Reykjavík in brief
Reykjavík is a small capital with a big harbor problem: the berth that fits today’s big ships sits out in Sundahöfn, not in the old town.
Faxaflóahafnir, the port authority, handles cruise calls at Reykjavík and at Akranes across the bay. In Reykjavík, large ships use Skarfabakki in the Sundahöfn harbor, east of the center — about 4 km out, which is a commute, not a stroll.
For 2026, Skarfabakki has a proper terminal building for the first time.
The new passenger terminal covers about 5,500 m² over two floors and replaces what the port itself called “temporary and limited facilities.” It was named Vör in March 2026 and opened for the season with a festival on May 29. It’s sized for turnaround days, with up to about 3,000 passengers at once — and that matters here, because a lot of Iceland cruises start or end in Reykjavík.
Smaller ships can still use Miðbakki in the Old Harbor. That’s the lucky draw — Harpa is about a five-minute walk and Hallgrímskirkja about 15.
The free shuttle is the change most passengers miss.
From 2023 to 2025 the port authority ran a free bus from Skarfabakki to Harpa. In May 2026 the port confirmed to Iceland Highlights, a local operator, that it isn’t running this season. Any shuttle now comes from your cruise line, through its local agent.
Check the daily program the night before. Don’t assume there’s a bus at the gate — older trip reports describe one that’s gone.
The big names beyond town need a vehicle, and most of a day.
A ship’s Golden Circle tour runs about 8 hours, and the south-coast glacier-and-waterfalls day about 9. Even the Blue Lagoon takes about 4 — it’s 45 to 50 minutes from central Reykjavík, so plan a half day at the least, not a quick dip.
Which of those earns a single port day is what our Reykjavík shore excursion guide works through. Read it before you pay for anything.
On foot from the ship
The main cruise berth, about 4 km east of downtown, with room for two large ships at once. No tender.
The berth’s first permanent terminal — a real building, after years of stopgaps.
About 4 km, mostly along the waterfront. Fine on a dry day — less so into a north wind.
The stop is on Sundagarðar, about 5–7 minutes’ walk from the terminal, with buses roughly every 30 minutes. Pay by app or contactless card; cash isn’t accepted.
Per car from downtown, on May 2026 quotes. Fares are per vehicle, and rank waits can hit 30–60 minutes on busy days.
If your ship is small enough for the Old Harbor — the berth takes ships up to about 170 m — you’re in town the moment you step off.
What's nearby, broadly
The first half of that list sits in a tight cluster around the Old Harbor — Harpa, the Sun Voyager sculpture, the converted Verbúðir sheds, the Grandi food hall, then Laugavegur and Hallgrímskirkja up the hill. From Skarfabakki, you need a ride or a long walk to reach it. Sky Lagoon is about 15 minutes’ drive from the center. Everything after it on the list is a coach day, not a stroll.
Commonly reached from
Reykjavík shows up on two kinds of sailing: British Isles and Northern Europe loops that swing out to Iceland, and transatlantic crossings that use it as a waypoint. It’s also a turnaround port, with flights in and out through Keflavík. Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, Norwegian, Oceania, Viking, Windstar, Seabourn, Silversea, Ponant, Lindblad and others sail from here, and July 2027 brings P&O, MSC, Costa and AIDA calls too. Fewer ships may be coming, though — Cruise Iceland projected about a 14% drop in bookings for 2026 and about 30% for 2027, after the cruise fee arrived. See where it sits on the wider map in our Northern Europe cruises hub and our transatlantic repositioning guide.
Planning your Reykjavík day
The tour decisions — Golden Circle or lagoon, ship coach or local operator, and what to drop on a short call — are in their own guide. This page covers the port.
Booking with a third party? Our Shore Excursions Group vs. Viator comparison covers how the two bookers differ — and when the ship’s own tour is the safer buy on a long day out.
Best Reykjavík shore excursions
The Golden Circle, the Blue and Sky lagoons, whales from the Old Harbor and the long south-coast day. Here’s which ones fit one call.
See the full excursion guide →Practical notes
Iceland now charges a per-passenger cruise fee.
Iceland’s parliament set an infrastructure fee on international cruise passengers from January 1, 2025. The current law puts it at 1,600 ISK per passenger for each started 24-hour period a ship spends in Icelandic waters, effective January 1, 2026 — down from 2,500 ISK in 2025, a figure some sites still quote.
The 2027 budget bill proposes 1,680 ISK. That’s a proposal, not law, as of early October 2026.
The fee falls due after the ship leaves Icelandic waters, so it’s settled by the line rather than at the gangway. Ask whether your fare already includes it before you book a long Iceland itinerary.
Cards work almost everywhere — know your PIN.
The currency is the Icelandic króna. Cards are used almost everywhere, taxis and buses included, and bigger purchases may ask for chip and PIN. Cash is optional, and tipping isn’t expected.
Taxis: pre-book the outbound, meter the return.
In May 2026 Hreyfill quoted 12,600 ISK for a pre-booked sedan from the terminal to a downtown hotel, or 16,400 ISK for a minivan, including a 30-minute wait. The metered ride back runs about 5,000 ISK by car. Hreyfill is on +354 588 5522 and BSR on +354 561 0000.
Those are quotes, not a tariff — confirm the price when you book.
The US advisory is Level 1, and the hazards are natural.
The State Department’s Iceland advisory, issued May 5, 2026, says exercise normal precautions. It flags fast-changing weather, active volcanoes and recent eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula — where the Blue Lagoon is.
US citizens need no visa for up to 90 days. The passport must be valid three months past your Schengen departure, and the State Department recommends six.
Dress for three seasons in one day.
The same advisory warns you can get sun, rain and snow on the same day, with the worst storms most likely from October to March. Pack a waterproof layer even in July — and a warm hat for any time on the water.
Plan around Sunday too. Hallgrímskirkja closes the church and tower for the morning service, roughly 10:30 to 13:00 or 13:30.
Sources: Faxaflóahafnir’s cruise page (faxafloahafnir.is); the consolidated Act 87/2011 on the infrastructure fee (althingi.is); the US State Department’s Iceland advisory (travel.state.gov); Visit Reykjavík on money and cards (visitreykjavik.is); Hallgrímskirkja’s opening hours (hallgrimskirkja.is); Princess Cruises’ Reykjavík excursion listing; Iceland Highlights’ terminal, shuttle and lagoon guides for berth dimensions, walking times, bus 16 and taxi quotes; CruiseMapper and CruiseTimetables for call history, lines and the Cruise Iceland booking forecast — all consulted October 23, 2026. There’s no official taxi tariff from the port and no 2026–27 call count from the port authority, and we won’t guess at either.
Planning a Reykjavík port day?
Tell us how much time you've got and who's with you.
The Golden Circle, a lagoon, or whales from the Old Harbor — tell us how long you’re docked and whether you’re starting or ending your cruise here, and Seabound Journeys will say which fits.
Answers verified against current pricing and itineraries before you book.
Reykjavík FAQ
Where do cruise ships dock in Reykjavík?
Most large ships use Skarfabakki in the Sundahöfn harbor, about 4 km east of downtown, where the new Vör terminal opened for 2026.
Smaller ships, up to about 170 m long, can use Miðbakki in the Old Harbor, right by Harpa. Hafnarfjörður, about 12 km out, is the occasional third option.
Does Reykjavík tender?
No. Ships tie up alongside. Your line will confirm which berth before the call.
Is there a free shuttle from the cruise terminal?
Not from the port anymore. The Faxaflóahafnir shuttle ran from 2023 to 2025 and isn’t operating in 2026.
Some lines lay on their own — look in the daily program.
Can I walk from Skarfabakki into Reykjavík?
Yes, if you have the time and the weather. It’s about 4 km to Harpa, roughly 45–55 minutes on foot along the waterfront.
How much is a taxi from the cruise port?
Plan on about 12,600 ISK for a pre-booked sedan to a downtown hotel and about 5,000 ISK on the meter coming back, per vehicle, on May 2026 quotes.
On a busy day the taxi rank can mean a 30–60 minute wait.
Is there a public bus?
Strætó route 16 stops on Sundagarðar, about 5–7 minutes’ walk from the terminal. The fare is about 620 ISK, paid by app or contactless card, with buses roughly every 30 minutes.
What is Iceland’s cruise passenger fee?
1,600 ISK per passenger for each started 24-hour period in Icelandic waters, under the law in force since January 1, 2026. It was 2,500 ISK in 2025.
It’s settled by the line after the ship leaves Icelandic waters — ask whether your fare already covers it.
Is Reykjavík safe for cruise passengers?
The State Department rates Iceland Level 1, exercise normal precautions, in its May 5, 2026 advisory. The bigger risks are weather and terrain — and volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
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