Iceland flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide

Public transit, airports, and getting around in Iceland

Iceland's transportation landscape is defined by its remote island geography, rugged terrain, and low population density of 366,425, emphasizing road travel on the right side and air connectivity over extensive public systems. Key strengths include 91 airports with 9 major ones, ongoing road upgrades like tunnels and highways via the National Transport Plan, and high-quality internet. Challenges involve limited public buses mainly in Reykjavík, unpaved rural roads (60-65%), and car dependency for visitors exploring beyond the capital.
Public Transport
Below Average
Road Infrastructure
Moderate
Public Transport
4.2/10

Basic bus system via Strætó covers Reykjavík well with 27 routes and night services, plus limited local buses in Akureyri and Reykjanesbær. No metro, trains, or nationwide integration; rural and intercity routes are sparse, seasonal, and tourist-focused, making car rental essential elsewhere.[2][4]

Road Infrastructure
7.2/10

12,869 km road network with 35-40% paved; good maintenance by Vegagerðin, emerging highways separating lanes for safety, and major tunnel/bridge projects like Seyðisfjörður-Egilsstaðir (8.4 miles). Urban roads solid, rural unpaved with weather challenges, but accessible nationwide except F-roads.[1][2][3]

Internet Speed
9.1/10

Exceptional broadband with widespread fiber; Iceland ranks among world's fastest due to heavy investment and low population density minimizing congestion.

Avg: 285+ Mbps • Extensive nationwide fiber coverage, including rural areas via Síminn, Vodafone, and OPENLINE

Airport Connectivity
6.8/10

91 airports total, 9 major; Keflavík (KEF) primary international gateway with strong European/North American links via Icelandair hub. Extensive domestic network by 4 airlines connects remote areas to Reykjavík City Airport; quality high but domestic vulnerable to city airport relocation plans.[5]

Hubs: Keflavík International (KEF)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass
9,900 ISK/month (Reykjavík 30-day pass)
Bus Trip
490 ISK single ride (Reykjavík)
Taxi
1,200 ISK start + 190 ISK/km
High-speed Train
Not available (no trains)

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Nationwide coverage from Síminn, Vodafone, and Nova; full deployment by 2024-2025 across urban and rural areas
4G Coverage: 99%+ nationwide coverage, excellent even in remote highlands

Top-tier reliability with high speeds; fiber backhaul enables consistent 4G/5G performance nationwide despite terrain, supporting IoT and tourism apps.

Driving License

EU licenses validConversion needed

EU/EEA licenses valid indefinitely. Non-EU licenses valid 1 year for tourists/residents; IDP recommended but not required if license in Roman alphabet. Long-term residents need Icelandic conversion after 1 year.