How long is the flight to Iceland?
Flights from the US to Iceland have varying durations depending on the number of stops. Nonstop flights typically range from 5 to 7 hours, with New York City to Reykjavik being one of the fastest routes at around 5 hours and 35 minutes.
1-stop flights from cities like Chicago or New York can take approximately 9 to 10 hours, while 2-stop flights, often with longer layovers, may extend to 14 to 15.5 hours.
Iceland is full of natural beauty and folksy Nordic culture. But if you want to go, how long is a flight to Iceland from the US? We’ll explore average flight and layover times below.
How Long Is a Flight to Iceland?
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Iceland is famous for its views of the undulating colors of the Northern Lights, jaw-dropping mountainous and waterfront scenery, and thriving arts and food scenes.
Whatever’s pulling you to Iceland, you’re sure to enjoy a visit to this Nordic gem. All that’s standing between you and those glistening fjords is the flight!
So how long is a flight to Iceland? Will you be stuck on the plane for a long time – or is Iceland a little closer than you think?
The short answer is that flights to Iceland can take anywhere from 6-14 hours on average.
But your number of stops, the city you fly from, and layover length will affect your total flight time considerably – and in some cases, you could have a 28+ hour flight when you consider layovers!
We’ll look at the average flight times to Iceland for nonstop, 1-stop, and 2-stop flights from different cities around the US below so you can start planning your trip!
How Long Is a Nonstop Flight to Iceland?
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- Seattle to Iceland nonstop: 7h 25m+
- New York City to Iceland nonstop: 5h 35m+
- Chicago to Iceland nonstop: 6h 5m+
- Miami to Iceland nonstop: Not available
Overall, nonstop flights to Iceland are around 6 hours and 22 minutes long on average. This considers the flight times to Iceland from 4 US cities in different regions.
If you want the fastest flight to Iceland, opt for a nonstop flight from New York City to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. It will take around 5 hours and 35 minutes with no layovers to slow you down.
Flights to Iceland from Chicago aren’t too much longer at around 6 hours. Flying to Iceland from Seattle will take you about 7.5 hours if you find a direct flight.
There are no direct flights from Miami to Iceland at this time. You can fly with 1-2 layovers instead (see average flight times for those flights below).
How Long Is a Flight to Iceland With 1 Stop?
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- Seattle to Iceland w/1 stop: 11h 35m+
- New York City to Iceland w/1 stop: 9h 50m+
- Chicago to Iceland w/1 stop: 9h 10m+
- Miami to Iceland w/1 stop: 10h 5m+
Flights to Iceland with 1 stop take about 10 hours and 10 minutes on average from different cities around the US. Chicago has the shortest flight time.
When you fly to Iceland from Chicago with 1 stop, it may take around 9 hours and 10 minutes. It’s 40 minutes more from New York (9 hours and 50 minutes).
Flights from Miami take a little over 10 hours to get to Iceland, while flights out of Seattle take the longest in our analysis of 1-stop flights at over 11.5 hours.
Layovers on 1-stop Iceland flights from the US range from about 45 minutes to overnight stops that are 24+ hours long.
The average layover on a flight to Iceland with 1 stop takes around 4 hours and 35 minutes when you’re flying from the US. Pay attention when you book to avoid lengthy layovers!
How Long Is a Flight to Iceland With 2 Stops?
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- Seattle to Iceland w/2 stops: 14h 15m+
- New York City to Iceland w/2 stops: 13h 10m+
- Chicago to Iceland w/2 stops: 14h 20m+
- Miami to Iceland w/2 stops: 15h 30m+
Flights to Iceland take about 14 hours and 19 minutes with 2 stops when you’re flying from major US cities.
Adding 2 layovers means your flight is a lot longer – about 4 to 8 hours more – than nonstop or 1-stop flights! But sometimes, flights with 2 stops may be your only option.
That’s especially true if you’re booking close to your planned trip dates or flying from an airport that doesn’t offer direct flights to Iceland.
If that’s the case, the fastest flight to Iceland is out of New York City (around 13 hours and 10 minutes). Chicago and Seattle flight times are very similar with a 5-minute difference (14 hours and 15-20 minutes).
Miami takes a little more time to get to Iceland at 15.5 hours or more.
Remember that these totals include not just actual flight time, but also time spent waiting at the airport during layovers.
Layovers can be as short as just 30 minutes to nearly 14 hours long on flights to Iceland with 2 stops. You may have 1 very short stop and one much longer stop.
The average layover on a 2-stop flight to Iceland from the US takes around 4 hours and 11 minutes overall.
This layover average considers the super-short stops from 3o-45 minutes and the overnight layovers, so your actual layover length will vary considerably.
Can You Fly Direct to Iceland?
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You can save a lot of time on your journey by flying direct to Iceland (nonstop). Since layovers can add anywhere from 45 minutes to 24+ hours to your trip, a direct flight is always the better option.
With a direct flight to Iceland, you only need to go through customs and airport security once each way. That’s much less of a hassle than 1 or 2-stop flights!
You’ll also spend the least amount of time on the plane and more time actually enjoying all the beauty and culture of Iceland when you take a nonstop flight.
But not all US airports run direct flights to Iceland, so you’ll need to check available flights online to determine if your nearest airport does.
You can find direct flights to Reykjavik, Iceland from multiple airports in cities across the US, including:
- Augusta, ME
- Boston, MA
- Chicago, IL
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Newark, NJ
- New York City, NY
- Portland, ME
- Raleigh, NC
- Rehoboth Beach, DE
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
Icelandair, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue offer a steady stream of direct flights to Iceland from the US throughout the year from the above airports and others not on the list.
If you use Google Flights or Expedia to search, you’ll be able to find plenty of nonstop options from airports near you.
Things to Consider
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Planning an unforgettable trip to Iceland is a lot easier with some helpful tips to make the most of your journey! Here’s what you should know about visiting Iceland.
- Go at the best time of year. Mid-June through August is widely hailed as the best time to visit Iceland. Temperatures are at their warmest, making outdoor recreation a lot more enjoyable. You’ll be able to view the Northern Lights starting in August and whale watching is at its best!
- Know how much it’ll cost to go. Understand that such an amazing destination doesn’t come at a cheap price. If you’re not sure what a trip to Iceland costs, the ballpark figures are around $7,800 per person for a 7-day trip. Accommodations can be pricey (especially in peak season) and your round trip flights won’t be cheap if you’re traveling from the United States.
- Book your flight 6 months out. Airfare and flight data confirms that booking your flight 6 months in advance is the best course of action for an international trip. Iceland plane tickets are cheaper and you’ll have a better chance of finding available direct flights by booking 6 months out.
- Venture out of Reykjavik. Iceland’s capital is where you’ll fly in and book a hotel, but there are so many amazing things to do in Iceland beyond this well-known city! If you want to hike around volcanoes and mountains, see the Northern Lights, check out glaciers, geysers, fjords, and waterfalls, or visit a black sand beach featured in Game of Thrones, you’ll need to venture out.
- Know you’re safe in Iceland. The 2023 Global Peace Index found that Iceland is the safest country to visit in the world with very low crime rates. Take your normal precautions, but know that the most dangerous thing you’re likely to face here is jagged cliffs or volcanic eruptions (always check local guidance before hiking or going into the wilderness).
Frequently Asked Questions
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People who wonder how long flights to Iceland take also have a few related questions on the topic. Read through the most frequently asked questions below to study up before your trip!
How long is a flight from the US to Iceland?
Overall, a flight from the US to Iceland takes about 6 hours and 22 minutes nonstop. Flights with 1 stop are around 10 hours and 10 minutes on average, while 2-stop flights take about 14 hours and 20 minutes.
Your total flight time from the US to Iceland will depend on your departure airport, the number of stops, and length of each stop on your route.
How long is a straight flight to Iceland?
A straight flight to Iceland (nonstop) is around 6.5 hours long on average from the US. Many US airports fly direct to Iceland, but not all. The shortest straight flight to Iceland departs from New York City and takes around 5 hours and 35 minutes.
Other direct flights to Iceland may take about 6 hours (Chicago) or 7.5 hours (Seattle), so your flight time depends strongly on your departure airport.
How long is a direct flight from LAX to Iceland?
There are currently no direct flights from LAX to Iceland, only connecting flights with 1-2 stops. This makes traveling to Iceland from Los Angeles take a little longer.
Flights from LAX to Reykjavik, Iceland take around 11-15 hours, depending on the number and length of your stops, your travel dates, and which airline you fly with.
How far is Iceland from NYC by plane?
New York City is about 2,600 miles from Iceland by plane (as the crow flies). This is the shortest distance between NYC’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport.
Is Iceland an expensive place to visit?
Iceland is pretty expensive to visit, costing around $7,800 per person for a 7-day trip to Reykjavik (the capital). Hotel costs and flights are the most expensive parts of visiting Iceland, totaling around $2,450 (hotel) and $1,460 (round trip flight).
Transportation and food costs won’t be cheap in Iceland, but you can budget around $165 (food and activities) and $100 (transportation) per person, per day for your trip.
So, How Long Is a Flight to Iceland Overall?
Overall, the length of a flight to Iceland from the US is about 10 hours and 17 minutes (including nonstop, 1-stop, and 2-stop flight times).
That means you’re not going to spend 10+ hours on the plane in many cases – especially if you’re able to book a direct flight to Iceland.
Most direct flights to Iceland take around 6 hours and 22 minutes overall, 1-stop flights take about 10 hours and 10 minutes, and 2-stop flights are closer to 14 hours and 20 minutes.
For flights with stops, remember that these averages aren’t just time spent on the plane. They also include time spent waiting at the airport during layovers.
It’s worth booking 6 months ahead of time for an international destination like Iceland. Booking this early gives you the best flight selection and cheapest prices.