For most international travellers, renting a car at Keflavik Airport is the easiest way to begin a self-drive trip in Iceland. You can collect your vehicle shortly after landing and travel directly towards Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, the South Coast or the Ring Road without arranging a separate airport transfer.
This guide explains where Keflavik International Airport is, how rental-car pickup works, what to bring, which vehicle to choose and how to prepare for an after-hours arrival. It also covers the checks worth making before you leave the rental location and the simplest way to return your car before flying home.
Ready to start planning? View available rental cars and choose Keflavik Airport as your pickup location.
Where is Keflavik international airport?
Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's main international airport. It is on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 50 km southwest of Reykjavik.
Keflavik Airport is not the same as Reykjavik Airport. KEF handles almost all international arrivals, while Reykjavik Airport mainly serves domestic flights. If you are arriving in Iceland on an international flight and want to drive immediately, Keflavik Airport is normally the appropriate rental location.
Collecting a car at KEF allows you to:
- Avoid arranging and paying for a separate transfer to Reykjavik
- Visit the Blue Lagoon before travelling into the city
- Begin a Golden Circle, South Coast or Ring Road itinerary without backtracking
- Collect or return a car close to your international flight
- Use an after-hours collection option when eligible and arranged in advance
If you intend to spend several days in central Reykjavik before driving, collecting from the Reykjavik City office later in your trip may be more convenient.
Where do you collect a Blue rental car at Keflavik Airport?
Blue Car Rental's Keflavik office is at Blikavollur 3, close to the airport terminal. After clearing customs, walk across the arrivals area towards the departure hall, exit the terminal and cross the P1 parking area. The walk normally takes around three to four minutes.
Blue does not operate from a desk inside the arrivals hall, so it is useful to check the route before travelling. The Keflavik Airport location page contains the current map and walking directions.
How car rental pickup works at Keflavik Airport
The collection process depends on whether you use staffed pickup or complete online check-in before arrival.
Staffed pickup
During staffed opening hours, go to the Blue Car Rental office with your booking details and required documents. A team member will confirm the rental information and provide your keys.
Opening hours vary by season. Check the current Keflavik office opening hours against your scheduled arrival time before travelling.
Online check-in and faster collection
Online check-in opens seven days before the rental begins, and customers receive an email when it becomes available. Completing it before arrival lets you review the rental agreement and finish the required steps in advance. Depending on the booking, you may then be able to use a faster office collection process or choose key-box pickup. Keep your confirmation and any QR code or Wallet Pass accessible on your phone when you arrive.
Key-box pickup
Blue's key-box service allows eligible customers to collect their keys using a secure code. It can be used to avoid waiting at the office and is particularly helpful for late-night or early-morning arrivals.
At the time of publication, key-box pickup requires Blue's Liability Waiver and completion of the required online steps. Eligibility, timing and instructions can change, so use the key-box pickup page as the definitive guide rather than relying on a general blog article.
If key-box pickup is selected, Blue sends collection instructions and a code before the scheduled pickup. At the Keflavik office, follow the signs to the key-box area, enter the code and use the number on the key tag to locate the vehicle in the parking area.
| Pickup option | Best for | Complete before arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Staffed office pickup | Travellers who want an in-person handover | Check opening hours and bring the required documents |
| Online check-in | Travellers who want to reduce time at the office | Complete the online process when invited |
| Key-box pickup | Eligible bookings, including arranged after-hours collection | Confirm eligibility, complete online check-in and follow the emailed instructions |
Can you collect a rental car after hours at Keflavik?
Yes. Blue offers year-round, 24-hour key-box access at its Keflavik office for eligible bookings when the service has been arranged correctly.
Do not wait until you reach the airport to organize an after-hours collection. Check your booking, complete online check-in and arrange after-hours key-box pickup at least one hour before the Keflavik office closes. Because opening hours and requirements can change, confirm the current details on the opening-hours and key-box pages. The current requirements are published on the opening-hours page and key-box page.
If your flight time changes, contact Blue as early as possible. A delayed arrival does not automatically mean your booking has been cancelled, but the planned collection method may need attention.
What do you need to collect your rental car?
Have the following available when collecting your vehicle:
- Your booking confirmation
- The original, valid driving licence for every registered driver
- A valid payment card that meets the booking requirements
- A passport or other photo identification if requested
- An International Driving Permit or official translation if the licence is not printed in Roman characters
Blue requires drivers to present a physical driving licence; a digital licence alone is not accepted. The licence must also have been held for the period specified in the rental terms.
The minimum driver age depends on the vehicle category. Standard vehicles can have a lower minimum age than larger SUVs, passenger vehicles and premium categories. Review the car-rental age guide and current rental terms before selecting a car.
Blue requires a qualifying payment card as a guarantee but states that it does not hold a standard security deposit. Always check the current payment and card requirements attached to your booking.
Which rental car should you choose in Iceland?
Choose the vehicle according to your route, season, passenger count and luggage rather than price alone.
| Trip type | Suitable category | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon and short paved routes | Compact or standard 2WD | Practical in normal summer conditions |
| Golden Circle or South Coast in summer | 2WD, AWD or SUV | Base the choice on comfort, luggage and forecast conditions |
| Ring Road | Standard car, AWD or SUV | Season and weather matter more than distance alone |
| Winter road trip | AWD or 4x4 often preferred | Snow, ice, wind and reduced visibility can affect even main roads |
| Highlands and F-roads | Approved 4x4 | A suitable 4x4 is required on F-roads |
| Family or larger group | SUV, estate car or passenger van | Check seats and usable luggage capacity |
| Planned routes with reliable charging | Electric vehicle | Check range, charging stops and winter conditions |
A 4x4 is not necessary for every Iceland trip. A normal 2WD can be suitable for paved summer routes, including the drive between Keflavik and Reykjavik. However, F-roads require an approved 4x4, and winter itineraries need more cautious vehicle and route planning.
Compare Blue's rental fleet before booking and check that your chosen vehicle is permitted on every road in your itinerary.
Understand insurance before pickup
Icelandic conditions include loose gravel, strong winds, sand, ash, ice and rapidly changing weather. Review the included protection, exclusions and remaining liability before confirming your booking rather than making the decision after a long flight.
Blue's rental rate includes specified protection, and additional options may reduce liability further. Key-box eligibility is also connected to the selected cover. Because products and terms can change, use the insurance options page for the current cover levels and exclusions.
No insurance makes prohibited or negligent driving acceptable. Follow road closures, vehicle restrictions and the rental agreement at all times.
Checks to make before driving away
Spend a few minutes checking the following before leaving the Keflavik location:
- Vehicle condition: Review the recorded condition and photograph the exterior, windscreen, wheels and any existing marks.
- Fuel or battery level: Confirm the fuel type and return policy, or the starting charge and initial charging plan for an EV.
- Controls: Locate the lights, wipers, demisting controls, parking brake and any unfamiliar transmission or four-wheel-drive functions.
- Tyres and route suitability: Make sure the vehicle and its equipment suit the planned route and conditions.
- Navigation: Load the destination before moving and keep an offline backup for remote areas.
- Weather and roads: Check umferdin.is, vedur.is and SafeTravel before setting off.
- Return details: Confirm the return location, time and fuel or charging requirement.
Driving from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik
The drive from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is about 50 km and normally takes approximately 40–55 minutes, depending on traffic and conditions. The principal route follows Route 41 towards the capital.
The road is paved and straightforward in normal conditions, but weather can change quickly. Take extra care after a long flight and during darkness, snow, ice or strong winds. For route details and possible stops, see the Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik driving guide.
You do not have to travel to Reykjavik first. Depending on your itinerary, you may head towards the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle or South Coast after collection. Check the route and current conditions before leaving the office.
Returning your car at Keflavik Airport
Return the car to the location and at the time stated in your rental agreement. Before returning it:
- Refill the tank or meet the agreed charging requirement
- Remove all personal belongings
- Check the cabin, doors and luggage area
- Allow time for weather, traffic and the walk to the terminal
- Follow the applicable staffed or key-return instructions
Outside staffed hours, keys can be returned using the designated process at the office. Refer to your rental agreement and the current key-box instructions rather than assuming pickup and return work in exactly the same way.
Common Keflavik Airport car rental mistakes
Booking the wrong airport
Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik Airport are different locations. Confirm that the pickup location matches your arriving flight.
Looking for Blue inside the arrivals hall
Blue's Keflavik office is a short walk from the terminal rather than at a desk inside arrivals. Review the walking route in advance.
Leaving after-hours arrangements too late
Key-box collection requires advance steps and an eligible booking. Complete them before the applicable deadline.
Choosing a car without checking the route
A low daily rate does not help if the vehicle is unsuitable or prohibited on part of your itinerary. Check road types and seasonal access first.
Skipping the condition check
Review the recorded vehicle condition and take your own time-stamped photographs before departure.
Treating insurance as permission to ignore conditions
Insurance does not cover every event or permit travel on closed roads. Follow official warnings and the rental agreement.
Start your Iceland road trip at Keflavik Airport
Collecting a rental car at Keflavik Airport gives you the freedom to begin your itinerary as soon as you arrive. Check the office location, complete any online or after-hours steps, bring the correct documents and choose a vehicle appropriate for your route and season.
View available cars and book your Keflavik Airport rental.
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