Reykjavik 7 hour layover

So you have 7 hours from landing until you depart again? If so, you will have less time than you think. It takes only about 30 minutes to get out of KEF, but you will want to allow a good 3 hours before your departing flight. Security is usually not too bad but passport control can get really backed up. So assuming roughly 4 hours you don’t have time to get into Reykjavik as it is 45 minutes each way. You could however go to the blue lagoon.

Thanks for your reply. What about just going to Sky Lagoon or just visiting the city of Reykjavik? I've read some reviews on Blue Lagoon which sound quite crowded and touristy.

Iceland is part of the Schengen Area and so is Portugal. This means that for your flight out of Iceland to Portugal you won’t need to go thru passport control, only security.
I would still aim to be back at the airport well in advance, but 3 hours is definitely overkill, 2 hours should be fine.

You don’t have a location listed in your profile, but if you fly into Iceland from the USA you’ll need to go thru immigration when you arrive. This may take a bit longer than 30 minutes, especially if there are more non-Schengen flights arriving at the same time.

Thanks Dutch Traveller!
It looks like we'll need to go through immigration. Given that, just what can we do with our time in Reykjavik? Suggestions?

I'll just point out that you're probably going to be jet lagged, which for me would make a short layover like this a slog. Also you don't say when you're going, but the weather could make everything take longer, plus it could be quite dark even at 8 a.m. You'll also need to consider what you're going to do with your carry on items (your checked luggage should be transferred for you), so plan time for finding storage lockers if you need to stash them.

Assuming you are not renting a car, but you can take a taxi, private shuttle, or the FlyBus to/from Reykjavik city center. A taxi or private shuttle is the fastest and by far most expensive option, but either still takes 45 minutes each way. For the FlyBus, you first go to the main bus station, then take a public bus, taxi, or pay for a shuttle bus to numbered stops near the area you want to visit. I'd allow at least 75 minutes each way for this process, a little more if you want to be on the safe side.

So for timing purposes, here's what I would plan (best and worst case scenarios):

• 30-70 minutes to deplane, go through immigration, stash bags, and exit airport (will depend on how busy it is, but in my experience many flights arrive in the 6-8 a.m. window)
• 45 - 75 minutes to get to Reykjavik city center
• 45 - 75 minutes return to airport
• Arrive at airport at least 120 minutes ahead of next flight

By my quick math, the worst case scenario is 5.5 hours of your 7. I'd splurge on Blue Lagoon if it were me. There are package deals and they have storage lockers for luggage. Or investigate a private guide that would pick you up and do a quick tour of the area near the airport.

The blue lagoon is fine especially early in the morning before the crowds. Sky lagoon is better IME. The 7 step ritual is heavenly. If you take a taxi into Reykjavik it runs about $150 each way. We have taken flybus a few times and it never took more than an hour but we don’t care for the transfer so do either a taxi or rent a car there from the airport.

Thanks everyone for their advice. I really appreciate it. My research reveals that a 5 hour car rental is cheaper than, or near the same price of any transport. So, I'm thinking that if we want flexibility: take a short drive, go to a lagoon, visit the city. (just 1!) a car rental is a good way to go. Is this doable?

If you are coming from the US, I would not rent a car that day as jet lag will hit you hard and driving that much is a really bad idea. I would opt for a private tour. Now if you rent a car and just go to Reykjavik and back, then that is doable as it is not too far at once and you would have a few hours to get fresh air and regroup.

Dutch Traveler--You are correct. I was posting right after after a red eye flight myself, which just shows that we are not at our best then;)

If you are coming from the US, I would not rent a car that day as jet
lag will hit you hard and driving that much is a really bad idea. I
would opt for a private tour.

I agree with this statement. I fly from the west coast USA and got in at 6:30 a.m. and I was the walking dead for much of the day, I could have never driven an automobile. And since it was late October, it was also very dark and cold and windy. That said, you appear determined to venture out and it's your decision, so be safe and best of luck.

I'm coming in from the northeast so the flight is not as long as if it were coming from the west. Do you think that flying business class would make a difference? I find that I can actually sleep.

No, that is still just as dangerous. Iceland has a huge problem with drowsy visitors driving and causing accidents. Here is a very good article. I had an aunt who fell asleep at the wheel and became a paraplegic, so I know exactly what the outcome can be, and she was lucky. The thing is, you don't realize you are tired until it is too late. That puts the driver and everyone else on the road in danger. Please rethink this and hire a private guide or stick close by without driving much at all.

On one trip, my husband and I mistakenly thought if we shared the driving and only went 2 hours away on arrival day that that would work. NOPE!!! We made a number of stops, but once we got to the campground, apparently I had my phone in my hand and was telling him what our plans were for the next day when I flat out passed out. I have no recollection of any of that. We absolutely regret thinking we would be ok.

I am not trying to pick on you. but just have to share my personal stories and hope that it can prevent something awful happening.

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/drowsy-driving/drowsy-driving-vs-drunk-driving

I'm coming in from the northeast so the flight is not as long as if it
were coming from the west. Do you think that flying business class
would make a difference? I find that I can actually sleep.

Only you know how you fare jet lagged and will have to make your own decision based on your risk tolerance, which is what the advice you've received so far is based on. I fully appreciate wanting to take advantage of a very short layover, hopefully you can find a safe and meaningful way to make the most of it.