The largest town in Iceland’s West Fjords, Ísafjörður is the commercial hub of the region. Getting from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður is simple – and well worth the journey! Over a thousand years of history is packed into this charming fishing town, which can be seen in its merchant houses, maritime museum, and along scenic routes. The town offers much for outdoor enthusiasts to choose from – with winter skiing, hiking, kayaking, cycling, and golfing. Most visitors come to Ísafjörður for its unspoiled nature – to catch glimpses of puffins and black guillemots nestled amongst cliff tops and walk along deserted sandy beaches. Along the peninsula, thermal springs and outdoor swimming pools invite visitors to lie back, relax and soak up the atmosphere of an area that appears to have stood still in time.
Driving from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður
One of the most scenic drives in Iceland, the route to Ísafjörður passes waterfalls, rolling hills, rugged wild coastlines, and much more. The journey takes approximately 6.5 hours from Reykjavik, beginning along Route 1 (the main ring-road which encompasses the entirety of Iceland) and then joining Route 60 just north of Glanni Waterfall. Route 60 transports you towards the West Fjords and joins Route 61 the further north you travel. It’s a winding road traversing mountain passes, fjords, and coastline, however, in the near future a tunnel will open to shorten the length of your journey. If you plan to drive to Ísafjörður and fly back to Reykjavik, many car hire companies allow you to drop the vehicle off in a different location.
Flying from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður
The easiest and quickest way to reach Ísafjörður from Reykjavik is by air. Air Iceland Connect offers daily departures from Keflavik International Airport to Ísafjörður with a flight time of around 40 minutes. Flying to Ísafjörður means you have much more time to spend exploring the town and West Fjords, plus you don’t have to worry about navigating winding roads for several hours! This is also the best way to see the natural beauty of the West Fjords from above, allowing for amazing photo opportunities and breathtaking vistas. Prices start at around $75 USD for a one-way adult ticket via Air Iceland Connect.
Taxi from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður
If you’re travelling solo or as a couple in Iceland, travelling by taxi from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður is not a cost-effective way to travel. You will be covering over 500 kilometres, and since many taxis charge by distance, it can cost upwards of $1300 USD to reach Ísafjörður. Unless you can strike a competitive fixed rate for the entire journey, you should only consider reaching Ísafjörður by taxi if you wish to be chauffeur-driven around Iceland, or if there are several of you in a group, otherwise consider flying from Reykjavik or hiring a car!
Helicopter Tour from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður
Travel in style to Ísafjörður and the West Fjords by helicopter! NordurFlug Helicopters fly daily out of Reykjavik to all areas of Iceland on request. They have pre-bookable tours available or you can request to be dropped off en route. The company operates three models of helicopter – the Airbus EC130 B4, AS 350 B3 Ecureuil – Astar, and the Bell 206 Jetranger. Most hold up to 6 passengers – 2 in the front and 4 in the back – and boast amazing 180-degree vistas of the Icelandic coast and interior landscapes. Whether you just plan to visit Ísafjörður for the day or wish to spend a little time exploring the West Fjords, this is the ultimate way to travel.
