Getting around
High
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: guidetoiceland.is, movingtoiceland.com
Overall7.7/10Easier to get around than about 75% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Download the Klappið app before arriving—cash is no longer accepted on buses and the app is the most convenient way to pay for transit.
- Walking is genuinely the best option within central Reykjavik (downtown fits within 15 minutes walk of most hotels); there's no need for transport for exploring the core.
- No Uber or Lyft exist in Iceland due to strict taxi licensing laws; Hopp Taxis is the closest app-based alternative and offers better value than traditional taxis.
- Taxis in Reykjavik are significantly more expensive than buses—use them sparingly or for late-night travel when buses thin out (after ~midnight most routes stop).
- If exploring beyond the city center, rent a car rather than rely on taxis; daily rental costs are comparable to a single airport taxi transfer.
- Winter cycling and scooter use (Dec–Feb) are not recommended due to ice, wind, and cold; stick to walking and buses.
- The Reykjavik City Card (unlimited bus access + museum entry + pool access for 24/48/72 hours) offers value if visiting multiple attractions.
Car Rental
- Availability
- Multiple local and international rental companies at Keflavik Airport and downtown
- Age Requirement
- Minimum 21 for small cars, 23 for SUVs/4x4
- SUV Daily Average
- ISK 17,400
- Best Booking Window
- 66 days in advance for below-average price; cheapest month is January (~39 USD/day), most expensive August (~97 USD/day)
- Small Car Daily Average
- ISK 6,300
- Medium Car Daily Average
- ISK 11,250
- Note
- Prices vary by season; include unlimited mileage and VAT. Winter (Oct–Apr) requires 4WD vehicles.
Bike Rental
- Bike Types
- Standard bikes, electric bikes, touring bikes
- Availability
- Multiple shops in downtown including Reykjavik Bike & Scooter Rental, Iceland Bike Tours
- Infrastructure
- Expanding network of coastal bike paths and lanes, especially downtown; hilly terrain
- Seasonal Suitability
- Best spring through early fall; winter riding not recommended due to cold, wind, and icy conditions
- Note
- Bikes allowed on buses (limited space)
Walkability
- Overview
- Reykjavik's downtown core is compact and highly walkable, with most major attractions within 15-30 minutes on foot.
- Getting Around Tier
- high
- Getting Around Tier Rationale
- Downtown is fully walkable (1.5 km across), supplemented by reliable Strætó buses covering the capital region and a lack of rideshare apps balanced by app-based Hopp Taxis and adequate infrastructure for day-to-day movement without a car.
Walkability Details
- Walking Time Examples
- 30 minutes from Hallgrímskirkja church to Grandi harbour
- Downtown Core Distance
- Roughly 1.5 km across, easily walkable in all directions
- Major Attractions Accessible
- Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, Laugavegur shopping street, Sun Voyager statue, museums and pools
- Seasonal Notes
- Winter pavements can be icy; wear shoes with good grip. Summer and spring optimal for walking.
Public Transit
- Coverage
- 29 routes throughout Capital Region including Reykjavik, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær, Seltjarnarnes
- Provider
- Strætó (only public transportation option)
- Night Buses
- Routes 101, 103, 104, 105, 106 on Friday–Saturday from 1:20–3:45 AM, same 690 ISK fare
- Single Fare
- ISK 690
- Fare Capping
- Never pay more than 3 rides per day or 9 per week with same payment method
- Monthly pass
- ISK 11,600
- Bus Frequency
- 15–30 minutes on main routes during day; less frequent evenings and weekends
- Operating Hours
- 6:30–7:00 AM to around midnight weekdays; 7:30–8:00 AM to midnight weekends; night buses Friday–Saturday 1:20–3:45 AM
- Payment Methods
- Klappið mobile app (primary), contactless credit/debit cards, physical Klapp cards at select stores. Cash no longer accepted.
Discounted Fares
- Children Under 11
- Free
- Disabled Passengers
- ISK 207
- Youth 12 17 Seniors 67 Plus
- ISK 345
Hopp Car Sharing
- Per Minute Rate
- ISK 50
- Coverage
- Downtown Reykjavik
- Vehicle Types
- Cars, vans available in Reykjavik
Electric Scooter Rental
- Providers
- Zolo, Hopp scooters (dockless), Reykjavik Rollers (guided rental)
- Rental Shops
- Hourly/daily rates available; no driver's license required, minimum age 20
- Note
- Eco-friendly option for getting around; easy parking downtown
Hopp Scooters
- Per Minute Rate
- ISK 50
- Note
- Pay-per-minute dockless scooters; app-based
Motorcycle Scooter Rental
- Daily Rate High
- ISK 25,000
- Daily Rate Range
- ISK 10,000
- License Requirements
- 50cc scooter requires B (car) or AM license; 125cc requires A1/A2 license; above 125cc requires full A (motorcycle) license
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this walkability & transport research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Reykjavík
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.