Getting to Akureyri
Icelandair offers multiple daily flights between Reykjavík and Akureyri, and you can even catch a flight to the icy shores of Greenland! The airport is located 3km (2mi) south of the town centre. We recommend a taxi or renting a car. Strætó, the public bus system, has daily scheduled departures between Akureyri and Reykjavík. Check www.straeto.is or download the Klappið app for more information.
Strætó’s Operating Hours
Busses run daily from 06:25 to 23:03 on weekdays and from 12:49 to 18:36 on weekends and holidays.
Schedules during weekends depending upon the time of year, for further information check www.straeto.is or call +354 462 4929.
There is no bus service on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Getting around Akureyri
By scooter – Renting an electric scooter is a great way to get to know Akureyri. There are a number of paths along the coast (including Glerárgata to the north and Drottningarbraut to the south). Check out www.hopp.is bike for more information about electric scooter rentals.
By bus – The Akureyri Citybus is free of charge and will take you anywhere you need to go in town. Just figure out the route you want to take and step on the bus! Each bus route starts and ends in the town centre. Information is available at www.straeto.is and the Strætó app. Most bus stops with a shelter include a route map.
By taxi – If you need to get around after the buses stop running, or the buses don’t suit your needs, you can always take a cab. You can stop by the taxi station in the town centre or call for a cab (+354 461 1010).
Getting from Akureyri
Norlandair operates flight services within the vicinity of Akureyri and also to East Greenland. For trips to Grímsey island, on the Arctic Circle, contact Norlandair. Go to www.grimsey.is for more information. If you want to get to the islands of Hrísey or Grímsey, you could take a ferry or a day tour from Akureyri. Ferries leave from Dalvík or Árskógssandur. Go to www.hrisey.is or www.grimsey.is for more information.
Strætó also runs to some of the towns in the Eyjafjörður and Tröllaskagi regions, including Dalvík, Siglufjörður, Húsavík, and Blönduós. The buses run a few times a day, allowing you to explore the town but still get back to Akureyri at the end of the day. Get more information at www.straeto.is.
While there is no fare for buses inside the town limits of Akureyri, the buses taking you out of town will charge a modest sum for the fare. It’s a great option if you feel like exploring the north but aren’t comfortable with driving in unfamiliar circumstances.
Vaðlaheiði tunnel
When driving east from Akureyri, you’ll encounter the Vaðlaheiði tunnel, a 7.5 km (4.7 mi) tunnel allowing drivers to bypass the precipitous Víkurskarð mountain road. A safer option during the winter months, the tunnel also shortens the route by 16 km (10 mi), saving drivers 15 minutes off their route. You won’t need to stop at toll booths or pay machines by the tunnel to pay the toll. Instead, travellers can pay the toll online at www.tunnel.is via card. Drivers can pay the toll 24 hours before driving through the tunnel and up to 24 hours after passing through.
Information
AIRPORTS/AIRLINES
Icelandair
+354 570 3000 | www.icelandair.com
Norlandair
+354 414 6960 | www.norlandair.is
Taxis
BSO
Strandgata, Akureyri | +354 461 1010
Ferries
Ferry Sæfari to Grímsey
+354 853 2211 | Sæfari ferry/
Ferry Sævar to Hrísey
+345 695 5544 | www.hrisey.is
Bus Terminals
Hof Cultural Centre
Strandgata 12, Akureyri
+354 540 2700 | www.straeto.is
Last updated on 8 May 2023.