Quick answer
Route 55 operates daily from 06:30 to 23:00, seven days a week, with the same window on weekends as on weekdays. A single adult fare to Reykjavík is 3,000 ISK. Departures are least frequent at the edges of that window, so flights landing before 06:30 or after 23:00 fall outside the service entirely and require another option.
Route 55 is one of the few airport connections in Europe that is simply a numbered municipal bus. It carries the same route badge as the lines threading through Breiðholt and Árbær, and it is operated by Strætó, the capital region's public transport authority, rather than by a private airport transfer company. That distinction shapes everything a visitor needs to know. There is no meet-and-greet, no luggage handler, and no flight-tracking delay policy — the bus leaves when the schedule says it leaves. The stand sits at Kjóavellir, Keflavík Airport, 235 Keflavík, a short signed walk from arrivals. From there the route runs the Reykjanesbraut across the lava fields toward the capital region, terminating in the Reykjavík network where onward city lines connect. Because it is a public service rather than a shuttle geared to arrival banks, the bus 55 keflavik to reykjavik timetable is built around commuter demand as much as aviation demand. Frequency is thinnest early in the morning and late in the evening, and thickest across the middle of the day. Anyone landing between 08:00 and 18:00 gets daylight, the best departure frequency, and the easiest transfers onto city buses at the far end — the window most worth aiming for when flights are still bookable. What this means in practice is that route 55 rewards travellers who have flexibility and light luggage, and punishes those who assume an airport bus always waits for a delayed flight. Passengers with hold bags, small children, or a hotel address far from a stop often find the trade-off less favourable, even at the lowest fare on the corridor. The service also stops before midnight, which rules it out for a large share of transatlantic arrivals. Read the bus 55 keflavik to reykjavik timetable alongside your actual landing time, not your scheduled one, and allow for passport control and baggage reclaim before the walk to the stand. Strætó publishes live departures at straeto.is and answers the phone on +354 540 2700. For arrivals outside the operating window, or for anyone who would rather not gamble on a fixed schedule, the airport transfer coaches and prebooked options covered elsewhere on this site are the more reliable route into the city.
“Route 55 is a municipal bus that happens to serve an airport — not an airport service that happens to be a bus.”
Daily Operating Hours: Bus 55 Keflavik to Reykjavik Timetable
Bus 55 runs daily between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik, maintaining a consistent schedule from morning until late evening. Departures occur regularly throughout the week, including weekends.
| Monday | 06:30 – 23:00 | First departure at 06:30 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 06:30 – 23:00 | First departure at 06:30 |
| Wednesday | 06:30 – 23:00 | First departure at 06:30 |
| Thursday | 06:30 – 23:00 | First departure at 06:30 |
| Friday | 06:30 – 23:00 | First departure at 06:30 |
| Saturday | 06:30 – 23:00 | First departure at 06:30 |
| Sunday | 06:30 – 23:00 | First departure at 06:30 |
Locating the Stop for the Bus 55 Keflavik to Reykjavik Timetable
The public Strætó stop for Route 55 is positioned outside the main Keflavík Airport terminal at Kjóavellir. The easiest approach is walking past the departure terminal building to the designated public bus shelter, which connects the airport directly to the capital region with key stops in Reykjanesbær, Hafnarfjörður, and central Reykjavík.
Terminal exit to the Kjóavellir bus stop
Strætó Route 55 from Kjóavellir to Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður
Strætó Route 55 from Kjóavellir to BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík
Single Fares and Ticket Purchasing for Keflavik Airport Route 55
Fares for the public Strætó Route 55 bus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík are structured around age categories and can be paid on board using cards or exact cash.
A typical adult passenger pays 3,000 ISK for a single journey to Reykjavik, and this rate only decreases if you exit at an earlier zone before the capital.
Best Departure Times Under the Bus 55 Keflavik to Reykjavik Timetable
The recommended window to catch Bus 55 is between 08:00 and 18:00. This daylight period offers the maximum departure frequency and ensures local city bus transfers are running.
Weekday mornings
Moderate passenger volume—
Mid-morning weekday departures align well with flight arrivals. This allows passenger transfers to local city buses with minimal wait times.
June to August
Peak tourist volumeMild, average 10°C to 15°C
Summer visitors increase passenger numbers, but the extended daylight makes travel straightforward. Early arrival at the stop is useful during peak months.
September to May
Low to moderate occupancyCold, average -2°C to 5°C
Winter travel experiences fewer tourists, ensuring a quieter ride. You should monitor weather reports as snow can occasionally cause minor delays.
Weekend afternoons
Minimal crowds—
Weekend travel is quieter, though departures are less frequent than on weekdays. Checking the timetable helps align your arrival with scheduled runs.
Verdict: Choose a weekday between 08:00 and 18:00 from September to May for the best balance of frequent departures, lower crowds, and smooth city transfers.
Strætó Route 55 vs Flybus Shuttle: Comparing the Airport Bus Options
Travelers arriving at Keflavík Airport must choose between the budget-friendly public bus and the more frequent, flight-synchronized private shuttles. While the public route offers lower fares, the private shuttle aligns directly with airline arrival times.
| Strætó Route 55 Public bus service |
Top pick Flybus Shuttle Direct airport transfer |
|
|---|---|---|
| Ticket Price | 3,000 ISK (Single fare for adult to Reykjavik) | From 3,999 ISK for a single ticket |
| Frequency | Departs every 85 to 120 minutes daily | Buses depart every 35 to 45 minutes |
| Flight Synchronization | Fixed public transit schedule that does not adjust for airline delays | Fully synchronized departures that wait for delayed flights |
| Drop-off Locations | Select stops including Fjörður hub and BSÍ Bus Terminal | Direct to BSÍ Bus Terminal with optional hotel drop-off extensions |
| Luggage Space | Limited internal cabin racks for carry-on items only | Dedicated under-bus luggage holds for large suitcases |
Verdict: Budget travelers who do not mind fixed schedules should choose Strætó Route 55, while those seeking a direct, flight-synchronized ride with ample luggage space should select the Flybus Shuttle.
Transit Pitfalls to Avoid When Using the Strætó 55 Bus
Most problems with the Strætó 55 come from assuming it behaves like an airport shuttle. The bus runs on a fixed public timetable from a stop away from the arrivals doors, and a few small misunderstandings can cost travellers an hour or more.
Waiting outside arrivals for the bus to appear
The 55 departs from the Kjóavellir stop, not the terminal doors. Follow signs out of arrivals and walk to Kjóavellir, Keflavík Airport, 235 Keflavík, allowing extra minutes for luggage.
Expecting departures to be synchronised with flight arrivals
Strætó 55 runs to a published public timetable and does not wait for delayed or early flights. Check the current departure list on https://www.straeto.is before leaving the terminal.
Booking a late-night flight without checking the last service
Service does not run around the clock, so a very late landing can leave no bus that evening. Confirm the final departure for your arrival day in advance and have a fallback plan.
Underestimating the total journey and onward transfer time
The 55 is a regional route with intermediate stops, and most travellers change to a city bus in Reykjavík. Build in a buffer rather than scheduling anything tight after landing.
Assuming large suitcases are always accommodated
Luggage space is limited compared with a dedicated airport coach. Travel light where possible and board early in the queue if you have oversized bags.
Not knowing the payment method before boarding
Arrange your fare method ahead of time using the operator's official channels or phone +354 540 2700, so you are not sorting it out at the stop.
Check availability
FAQ on Bus 55 Keflavik to Reykjavik Timetable
Everything you need to know about bus 55 keflavik to reykjavik timetable