Getting Around Reykjavík by Bus

Strætó's city network is the easiest, cheapest way to explore Iceland's capital. No car needed — just hop on, tap your Klapp card, and go.

Open Live Map →
Reykjavík Strætó bus network map — click to open full interactive version
🗺️ Reykjavík Bus Network Map
Click to zoom & pan
Night Buses Guide (Routes 101–106) →

Friday & Saturday nights only · Lækjartorg 01:20, 02:25, 03:45 · 690 ISK flat fare

🚀 Quick Start

Three things to know before your first ride

💳
Pay with Klapp

Download the Klapp app (iOS/Android) — it's the official way to buy tickets. No cash? No problem. Credit card in the app, tap phone on reader, you're on.

🎫
One Ticket, 75 Min

All city buses are Zone 1. Single ride = 600 ISK (contactless/Klapp app). Valid 75 minutes with unlimited transfers. Kids under 12 ride free. No cash accepted on city buses.

📍
Find Your Stop

Yellow Strætó signs mark every stop. The app shows real-time departures. Buses run ~every 15–30 min on main lines, less on weekends. Last buses around 23:00.

🚌 Most Useful Routes for Visitors

These lines hit the main sights. Tap any route to open it on the live map with real-time departures.

1 City Centre Loop — Hallgrímskirkja ↔ Harpa ↔ Old Harbour ↔ City Hall
2 Laugardalur Valley — BSÍ Terminal ↔ Laugardalslaug Pool ↔ Camping ↔ Zoo
3 Airport Express — BSÍ ↔ Domestic Airport ↔ Grandi ↔ City Centre
4 Vesturbær / University — City Centre ↔ University ↔ Nauthólsvík Beach
5 Seltjarnarnes Peninsula — City Centre ↔ Grótta Lighthouse (great for Northern Lights!)
6 Mosfellsbær — City Centre ↔ Mosfellsbær town (gateway to hiking trails)
14 Kópavogur — BSÍ ↔ Smáralind Mall ↔ Kópavogur centre
15 Hafnarfjörður — BSÍ ↔ Hafnarfjörður town (lava fields, Viking village)

✈️ From Keflavík Airport (KEF)

Public bus is ½ the price of shuttle buses

💰
Save ~2,500 ISK

Flybus/Flybus+ = 4,500–5,500 ISK. Strætó Route 55 = 2,400 ISK adult (4 zones × 600 ISK). Same comfort, half the price. Runs ~every 30–60 min, 06:30–23:00.

Bus stop is right outside the terminal — follow signs for "Public Bus / Strætó" past the car rental shuttles. Takes 70–80 min to BSÍ (main terminal), then transfer to Route 1/3/4 for your hotel.

Full Airport Bus Guide →

📋 Practical Info at a Glance

Topic Details
App to Download Klapp (official Strætó app) — buy tickets, see live departures, plan trips
Single Ticket 600 ISK — valid 75 minutes, unlimited transfers (contactless/Klapp only)
24-Hour Pass 2,750 ISK — unlimited rides, 24 hours from activation
72-Hour Pass 6,000 ISK — unlimited rides, 72 hours from activation
30-Day Pass (Adult) 12,000 ISK — unlimited rides for 30 days
Children Free under 12 with paying adult (max 2 kids per adult)
Payment Contactless card/phone or Klapp app only — no cash on city buses
Bikes on Bus Allowed on routes 1, 3, 6, 14, 15 (rack on front, first come first served)
Luggage Small bags on lap. Large suitcases only on Route 55 (airport bus)
Accessibility All city buses low-floor with ramps. Audio + visual stop announcements.
Night Buses Routes 101–106 run Fri/Sat nights from Lækjartorg (01:20, 02:25, 03:45). 690 ISK, cashless, no discounts. Full night bus guide →
Tourist Info Visit Reykjavík (Aðalstræti 2) — free paper maps + advice

🧠 Local Tips You Won't Find in Guidebooks

🌅
Golden Hour at Grótta

Take Route 5 to the end of the line at Grótta Lighthouse. It's the best sunset/Northern Lights spot near the city — and the bus drops you right there. Bring a thermos!

🏊
Pool Culture is Real

Every neighborhood has a geothermal pool. Route 2 goes to Laugardalslaug (the biggest). Locals go daily — it's cheaper than Blue Lagoon and way more authentic. Don't forget your towel!

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Smáralind via Route 14

Iceland's biggest mall is one bus ride from downtown. Great for rainy days, grocery runs (Bonus/Krónan inside), or picking up forgotten essentials.

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Street Art Tour on Route 1

Stay on Route 1 the full loop — it passes the best murals in Grandi, by the harbour, and near the university. Free art gallery on wheels.

❓ Frequently Asked

Can I pay with cash on the bus?

No. Reykjavík city buses don't accept cash. Pay with contactless card/phone or the Klapp app — single ticket is 690 ISK, valid 75 minutes with unlimited transfers. You can buy a physical Klapp card at 10-11, N1, or Olís convenience stores if you prefer.

Yes! With contactless or Klapp app: your ticket is valid for 75 minutes with unlimited transfers across the city. Just tap on each bus — the system tracks your transfer automatically.

No public bus goes to Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík. Route 55 from KEF Airport stops there, but from the city you need a dedicated shuttle. Book via our transfer partner or check the Klapp app for shuttle options.

It's okay but not perfect. Strætó's GTFS feed sometimes lags. Better: use the Klapp app or our interactive map — they pull live Strætó data. Google often misses weekend/holiday schedule changes.

The Reykjavík City Card (24h/48h/72h) includes unlimited bus rides + free entry to all city pools, museums, and the ferry to Viðey Island. Great value if you're museum-hopping. Buy at tourist info, pools, or online.

Ready to Ride?

Open the live map, tap any stop, and see the next bus in real time. Works offline-first once loaded.

Open Live Map →