I’m starting to see it more and more when I search for flights from North America to Europe. Connections through Reykjavík on Icelandair always seem to be the cheapest option, but it usually comes with a catch (tight connections). Is it really a catch though? How short is too short of a layover in Reykjavík?
In my experience, short layovers in Reykjavík (as little as 1 hour) are no big deal.
Even when traveling from North America to Europe (a situation in which you will need to pass through passport control upon arrival in Iceland), a one hour layover it’s perfectly OK. The lines move quick.
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The reason why short layovers are ok in Reykjavik
I was really nervous the first time that I flew to Reykjavík, since I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, I quickly learned that it’s an amazing airport for making onward connections. I also learned that it’s very difficult to pronounce properly, but that’s a topic for another post…
The main advantage that the Reykjavík Airport has over others is its small size. It’s a tiny 1-terminal airport, and you won’t have to walk far to reach your connecting gate.
Also, the majority of the passengers who pass through Reykjavík are connecting to other flights. The Airport Authority understands this, and have designed the passenger experience to be as efficient as possible. I’ve been through it several times, and I can assure you that short layovers of at least an hour are no big deal at KEF.
What is the minimum amount of time for a layover in Reykjavik?
Although you could probably do it in less time, the shortest amount of time I recommend for a layover in KEF is one hour. Remember – this is a hub airport for Icelandair, and at peak times, the airport fills up fast with connecting passengers. It gets crazy at times.
If your inbound flight is timed to arrive at one of those peak hours, you’re going to need at least an hour to get through the connection process.
Note that some passengers will need to go through passport control and customs for their onward connections. It all depends on where you’re arriving from and departing to. For example:
If you are Connecting from North America to the UK or Ireland (or vise versa):
Passengers coming from the United States or Canada and connecting to flights headed for the UK or Ireland will not need to go through passport control and customs (because you are not entering the Schengen area). In this instance, a short layover of 45 minutes is all you really need.
If you are Connecting from North America to Europe (or vise versa):
Passengers coming from the United States or Canada and connecting to flights to Europe will need to go through passport control. This will add extra time to your KEF layover, and I would advise nothing less than one hour.
As a reminder though, the passport control lines usually move quick. If an hour is all you’ve got to make your onward connection, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Most of the time.
A brief overview of the Reykjavik Airport terminal layout
The Reykjavík Airport is a little different than other airports. Not only is it small and compact (it consists of only one terminal), it’s also a two-level facility.
Basically, some flights will arrive and depart from the upper level, and other flights will arrive and depart from the lower level. It’s a little confusing to describe, but it’ll make perfect sense when you’re there.
- All flights to and from North America and Europe arrive and depart from the A and C gates (level 2)
- All flights to and from North America and the UK or Ireland depart from the D gates (level 1).
Walking time between all terminals at KEF
Walking from one end of the Reykjavík Airport to the other can be done in less than 15 minutes. It’ll probably take 20 minutes with a more casual stride, but you could easily do it in 10 if you’re amped up on adrenaline in a mad rush to make your connecting flight.
Here’s how long it usually takes me at an average walking pace:
Terminal A (gates 11 to 16):
- Terminal C (gates 21-29): 10 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 31-36): 6 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 15-16): 6 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 31-36): 8 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 21-29): 12 minutes
Terminal C (gates 21 to 29):
- Terminal A (gates 11-16): 10 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 31-36): 4 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 15-16): 10 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 31-36): 8 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 21-29): 8 minutes
Terminal C (gates 31 to 36):
- Terminal A (gates 11-16): 6 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 21-29): 4 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 15-16): 6 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 31-36): 8 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 21-29): 10 minutes
Terminal D (gates 15 to 16):
- Terminal A (gates 11-16): 6 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 21-29): 10 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 31-36): 6 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 31-36): 6 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 21-29): 10 minutes
Terminal D (gates 31 to 36):
- Terminal A (gates 11-16): 8 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 21-29): 8 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 31-36): 8 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 15-16): 6 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 21-29): 8 minutes
Terminal D (gates 21 to 29):
- Terminal A (gates 11-16): 12 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 21-29): 8 minutes
- Terminal C (gates 31-36): 10 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 15-16): 10 minutes
- Terminal D (gates 31-36): 8 minutes
How long of a layover do you need in Reykjavik for a no-stress connection?
Whenever I’m toying with the idea of booking a flight with a connection in Reykjavík, I don’t look at any option that has a layover of 2 1/2 hours or less – even though I’ve already mentioned several times that 1 hour layovers are perfectly OK.
Air travel is stressful enough without having to worry about a tight layover, so I like to make things as casual as possible.
The Reykjavík Airport is a great place to hang out. There are lots of great restaurants, and depending on the time of day, it should be pretty easy to find an out-of-the-way corner to sit in quiet solitude.
Tips for making really short layovers at KEF
If you’re traveling between North America and Europe, and you’re looking to save money, you will inevitably be faced with the possibility of a really short layover in Iceland. It doesn’t have to be that stressful though. Here are a few tips to help get you through it:
- Find out ahead of time whether or not you’re going to have to pass through passport control upon arrival at Reykjavík. Being mentally prepared for what you need to do will make things a lot less stressful once you arrive! And you’ll probably enjoy the flight into KEF a lot more.
- Another thing you should do before your flight to Reykjavík is to check out the handy guide for connecting passengers on the Icelandair website. The visual diagrams they put together showing the process are extremely helpful. They saved my life before my Icelandair 767-300 flight to SFO a while back.
- Although it may sound cheesy and cliché, staying positive and will do wonders for getting you through a stressful layover. KEF is a very efficient connecting airport. They know how to move passengers through it quickly, so trust the process and know that everything is going to be OK.
Mark Havens
I also noticed that the Iceland Air app will show your connecting gate well before they post it to the flight boards in the airport.
Scott (SANspotter)
Good to know – and it’s yet another reason why connecting in Reykjavik is so convenient.
Justin
We have a three hour layover in KEF when returning from Dublin to Washington, D.C. We’d love to see a bit of Keflavik, such as taking a peek at the Viking Ship Islendingur (8 min drive from airport) but maybe this isn’t enough time to leave the airport. Thoughts?
The arrival time is 2:00pm and departure is 4:50pm on a Friday.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Justin – 3 hours will be really tight, but it should be possible to hop in a taxi for a quick “out-and-back” sightseeing trip. The airport is kind of far from the city, so you’re not going to see much. It is a really beautiful landscape though!
Justin
Awesome, thanks for that, Scott! We’ll play it by ear.
Gwen
So based on this article I should be okay to book Chicago to Dublin with a 55 minute stop in KEF assuming my flight takes off on time from ORD? Also looks like I would not have to go through any additional security or customs while in the stopover in KEF during this trek correct? Greatly needed information, THANKS
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Gwen – yes, you’ll be good with 55 minutes! Since Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area and Iceland is, you will not have to go through passport control and customs. Just follow the sings for international connections. Have a good trip!
Sheri Ayoub
What about a 55 minute layover in KEF coming from Paris and going to Dulles, Washington DC? Is that enough time for a layover? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sheri – yeah, 55 minutes will be a little tight (since you’ll have to go through a quick passport verification checkpoint), but you’re not likely to have any issues unless your inbound flight is really late. FWIW, I wouldn’t have any concerns booking a connection like that.
Pa
Hello Scott, thanks for this detailed post! I will have my 5 yr old son with me flying in from Toronto- Paris. Wondering if the 1 hour 15 mins transit would be enough lol, and this post is helpful. Wondering if you have any experience about the luggage? Is this enough time to ensure your checked in luggage also makes it onwards to the next flight? Thanks!!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Pa – assuming that your connecting flight is part of the same ticket/itinerary, it’ll be a piece of cake. Your luggage will transfer automatically. Whether or not you will have to go trough passport control or not will depend on your destination:
If your destination is in the EU, then you’ll go through passport control at Reykjavik and customs at your destination. And yes – you can get though passport control with enough time to spare for your 1:15 layover.
If your destination is anywhere else other than the EU, you won’t have to do anything at Reykjavik. Just follow the signs for international connections.
Rachael
What if your connecting itinerary is not on the same ticket? I’m eying a possible ticket from London to KEF that would get in at 3:30pm… and then looking at a departing flight on a separate ticket for the US at 5:10pm that same day. Do you think this would be doable? Both would be on Icelandic Air (I’d be saving close to $1k on airfare, if this is doable.)
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Rachael! It’s definitely possible if you don’t have any checked luggage. KEF is a relatively small airport, and you’re not going to have to walk very far to get where you need to go. Download your boarding pass from the app before you go so you can go directly to your connecting gate once you arrive.
Checked luggage will make this more complicated. Since it won’t be transferred automatically, you’ll be required to retrieve it, which will require you to go through customs and immigration. You will then have to re-check it at the Icelandair baggage drop area. You might be able to pull it off in an hour and 40 minutes, but it’s going to be tight!
Scott
Hi Scott – Really helpful information. Similar Question – we have 2hr 45 min layover in KEF from Dublin to Boston next month. Would we have enough time to do something nearby and go back through customs? My kids want to see something in Iceland, and we do not count airports as “visiting” a country – so something close and simple to see in a short time would be great!! Any recommendations? Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Scott! Personally, I wouldn’t go far with just a 2 hour and 45 minute connection. KEF is located relatively far from Reykjavik, so there’s no chance of getting to see any of the city IMHO. That said, the terrain and landscape around the airport is really beautiful – so you could very easily go for a quick walk if customs and immigration doesn’t take very long. It’ll definitely count as visiting Iceland!
Christine
thoughts on a 1 hr 25 min layover from Baltimore, USA to Hamburg, Germany?
Scott (SANspotter)
Easy! The only thing you’re going to have to do is go through passport control. Customs will happen when you arrive in Germany. Go for it – and have a great trip!
Teresa
First time nervous traveler – I am going from US to UK and I see a 1hr 10 min layover between flights. I am still worried whether this is enough time to make the connection.
Thanks, in advance!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Teresa – that’ll be easy! Just follow the signs for international connections. You might have to go through a quick passport checkpoint, but an hour and 10 minutes will be plenty of time. Have a great trip!