Arrival to Iceland
Many airlines fly to Iceland including Icelandair, Iceland Express, WOWair (summer 2012), EasyJet (spring 2012), Delta Airlines, Air Berlin and Germanwings, you can find out about these and the Keflavik International Airport (KEF).
It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Keflavík to Reykjavík. There are always airport shuttles or “fly buses” that meet each incoming plane. They are avalible to take passengers from the airport to the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik or a hotel in Reykjavik. Tickets are bought in the arrivals area after baggage claim.
To Skagaströnd by bus:
PLEASE NOTE: Sterna Bus Company no longer travels north to Skagaströnd and the route is now operated by Stræto Bus Company.
1. First From Keflavík airport to Reykjavik:
Take the flybus from Keflavík airport to Reykjavík (duration 45 minutes). If you are staying at a hotel or guest house ask if the bus stops there.
The flybus ends at the BSI bus terminal, Reykjavik.
You find prices and schedules of the flybus on their website http://flybus.is.
2. Bus Travel with Stræto, Reykjavik to Skagaströnd:
PLEASE NOTE: Sterna Bus Company no longer travels north to Skagaströnd and the route is now operated by Stræto Bus Company. If you are a return visitor to Nes, this may mean bus travel is different to how you remember.
The bus company is called Stræto.
The information and booking phone number: (+354) 540 2700.
This number is ok to call if you have questions, and they speak English.
The Short Version of Bus Directions:
1) Catch a cab from your hostel or guesthouse to Mjódd Station (around 3000ISK from downtown), leave your accommodation NO LATER THAN 08:30.
2) Depart Mjódd Station at 09:00 on Bus #57 Reykjavik to Akureyri
3) Pay on the bus a fare of 5950 ISK – have cash.
4) Get off at Blönduós (4 hours drive – 13:00/1pm)
5) Catch the shuttle bus (#84) connection from Blönduós to Skagaströnd (13:10)
6) I will meet you at your house in Skagaströnd (around 13:30).
***You will need to call Stræto (+354 540 2700) at least 2 hours in advance to request the shuttle bus from Blönduós to Skagaströnd (bus #84). It may help to call the night before, but it is recommended to book same day. This bus is pre-order only.
The Extended Version of Bus Directions with tips:
Your main objective: Stræto bus 57 – departs Reykjavik everyday at 09:00 from Mjódd bus terminal.
Here is a location map.
At 09:00am take bus 57 (Reykjavik to Akureyri) from Mjödd to Blönduós, with connecting bus/small car #84 to Skagaströnd.
***You will need to call Stræto (+354 – 540 2700) at least 2 hours in advance to request the shuttle bus from Blönduós to Skagaströnd. It may help to call the night before, but it is recommended to book same day. This bus is only available on demand.
***Artists arriving on the early morning flights from Boston, New York, east coast etc that arrive at 06:30 might need to catch a cab from BSÍ bus terminal to get to Mjódd Station by 9am. As the airport shuttle from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik takes some time. Otherwise an overnight stay in Reykjavik might be good too to see some galleries on the day you arrive.
***If you want to skip the cab fare to Mjódd: The most central bus station in Reykjavik is called Hlemmur (your hostel or guesthouse may be closest to this one). To get from Hlemmur to Mjódd, bus 17 leaves at 08:16 am, arriving at Mjódd at 08:35am.
***If you have a lot of heavy baggage, perhaps see if another artist leaving the same morning will split a cab with you to Mjódd.
***Mjódd is a city bus station and the ticket booth may be closed when you arrive, please ensure you have cash for the bus (fare to Skagaströnd is 5800ISK)
Bus transit times:
#57 Mjódd (Reykjavik) to Blönduós – 09:00, arriving 13:00
#84 Blönduós to Skagaströnd – 13:10, arriving 13:30
Leaving Skagaströnd:
Departs Skagaströnd to Reykjavik: Mon – Fri – 12:25 or 17:20 / Sat – 17:05 / Sun 12:25 or 17:05
Departs Skagaströnd to Akureyri: Mon – Fri – 12:25 or 20:50 / Sat – 12:05 / Sun 12:05 or 20:50
When you arrive at Mjódd, catch a cab to your accommodation, or a bus to Hlemmur / BSÍ airport bus terminal. Please call Stræto for your best connection times.
Buses During Your Residency:
During your stay you can travel from Skagaströnd to Blönduós or Sauðárkrókur (neighbouring towns).
You must order the shuttle bus connection from Skagaströnd to Blönduós by calling Stræto at least 2 hours in advance.
The bus leaves from the Skagaströnd gas station, and ends at the N1 gas station in Blönduós.
If you want to keep going to Sauðárkrókur, simply catch the large bus from Blönduós N1 soon after.
Timetables are kept in the studios.
To Skagaströnd by bus from AKUREYRI:
Bus number #57 departs Akureyri:
Monday – Friday: 11:00 and 15:45
Saturday: 15:30
Sunday: 11:00 and 15:30
*You will need to call Stræto and book the connecting bus #84 from
Blonduos to Skagastrond – do this at least 2 hours before.
Call 5402700 from Akureyri.
The bus from Akureyri to Blonduos is about 2 hours. Then switch buses at Blonduos to continue to Skagaströnd. (Journey time is about 20 minutes).
The bus will depart from Hof Menningarhús in Akureyri.
(http://www.menningarhus.is/is/english)
The bus stop is on the street called Strandgata. Hof Menningarhús
Arthouse is the big round building near the sea, a short walking
distance from the center of town.
To Skagaströnd by car
1. Most of the car rentals allow you to pick up the car at Keflavík airport.
To drive to Skagaströnd from Keflavík you first take road 41 to Reykjavík.
From Reykjavík follow the signs to road #1 (the ring road) in direction Akureyri.
2. You drive until you come to Blönduós town which is about 250 km from Reykjavík.
Just after you come through Blönduós you make a left turn to road 74 and 23 km later you are in Skagaströnd.
3. The drive from Keflavík to Skagaströnd takes approximately 4 hours
Please print out this page and take with you.