Travelling from Sydney to Iceland is a long but unforgettable journey that rewards you with surreal volcanic landscapes, glaciers, black-sand beaches and (in winter) the Northern Lights. Because there are no direct flights connecting Sydney and Iceland, most itineraries involve one or more layovers — usually at a major European or Asian hub. With a well-planned schedule and a flexible itinerary, you can turn this long-haul trip into a seamless adventure from the Australian continent to the land of ice and fire.
There are no nonstop flights between Sydney and Reykjavik /Keflavík. Typically, travellers fly from Sydney to major transfer hubs such as Dubai, Singapore, London, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt — and then take a connecting flight to Keflavík International Airport. Total travel time (including layovers) often ranges between 20 and 30 hours depending on route, connection time, and season. It’s wise to plan for a stopover — many itineraries include an overnight stay at the transit city to break the long journey into manageable segments ..
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Because of the complexity and length of the itinerary, it’s best to book flights to Iceland from Sydney at least 3–6 months in advance. Booking early helps secure better fares, preferred seats, and smoother connections. Flexible dates can also help; sometimes shifting your travel by a day or two can significantly reduce fare costs, especially outside peak seasons.
Given the multiple legs and long travel time, layovers are practically unavoidable. Common stoppover cities include Dubai, Singapore, London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Some travellers prefer to break the journey with a short stay at the layover city — this can ease jet lag and turn a long transfer into a mini trip. Ensure you check visa requirements for transit or overnight stays. Also, consider adding travel insurance for long-haul flights given the distance and complexity.
Your final destination will likely be Keflavík International Airport. From there, you’ll arrange a shuttle, transfer or rental car to reach Reykjavik or your first accommodation. Because of long travel time, most tours recommend a rest day on arrival before starting activities. It’s best to avoid scheduling strenuous activities immediately after landing to accommodate jet lag and freshen up.
Airfares vary significantly based on season, connection cities, and how far ahead you book. Generally, flying from Sydney to Iceland is more expensive than trips to typical European destinations, due to long distance and multiple connections involved. Booking during shoulder seasons, avoiding peak travel months, or selecting flights with longer layovers may help reduce costs. Also, mid-week flights tend to be cheaper than weekend departures.
Travellers from Australia looking for a unique getaway will benefit the most. Those who don’t mind long flights, enjoy planning multi-leg journeys, and dream of glaciers, volcanoes, geothermal pools, and Northern Lights will find the trip worthwhile. It’s also ideal for travellers who combine Iceland with other European destinations, using the long layover as an opportunity to explore multiple countries in one trip.
If you have limited vacation days or prefer short holidays, a long-haul trip like Sydney → Iceland may be too time-consuming. Similarly, if you dislike long flights or multiple connections, you might prefer European destinations closer to home. Also, winter travel requires more planning and flexibility due to unpredictable weather — for travellers wanting comfort and ease, simpler destinations may suit better.
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No — there are currently no nonstop flights between Sydney and Iceland; travellers must connect via European or Asian hubs.
Depending on layovers and route, total travel time usually ranges between 20 and 30 hours door-to-door.
It’s best to book 3–6 months in advance, and consider flexible dates to catch lower fares.
Rest and acclimatise — allow at least a day before beginning tours to recover from jet lag and adjust to colder climate.
Choose flights with comfortable layovers, break the journey with a stopover if needed, pack for climate changes, and allow rest on arrival in Iceland.
Flying from Sydney to Iceland involves a long journey with multiple connections, but with smart planning — early booking, flexible dates, and a sensible itinerary — you can make it smooth and worthwhile. The reward is access to one of Earth’s most incredible landscapes: glaciers, volcanoes, black-sand beaches, geothermal baths, and possibly the Northern Lights. For Australians ready for a longer trip, Iceland offers a once-in-a-lifetime escape from the familiar down under skies to a land of ice, fire and cosmic night skies.
See what makes our Iceland trips special with testimonies from our lovely customers.
A truly amazing experience! With Iceland Packages, I reserved an Iceland trip package for my honeymoon, and it well above all my expectations. Everything about the experience was beautiful, from the breath-taking scenery to the flawless setups. Strongly advise anyone organizing a romantic gateway to use their services.
A Memorable Iceland Journey! I had the most amazing holiday ever with my family. All the must-see locations and activities were included in the thoughtfully designed tour package. The local guides were immensely informative, and the accommodations were excellent. I'm eager to make another reservation with them.
A Fantastic Trip to Iceland! I am so grateful to Iceland Packages for planning the ideal trip for me. Everything was handled perfectly from the time I landed until I left. I was able to take my time discovering Iceland's hidden treasures because I could alter my schedule to suit my needs. Absolutely once in a lifetime!".
Easy Reservations and Top-Notch Support! It was really easy to book my flights and vacation package to Iceland. Their customer service team was really helpful throughout the entire process. The trip itself was excellent; every aspect had been carefully thought out. Strongly advised for hassle-free trip preparation!.
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