Overview
Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital and Iceland's compact gateway to volcanoes, glaciers and the Northern Lights. It has a lively café and music scene, geothermal pools on almost every corner and the Golden Circle within easy reach. For UK travellers it is that rare short flight that lands you somewhere genuinely wild — you can leave London after breakfast and be easing into a hot spring by mid-afternoon. Flights arrive at Keflavík (KEF), around 50km from the city.
Best time to fly to Reykjavik
There is no bad time, only different trips. June to August brings the midnight sun, the mildest weather (usually 10–15°C) and puffins, but this is peak season for demand. September to March is Northern Lights season, with December especially busy for the Christmas markets and New Year fireworks. For the best balance of value and daylight, aim for the shoulder months of May or September. The When to book chart above shows how fares move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Icelandair and Play are Icelandic carriers built around this route and fly direct from the UK; easyJet also runs frequent non-stop services, and Jet2 operates seasonal routes from several regional airports. Between them you will find direct flights from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton), Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol and Belfast at various times of year. Direct flight time is roughly 3 hours from London and about 2 hours 45 minutes from Manchester. With so many non-stop options, connecting itineraries rarely make sense.
Things to do in Reykjavik
The centre is easily walkable in a day and makes an ideal base for wider excursions.
- Hallgrímskirkja: The landmark church, with a lift up the tower for the best view over the coloured rooftops and bay.
- Sky Lagoon: A cliff-edge geothermal spa with an ocean-facing infinity pool, a short drive from the centre.
- Harpa Concert Hall: A striking glass-honeycomb building on the waterfront, free to explore and often hosting concerts.
- Old Harbour and Sun Voyager: A seafront walk past the famous steel sculpture, with whale-watching boats leaving from the harbour.
- Golden Circle day trip: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall in a single day tour.
At Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
Keflavík sits about 50km (31 miles) south-west of Reykjavik, a 45–50 minute drive, and there is no train. The easiest option is a scheduled airport coach such as the Flybus or Airport Direct, which meets every flight and drops you at the central bus terminal or, for a small supplement, your hotel. Taxis are available but expensive, and many visitors hire a car at the airport. The Blue Lagoon lies roughly halfway to the city, making it a popular first or last stop.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Reykjavik
- Book around two to four months ahead; last-minute fares in summer and over Christmas rise sharply.
- Fly midweek and avoid school holidays — a Tuesday or Wednesday departure is often cheaper than a weekend one.
- Use flexible-date search and compare the price charts on this page to find the cheapest week.
- Compare Icelandair, Play and easyJet directly, and check regional UK airports, which sometimes undercut London.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism. Iceland is in the Schengen area, so stays are capped at 90 days in any 180-day period, and you should check whether the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation has come into effect before you travel. The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK), though Iceland is almost entirely cashless and cards are accepted everywhere, even on buses. No vaccinations are required, the tap water is among the cleanest anywhere, and a UK GHIC gives access to state healthcare — but comprehensive travel insurance is still strongly recommended.
