The Reykjavik Discount Card

As in other major cities around the world, museum and attraction admission and transportation costs can really add up when visiting Reykjavik. And just as other cities sell discount cards to help you save, so does Iceland’s capital city. The Reykjavík City Card (it used to be called the Reykjavik Welcome Card) is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours and can be a great value, depending on how much you’re going to use it.

The Reykjavík City Card gives the user free admission to eight of the city’s thermal pools, free admission to 17 museums and attractions, unlimited travel on the Strætó city buses, the Viðey Island ferry, and discounts at certain tours, attractions and restaurants. Kids under 18 get into the museums free with any adult card.

Included in free admission is access to (regular adult prices as of 2026 in brackets):
8 Reykjavík City pools (1,500 ISK per visit)
The National Museum of Iceland (normally 3,300 ISK)
The House of Collections (the old Culture House)
All 3 locations of the Reykjavik Art Museum (normally 2,550 ISK for a ticket good at all three for 24 hours)
The Settlement Exhibition (normally 3,100 ISK)
Árbær Open Air Museum (normally 2,550 ISK)
The Reykjavík Maritime Museum (normally 2,550 ISK)
The Reykjavík Museum of Photography (normally 1,400 ISK)
The Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo
The ferry to Viðey Island (normally 2,400 ISK)
The National Gallery of Iceland, the Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum, and, outside the city, Hafnarborg, the Hafnarfjörður Museum, Gerðarsafn Art Museum and the Nature Museum of Kópavogur

>> Read more about museums in Reykjavik

As of 2026, the card costs 6,100 ISK for 24 hours. A single bus fare is 690 ISK, so if you go to two of the pricier museums, take a couple of buses and have a swim in one day, the card pays for itself. At 8,500 ISK for 48 hours and 10,500 ISK for 72 hours, it’s an even better deal; if you go to 2-3 museums a day, ride the bus several times and visit a city pool, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Note that the card doesn’t cover bus 55 to Keflavik airport.

You buy the card online from Visit Reykjavík, then swap the emailed voucher for a physical card at one of eight pick-up points, including the Elding Whale Watching ticket office, which is open until 9pm. The Reykjavik Art Museum also sells the card at the front desk of all three of its buildings. The card doesn’t start until you write the date and time on the back before your first visit or bus ride.

Along with the free admissions offered, card holders also get discounts such as 10% off Elding Whale Watching, 30% off Whales of Iceland, 50% off Aurora Reykjavík, 10% off the Lava Show and reduced admission at Perlan.

If you’re going to Reykjavik, the savings really make sense to pick up the discount card.

>> Read more on shopping in Reykjavik

Photo by BeechwoodPhotography