IcelandSouthwest IcelandNorthern LightsChecked Oct 2026

Edinburgh to Reykjavík for the Northern Lights

Reykjavík is one of the quickest aurora trips from Scotland: a direct flight of about two and a half hours and no time difference in winter. This guide covers flights, getting from Keflavík into the city, the Blue Lagoon stop and the best aurora and day tours.

Sep – mid-AprAurora season

Keflavík (KEF)Direct from Edinburgh

~4h 30mFastest, door to door

The short answer

Fly direct from Edinburgh to Keflavík with Icelandair or easyJet (about 2h 35m). Take the Flybus, timed to arrivals, to Reykjavík's BSÍ terminal in about 45 minutes, or pay a little more for Flybus+ to a stop near your hotel. Then book an aurora tour with a free retry for your first clear evening.

Aurora essentials

What you need to know before you go looking for the lights in Iceland.

Best months

Aurora tours run from about September to mid-April. Late November to January has the longest nights, but the weather is often wild; September–October and February–March give dark nights with more daylight for sightseeing.

Daylight

Around midwinter Reykjavík gets only about four to five hours of daylight, roughly late morning to mid-afternoon. Plan day tours around that, and expect to drive or travel back in the dark.

Tours vs DIY

Weather decides everything. Tour operators check cloud and aurora forecasts and cancel the evening before if it looks hopeless, and most offer a free retry if you don't see the lights. Large-coach tours start from about ISK 9,990 (about £60); minibus and small-group tours cost more. DIY with a hire car is possible, but winter roads can be icy and closures happen, so check road and weather updates first.

What to wear

Waterproof, windproof outer layers matter as much as warmth in Iceland. Wear thermals and a fleece or wool mid layer, plus hat, gloves and sturdy waterproof boots with good grip. Standing still outside at night gets cold quickly.

Good to know

Iceland uses the same time as the UK in winter. Uber and Bolt don't operate, and taxis from the airport are expensive. Prices are high generally, so budget for food and tours.

Every way to get there

From Edinburgh to Reykjavík, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

Fly direct to Keflavík, then the Flybus

Best for most

Door to door4h 30m–5h 30m

£ Cost££

Best forMost trips

Edinburgh (EDI) to Keflavík (KEF)About 2h 35m. Icelandair flies year-round (up to four times a week) and easyJet also flies the route, usually a couple of times a week. Jet2's Edinburgh flights in 2026/27 are only a few October package trips. Check current schedules.
Flybus to Reykjavík (BSÍ)About 45 minutes. Buses are timed to arrivals, leaving about 35–45 minutes after each flight lands, and wait if your flight is late. Typically around ISK 3,900 (about £24) one way; Flybus+ adds a minibus from BSÍ to a stop near your hotel for a little more, adding about 30 minutes.

Compare EDI–KEF flights Transfer options: Keflavík Airport → Reykjavík BSÍ

Typical return fares on this route are roughly £125–£275, with occasional cheaper winter deals. The public bus 55 is cheaper but slower and less suited to luggage; a taxi is fastest but often around ISK 22,500 (about £140).

Stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way in

Door to door7–9h

£ Cost£££

Best forStarting the trip with a soak

Edinburgh (EDI) to Keflavík (KEF)About 2h 35m with Icelandair or easyJet.
Transfer to the Blue LagoonAbout 20 minutes by road. Book a Keflavík–Blue Lagoon–Reykjavík transfer, roughly ISK 4,150 (about £26) per leg, and choose a slot that leaves time after landing.
Blue Lagoon, then on to ReykjavíkLagoon entry is separate and must be booked ahead: Comfort tickets from ISK 11,990 (about £74), with prices changing by time slot. You can store luggage there for a small fee. The onward bus drops you near your hotel.

Compare EDI–KEF flights Transfer options: Keflavík Airport → Blue Lagoon

The lagoon can close at short notice because of volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula, so check its website before you travel.

Fly direct, then hire a car

Door to door4h 30m–5h 30m

£ Cost££

Best forConfident winter drivers who want to chase the aurora themselves

Edinburgh (EDI) to Keflavík (KEF)About 2h 35m with Icelandair or easyJet.
Drive to ReykjavíkAbout 45 minutes. You'll need a credit card in the driver's name; book ahead for better prices.

Compare EDI–KEF flights Plan the drive

Winter conditions can change fast: check the road and weather forecasts every day and don't drive in a storm warning.

Where to stay in Reykjavík

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Reykjavík

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

Option	Door to door	Cost	Best for
Fly direct to Keflavík, then the Flybus	4h 30m–5h 30m	££	Most trips
Stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way in	7–9h	£££	Starting the trip with a soak
Fly direct, then hire a car	4h 30m–5h 30m	££	Confident winter drivers who want to chase the aurora themselves

Aurora tours and day trips

Reykjavík makes an easy base, with aurora and day tours picking up from town.

Your base

Reykjavík

Stay central so you can walk to restaurants and reach tour pick-up stops easily. Many tours leave from the BSÍ terminal or collect from numbered bus stops near hotels.

Hotels in Reykjavík

Evenings, Sep – mid-Apr

Northern Lights tours

Coach tours take about 3–4 hours and head out of the city to darker skies. Most operators cancel the evening before if the forecast is poor and offer a free retry if you see nothing, so book early in your stay.

Full day

Golden Circle

A 250–300 km loop taking in Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Tours typically take about 8 hours; in winter a guided tour avoids driving icy roads in the dark. Combined Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tours cost around ISK 20,300 (about £125).

About 20 min from the airport

Blue Lagoon

The famous geothermal spa on the Reykjanes peninsula. Easiest on your arrival or departure day; book a time slot well ahead.

Hotels in Grindavík

Local tip: Keep the first evenings free and flexible: if a tour is cancelled for cloud, you'll have later nights to retry.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Can you fly direct from Edinburgh to Reykjavík?

Yes. Icelandair flies Edinburgh–Keflavík year-round, up to four times a week, and easyJet also flies the route. The flight takes about 2h 35m. Check current schedules for exact days.

How do I get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?

The Flybus takes about 45 minutes to the BSÍ terminal and is timed to flight arrivals; Flybus+ continues to stops near hotels. The public bus 55 is cheaper but slower, and taxis are expensive.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavík?

From about September to mid-April on a clear, dark night. Late November to January has the longest nights, but February–March often gives a better mix of darkness and daylight.

Can I visit the Blue Lagoon on the way from the airport?

Yes. Book a transfer that runs from Keflavík to the lagoon and on to Reykjavík, and a separate lagoon ticket. You can leave luggage there for a small fee.

Is there a time difference between Edinburgh and Reykjavík?

Not in winter. Iceland stays on GMT all year, so it is one hour behind the UK only during British Summer Time.

Do I need a tour to see the aurora in Iceland?

No, but a tour takes the guesswork and winter driving out of it, and most include a free retry if you don't see the lights.

More route guides

Northern Lights · Norway

Manchester to Tromsø for the Northern Lights

Tromsø sits under the auroral oval, well inside the Arctic Circle, and there are direct winter flights from Manchester. This guide covers flights,…

Read the guide

Ski · Austria

Birmingham to Innsbruck for Skiing

Innsbruck has one of the shortest airport transfers in the Alps, with a dozen ski areas within an hour, and you can fly there direct from Birmingham.…

Read the guide

Lapland · Finland

Birmingham to Rovaniemi, Lapland

Rovaniemi is the easiest way to give the kids a real Lapland Christmas, and from this winter you can fly there direct from Birmingham. This guide…

Read the guide

Travelling from somewhere else?

Use our route planner to compare flights, trains, coaches, ferries and driving from any city to any destination, door to door.

Open the route planner

Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.