Getting Around Iceland: Buses, Rental Cars and Ferries

Iceland has no passenger rail network, so getting around means roads, buses, ferries and domestic flights. The Strætó bus network covers a lot of ground, but rides longer than about two hours should usually be booked ahead, and some rural routes work only by phone reservation.

At a glance

• Trains: no passenger rail network
• Ways to travel: roads, buses, ferries and domestic flights
• Bus: Strætó, with rides over about two hours usually booked ahead on straeto.is
• Airport bus: route 55, with its own fare table
• Car: original physical U.S. driver’s license required to rent
• Boat: Norröna car ferry, weekly between Denmark and Seyðisfjörður
• Road conditions: traffic service 1777, 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Do you need a car in Iceland?

In Reykjavík, the yellow Strætó city buses marked with an S cover the town. Outside the capital the picture changes. Route 52 to Höfn runs four trips a week, and some rural routes must be booked by phone before you travel. A car gives you the freedom to set your own days and hours. For the highlands, the State Department advises a 4-wheel-drive vehicle.

• Reykjavík base: city buses, yellow and marked with an S
• Reykjavík to Akureyri: bus, one trip a day on route 57
• Höfn: bus on route 52, only Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, so plan the days around it
• Small rural routes: bus, but call ahead (route 84 needs a booking at least 2 hours before departure)
• F-roads and the highlands: 4-wheel-drive vehicle
• Hornstrandir in the Westfjords: boat, the only way in

How does the bus work in Iceland?

Strætó runs the buses. In Reykjavík its city buses are yellow and marked with an S. Route 55 is the airport bus and has its own fare table. Between towns, the Reykjavík to Akureyri bus takes seven hours and departs twice on summer weekdays.

Rides longer than about two hours should usually be booked ahead on straeto.is. Some routes work by phone. Route 84 needs a call to the Strætó Call Center at +354 540 2700 at least 2 hours before departure. Route 29 is booked by calling Hreyfill taxi service at +354 588 5522 at least 30 minutes ahead, and the fare is paid by showing a Klapp card, an activated ticket in the Klapp app, Klapp ten or a valid ticket. Strætó also announced two new routes for the rural network from January 1, 2026, along with more reliable vehicle timetables.

• Route 84, Skagaströnd to Blönduós: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays · phone booking at least 2 hours ahead
• Route 52, Reykjavík to Höfn: four trips a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
• Route 57, Akureyri to Reykjavík: one trip a day, every day
• Route 53, Selfoss to Landeyjahöfn to Hvolsvöllur: connects with two sailings on the Herjólfur schedule
• Route 55, airport bus: own fare table

Renting a car in Iceland: what to know

A valid U.S. driver’s license works for renting a car in Iceland, but the original physical license must be presented. Digital licenses are not accepted. However, you must present the original, physical copy of your license. Digital licenses are not accepted. Parking is not allowed on a crosswalk or within about 16 feet (5 meters) of it.

How much is a taxi in Iceland?

Taxi service shows up inside the bus network.

Can you get around Iceland by boat?

The car ferry Norröna sails weekly between Denmark and Seyðisfjörður in the east, which suits travelers who want to bring a vehicle. Hornstrandir in the Westfjords is reached only by boat.

What are the driving rules in Iceland?

Icelandic law requires drivers to always keep headlights on. Talking on cell phones while driving is prohibited, except when using a hands-free system. You could face a fine of 5,000 ISK (approximately $45). Drivers can be charged with a DIU with a blood alcohol level as low as .05%.

On F-roads and in the highlands, check road conditions, use a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and tell someone your plans. Bring a cell phone and enough fuel, water and food. The traffic service on 1777 is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, year round.