Routes at a glance
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík (RKV) | Domestic flight to Akureyri | About 45 minutes | Several daily from the city airport, not Keflavík |
| Reykjavík | Car on the Ring Road | About 5 hours | 390 km; longer in winter |
| Reykjavík | Bus | About 6.5 hours | Daily public bus; fewer in winter |
| Akureyri | Car to Húsavík | About 1 h 15 min | Via the Vaðlaheiði toll tunnel |
| Akureyri | Car to Mývatn | About 1 h 15 min | Past Goðafoss on Route 1 |
| Dalvík | Ferry to Grímsey | About 3 hours | Several sailings a week; rough in bad weather |
Flying in
International flights land at Keflavík, 50 minutes from Reykjavík; domestic flights to Akureyri leave from the small Reykjavík City Airport, so allow time to transfer between the two. A few seasonal international flights now serve Akureyri directly — check current schedules. Akureyri’s airport is 3 km from the centre.
Driving
The Ring Road (Route 1) is paved all the way from Reykjavík. From June to September any rental car will do for the Diamond Circle. From October to April expect ice, snow, high winds and sudden closures, especially on the passes at Öxnadalsheiði and Víkurskarð; check the Icelandic road authority’s map before every drive and consider tours instead.
Reaching Grímsey
The ferry from Dalvík lands passengers for a few hours before returning, which is long enough to walk to the Arctic Circle marker and back. Scheduled flights from Akureyri run a few times a week, with sightseeing flights in summer. Both are weather-dependent, and neither should be planned for the day before an international flight.
Getting around locally
- Akureyri’s town buses are free of charge, and the centre is walkable.
- Public buses link Akureyri with Húsavík, Dalvík, Siglufjörður and Mývatn, but only a few times a day.
- The tunnel east of Akureyri is tolled; pay online within the set time to avoid a surcharge.
- Fuel stations are far apart east of Mývatn. Fill up before heading to Dettifoss.
- Many car parks at natural sights now charge a fee, paid by app or at a machine.
