Pick up your car at KEF terminal and start exploring Iceland immediately after landing
Keflavik International Airport sits 50 km south-west of Reykjavik on the Reykjanes peninsula. Most international flights land at this terminal, making it the starting point for road trips across Iceland. Route 41 runs north from the airport to the Route 1 Ring Road junction about 10 km away, where you turn east toward the capital or west toward the peninsula's lava fields and coastal villages.
The airport terminal has car-rental desks in the arrivals hall. Some rental companies meet arriving passengers outside with a sign showing your name or booking reference. The specific arrangement - desk, meet-and-greet, or shuttle to an off-site depot - depends on the company handling your booking and is confirmed in your voucher. Either way, the process takes place near or inside the terminal building, so you walk from baggage claim straight to your car within minutes.
This page covers the airport pickup. If you prefer to collect a car in the city centre after settling into accommodation or need details about urban parking and one-way rentals, visit the Reykjavik page. The airport offers the largest choice of cars in the country, with about half the fleet available to drivers using a debit card or cash for the balance payment, and many models requiring no deposit at all.
The terminal is compact and signposted in English. Hand luggage speeds up the process, but checked bags usually appear within 20 minutes. Always enter your flight number during booking so the rental company can track delays and adjust the meet time automatically.
After passport control, collect your luggage and walk through customs into the arrivals hall. The whole terminal is on one level, so navigation is straightforward even after a long flight.
Check your voucher for instructions. Desks line the left wall of arrivals. If the company uses meet-and-greet, a representative waits outside the exit doors holding a sign with your name or booking code.
Show your driving licence, passport, and booking voucher. The rental agreement lists existing damage - walk around the car with the agent to confirm scratches and dents. Pay the balance by the method stated in your voucher: debit card, cash, or credit card, depending on the car.
Exit the car park and follow signs for Route 41 north. The road is well-maintained tarmac, two lanes in each direction for the first few kilometres. Wind can gust strongly across open sections, so keep both hands on the wheel until you reach the shelter of higher ground near the Route 1 junction.
In the booking widget above, use the "Specify location" field to select Keflavik Airport (KEF) as your pickup point. This filters results to show only cars available at the terminal, with exact balance-payment and deposit terms displayed for each model before you commit.
Route 41 connects to Route 1 within 15 minutes. From that junction you can head east toward the capital and southern attractions, or west to explore the Reykjanes peninsula's geothermal areas and coastal cliffs. All roads are paved and open year-round, though wind remains a constant factor.
A fuel station sits at the junction of Route 41 and Route 1, about 10 km north of the terminal. Stations accept credit and debit cards at self-service pumps; PIN entry is standard. Fill the tank before returning the car to avoid refuelling fees charged by the rental company.
The terminal serves as the main hub for Iceland's rental fleet. You will find compact hatchbacks for quick city trips, crossovers for Ring Road tours, and larger SUVs for F-road access in summer. The table below shows common models; actual availability and specifications appear in the search results above.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai i10 | Compact | Solo travellers or couples staying on Route 1, minimal luggage |
| Renault Clio | Economy Hatchback | Reykjavik and South Coast paved routes, one suitcase per passenger |
| Dacia Logan Stepway | Crossover | Slightly higher clearance for gravel car parks, two adults plus child seat |
| Kia X-Ceed | Compact SUV | Ring Road circuit with luggage for two, good fuel economy |
| MG ZS | Compact SUV | Mixed paved and maintained gravel roads, moderate boot space |
| Suzuki Vitara | Compact SUV | Golden Circle and South Coast loop, petrol engine common |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | AWD Crossover | Continuous all-wheel drive for icy winter roads, higher ground clearance |
| Dacia Duster | Compact SUV | Budget-conscious choice for Ring Road, adequate power on inclines |
| Hyundai Tucson | Mid-Size SUV | Three passengers with full luggage, winter tyres fitted in season |
| Mazda CX-5 | Mid-Size SUV | Comfortable highway cruising, good visibility in rain |
| Toyota Rav4 | Mid-Size SUV | Reliable AWD for variable weather, popular hybrid option |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Mid-Size SUV | Boot space for camping gear, stable in crosswinds |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 7-Seater SUV | Families or small groups, third-row bench for children |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Large 4x4 | F-road crossings in summer, part-time 4WD with low range |
| Citroen SpaceTourer | 7-Seater MPV | Group travel on paved roads, sliding rear doors for tight car parks |
| Toyota Proace Verso | 8-Seater Van | Larger groups with luggage, motorway comfort |
| Renault Trafic | 9-Seater Van | Maximum passenger count, separate luggage compartment essential |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 9-Seater Van | Long-distance group tours, individual rear seats |
These models represent common examples. The precise list changes daily based on bookings, maintenance schedules, and seasonal demand. Always check the search widget for real-time availability, transmission type, and fuel policy. Each listing states whether a deposit is required and which payment methods the specific car accepts for the balance due at pickup.
Keflavik experiences frequent wind and occasional low visibility from sea mist. A few practical steps make the pickup and return process smoother, especially after a red-eye flight or before an early departure.
Many cars at KEF require no deposit at all - no hold, no block, no card swipe for security. Payment terms vary by individual vehicle, not by category, so two SUVs sitting side by side may have completely different requirements. Our search shows every condition up front.
Run a search in the widget above for your dates and the Keflavik Airport location. Each result card displays deposit and payment details beneath the model photo. Look for "No deposit required" and "Debit card accepted" or "Cash accepted" labels. About half the airport fleet accepts debit cards or cash for the balance payment, giving you flexibility if you do not hold or prefer not to use a credit card.
Remember that a zero-deposit policy and excess-waiver coverage are independent terms. The car may still carry an excess - the amount you pay toward damage before coverage applies - but the rental company will not place a hold on your card as security against that excess. Damage, fuel charges, and traffic fines remain your responsibility within the limits stated in the agreement.
When you complete a booking on our site, you pay a portion of the total hire as an advance by card. This confirms your reservation. The remaining balance is due when you collect the car at the terminal, using the payment method shown in your voucher - debit card, cash, or credit card, depending on the specific vehicle you selected.
We do not accept cash for the online booking advance; cards only. For full details on how the split payment works and which cards we process, see payment and advance information. If your debit card has a low spending limit and you want to avoid using a credit card, contact your bank to request a temporary increase before you travel.
Short answers to the questions we hear most often about picking up and returning cars at KEF terminal.
Most rental desks sit in the arrivals hall immediately after you exit customs. Some companies use a meet-and-greet system: a representative waits outside the terminal doors holding a sign with your name. Your voucher states the exact procedure and includes a phone number if you cannot find the desk or greeter.
Yes. Around half the cars at the airport accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment due at pickup. The specific payment method is shown for each car in the search results above. Select the vehicle that matches your preferred payment type, and the voucher will confirm the arrangement.
Immigration and baggage claim usually take 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how many flights arrive simultaneously. The rental paperwork itself needs about 10 minutes at the desk, plus a 5-minute walk-around inspection of the car. Budget one hour from touchdown to driving out of the car park.
Route 41 north to Route 1 is a well-maintained dual carriageway with clear signs in English. Wind can be strong across open stretches, so keep a firm grip on the wheel. The 50 km journey to central Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes in normal weather. Fuel stations appear every 15 km along Route 1.
Enter your flight number when booking. The rental company monitors arrivals automatically and adjusts the meet or desk time to match your actual landing. You will not pay extra fees for delays caused by the airline. If the delay is extreme, the company will contact you using the mobile number in your booking.
No. Route 1 around the south and west coast is paved year-round. A standard hatchback or crossover is adequate for the Ring Road as far as Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. You only need a 4x4 with high clearance if you plan to drive F-roads in the highlands between June and September, or if you want extra stability in deep snow during winter.
The terminal sits at the gateway to lava fields, coastal cliffs, and the Ring Road. Meet your rental car minutes after clearing customs, load your luggage, and drive straight toward Reykjavik or the South Coast without waiting for shuttles or taxis. Book now with no deposit on eligible cars, free cancellation, and full transparency on payment methods before you confirm.