Layover at the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon Spa Iceland

This past summer, my wife and I had a fifteen hour layover in Iceland at the Keflavick Airport (KEF) on our way home from Europe.  To make matters worse, our flight  arrived in Iceland at 1:30am, which left us with few options; we could either spend a bunch of money on a hotel room that we'd only use for a couple of hours or spend the night in the airport and attempt to freshen up in the airport bathrooms.  Not liking either option, we did a bit of research until we came up with a third option that allowed us to relax, see a bit of Iceland, and shower up before boarding our flight home to America.  We decided to spend a few hours at the Blue Lagoon, a Geothermal Spa located only a 20 minute bus ride from the airport.  

What to Expect

Bus to Blue Lagoon

It is easy to book a ticket to the Blue Lagoon from Iceland's Keflavik Airport (KEF), which is where all international flights into Iceland arrive.  Once you disembark from your plane, follow signs to ground transportation and baggage claim.   Book your ticket to the Blue Lagoon aboard Reykjavik Excursions at the "Tourist Info" booth located near baggage claim.  Once you board the bus, it is only a 20 minute ride to the Blue Lagoon, which is just long enough to give you a glimpse of the barren terrain of Iceland.  The bus also has free wi-fi.

Once you arrive at the Blue Lagoon, they will provide you with a bracelet with a sensor that serves as your admission ticket, locker key, and charge card.  It is also possible to rent towels, bathrooms, swimsuits from the Blue Lagoon (which is handy if your luggage is checked through to a final destination that isn't Iceland).  The locker rooms are luxurious, immaculately clean, and serviced by several full-time works. Everyone needs to shower before entering the geothermal pool.  Anyone with long hair should also load their hair with conditioner and leave it in to prevent it from being wrecked by the minerals in the water.    

Blue Lagoon Excursion from KEF

The expansive geothermal pool wrap through several acres and includes a waterfall, saunas, and steam baths. The depth of water ranges from about three to five feet.  Once you are in the water, simply sit back and relax. Some people like to cake their faces with silica mud (free of charge) to cleanse their pores.  There is also a swim up bar, indoor/outdoor cafe, and countless spa treatments available to those with the cash.  Though my wife and only spent a couple of hours at the Blue Lagoon, we left feeling clean, refreshed, and relaxed...which is the whole point of visiting a spa, isn't it? 

Just the Basics

• Cost for Standard Admission:  40 Euro  35 Euro in the winter) 
• Cost with Transportation from Keflavik Airport (KEF): EUR 60
• Hours: June 1-August 31: 9am-9pm, September 1-May 31: 10am-8pm 
• Websites: Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik Excursions