Riga to Reykjavik is a rare gift for a Baltic city: a genuine non-stop to Iceland. airBaltic flies the route directly in under four hours, so you can be swapping the Old Town for the Blue Lagoon the same afternoon. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return fare looks like in euro, and when to book to get the best of Iceland without the Icelandic prices.
Route: Riga (RIX) → Reykjavik–Keflavik (KEF)
Distance: approximately 2,600 km (1,620 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 3h 55m
Direct flights: Yes — airBaltic flies non-stop from Riga to Keflavik, up to four times a week, with frequency adjusted for the season. It is the only carrier on the direct route; one-stop itineraries via a Nordic hub are the alternative when the non-stop is sold out.
Fares from Riga to Reykjavik (EUR)
Iceland’s high season is the bright summer (June–August), when demand and prices peak; the shoulder months of May and September balance decent weather with lower fares, and the winter aurora season brings its own mini-peak around Christmas. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euro. Because airBaltic is the only direct operator, the non-stop can sell out early on popular weeks — book ahead rather than hunt for a last-minute drop.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €140 – €210 | medium (aurora) |
| February | €140 – €200 | medium |
| March | €150 – €220 | medium |
| April | €140 – €210 | medium |
| May | €150 – €230 | medium-high |
| June | €200 – €300 | high |
| July | €210 – €320 | very high |
| August | €200 – €300 | high |
| September | €150 – €230 | medium-high |
| October | €140 – €210 | medium |
| November | €135 – €200 | low-medium |
| December | €170 – €260 | high (Christmas/aurora) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a good hand-baggage fare lands around €115 return, with the cheapest we have seen closer to €85; a fare that includes a checked bag typically starts around €135–€165. Anything under about €150 including a bag is worth booking quickly.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 3h 55m):
- airBaltic — the only non-stop operator, up to four flights a week on its Airbus A220 fleet, adjusted seasonally. It has flown Riga–Reykjavik continuously for over a decade.
One-stop (an alternative when the direct is full):
- Icelandair via Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm or Helsinki — connect onto Icelandair’s Nordic services into Keflavik; often the smoothest one-stop if the airBaltic non-stop is sold out.
- SAS or Finnair via their Nordic hubs — feed a connection to Iceland through Copenhagen, Stockholm or Helsinki.
For this route the non-stop is almost always the better deal as well as the faster one, since a single carrier on a short hop rarely gets undercut. Reach for a one-stop mainly when your exact dates are sold out or priced up on airBaltic.
When to book & how to save
- Book early for summer: June–August is peak, and with only one direct carrier the best-priced seats go months ahead. Aim for 2–4 months out.
- Travel in the shoulder season: May and September give you long days, lower fares and thinner crowds — the sweet spot for Iceland.
- Chase the aurora on a budget: November and early winter are among the cheapest weeks and still deliver dark skies for Northern Lights.
- Watch the bag: airBaltic’s lightest fares are hand-baggage only. If you need a checked bag, compare the all-in “with bag” price rather than the headline fare.
- Be flexible by a day or two: with up to four weekly flights, midweek departures are usually cheaper and quieter than Friday–Sunday.
Arriving in Reykjavik
Flights land at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), about 50 km southwest of central Reykjavik. The easiest way in is the Flybus or a scheduled airport coach to the BSI terminal, taking roughly 45–50 minutes for about €25–€35 one way. A taxi runs closer to €120–€140, so the coach is far better value. Many visitors rent a car at the airport to explore the Ring Road — and the famous Blue Lagoon is only about 20 minutes from Keflavik, making it an easy first or last stop.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Riga to Reykjavik?
The non-stop flight with airBaltic takes about 3 hours 55 minutes. It is a comfortable single hop of roughly 2,600 km. One-stop itineraries via a Nordic hub such as Copenhagen or Helsinki take longer overall, usually 7 to 10 hours depending on the connection time.
Are there direct flights from Riga to Reykjavik?
Yes. airBaltic flies non-stop from Riga to Reykjavik–Keflavik, up to four times a week with the frequency adjusted for the season. It is the only carrier operating the direct route, and it has run continuously for over a decade, so the non-stop is reliable but can sell out on popular summer weeks.
How much does it cost to fly from Riga to Reykjavik?
A typical economy return runs about €140–€320 depending on the season. The cheapest hand-baggage fares we have tracked dip toward €85–€115, while summer and the Christmas aurora peak sit toward the top of the range. Under about €150 with a checked bag is a good deal.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Riga to Reykjavik?
November is usually the cheapest, with the winter months of January, February and October close behind. These weeks still offer dark skies for the Northern Lights. The most expensive months are June, July and August, plus the Christmas period.
Which airlines fly from Riga to Reykjavik?
airBaltic is the only airline flying the route non-stop. If its direct flight is sold out on your dates, you can connect through a Nordic hub — Icelandair via Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm or Helsinki, or SAS and Finnair feeding a connection into Keflavik.
Which airport do I fly into in Reykjavik?
International flights land at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), about 50 km southwest of the city. Reykjavik’s small domestic airport (RKV) sits in the city itself but handles only internal Icelandic and Greenland flights, so your Riga arrival will be at Keflavik.
How far in advance should I book Riga to Reykjavik flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead, and earlier for summer. Because airBaltic is the only direct carrier, the best-priced seats disappear early on popular weeks, and fares rarely fall in the final fortnight. Booking ahead almost always beats waiting for a last-minute drop.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. With up to four flights a week, midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be cheaper and quieter than Friday–Sunday travel. Shifting your trip by a day or two around the weekend can save a useful amount on the return fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
