Parking in Reykjavík: a first-time visitor's guide

If you're visiting Reykjavík for the first time and planning to rent a car, parking is generally straightforward once you understand the city's color-coded parking zones, payment methods, and a few local rules. Reykjavík's paid parking system is operated by Reykjavík Parking Service (Bílastæðasjóður Reykjavíkur).

Good news for visitors

Most residential areas outside the city centre offer free parking
Paid parking is mainly concentrated in the downtown area and around major attractions
Parking can be paid at meters or through mobile apps
Parking enforcement is active, so always check signs before leaving your vehicle

How does parking work?

Downtown Reykjavík is divided into four parking zones (P1–P4). Generally, the closer you are to the city centre, the higher the parking fee. Parking signs and meters show which zone you are in.

Always follow local signs, as temporary restrictions or closures may apply.

Do I need to pay for parking in Reykjavík?

Most parking outside the city centre is free. Paid parking mainly applies in downtown Reykjavík, around major attractions, shopping streets and the Old Harbour.

How much do I need to pay for parking in Reykjavík?

P1

660 kr. per hour.
At 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends
Maximum time is 3 hrs.

P2

240 kr. per hour.
At 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends

P3

240 kr. per hour for the first 2 hours. After that, 70 króna.
At 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays

P4

240 króna per hour.
At 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

How do I pay for parking?

You can pay:

At parking meters
Through the Parka app
Through the EasyPark app

These apps allow you to start, stop and extend parking directly from your phone.

Which parking app should I use?

Parka and EasyPark are the most popular options for visitors and can be used for both street parking and many parking garages.

Where can I park in the city centre?

Several parking garages are located within walking distance of Reykjavík's main attractions.

Stjörnuport
Laugavegur 94
Best for Laugavegur shopping street, restaurants and nightlife.

Traðarkot
Hverfisgata 20
Convenient for central Reykjavík and Laugavegur.

Kolaport
Kalkofnsvegur 1
Close to Harpa Concert Hall and the Old Harbour.

Vesturgata
Vesturgata 7
Ideal for the Old Harbour and Grandi district.

City Hall
Tjarnargata 11
Located beside Tjörnin and Reykjavík City Hall.

Vitatorg
Lindargata
Close to the Sun Voyager sculpture and waterfront area.

Where should I park for popular attractions?

Hallgrímskirkja
Nearby street parking in P2 and P4 areas.

Harpa Concert Hall
Kolaport Parking Garage or nearby P3 parking.

Old Harbour
Vesturgata or Kolaport Parking Garages.

Laugavegur
Stjörnuport or Traðarkot Parking Garages.

Accessible parking

Visitors displaying a valid disability parking permit should still pay careful attention to local rules and payment requirements, particularly in privately operated parking facilities where automatic number-plate systems may not recognize permits.

Public holidays

On certain Icelandic public holidays, paid parking charges are suspended in Reykjavík's city-operated parking zones. The official Reykjavík Parking Service website maintains the current list of exempt holidays.

What is my best parking strategy as a visitor to Reykjavík?

What should I look out for?

Check parking signs every time you park.
Make sure you select the correct parking zone in your app.
Do not park in resident-only spaces.
Parking fines can be significantly higher than the parking fee itself.

Visiting downtown for 1–2 hours

Park in P1 for maximum convenience.

Visiting downtown for several hours

Choose P2 or P3 and walk a few extra minutes.

Staying overnight

Check whether your hotel or guesthouse offers parking before arriving. Outside the paid central zones, parking is often easier and less expensive.

Using a rental car

Download Parka or EasyPark before arrival to avoid searching for a meter.