Icelandair Stopover Guide: How to Add Iceland to Your Transatlantic Flight

Icelandair operates a stopover programme that allows passengers on transatlantic flights to add up to seven nights in Iceland at no additional airfare cost. If you are flying between North America and Europe — or the reverse — routing through Reykjavik’s Keflavík Airport means you can spend time in Iceland between your origin and destination without paying for an extra flight. It is one of the more practical ways to see Iceland, particularly for first-time visitors who want to combine Iceland with a broader Europe trip.

How the Stopover Works

The Icelandair stopover applies to return or one-way transatlantic tickets where Keflavík (KEF) is the connecting point. When you book at icelandair.com, you will see an option to add a stopover at checkout — select a date range and the system will hold your onward connection. You pay for accommodation and activities in Iceland; the additional flight segment is treated as a layover, not a new booking.

Icelandair flies to over 20 North American cities including New York (JFK), Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, and connects onward to cities across Europe including London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. Check the current route map at icelandair.com, as routes change seasonally.

The programme is subject to fare class restrictions — some discounted fares exclude the stopover. Check when booking. The maximum stopover duration as of 2026 is seven nights.

Getting from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik

Keflavík Airport (KEF) is approximately 50km southwest of Reykjavik city centre. The journey takes 45–50 minutes by bus or 40 minutes by taxi.

Flybus (flybus.is) runs direct coaches timed to arrivals and departures, from approximately ISK 3,000–3,800 one way as of 2026. A hotel drop-off upgrade costs approximately ISK 500 more. Book online in advance or pay on the day.

Taxi/rideshare costs approximately ISK 16,000–20,000 (EUR 105–135) for the journey as of 2026. Faster but significantly more expensive.

Rental car: if you plan to drive the Golden Circle or South Coast during your stopover, picking up the car at the airport is the most efficient option. Most major international rental companies have desks at KEF. See our Iceland car rental guide for current prices and booking tips.

One-Day Stopover Itinerary

A single day in Iceland is enough to see the highlights of Reykjavik and either one major day trip or the Blue Lagoon.

Morning: Land at KEF. Take Flybus to Reykjavik. Check in, drop bags, walk to Hallgrímskirkja (lift to the tower costs approximately ISK 1,200 as of 2026). Walk down Skólavörðustígur to Laugavegur. Coffee at Reykjavik Roasters.

Midday: Lunch at Hlöllabátar (ISK 1,800–2,800 as of 2026) or a hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Walk the Old Harbour — Grandi area, Maritime Museum exterior.

Afternoon option A — Blue Lagoon: Pre-book at bluelagoon.com. Standard entry costs approximately ISK 8,990–14,990 depending on package as of 2026. Transport from Reykjavik is available via Reykjavik Excursions. The lagoon is open until 22:00 in summer; book the last entry slot to avoid crowds. Important: book well in advance, especially in summer — it frequently sells out weeks ahead.

Afternoon option B — Golden Circle: Rent a car or join a guided day tour (approximately ISK 9,000–14,000 per person as of 2026). Covers Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area (Strokkur erupts every 5–8 minutes), and Gullfoss waterfall. Total driving distance from Reykjavik: approximately 300km, 4–5 hours driving plus stops. Tight in one day but doable if you leave by noon.

Evening: Return to Reykjavik. Dinner at Snaps Bistro or Messinn. Sleep.

Two-Day Stopover Itinerary

Two days allows for a better pace and the option to combine multiple highlights.

Day 1 — Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon: Follow the one-day Reykjavik morning. Afternoon: Blue Lagoon (book in advance). Evening: explore Laugavegur’s bars and restaurants at a proper pace. Try a craft beer at Bryggjan Brugghús.

Day 2 — Golden Circle: Depart Reykjavik by 8:00 to beat tour coaches to Þingvellir. Spend an hour at the park. Drive to Geysir — time Strokkur from close range. Gullfoss: 30 minutes. Optional addition: Fontana Geothermal Baths (Laugarvatn) between Geysir and Gullfoss, entry approximately ISK 3,300 as of 2026. Return Reykjavik by 18:00. Evening departure or overnight.

Three-Day Stopover Itinerary

Three days allows for the Golden Circle plus the South Coast, which many visitors consider Iceland’s most dramatic driving route.

Day 1 — Reykjavik: Arrive, settle in, explore the city centre at a relaxed pace. Hallgrímskirkja, Tjörnin lake, National Museum of Iceland (entry approximately ISK 2,500 as of 2026, free for under-18s), dinner at Dill if budget allows.

Day 2 — Golden Circle: Full day as described above. Return to Reykjavik or overnight in Selfoss.

Day 3 — South Coast: Drive east from Reykjavik along Route 1. Key stops: Seljalandsfoss waterfall (you can walk behind the curtain of water), Skógafoss waterfall, Reynisfjara black sand beach (strong surf — stay behind the safety line), Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon if time permits (3.5 hours from Reykjavik, return trip adds 7 hours of driving). Return to Reykjavik or head to KEF for departure.

Blue Lagoon vs Golden Circle: Which First?

Both are within easy distance of Keflavík Airport, which creates a useful option: visit one on the way in and one on the way out, splitting your stopover time efficiently.

• Blue Lagoon is 20 minutes from KEF and is best visited after a long-haul flight if you book a morning slot — the warm water and minerals work well as jet-lag recovery.
• Golden Circle is best done early morning before tour groups arrive. Driving distance from KEF is approximately 120km; allow 5 hours for a driving tour.

Timing Notes

Northern Lights: Only visible October through March, on clear nights away from city light. Tours depart from Reykjavik nightly during this period (approximately ISK 8,000–12,000 as of 2026). No Northern Lights viewing is possible on a summer stopover — Iceland has nearly 24 hours of daylight from June to early August.

Midnight Sun: June and July stopovers offer daylight until midnight, giving effective extra hours for sightseeing. The trade-off is that Northern Lights are absent.

Weather: Iceland’s weather changes rapidly year-round. A sunny morning can become a hailstorm by afternoon. Pack a waterproof outer layer regardless of season.

Booking Tips

• Book Blue Lagoon as far in advance as possible — popular slots sell out weeks ahead in summer
• Golden Circle tours from GetYourGuide or Reykjavik Excursions give more flexibility than renting a car if you are only here for one day
• Flybus tickets booked online are approximately ISK 200–400 cheaper than paying on the bus
• Reykjavik accommodation ranges from hostel dormitories (approximately ISK 4,500–6,500 per night as of 2026) to mid-range hotels (ISK 18,000–35,000) to premium options. Book 4–6 weeks ahead in summer.
• Icelandair’s stopover microsite (icelandair.com/stopover) consolidates hotel and tour deals, though comparison shopping is still worthwhile.

Compare flights to Iceland — prices shift significantly by season; spring and autumn typically offer the best fares.

If your flight was delayed or cancelled, check your eligibility for flight compensation — EU261 covers most flights through Iceland.

Get travel insurance for Iceland — policies covering glacier hikes, F-road driving, and volcanic disruption.

Related Guides

• 3 days in Reykjavík itinerary — A full 3-day plan for making the most of a longer stopover in Iceland
• Reykjavík city guide — The full guide to Iceland’s capital for stopover visitors
• Blue Lagoon Iceland — Booking, prices, and what to expect at Iceland’s most visited attraction
• Golden Circle tours from Reykjavík — The classic 1-day tour: Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss
• Iceland airport transfers — Getting between Keflavík airport and Reykjavík for your stopover