Transport in Iceland: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
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[[File:Icelandic-Road-Sign.JPG|thumb|right|An example of an Icelandic Road sign, showing the way to many farms and villages]]
[[File:Reykjanesbraut í Hafnarfirði.jpg|thumb|245x245px|Road transport is the primary domestic mode of transport in iceland. Pictured is [[Route 41 (Iceland)|Reykjanesbraut (Route 41)]]]]
The modes of '''transport in [[Iceland]]''' are governed by the country's rugged [[terrain]] and [[population density|sparse population]]. Domestically, the principal mode of transportation is by [[road]], supplemented by [[Aviation|air transport]] for longer distances. International transport is mostly by [[Ship|sea]] for freight and by [[International flight|air]] for passenger services, [[Mail|post]] and perishable goods. There are no [[railways]], although there are passenger [[bus]] services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three major projects (EUR1 billion) at Keflavik Airport in next 12 years – right choice? Part one |url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/three-major-projects-eur1-billion-at-keflavik-airport-in-the-next-12-years-the-right-choice-639739 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation |language=en}}</ref> 


The modes of '''transport in [[Iceland]]''' are governed by the country's rugged [[terrain]] and [[population density|sparse population]]. The principal mode of personal transport is the [[car]]. There are no public [[railways]], although there are [[bus]] services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three major projects (EUR1 billion) at Keflavik Airport in next 12 years – right choice? Part one |url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/three-major-projects-eur1-billion-at-keflavik-airport-in-the-next-12-years-the-right-choice-639739 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation |language=en}}</ref> Domestic [[Commercial flight|flights]] serve places that reduce travel time significantly, or are seasonally inaccessible by road.
The [[Icelandic Transport Authority]] regulates all modes of transport in Iceland. Most of the country's [[transport infrastructure]] is concentrated near the [[Capital Region (Iceland)|Greater Reykjavík Area]], which is home to 64% of the country's population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population by municipality, age and sex 1998-2022 - Division into municipalites as of 1 January 2023 |url=https://px.hagstofa.is:443/pxenpxen/pxweb/en/Ibuar/Ibuar__mannfjoldi__2_byggdir__sveitarfelog/MAN02005.px/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=PX-Web}}</ref>  
 
The only international forms of transport are by [[Air transport|air]] and [[Ferry|sea]]. Most of the country's [[transport infrastructure]] is concentrated near the [[Capital Region (Iceland)|Capital Region]], which is home to 64% of the country's population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population by municipality, age and sex 1998-2022 - Division into municipalites as of 1 January 2023 |url=https://px.hagstofa.is:443/pxenpxen/pxweb/en/Ibuar/Ibuar__mannfjoldi__2_byggdir__sveitarfelog/MAN02005.px/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=PX-Web}}</ref>


==Rail==
==Rail==
{{Main|Rail transport in Iceland}}
{{Main|Rail transport in Iceland}}
Iceland has [[Rail transport in Iceland|no public railways]], although proposals to build a passenger line between [[Keflavík]] and [[Reykjavík]] have been made as well as proposals to build a [[light rail]] system in Reykjavík.<ref>{{cite magazine | title=MPs Propose Trains in Iceland | magazine=[[Iceland Review]] | access-date=2010-04-25 | date=2008-02-20 | url=http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/search/news/Default.asp?ew_0_a_id=301156}}</ref>
Iceland has [[Rail transport in Iceland|no railways]], although proposals to build a passenger line between [[Keflavík]] and [[Reykjavík]] have been made as well as proposals to build a [[light rail]] system in Reykjavík.<ref>{{cite magazine | title=MPs Propose Trains in Iceland | magazine=[[Iceland Review]] | access-date=2010-04-25 | date=2008-02-20 | url=http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/search/news/Default.asp?ew_0_a_id=301156}}</ref>


In the past, locomotive-powered and hand-operated rails were temporarily set up during certain construction projects, but these have long since been dismantled.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kirk |first=N. P. |year=1902 |title=Map of Reykjavík Harbour Railway |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_Reykjav%C3%ADk_Harbour_Railway.jpg |journal=Minjasafnið |language=en}}</ref> Some artifacts from their existence remains in museums and as static exhibits.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1982 |title=Minjasafn Reykjavík |url=http://minjasafnreykjavikur.is/english/Portaldata/12/Resources//Jarnbrautin___Reykjavik_baeklingur_1982.pdf |website=minjasafnreykjavikur.is/}}</ref>
In the past, two locomotive-powered railways were used during certain construction projects as well as cable and manually hauled railways have been used, but these have long since been dismantled.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kirk |first=N. P. |year=1902 |title=Map of Reykjavík Harbour Railway |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_Reykjav%C3%ADk_Harbour_Railway.jpg |journal=Minjasafnið |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1982 |title=Minjasafn Reykjavík |url=http://minjasafnreykjavikur.is/english/Portaldata/12/Resources//Jarnbrautin___Reykjavik_baeklingur_1982.pdf |website=minjasafnreykjavikur.is/}}</ref>


==Road==
==Road==
{{Main|Roads in Iceland}}
{{Main|Roads in Iceland}}
[[File:Southeast across Eyjafjörður.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Road across [[Eyjafjörður]] in northern Iceland from the western exit of the [[Öxnadalsheiði]] pass]]
[[File:View of Ögmundarhraun lava field in Iceland from Road 427.jpg|thumb|245x245px|Typical stretch of road in Iceland]]
Transport in Iceland is heavily dependent on roads and most domestic freight and passenger transport is carried by road.<ref name=":1" /> As of 2025, Iceland has {{convert|12900|km|mi}} of public highways, {{convert|7300|km|mi}} of which are paved.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hvað eru margir kílómetrar af vegum á Íslandi? |url=https://www.visindavefur.is/svar.php?id=1690 |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=Vísindavefurinn |language=is}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Vegagerð |url=https://www.si.is/innvidir-a-islandi/vegagerd/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=Samtök iðnaðarins - íslenskur iðnaður |language=is}}</ref> Most highways are [[Single carriageway|two-lane roads]], but in the southwestern corner of the country [[Dual carriageway|dual carriageways]] are prevalent, including in and around Reykjavík. Roads to remote areas, including the highlands are usually [[Road surface|unpaved]]. [[List of tunnels in Iceland|Iceland has 14 road tunnels]], including one undersea tunnel, totalling around 60 km.<ref name=":2" />
 
Iceland [[Left- and right-hand traffic|drives on the right]]. The national [[Speed limits in Iceland|speed limit]] is {{convert|90|km/h|mph}} ; {{convert|70|km/h|mph}} in tunnels and {{convert|50|km/h|mph}} through urban areas. [[Road signs in Iceland]] are based on the [[Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] but it is not a signatory. Iceland is a party to the [[Geneva Convention on Road Traffic|1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic]].
 
[[File:Route1(iceland).png|thumb|right|The Ring Road of Iceland|245x245px]]
 
[[Route 1 (Iceland)|The Ring Road of Iceland (Route 1)]] circles the entire country. It is a major [[Trunk road|trunk route]] and is considered to be the most important piece of transport infrastructure in Iceland as it connects the majority of towns together in the most densely populated areas of the country. Economically, it carries a large proportion of [[goods]] traffic as well as [[Tourism|tourist]] traffic. The total length of the road is {{Convert|1322|km|mi}}, making it the longest [[ring road]] in Europe. Most other [[Roads in Iceland|routes]] branch off the ring road.<ref>[https://www.vegagerdin.is/vefur2.nsf/Files/RoadSystem2012/$file/RoadSystem2012.pdf The Road System - 2012]. Icelandic Road Administration, ICERA.</ref>


[[File:Route1(iceland).png|thumb|right|''[[Route 1 (Iceland)|The Ring Road of Iceland]] and some towns it passes through: ''
[[Vegagerðin]], the Icelandic Road Administration, manages the country's road network. 11.4% of passenger-kilometres are by bus and 88.6% by car, as of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/refreshTableAction.do?tab=table&plugin=1&pcode=t2020_rk310&language=en|title=Eurostat - Modal split of passenger transport|website=ec.europa.eu|access-date=2018-04-20}}</ref> Iceland has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world—with 779 cars per 1000 people as of 2024.<ref name=":3" />
1.[[Reykjavík]], 2.[[Borgarnes]], 3.[[Blönduós]], 4.[[Akureyri]],
5.[[Egilsstaðir]], 6.[[Höfn]], 7.[[Selfoss (town)|Selfoss]]]]


Iceland has {{convert|12869|km|mi}} of publicly administered roads, {{convert|5040|km|mi}} of which are paved.{{as of?|date=March 2025}}<ref>{{cite web | title=Samgönguáætlun 2009-2012 (National transport plan 2009-2012) | publisher=[[Alþingi|Alþingi (Icelandic parliament)]] | access-date=2010-04-25 | url=http://www.althingi.is/altext/138/s/pdf/0973.pdf}}</ref> Organized road building began about 1900 and has greatly expanded since 1980. [[Vegagerðin]] (Icelandic Roads Administration) is the legal owner and constructor of the roads, and oversees and maintains them as well. 11.4% of passenger-kilometres are by bus and 88.6% by car.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/refreshTableAction.do?tab=table&plugin=1&pcode=t2020_rk310&language=en|title=Eurostat - Modal split of passenger transport|website=ec.europa.eu|access-date=2018-04-20}}</ref>
=== Cycling ===
Dedicated [[cycling infrastructure]] exists within the [[Capital Region (Iceland)|Greater Reykjavík Area]] and other towns. Cycling on national highways is permitted, but discouraged due to unsafe conditions on high traffic two-lane roads. Dedicated cycle paths exist between [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavík Airport]] and the town of [[Keflavík]], as well as between [[Selfoss (town)|Selfoss]] and [[Eyrarbakki]].  


==Sea==
==Sea==
The major [[harbour]]s in Iceland are:
[[File:Eimskip container terminal at Port of Reykjavík.jpg|thumb|Sundahöfn Port in Reykjavík|245x245px]]
As an [[island country]], Iceland has always been reliant on the sea for transportation. Most [[Localities of Iceland|towns in Iceland]] are located on the [[coast]] for this reason, as shipping was the only viable option and for access to fishing grounds. Domestic freight shipping went into decline with the development of the road network in the late 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adam |first=Darren |date=2025-08-06 |title=Coastal shipping costly and too slow for many customers - RÚV.is |url=https://www.ruv.is/english/450277 |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=RÚV}}</ref> All ports in Iceland are ice-free year round. In the early 21st century, there was a significant increase in [[cruise ship]] traffic to, from and around Iceland.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fridriksson |first1=Jon |last2=Wise |first2=Nicholas |last3=Scott |first3=Peter |date=2020-03-01 |title=Iceland's bourgeoning cruise industry: An economic opportunity or a local threat? |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094220911369 |journal=Local Economy |language=EN |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=143–154 |doi=10.1177/0269094220911369 |issn=0269-0942}}</ref>


=== Major shipping ports ===
* [[Akureyri]]
* [[Akureyri]]
* [[Hornafjördur]]
* Grundartangi - heavy industry
* [[Húsavík]]
* [[Ísafjörður]]
* [[Ísafjörður]]
* [[Keflavík]]
* [[Keflavík]] - fuel
* [[Raufarhöfn]]
* [[Reykjavík]] (Sundahöfn) - largest port in Iceland
* [[Reykjavík]]
* Reykjavík (Örfirisey) - fuel
* [[Seyðisfjörður]]
* [[Reyðarfjörður]] - aluminium smelter
* [[Straumsvík]]
* [[Sauðárkrókur|Sauðarkrókur]]
* [[Seyðisfjörður]] - international ferry port
* [[Straumsvík]] - aluminium smelter
* [[Vestmannaeyjar]]
* [[Vestmannaeyjar]]
;Merchant marine
3 ships (with a tonnage of 1,000gt or over) totaling 13,085gt/{{DWT|16,938|metric|disp=long}}
1 [[chemical tanker]], 1 [[container ship]], 1 [[oil tanker|petroleum tanker]] (1999 est.)


;Transport ferries
=== Merchant marine ===
The only habitable islands around Iceland are supplied and connected with the mainland by regular ferries. These islands are:
[[Eimskip]] and [[Samskip]] are the major shipping companies of Iceland providing container routes to [[Europe]] and [[North America]]. Other shipping companies also provide service.
* [[Vestmannaeyjar]] The largest and most populated offshore island.
[[File:Herjolfur IMO 9825099 F Landeyjahöfn 10-07-2021 (3).jpg|thumb|The Herjólfur ferry sails to Vestmannaeyjar.]]
* [[Hrísey]] In the middle of [[Eyjafjörður]] in northern Iceland.
 
* [[Grímsey]] In the far north, the northernmost part of Iceland.
=== Transport ferries ===
The only habitable islands around Iceland are connected with the mainland by regular [[Ferry|ferries]]:
* [[Landeyjahöfn|Landeyjarhöfn]]-[[Vestmannaeyjar]] The largest and most populated offshore island, located off the south coast. Sails to [[Þorlákshöfn]] in bad sea conditions. [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry
* [[Dalvík]]/Árskógssandur-[[Hrísey]] in the middle of [[Eyjafjörður]] fjord in northern Iceland.
* [[Dalvík]]-[[Grímsey]] in the far north, the northernmost part of Iceland.


These ferries are considered part of the infrastructure system, and are therefore run by [[Vegagerðin]] like the roads.
* [[Stykkisholmur]]-[[Flatey, Breiðafjörður|Flatey]]-Brjánslækur in the [[Breiðafjörður]] bay. [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry
* There is also a car ferry between [[Stykkisholmur]] on Snæfell peninsula and Brjánslækur in the [[West Fjords]] peninsula, stopping at [[Flatey, Breiðafjörður|Flatey]] island.
There is one international roll-on/roll-off ferry, [[MS Norröna|Norröna]], between [[Seyðisfjörður]] on the east coast of Iceland to [[Hirtshals]], Denmark via [[Tórshavn]], [[Faroe Islands]]. It is run by [[Smyril Line]].
* There is one international ferry between [[Seyðisfjörður]] on the east coast and the [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Denmark]].


==Air==
==Air==
{{See also|Air transport in Iceland}}
{{See also|Air transport in Iceland}}
[[File:SSJ100 Keflavik runways (5160518757).jpg|thumb|Keflavík International Airport]]
As of 2024, there are 83 [[list of airports in Iceland|airports in Iceland]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iceland/|publisher=CIA|title=CIA World Factbook|date=21 July 2024 }}</ref> of which 12 are served by regular scheduled passenger air service. [[Keflavík International Airport]] is by far largest airport and is the country's international transport hub; almost all journeys to and from Iceland pass through this airport. [[Akureyri Airport]] is also served by scheduled international services. [[Reykjavík Airport]], located within the city, is the country's domestic hub.


[[File:Icelandair B757-200 (TF-FIO) @ LHR, Aug 2007.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Boeing 757-200]] of [[Icelandair]], the main airline of Iceland]]
The largest airline is [[Icelandair]], which provides both international and domestic connectivity. [[Norlandair]] provides air service to more remote domestic destinations. Iceland is unusually well connected, considering its population, with over 80 destinations served primarily to [[North America]] and [[Europe]], as a result of its tourism industry and role as a [[Atlantic Bridge (flight route)|transatlantic bridge]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lassetter |first=Jon |date=2024-10-01 |title=Iceland's Keflavik Airport to offer record number of destination this winter |url=https://airserviceone.com/icelands-keflavik-airport-to-offer-record-number-of-destination-this-winter/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Air Service One |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
As of 2024,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iceland/|publisher=CIA|title=CIA World Factbook|date=21 July 2024 }}</ref> there are 83 [[list of airports in Iceland|airports in Iceland]]:


{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
Line 71: Line 81:


==Public transport==
==Public transport==
[[Image:Strætó.JPG|thumb|200px|A Strætó bus in Reykjavík.]]
[[File:5 Buses Reykjavik 270918.jpg|thumb|239x239px|Strætó buses in Reykjavík.]]
[[Image:Iceland-Reykjavik-Bus stop 3.jpg|thumb|200px|A bus stop in Reykjavík.]]
Public transport in Iceland is based entirely on [[Bus|buses]], as no [[Rail transport|railways]] or [[rapid transit]] systems exist. The largest bus system is in the [[Capital Region (Iceland)|Greater Reykjavík Area]], operated by [[Strætó]]. Urban bus systems also operate in the towns of [[Akureyri]], [[Akranes]], [[Egilsstaðir]] and [[Reykjanesbær]] ([[Keflavík]]).<ref name=lmb>{{Cite thesis |last=Berker |first=Lisanne Melissa |title=Sustainable Public Transport in Iceland. Drivers and Barriers |date=May 2023 |degree=Thesis |url=https://skemman.is/handle/1946/43864 |language=en}}</ref>
Public transport systems in Iceland are relatively underdeveloped and many areas are poorly served by [[public transport]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Upham |first1=Paul |last2=Sovacool |first2=Benjamin K. |last3=Monyei |first3=Chukwuka G. |title=Energy and transport poverty amidst plenty: Exploring just transition, lived experiences and policy implications in Iceland |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |date=2022 |language=en |volume=163 |pages=112533 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2022.112533|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022RSERv.16312533U }}</ref>
[[File:Iceland bus network 2025.png|thumb|Long distance bus network as of 2025.]]
 
[[Strætó]] also manages [[Intercity bus service|long-distance buses]] around the country which are operated from the Mjódd terminal in Reykjavík. Most towns in Iceland are served by long-distance bus services and regional systems also operate in [[Árborg]] ([[Selfoss (town)|Selfoss]]), the [[Westfjords]] and in North and East Iceland. Long-distance services are infrequent and mainly targeted towards schoolchildren, although some trunk routes are better served. All [[Ferry|ferries]], as described in the previous section, carry passengers. Many in Iceland consider domestic air travel a form of public transport.<ref name=lmb/>
Services are provided in major urban areas, for example [[Strætó bs]] operates bus services in the [[Reykjavík]] area (including the municipality of [[Reykjanesbær]]), and Strætisvagnar Akureyrar in the northern town of [[Akureyri]]. There are nationwide [[Coach (vehicle)|coach]] and bus services linking the major towns, although many [[Icelanders]] use domestic flights to get from one major town to another: for example between Reykjavík and Ísafjörður.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Should You Rent a Car or Use Public Transportation in Iceland? |url=https://www.gocarrental.is/blog/guides/car-rental-iceland-vs-public-transportation/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=gocarrental.is |date=12 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>{{dubious|date=May 2024}}
 
Automobile ownership is also relatively high—the country has one of the highest rates in the world—with 580 cars per 1000 people (as of 2000){{Fix|text=Out of date}}, a figure similar to the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ICELAND WORLDWIDE – Practical information|url=http://www.iww.is/pages/generalinfo/chap/driving.html|accessdate=2008-05-24|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816021230/http://iww.is/pages/generalinfo/chap/driving.html|archivedate=2007-08-16}}</ref>  


In the 2000s, and most recently in 2014, there have been proposals to construct a railway between [[Keflavík Airport]] and [[Reykjavík]]. The airport in Keflavík is Iceland's main international airport; however, it is not situated close to the capital. It is currently served by a coach service, but [[Reykjavik City Council]] has agreed to conduct a [[feasibility study]] on the railway proposal, saying they are prepared to contribute 10 million [[Icelandic króna|krónur]] of funding.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iceland Review—Reykjavík City Wants Feasibility Study on Trains|date=28 March 2008 |url=https://www.icelandreview.com/news/reykjavik-city-wants-feasibility-study-trains/|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> A [[light rail]] network within the capital has also been proposed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iceland Review—MPs Propose Trains in Iceland|date=20 February 2008 |url=https://www.icelandreview.com/news/mps-propose-trains-iceland/|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref>
Automobile ownership in Iceland is high—the country has one of the highest rates in the world—with 779 cars per 1000 people (as of 2024), a figure similar to the [[United States]].<ref name=":3">Includes automobiles and motorbikes. Excludes vehicles not on the road.{{cite web |title=Tölfræði |url=https://bifreidatolur.samgongustofa.is/#tolfraedi |access-date=15 Oct 2024 |website=bifreidatolur.samgongustofa.is}}</ref> Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, government policy and investment was based on road transport, including in Reykjavík.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Monyei |first1=Chukwuka G. |last2=Upham |first2=Paul |last3=Sovacool |first3=Benjamin K. |date=2024-05-01 |title=Micro-stories and the lived experience of transport poverty: Lessons from Iceland for just mobility transitions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032124000686 |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |volume=196 |article-number=114345 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2024.114345 |bibcode=2024RSERv.19614345M |issn=1364-0321}}</ref> As a result, Iceland is highly [[Car dependency|car-dependent]] and [[public transport]] systems in Iceland are relatively underdeveloped.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Upham |first1=Paul |last2=Sovacool |first2=Benjamin K. |last3=Monyei |first3=Chukwuka G. |date=2022 |title=Energy and transport poverty amidst plenty: Exploring just transition, lived experiences and policy implications in Iceland |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |language=en |volume=163 |article-number=112533 |bibcode=2022RSERv.16312533U |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2022.112533 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Long-distance travel between towns in Iceland was previously dependent on air travel, due to terrain and underdeveloped road networks, as such long-distance buses never became very prevalent.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Keeling |first=David J. |date=December 2020 |title=Transport geography in Iceland |journal=Journal of Transport Geography |volume=89 |article-number=102875 |doi=10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102875 |issn=0966-6923 |pmc=7567469 |pmid=33100609 |bibcode=2020JTGeo..8902875K }}</ref>


The country is served by one international ferry service: from the [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Denmark]] to/from Seyðisfjörður by [[Smyril Line]]. There is also a local ferry service between [[Þorlákshöfn]] and the [[Vestmannaeyjar|Westman Islands]], operated by [[Eimskip]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Eimskip – Forsíða|url=http://www.eimskip.is/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-368/|accessdate=2008-05-24|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517015315/http://www.eimskip.is/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-368//|archivedate=2008-05-17}}</ref>
A [[Bus rapid transit|bus rapid transit system]] is planned for the Greater Reykjavík Area, called [[Borgarlína]]. Originally envisioned as a [[light rail]] system, the network will be composed of dedicated rights of way for buses and prioritised junctions. As of 2025, the first phase is due to open in 2031.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Staða og framtíð borgarlínu og samgöngusáttmála |url=https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2024/12/03/stada_og_framtid_borgarlinu_og_samgongusattmala/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=www.mbl.is |language=is}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 22:37, 7 November 2025

Template:Short description

File:Reykjanesbraut í Hafnarfirði.jpg
Road transport is the primary domestic mode of transport in iceland. Pictured is Reykjanesbraut (Route 41)

The modes of transport in Iceland are governed by the country's rugged terrain and sparse population. Domestically, the principal mode of transportation is by road, supplemented by air transport for longer distances. International transport is mostly by sea for freight and by air for passenger services, post and perishable goods. There are no railways, although there are passenger bus services.[1]

The Icelandic Transport Authority regulates all modes of transport in Iceland. Most of the country's transport infrastructure is concentrated near the Greater Reykjavík Area, which is home to 64% of the country's population.[2]

Rail

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Iceland has no railways, although proposals to build a passenger line between Keflavík and Reykjavík have been made as well as proposals to build a light rail system in Reykjavík.[3]

In the past, two locomotive-powered railways were used during certain construction projects as well as cable and manually hauled railways have been used, but these have long since been dismantled.[4][5]

Road

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

File:View of Ögmundarhraun lava field in Iceland from Road 427.jpg
Typical stretch of road in Iceland

Transport in Iceland is heavily dependent on roads and most domestic freight and passenger transport is carried by road.[6] As of 2025, Iceland has Template:Convert of public highways, Template:Convert of which are paved.[7][8] Most highways are two-lane roads, but in the southwestern corner of the country dual carriageways are prevalent, including in and around Reykjavík. Roads to remote areas, including the highlands are usually unpaved. Iceland has 14 road tunnels, including one undersea tunnel, totalling around 60 km.[8]

Iceland drives on the right. The national speed limit is Template:Convert ; Template:Convert in tunnels and Template:Convert through urban areas. Road signs in Iceland are based on the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals but it is not a signatory. Iceland is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

File:Route1(iceland).png
The Ring Road of Iceland

The Ring Road of Iceland (Route 1) circles the entire country. It is a major trunk route and is considered to be the most important piece of transport infrastructure in Iceland as it connects the majority of towns together in the most densely populated areas of the country. Economically, it carries a large proportion of goods traffic as well as tourist traffic. The total length of the road is Template:Convert, making it the longest ring road in Europe. Most other routes branch off the ring road.[9]

Vegagerðin, the Icelandic Road Administration, manages the country's road network. 11.4% of passenger-kilometres are by bus and 88.6% by car, as of 2018.[10] Iceland has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world—with 779 cars per 1000 people as of 2024.[11]

Cycling

Dedicated cycling infrastructure exists within the Greater Reykjavík Area and other towns. Cycling on national highways is permitted, but discouraged due to unsafe conditions on high traffic two-lane roads. Dedicated cycle paths exist between Keflavík Airport and the town of Keflavík, as well as between Selfoss and Eyrarbakki.

Sea

File:Eimskip container terminal at Port of Reykjavík.jpg
Sundahöfn Port in Reykjavík

As an island country, Iceland has always been reliant on the sea for transportation. Most towns in Iceland are located on the coast for this reason, as shipping was the only viable option and for access to fishing grounds. Domestic freight shipping went into decline with the development of the road network in the late 20th century.[12] All ports in Iceland are ice-free year round. In the early 21st century, there was a significant increase in cruise ship traffic to, from and around Iceland.[13]

Major shipping ports

Merchant marine

Eimskip and Samskip are the major shipping companies of Iceland providing container routes to Europe and North America. Other shipping companies also provide service.

File:Herjolfur IMO 9825099 F Landeyjahöfn 10-07-2021 (3).jpg
The Herjólfur ferry sails to Vestmannaeyjar.

Transport ferries

The only habitable islands around Iceland are connected with the mainland by regular ferries:

There is one international roll-on/roll-off ferry, Norröna, between Seyðisfjörður on the east coast of Iceland to Hirtshals, Denmark via Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. It is run by Smyril Line.

Air

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File:SSJ100 Keflavik runways (5160518757).jpg
Keflavík International Airport

As of 2024, there are 83 airports in Iceland,[14] of which 12 are served by regular scheduled passenger air service. Keflavík International Airport is by far largest airport and is the country's international transport hub; almost all journeys to and from Iceland pass through this airport. Akureyri Airport is also served by scheduled international services. Reykjavík Airport, located within the city, is the country's domestic hub.

The largest airline is Icelandair, which provides both international and domestic connectivity. Norlandair provides air service to more remote domestic destinations. Iceland is unusually well connected, considering its population, with over 80 destinations served primarily to North America and Europe, as a result of its tourism industry and role as a transatlantic bridge.[15]

Airport runways in Iceland
Length Paved Unpaved Totals
Over 3,047 m 1 0 1
1,524 to 2,437 m 3 3 6
914 to 1,523 m 2 27 29
Under 914 m 0 63 63
Total 6 93 99

Public transport

File:5 Buses Reykjavik 270918.jpg
Strætó buses in Reykjavík.

Public transport in Iceland is based entirely on buses, as no railways or rapid transit systems exist. The largest bus system is in the Greater Reykjavík Area, operated by Strætó. Urban bus systems also operate in the towns of Akureyri, Akranes, Egilsstaðir and Reykjanesbær (Keflavík).[16]

File:Iceland bus network 2025.png
Long distance bus network as of 2025.

Strætó also manages long-distance buses around the country which are operated from the Mjódd terminal in Reykjavík. Most towns in Iceland are served by long-distance bus services and regional systems also operate in Árborg (Selfoss), the Westfjords and in North and East Iceland. Long-distance services are infrequent and mainly targeted towards schoolchildren, although some trunk routes are better served. All ferries, as described in the previous section, carry passengers. Many in Iceland consider domestic air travel a form of public transport.[16]

Automobile ownership in Iceland is high—the country has one of the highest rates in the world—with 779 cars per 1000 people (as of 2024), a figure similar to the United States.[11] Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, government policy and investment was based on road transport, including in Reykjavík.[17] As a result, Iceland is highly car-dependent and public transport systems in Iceland are relatively underdeveloped.[18] Long-distance travel between towns in Iceland was previously dependent on air travel, due to terrain and underdeveloped road networks, as such long-distance buses never became very prevalent.[6]

A bus rapid transit system is planned for the Greater Reykjavík Area, called Borgarlína. Originally envisioned as a light rail system, the network will be composed of dedicated rights of way for buses and prioritised junctions. As of 2025, the first phase is due to open in 2031.[19]

See also

References

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Template:Iceland topics Template:Transportation in Europe

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  9. ↑ The Road System - 2012. Icelandic Road Administration, ICERA.
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  16. ↑ a b Template:Cite thesis
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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