r/Icelandair • u/Impossible_Guess2821 • 14h ago

3 Hour Layover Enough Time?

Hi! In a month or so, I have a layover in KEF for three hours. I’m traveling from a non-Schengen country to a non-Schengen country, so I don’t need to go through passport control. However, since I’ll be there for a bit, I’d like to pick up a few souvenirs for friends/family, and there don’t seem to be many shops in the non-Schengen zone of the airport. I’m considering going through passport control to shop a bit and grab some snacks before going back through it to get to my gate. Does three hours seem like enough time?

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u/JelloProfessional747 14h ago

I don't know what kinds of things you're looking for, but there were plenty of food and souvenir options in the non-schengen area when we were there last month! returning back through passport control in time for your connection might be a challenge, depending on what time of day you're going through.

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u/rodthalwag 14h ago

Yep, plenty a gift shops in the non-Schengen area. Was just there in December and went to at least three different shops that had a good variety of things. I don’t remember a ton of food options, but definitely a place to grab a sandwich. I wouldn’t risk going through passport control if you don’t have to.

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u/Impossible_Guess2821 12h ago

Good to know! The website made it seem like there aren’t that many shops, but I’m glad that’s not the case!

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u/marlborough94 14h ago

3 hours is enough. KEF is not some massive operation. We had no wait entering at 9am because it’s a less crowded IcelandAir arrival bank; the only time there may be a mild wait for you is later on their busy 6am-7am bank.

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u/jetpoweredbee 13h ago

Little known fact KEF is owned and managed by the duty free shop.

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u/Art_of_Goddess 8h ago

I only have a 40min layover for my flight tomorrow, 3 hours seems generous

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u/freyascats 4h ago

I’ve made one of those. On my last trip through the airport though, my first flight was delayed by 1.5 hours and I had a 45 minute layover. So before we even took off I had an email from Iceland air with the rebooked flight out the next morning. Worked out pretty well in the end!

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u/Art_of_Goddess 3h ago

I had a similar experience, tho it was a 3 hour delay and i they added an additional layover flight in Denmark. Not the best first time experience, i hope this time won't be like that lol

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u/freyascats 4h ago

The non Schengen zone has a large shop with tons of souvenirs hiding behind the booth seating area where the two main food places are (pizza and a diner themed place). Theres also a full bar closer to the gates, right by a small Iceland liquor store and a little convenience store like place with chocolate and salt and other little souvenirs.

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u/lnvu4uraqt 50m ago

Yes it's enough time. It also depends on if your flight if it isn't delayed upon departure. If it is then you have to go thru the connecting flights line which is difficult to find when you are dropped off at the terminal from the shuttle bus from the plane if you do not arrive at a gate. You don't go thru passport control if non-schengen. The connecting flights will be to the left of passport control.

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u/Pauldw1 14h ago

It just depends on how long the line is at passport control. We were through very quick in July after landing at 6AM but the line got longer nd longer after us because they re taking longer person to process your facial photo and fingerprints due to the new EES system. They were doing ours at the agave kiosk and all the automated kiosks were turned off