Arrival Time at Keflavik Airport Before Flight Home?

We always go by the airline’s recommendation of how many hours we should arrive at an airport ahead of our scheduled flight, not other’s opinions.

I would take a Taxi from BL to KEF. It’s not that far a distance from BL to KEF. Because you are flying international, I think you should be at the airport 3 hours before your flight..

We always allow a minimum of 3 hours before flying home from KEF. On our 2nd visit, we were racing to the gate and barely made it. The biggest problem at KEF for flying home is the passport control line. When you get to KEF, sometimes the self check in machines are working, and sometimes not. If they are working, great, because you can scan your passport and self tag any checked bags, then take the bags to a drop off conveyer and scan the tag and you are off. Other times you need to wait in line for a desk agent to get you check in and your bags. After that you go upstairs to security. That has never been long for us. Then it winds you through the duty free store and then into an area with shops and restaurants. Many people wait there for gate announcements. Don't do that. Get a bite if you want, but don't hang out there. Go to passport control when there is no line or a short line. The gates for the US and Canada are the D gates. So after passport control head downstairs to the D gates and wait there for the actual gate assignment. We have always gotten the gate assignment on our phone before it shows on the boards. There are plenty of shops and restaurants down there, so no worries about that. There are very limited seats at the gates, and sometimes none, so just find a spot you are fine in and keep an eye on the time and the gate announcement. You will most likely board a bus to go out to the tarmac to board the plane there, but not always.

All that said, if you do the BL and leave at noon, it its doable. If you want to take a taxi though, use Hreyfill as there are scam taxis in Iceland, especially around the airport. You can call them when you are ready. I would leave the BL no later than 1:30.

A minimum of three hours ahead is wise, see this recent trip report highlighting that two hours almost wasn't enough to make an Iceland to Europe flight: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/iceland/iceland-trip-report-8-1-26-8-15-26 Even though it is a small airport it's not worry free.

Where are you staying on your last night in Iceland before going to the Blue Lagoon and then home? Could you move your hotel closer to the lagoon/airport so you maximize your lagoon time? You said you've already booked transport, is it possible another company offers more choices and times? You could also take a taxi between your lodging/lagoon/airport and then you'd have complete flexibility.

Hi BB, I can only speak for myself, but my daughter and I didn't need nearly that much time when we left Keflavik to fly home. We got there around 3.5 hours beforehand, but had plenty of time to shop in duty-free and have a sit-down breakfast. And that was in mid-July, which is the busy season.

That said, it can be very busy so I really don't know what to tell you. You might want to PM mikliz97, if she doesn't appear here. I'll also send her a message and ask to weigh in. She travels to Iceland a lot, and I know she's been there in October before. I think she would be able to give a more definitive answer than those of us who were there in the summer

Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

I was hoping the airport, being small, would be one where we could get away with a shorter arrival time, especially as Icelandair doesn't even open their checkin counter until 2 1/2 hours before the flight. But I definitely don't want to risk missing our flight if it's crazy at the airport. I definitely do NOT want to spend 4 1/2 hours at the airport, though. I'm not interested in airport shopping, and I tend not to eat at airports, because I wear a mask at airports. Anyway, we have lunch booked at the Blue Lagoon, and we get a meal on the flight.

The resort at the Blue Lagoon has only a couple of options available for the night before, at $3000+ per night. Uh, no. We are spending that much for accommodation for our entire stay, including the "extra" night at the beginning.

Sooooo, I've requested to change our arrival time to one hour earlier (9 am instead of 10 am), and I've changed our Lava restaurant reservation to 11:30 (the earliest available) instead of 12:00. I've requested to cancel our bus transfer to the airport, and we'll plan to take a taxi.

Thanks again!

I've been in and out of Keflavik a few times.

There is no one standard time for everyone. (At least that's my opinion.) It depends on...

Will you have to check luggage?

Will you have your boarding pass prior to arriving at the airport?

What class are you flying? (Saga or economy.)

Will you have access to Fast Track security?

One of the biggest issues is how much time is needed to get through exit passport control. I've gone through when there was no one there and it took no time. I've also been there where it took 30 minutes to get through. I have not been through since EES was introduced so I have no idea how long it will take with that.

As stated earlier, the "D" gates are where you will find the non-Schengen fllights. It is way too crowded and there are not enough seats. (I find a distant gate with no flights and sit there.) Give yourself enough time because many flights have you bussed out to your plane and the lines can be confusing and long.

If you wanted more time at the Lagoon, you could skip lunch there and have it at the airport. There is a Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand in the D gate area. Yum.

Frank--That hot dog stand solves most any problem;). Now if only Braud would open a kiosk there.

My husband went through there again yesterday. He waited to do passport control until there were only 2 other people in line and then headed to the D gates. He said there are most shops and restaurants in the D gate area than when we were even there in March.

When he arrived a few weeks ago, the EES machines were not up and running and they still weren't as of yesterday. In March they took our photo/fingerprints and got our passports stamped. This time he said they took his photo and he was on his way, with no stamp.

BB, going to the Blue Lagoon at 9am might be much nicer than 10am. We went upon arrival to Iceland, so had an 8am entry and spent about 2.5 hours there. When we arrived, there were plenty of folks, but not too busy and no line to get in. It was rather serene all over. As we were exiting, the lagoon had become very packed, the locker room a bit wild, and the line to get in out the door. So, the earlier time may be better. We loved going when we arrived as it was a great way to get acclimated.

Thanks again everyone.

I have successfully changed everything for a 9:00 am arrival and 11:30 lunch reservation. (My husband has a friend who raved about the Lava restaurant, so he really wanted to eat there, and our admission (Lagoon and Lava package) includes it.)

We won't be eating at the airport, but thanks for the tip about hot dogs in Iceland. We'll definitely be seeking them out in Reykjavik.

Now, fingers crossed that the looming Icelandair mechanics strike doesn't throw a monkey wrench into our whole trip. Sigh.