Getting from Reykjavik to Akureyri

Akureyri is the northern capital of Iceland. It’s a university town, with a bustling center full of shops and restaurants. It’s also a great base for exploring the northern side of Iceland. Here’s how to get there.

By car

The drive from Reykjavik to Akureyri is pretty straightforward – just follow Route 1 north – and takes about 6 hours, depending on road conditions and the number of stops. The distance is about 250kms.

By bus

The bus between Reykjavik and Akureyri takes 5.5-6 hours depending on the time of year. Prices fluctuate with the seasons as well. Expect to pay about 10,400 ISK (or $80 US) during summer and slightly less during winter.

By plane

Flying is by far the easiest and fastest way to get from Reykjavik to Akureyri, and it’s actually cheaper than taking the bus in many instances.  The AirIceland flight takes just 45 minutes and costs anywhere between 4,000 and 14,000 ISK each way, depending on what class you fly, when you fly, and how far in advance you book. It’s generally not difficult to find a fare under 9000 ISK ($70 US) each way, if you book at least three months in advance.

Photo by Pet_r