Cheap Flights to Iceland

Cheap flights to Iceland unveiled

In Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, the scenery is simply stunning: on this tiny island nation just below the Arctic Circle, you’ll find glaciers, geothermal lagoons, gushing geysers and active volcanoes. And those aren’t the only gems the Nordic island has to offer – the warmth and hospitality of its inhabitants is almost as legendary as its landscapes. With an ever-increasing number of budget carriers flying from the UK, it’s now easier than ever to book cheap flights to Iceland. You’ll touch down in Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport, Iceland’s main hub for international flights – and this vibrant, modern city, the world's northernmost capital, is the perfect base for discovering the wonders of the Golden Circle.

When to book flights to Iceland

Iceland offers different highlights that vary by season, making it an ideal getaway all year round. Unsurprisingly, the island’s temperatures tend to be cold, with average values of 0° C in Reykjavik in January and 11° C in July. July and August are the warmest months, and also offer the chance to experience the beautiful midnight sun. Winters in Iceland are dark, but they make up for it by playing host to one of nature's most spectacular exhibitions of beauty, the Aurora Borealis. Birdwatchers should visit in late May or June, while July and August are best for hikers. If you want to catch sight of orca whales, then head to the coast in February or March. The best months to snag cheap flights to Iceland from the UK are September and November, while the period from December to February tends to be the most expensive.

Flight options to Iceland from the UK

You’ll find a plethora of direct flights to Iceland from many UK airports. British Airways, the UK’s flag carrier, offers three flights to Keflavik every week from Heathrow. easyJet zips to Keflavik daily from London Luton, 3 times a week from London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh and twice a week from London Stansted, Bristol and Belfast. Iceland Air departs from London Gatwick and Glasgow daily, and also operates regular routes from Manchester and Birmingham. A number of other budget airlines also make the journey from Gatwick on a seasonal basis, including Wow Air and Norwegian. Depending on where you’re departing from, the flight time from the UK is usually a maximum of 3 hours.

Getting from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik city centre

There are a number of different options available for making the 25-mile trip from Keflavik International Airport to the centre of Reykjavik. The most convenient but costly option is to take a metered taxi, which will cost around 12,000 ISK. A more budget-friendly choice is to take a shuttle bus from the airport. You can choose between Gray Line’s Airport Express and the Flybus. Both depart 35-40 minutes after flight arrivals and a one-way ticket starts at 2,100 ISK on the Airport Express and 2,200 ISK on the Flybus. Hiring a car is another option – though it’s not usually cheap, it makes exploring the island at your own pace a cinch and Icelandic roads are relatively easy to navigate. All the usual car-hire companies can be found in the airport at Reykjavik – book before you arrive to get a better deal.

Bath time at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

In a lava field in Grindavik, 45 minutes from Reykjavik and 25 minutes from Keflavik Airport, you’ll find Iceland’s most popular visitor attraction – the Blue Lagoon. The moment you sink into the sublime warmth of the mineral-rich, cloudy-blue geothermal water, it’ll feel like the most luxurious bath of your life. You can pamper your skin with a white silica mud mask before relaxing in the sauna and steam baths or stepping under a massaging waterfall. Adventurers seeking once-in-a-lifetime, high-octane thrills can book an organised volcano tour or try their hand at snowmobiling on one of the island’s many glaciers.