WHY THE REYKJAVIK CITY CARD IS A LIFE SAVER

The Reykjavík City Card is an all-in-one visitor pass offering free entry to top museums, access to all city geothermal pools, and unlimited travel on city buses. It is available in consecutive 24, 48, or 72-hour increments to fit your travel timeline. With the card, you can visit Museums & Galleries for free, Unlimited entry to Geothermal Pools, public transit, discounts on select restaurants, shops, and attractions, and a complimentary ferry ride to the historic Viðey Island. You can book the pass online in advance through platforms like Guide to Iceland or GetYourGuide, then you must swap your digital voucher for a physical card at an official pick-up point, such as Reykjavík City Hall or major city museums. The card is activated the first time it is scanned at a bus, pool, or museum, and stays active for your chosen consecutive hours. The card is highly cost-effective if you plan a busy itinerary                          

What is Included

The Reykjavik City Card offers free unlimited travel on public buses, free admission to over 15 museums and galleries, free entry to all 8 geothermal swimming pools, and a complimentary ferry to Viðey Island. It also includes various discounts on tours, shopping, and dining. The pass is available in 24, 48, and 72-hour increments.

                                   

Unlimited travel 

Free travel on all Reykjavík city buses.

Public Buses: Unlimited free rides on the Strætó bus network within the capital region.

Viðey Island Ferry: Free round-trip ferry ride to the historic Viðey Island.

     

Geothermal pools 

Free entry to 8 swimming pools in the capital region

All 8 Swimming Pools: Includes popular geothermal spots like Laugardalslaug, Sundhöllin (downtown), and Árbæjarlaug.

Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo: Free entry to the petting zoo and family park.

                                

   

Museums & Galleries (Free Access)National & Cultural

National Museum of Iceland, The Settlement Exhibition, and Árbær 

Open Air Museum.Art: National Gallery of Iceland, Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum, and Hafnarhús.

Specialized: Reykjavík Maritime Museum, Reykjavík Museum of Photography, and the Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum.

                                 

    

Additional special discounts at various shops, restaurants, and tours around the city

Tours & Activities: Savings on Northern Lights tours (like Aurora Reykjavík), whale watching, and horseback riding.

Card provides 10% to 15% off standard pricing at a curated list of partnering local restaurants, bars, and traditional shops.

Restaurant and Bar Discounts

Most participating dining spots offer a blanket 10% or 15% discount on your total food menu bill. Top partnering establishments include:

Traditional Icelandic & Seafood: Get 10% to 15% off premium seafood dining at Fish Company (Fiskfélagið), Kopar, Höfnin, and Seafood Grill (Sjávargrillid).

Bistros & Casual Eats: Enjoy 10% off at Geysir Bistro and AALTO Bistro (located inside the Nordic House).

International Options: Save 10% on casual international meals at Rossopomodoro (Italian), Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, and Ning's (Chinese).

Nightlife & Drinks: Grab a 10% discount on food and drinks at the lively, movie-themed Lebowski Bar on Laugavegur shopping street.

Shopping and Souvenir Discounts

The Handknitting Association of Iceland: Receive a 10% discount at their main store. This is the most trusted and famous place in town to purchase an authentic, locally hand-knitted Icelandic wool sweater (lopapeysa).

The Viking Souvenir Shop: Save 10% to 25% on generic souvenirs, gifts, clothing, and local trinkets.

Systur & Makar: Get a discount on curated, locally designed Icelandic home decor, clothing, and unique boutique gifts.

Quick Tips for Maximizing Food & Shop Savings

Check Before Ordering: Partnering merchants change occasionally. It is highly recommended to double-check the current active partner leaflet provided at your physical Reykjavík City Card pickup location.

Alcohol Exclusions: Be aware that restaurant discounts usually apply strictly to the food portion of your bill. Alcohol is heavily taxed in Iceland and is routinely excluded from standard tourism card promotions.

What is Not Included

The Reykjavík City Card does not include any out-of-city transport, commercial luxury spas, or commercial day tours.

                                  

Transport Exclusions

Airport Transfers: The Official Reykjavík City Card does not cover the airport shuttle buses or public Bus Line 55 to and from Keflavík International Airport.

Hop-On Hop-Off Buses: The red tourist sightseeing buses are operated by a private company and require a separate ticket.

Buses Outside Capital Area: You cannot use the card on Strætó buses traveling outside the capital region (e.g., buses going to South Iceland or Akureyri).

Attraction Exclusions

                                 

                                 

Premium Geothermal Spas: While local neighborhood pools are free, major commercial spas like the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are completely excluded.

Hallgrímskirkja Tower: You can enter the famous church for free, but ascending the tower for the city view requires a separate paid ticket.

Perlan Museum: The main exhibition spaces, Planetarium, and Ice Cave at Perlan are not covered.

FlyOver Iceland: This popular flight simulator ride in the Grandi harbor district is privately owned and not included.

Specific Museum Exhibits: For example, general admission to the Maritime Museum is free, but stepping aboard the Óðinn Coast Guard Vessel parked outside is not.

The Icelandic Phallological Museum: Commonly known as the penis museum, entry is not covered (though the card may offer a minor discount coupon).                      

    

  

      

Tour Exclusions

Day Trips: Guided excursions leaving the city—such as the Golden Circle, Northern Lights hunt, or South Coast tours—are completely separate.

Whale Watching: Boat tours departing from the Old Harbour are not included.

                                  

Operational Exclusions

Fast Track Entry: The card is an admission pass, not a queue-jump ticket. You must wait in the standard lines at all museum desks.

Physical Card Requirement: A digital email confirmation or voucher cannot be used to board buses or enter museums. You must first swap your voucher for a physical plastic card at a designated pickup point like Reykjavík City Hall or the Reykjavík Art Museum.

Cost & Prices

The Reykjavík City Card costs between ISK 6.100 and ISK 10.500 depending on the duration you select. It provides excellent savings if you plan to utilize public transport and visit multiple attractions in the city.

Card Prices and Duration Options

24-Hour Card: ISK 6.100- Lowest Value: Requires strict, fast-paced planning to break even. 

48-Hour Card: ISK 8.500- Great Value: Best for a dedicated weekend trip or stopover. ISK 4.250 per day.

72-Hour Card: ISK 10.500-Best Value: Lowest daily rate; allows a relaxed, non-rushed sightseeing pace.

The 72-Hour Card offers the best mathematical and practical value, costing only ISK 3.500 per day.

How to Easily Break Even

To prove the value, you can fully cover the cost of a daily slot on a 72-hour card (ISK 3.500) by visiting just one major museum and taking two bus rides:

National Museum of Iceland entry: ~ISK 2.500 

Two single city bus rides: ~ISK 1.140 (approx. ISK 570 per ride)

Total standard cost: ISK 3.640 (You have already saved money, and any additional museums, ferries, or geothermal pool visits are completely free!)

When the Card is NOT Worth It

You are renting a car: Free city bus transit loses its financial perk if you are driving yourself everywhere.

You want to see the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon: Premium thermal spas like these are not included in the card (only local public geothermal pools are free).

You travel with kids under 18: Children already get free or heavily discounted entry at most Reykjavík city museums, so they do not need their own card.

How to Buy and Redeem

To buy and redeem your Reykjavík City Card, you must purchase it online and then swap your digital voucher for a physical plastic card once you arrive in the city. The card's countdown timer does not start until you physically write your activation details on it.

Step 1: Buy the Card Online

Visit the Official Reykjavík City Card Website or a trusted travel reseller like Guide to Iceland.

Select your desired timeframe: 24, 48, or 72 hours.

Complete the payment to instantly receive a digital voucher via email.

                                      

Step 2: Redeem for a Physical Card

When you get to Reykjavík, present your email voucher (on your smartphone or printed) to the staff at any of the official pickup points. They will issue your physical plastic card.

Most Convenient Pickup Locations:Reykjavík Art Museum - Hafnarhús: Located in the city center near the harbor. (Open daily 10:00–17:00)The Settlement Exhibition: Located downtown on Aðalstræti. (Open daily 10:00–17:00)Reykjavík City Hall (Ráðhúsið): Located by Lake Tjörnin. (Open weekdays only 09:00–16:00)

What’s On in Reykjavík: The main tourist information center located on Laugavegur 5. (Open daily 08:30–21:00)

Other Museums: You can also redeem it at the Maritime Museum, Árbær Open Air Museum, and Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum.

Step 3: Activate and Use

The Activation Rule: Your card is not activated when you pick it up.

Writing the Time: You must manually write the exact start date and time on the back of the card with a pen the moment you want to use your first bus or enter your first museum.

Boarding Buses: Flash the written date on your physical card to the Strætó city bus driver as you hop on.

Entering Museums/Pools: Hand the card to the front desk receptionist at any included attraction to be scanned for entry.

                                 

Common Questions about the Card

Is the card based on calendar days or hours?

It is based strictly on consecutive hours. If you activate a 24-hour card at 3:00 PM on a Tuesday, it remains valid until exactly 3:00 PM on Wednesday. This allows you to split its use across two calendar days.

Can multiple people share a single card?

No. The card is strictly non-transferable. You must write a single traveler's name on the back of the card, and museum staff may check it against your ID.

Are there senior or student discounts for the card?

No. There are no discounted senior or student tiers for the City Card itself. However, older adults (67+) already receive 50% off standard entry at individual museums, meaning buying individual tickets on arrival might be cheaper for seniors than purchasing the card.

Can I visit the same museum or pool twice?

Yes. You can re-enter your favorite included museums or thermal pools as many times as you like within your card’s active hours.

Are museums open on Mondays in Reykjavík?

Most are open, but a few galleries and boutique exhibitions close on Mondays. If your card spans a Monday, check the specific schedules on Visit Reykjavík to plan your museum route efficiently.

Does the card include the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo?

Yes. General admission to the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo (Húsdýragarðurinn) is fully covered by the card.

                                                           

How do I add the card to my phone?

You can apply for the card in person at your nearest Reykjavík swimming pool, a city museum, the Reykjavík Art Museum, the Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo or the geothermal beach.

Is there a fee to switch from a physical card to a digital one?

No. Switching from a physical card to a digital one is free. Your existing subscriptions will carry over.

Can I have both a physical and a digital card?

No. Once you add the card to your phone, your physical card will stop working.

Can I keep using my physical card?

Yes. You can choose whatever works best for you. Physical cards will remain available for those who prefer them. Just keep in mind that you cannot have both a physical and a digital card at the same time.

Should You get the Card

The decision to buy the Reykjavík City Card depends entirely on your pace, your accommodation, and your specific sightseeing plans.

                                

YOU SHOULD GET THE CARD IF:

You are an active sightseer: If you plan to visit at least 2 museums and 1 thermal pool per day, the card will easily pay for itself.

You do not have a rental car: The free public bus transit provides massive value if you rely on public transport to get around the city.

You want zero hassle: It serves as a single digital-to-physical pass, saving you from buying individual tickets at every venue or downloading bus apps.

You love local thermal pools: It gives you free entry to all 8 public geothermal pools, which is the most authentic way to experience Icelandic culture.

                               

 YOU SHOULD NOT GET THE CARD IF:

You have a rental car: You will not use the city buses, which strips away a massive portion of the card's financial value.

You only care about the "Big Spas": If you only plan to visit the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or Perlan Museum, none of these are included.

You prefer a slow, relaxed pace: If you only want to see one museum over a couple of days and spend the rest of your time walking around, you will save money buying individual tickets.

You are traveling with kids under 18: Most city museums and buses in Reykjavík are already free or highly discounted for children, making the card redundant for them.

You are a senior citizen (67+): You already qualify for steep discounts at individual museum counters without needing the card.