs; Flybus coaches from Keflavík Airport can also accommodate wheelchairs. Call ahead to book an accessible taxi with Hreyfill.

The City of Reykjavík maintains a full guide to accessibility within the city. Advocacy organization Sjálfsbjörg is also a great resource for any travelers with disabilities or mobility concerns.