Public transport

With the Reykjavík City Card you can use public transport in Iceland's capital without any hassle. The card acts as your bus pass and comes with a range of extras - ideal for visitors who are new to the city.

The Reykjavík City Card as a public transport pass

The Reykjavík City Card gives you full access to public transport in Reykjavík. The city has no metro or tram; yellow city buses (operated by Strætó) are the main way to get around. There is also a passenger ferry to Viðey island. The following are included with the City Card:

• City buses: unlimited rides on all Strætó city bus lines across greater Reykjavík (including surrounding municipalities).
• Viðey ferry: a free return crossing to Viðey island.
• Not included: airport transfer. Strætó line 55 to Keflavík Airport lies outside the city area and is not covered by the card.

The City Card is available with 24, 48 or 72 hours validity. The clock only starts when you use the card for the first time (for example when boarding a bus or visiting an attraction). From that moment, the chosen number of hours counts down continuously - a 48-hour card activated at noon is valid until noon two days later, for example. If you collect your card in advance, you can ask for a later start time to be noted. There are no time-of-day restrictions - you can use public transport at any hour within the validity period.

Using the card in practice

Using the Reykjavík City Card on public transport is straightforward: board at the front of the bus and show the driver your card clearly as your pass. There is no need to buy or validate a separate ticket - the City Card is your valid fare. For every transfer (changing to another bus), simply show your card again to the driver when boarding. The process is the same on the Viðey ferry: show your card to the staff at the ferry dock to cross at no extra cost.

If there is a ticket inspection, your valid City Card is sufficient. Keep it on you throughout your journey. Since the card is activated on first use, you do not need to get a timestamp - validity begins automatically from that first trip.

Timetables and the bus app

For planning your journeys, the recommended tool is the official Strætó app "Klappið", available free for Android and iOS. The app can be set to English and offers practical features: plan routes, check upcoming departures and find the best connection. Klappið also shows the live position of buses in real time and alerts you to timetable changes, so you are always informed about delays or disruptions. (Note: the app also sells digital tickets, which City Card holders do not need.) Alternatively, you can check connections on the official Strætó website or at the timetable boards at bus stops.

Operating hours: city buses run on weekdays from roughly 06:30 until midnight. On Saturdays the first services start a little later (around 07:30); on Sundays and public holidays services begin at approximately 09:30. There are night buses at weekends only: on the nights of Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday, several lines run between roughly 01:00 and 04:30 from the city centre out to the suburbs. On weeknights (Sunday to Thursday) there is no night service. Note that public holidays usually follow the Sunday timetable (reduced frequency).

Useful routes for visitors

Airport and arrival: the Reykjavík City Card does not cover the trip from the airport, so you will need to plan your transfer separately. The quickest connection from Keflavík Airport (KEF) into the city is the private Flybus shuttle (around 45 minutes), which takes you directly to the central BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavík. A cheaper but slower option is the public bus line 55 from Strætó, which runs roughly every one to two hours from the airport to Reykjavík (around 90 minutes to BSI). Important: line 55 is not covered by the City Card; a separate ticket must be purchased for this route. The BSI terminal is fairly central - about a 15-minute walk from the city centre. From there you can also continue by city bus (for example line 5) or taxi.

Key interchange points: within the city, Hlemmur (a bus station at the eastern edge of the city centre) and Lækjartorg (a stop right in the heart of the city centre) are the main hubs of the bus network. Many lines converge here, making them convenient places to change buses or start your journey. From Hlemmur and Lækjartorg, the main lines connect you to virtually all tourist attractions in Reykjavík.

A few key bus lines and their tourist highlights:

• Line 1: connects the city centre with the western and eastern parts of the city, passing the Perlan museum on the Öskjuhlíð hill and the Harpa Concert Hall on the waterfront. This line runs very frequently during the day and covers many of the main attractions.
• Line 6: runs from the centre through residential areas towards the west of the city, stopping near the famous Hallgrímskirkja church and the National Museum of Iceland - perfect for reaching these two landmarks directly.
• Line 5: starts at the BSI Bus Terminal and crosses the city centre (stop: Lækjartorg) heading east to the Laugardalur leisure area, home to Reykjavík Zoo & Family Park and popular thermal pools. This line is also handy for getting from the bus terminal into the centre and for reaching family-friendly attractions in Laugardalur.

Beyond these, there are of course further lines serving residential areas, shopping centres and the surrounding suburbs. Many sights in the city centre are also easily walkable. With the Reykjavík City Card you can jump on the next bus whenever you need to cover a longer distance - with no extra ticket to buy, making it a flexible and cost-effective way to explore Reykjavík.