Don’t Book Blue Lagoon Tickets Before A Flight…Do This Instead

When is the best time to book Blue Lagoon tickets in Iceland? That is the question!

It’s very common to visit the Blue Lagoon before heading to the Keflavik Airport on your flight home. I’m here to tell you that there’s another option, and it might be an even better one for you!

Considering our flight out of Iceland left at 7:00 A.M., we didn’t have the option to visit before our departure. So we had to get creative and opted to go from the Keflavik airport straight to the Blue Lagoon when we landed.

So this is what I’m proposing: the best time to book Blue Lagoon tickets is actually after you land instead of before you take off.

I have a few reasons why it’s actually a better time to visit Blue Lagoon Iceland and how to make the most of your arrival day. Let’s dive in!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

The Best Time To Visit Blue Lagoon Iceland

The best time to visit the Blue Lagoon Iceland is actually when you’re going to be at the Keflavik airport.

The Keflavik airport to the Blue Lagoon is only about a 20 minute drive, versus a 50 minute drive from Reykjavik.

And unless you’re arriving in Iceland by boat, you’re most likely passing through the airport. With this in mind, there are two optimal times to visit: either after you land or before you take off.

P.S. Don’t Focus On Avoiding Crowds (It’s Not Possible!)

If you’re trying to find the best time to visit Blue Lagoon Iceland to minimize the crowds, let me to stop you right there.

There will be a lot of people regardless of the time of day and you will still have more than enough room in the lagoon.

My sister visited early in the morning and I visited mid-afternoon (when I thought would be the busiest time), and we discovered it didn’t make much of a difference.

The Blue Lagoon is large enough that even though there are a lot of people, the lagoon itself never feels over crowded.

It’s more important to choose a time that works for you based on your flights…

When You Visit Ultimately Depends On Your Flight Time…

Depending on your flights in and out of Iceland, you might not really have a choice in when you can visit the Blue Lagoon.

I couldn’t possibly visit before my outbound flight, as it was leaving at 7:00 A.M…. The Blue Lagoon wasn’t even open yet.

The same can be said if you arrive too late in the day, you won’t be able to visit either.

But, if all is equal, I would prioritize your inbound over your outbound flight… continue reading to find out why!

Why It’s Popular To Visit Iceland Blue Lagoon Before Your Outbound Flight

Before heading to Iceland, I had so many recommendations to visit the Blue Lagoon before my flight home. And the only reason was because it was close to the Keflavik Airport.

So it’s popular to go from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon, and from the Blue Lagoon to the airport.

But that was really the only benefit, and then I started thinking about all the cons of visiting before an outbound flight…

Why You Shouldn’t Book Blue Lagoon Tickets Before An Outbound Flight…

Here’s why I wouldn’t book Blue Lagoon tickets before my outbound flight…

Instead Of Being Relaxed, You’re Stressed Before A Flight

I don’t know about you, but I’m never in a good state of mind before I need to catch a flight, especially in a foreign country.

It’s one thing in your home country, but in a new country there are so many unknowns. There could be delays in getting to the airport (getting lost, traffic…), and it doesn’t end once you’re at the airport (long lines, security)…and the list goes on! All this to say, a day with a flight is most likely a stressful one.

I just wouldn’t be able to relax in the water at the Blue Lagoon, which is what it should be about!

Especially since while you’re in the water, you have no idea what time it is! Your phone is probably in a locker, and at least when we visited, the clock outside the lagoon wasn’t working…

Let’s just say I would not be able to enjoy the lagoon.

You Aren’t Clean After The Blue Lagoon

I don’t know about you, but I always like to be as clean as possible before a flight. That means a shower, and no sunscreen or excessive sweating that day…!

At the Blue Lagoon, you’re soaking in murky algae-filled water, with hundreds of strangers, without a proper shower after.

And I know, there are showers at the Blue Lagoon, but these are in no way the same as a private shower in a hotel room.

I would never really fully feel clean – at least not clean enough to sit around in an airport and then on a flight for several hours afterwards.

You Need To Pack A Separate Bag For The Blue Lagoon

You will also need to think about packing a separate bag for the Blue Lagoon, on top of your suitcase.

And I’m not just talking about leaving out your bathing suit and flip flops. Keep in mind you need to take anything you’ll want for showering and to getting ready afterwards.

I’m talking any face wash and creams, hairbrush, makeup… I couldn’t rinse out my hair because I left my hairbrush in my suitcase. For me, this wasn’t such a big deal since I only had an hour drive to my hotel, not a 2 hour wait at the airport and then a 5 hour flight home.

Blue Lagoon To Airport: You’re Traveling Home With A Wet Bathing Suit…

Don’t forget you’ll also have your wet bathing suit and flip flops to deal with after visiting the Blue Lagoon.

Depending on how long your flight is, you may not want a wet bathing suit sitting in your bag for too long.

I saw people trying to blow dry their bathings suits… I mean, that’s just not something you want to have to deal with, especially if you’re on a time frame to catch a flight.

P.S. try squeezing out your bathing suit in your towel first, it will dry a lot quicker!

My Recommendation: Book Blue Lagoon Tickets For After You Land In Iceland

We didn’t really have a choice on when to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, but I was really happy with how it worked out.

Think of the Blue Lagoon as a welcome to Iceland, relaxing after a long flight and stressful airport stay!

I was able to have a normal shower back at our hotel afterwards and hang my bathing suit to dry properly!

Visit A Top Attraction In Iceland At The Start Of Your Trip

Going straight from the Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon is the perfect way to start your trip in Iceland!

I mean, the Blue Lagoon is a top attraction in Iceland, it’s only natural it should be one of the first things you should do… not one of the last.

Blue Lagoon Iceland From Airport: It’s Relaxing After A Flight

Instead of the Blue Lagoon as a stressful experience before a flight, it was the best way to relax after a flight.

I’ve already expressed how stressful flying is, no matter how far you’re travelling. So wash all your worries away in the hot spring bath.

There was no worrying about what time it was, we could just relax and enjoy the moment!

The Blue Lagoon Filled The Time Before Hotel Check In

Of course, the added benefits of going straight from the Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon will depend on what time your flight lands in Iceland.

But for us, we landed so early in Iceland that the Blue Lagoon actually gave us something to do before we could even check in to our hotel.

Typically hotel check-in is at 3:00 or 4:00 P.M…. our flight to Iceland arrived at 10:00 A.M.! So needless to say we had A LOT of time to spare.

The hours before check-in are always the worst part of any trip; you’re tired, hungry, probably cranky, and traveling with your luggage. Let’s just say you probably don’t have the energy to do all that much.

Luckily for you, there isn’t much to do at the Blue Lagoon Iceland other than relax. Plus there are a few food options to enjoy! Read more my full guide to the Blue Lagoon here.

Potential Negative: Make Sure To Account For Flight Delays

When booking Blue Lagoon tickets, you have to choose an arrival time, which gives you an hour to arrive. So one of the main issues with booking Blue Lagoon tickets for when you land is of course flight delays.

All you have to do is book your timed Blue Lagoon tickets and account for any possible flight delays.

Our flight was actually delayed 2 hours from Montreal! Luckily for us, I booked our Blue Lagoon tickets with more than enough time to spare.

We were supposed to land at 8:30 A.M. and I booked us at 1:00-2:00 PM time slot… that’s an extra 6 hours!

So when we were delayed by two hours it didn’t matter all that much, we just had less time to kill time before our time slot.

There are more than enough things to see and do on your way from the Keflavik airport to the Blue Lagoon to keep you busy, so continue reading to see my suggestions below (or jump to them here)!

And at the end of the day worst case scenario, I’d rather miss my check-in time for the Blue Lagoon than my flight home… but that’s just me! Also, I’m sure they would understand if you explained that your flight was delayed and let you in at a later time slot.

Keflavik Airport To Blue Lagoon: Pack Your Bathing Suit!

If you are planning on visiting the Blue Lagoon Iceland from the airport, make sure your bathing suit is easily accessible.

I packed both my bathing suit and flip flops in my airport backpack. So even if my luggage was lost I would still be able to go to the Blue Lagoon from the airport.

And, this way it was easy to find, I didn’t have to open up my suitcase at all!

What To Do With Your Luggage At The Blue Lagoon?

Whether you’re heading from the Blue Lagoon to the airport (or vice versa), you can safely store your luggage at the Blue Lagoon. There is a luggage storage area before entering.

You have to leave any suitcase here as it won’t fit inside the lockers in the Blue Lagoon. Now you see why you need to pack a separate lagoon bag with your shower essentials!

We didn’t use these lockers, instead we left our luggage in our rental car in the parking lot.

How To Get To The Blue Lagoon Iceland From The Airport?

If you’re renting a car in Iceland, you can pick it up at the airport and drive straight to the Blue Lagoon.

We rented our car from Blue Car Rental and would recommend them. It was the only car rental service near the airport that offered after hours pick up and drop off. Visit their website here.

Alternatively, you can take a shuttle from the Blue Lagoon Iceland from the airport. A popular company is Airport Direct (they also have shuttles from the Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik).

You can also book a combined transfer and entry ticket on Viator here.

What To Do Around The Blue Lagoon If You Have Extra Time

The reason I wasn’t stressed about booking Blue Lagoon tickets after I landed is because there are other things to do in the area.

If you have extra time after you land, they’re worth checking out on your way from the Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon.

Things To Do In Keflavik

Although Keflavik isn’t a big city in Iceland, there are some things to do to pass the time.

You can go to Viking World, a museum all about the Viking settlement where you can board a 9th century replica of a Viking ship.

Or head to The Icelandic Museum of rock’n’roll to learn about the history of pop and rock museum in Iceland (Of Monsters and Men anyone!?).

Quick Stops On The Way From Keflavik Airport To The Blue Lagoon

There are a four quick spots on the way to the Blue Lagoon Iceland from the airport.

The first photo stop is the Hafnarberg Sea-cliffs for a view of the Atlantic Ocean.

We went straight to the Bridge Between Two Continents. And it’s exactly what it sounds like! There’s a bridge over two tectonic plates (the EurAsian and North American plates).

Next, head to the Gunnuhver Hot Springs where you can try to walk through the steam (you’ll definitely smell it though!). We couldn’t even make it to the other side the steam was so thick you couldn’t see right in front of you. From here you might also be able to spot the Reykjanes Lighthouse.

In this area you can also head out to the Valahnúkamöl rocky beach viewpoint or go straight to the Brimketill lava rock pool. The shoreline was carved out by crashing waves.

Visit Grindavik

Grindavik is a small fishing village in Iceland, but it’s a good spot for lunch and has some photo spots if you have a bit more time to kill before your Blue Lagoon ticket time.

We went for the best fish and chips in Iceland at Papa’s Restaurant.

If you have more time, you can also check out Kvikan Salt Museum, the Hrafn Sveinbjarnarson III Ship Wreck, or go horseback riding at Arctic Horses!

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Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API