How to Get to Svalbard: Travel Tips for Expeditioners
Have you ever been to a place where not only polar bears, but also snowmobiles outnumber the local population? Svalbard is a definitive bucket list item for any real Arctic traveler. At only around (1,383km/859miles) south of the North Pole, it’s a pearl of the high Arctic and you don’t need a visa to visit. Find out what amazing adventures await you on the archipelago with our mini Svalbard travel guide and get ready for your next trip!
The Best Way to Get to Svalbard from Any Point in the World
With its location so far north and remote, you’d be surprised how easy it is to visit Svalbard from anywhere in the world. How to get to Svalbard in the most comfortable way will depend on your personal preferences and travel budget. While many tourists visit Svalbard by plane, a voyage aboard a cruise ship could be an adventure in and of itself! Read on and find out what options you have to reach the archipelago.
By Plane
Taking a plane from mainland Norway is probably the fastest way to travel to Svalbard. You can book yourself on one of the daily flights with Norwegian airlines or SAS from Oslo, which will take you to the archipelago in only three hours. Another option is to take off from northern Norway (Tromsø) and catch one of the 1.5-hour direct flights to Svalbard from there.
Did you know that when you fly into Longyearbyen airport you’ll be landing at the northernmost airport in the world? If you’re on a budget, book in advance as during the summer months regular flights may be booked out. One-way flights during the summer start from 151 USD/139 EUR with Norwegian airlines and 334 USD/ 307 EUR with SAS (as of mid-July 2024).
Once you arrive in Longyearbyen, the city center is only around 5km (3miles) from the airport. If you’re in a hurry or prefer a private transfer, take one of the local taxis to town, which will cost around 15-19 USD (13-18 EUR). Alternatively, there is a shuttle bus with stops at major hotels in the city, costing around 10 USD (9 EUR) for a one-way ticket (pay cash or credit card to the driver).
By Ship
While there is no regular ferry service, you can book an expedition cruise to get to Svalbard. Aboard a comfortable cruise ship, you can experience the magnificent scenery of the Arctic, take in the fresh Arctic Ocean breeze and discover local wildlife. The summer months, when sea ice is receding, are the best time to circumnavigate the archipelago. Get some travel ideas for multi-day cruises for your Svalbard expedition on our cruise website. There are also options to fly to Longyearbyen and then take a cruise to Iceland, visiting Greenland en route. On this epic cruise, you can visit three islands of the Arctic in one trip. Check out our upcoming cruises and get inspired!
When is the Best Time to Visit Svalbard?
For the average traveler, summer is the most pleasant time to travel. From May to September, you have plenty of daylight under the midnight sun to explore Svalbard, hike, kayak and spot iconic wildlife such as Arctic foxes, reindeer and seabirds. If you want to see polar bears, August and September are the best months to spot them. Did you know that Svalbard has more polar bears than people? With a population of around 3,000 around Svalbard and the Barents Sea, polar bears outnumber the human population, which only stands at 2,552 as of January 2022. Being an Arctic desert, Svalbard features limited vegetation, but summers are magical and you can see the tundra in bloom.
Even if you got your traveler’s heart set on a summer Svalbard experience, be open to visit during the winter months. By December, you can expect enough snow for dog sledding and snowmobiling. Fun fact: there are actually more snowmobiles in Svalbard than people (2,900 registered snowmobiles vs. 2,552 people in 2022). With the polar night setting in, you get prime opportunities to see the northern lights!
How to Get Around Svalbard
Once you reach the archipelago, you’ll quickly notice that there are few roads on which to travel. While there are car rentals available such as Arctic Autorent you can’t really drive anywhere outside of Longyearbyen. For trips to other settlements such as Barentsberg and Ny-Alesund, you’ll have to board a ship or plane. During the winter, the snowmobiles are a comfortable way to get around town and you’ll see them parked around the city. There are taxis in Longyearbyen, so if you’re tired of walking, you can catch a ride with one of the local providers. There is a comfortable airport shuttle bus, which takes you to most of the major hotels in town.
If you travel to Svalbard, we recommend scheduling an expedition cruise around the archipelago. It’s the best way to see the most remote places, wilderness and wildlife. Some cruises will even attempt a circumnavigation of the largest island and visit the polar ice cap, which gives you a great chance to see polar bears!
Check out our most iconic Svalbard itineraries:
Circumnavigation & Best of Svalbard 2025
Svalbard Circumnavigation and Kvitøya 2025
Where to Stay in Longyearbyen
If you’ve ever visited Svalbard, you know that there are accommodations for various budgets. We’ve put together a few places to stay for your visit.
For explorers on a budget:
Gjestehuset 102 offers you basic rooms with shared bathrooms and a complimentary breakfast to get you started into a day full of activities and exploration. It’s located around 2km (1.6 miles) from the city center, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and wildlife. The airport shuttle bus has a stop nearby. A standard twin room in mid-July 2024 goes for ca. 136 USD (125 EUR).
For those who look for flair and charm in the Arctic:
Basecamp Hotel, located in the center of Longyearbyen, combines modern comforts with Arctic trapper living ambience. Expect wood, seal skins, maps and historic pictures that tell the story of life in the Arctic. Rooms are decorated in a rustic style, but feature private bathrooms. The airport shuttle bus stops right in front of the hotel. A twin room with a private bathroom and complimentary breakfast goes for around 300 USD (277 EUR) in mid-July 2024.
The Best Things to Do and See in Svalbard
Northern lights, polar bear encounters, snowmobiling, cruising and ice cave tours – regardless of the season, Svalbard is the trip of a lifetime! Read on to check out our Svalbard travel guide with highlights for your must-see list.
Watching Polar Bears, Seals and Arctic Birds
The pristine Arctic wilderness will give you the chance to see rare wildlife in its natural habitat. Where else can you see a polar bear hunting on pack ice or adorable harp and ringed seals? With over 240 different bird species on the archipelago, bird lovers will marvel at the unique encounters on the islands. You can visit Bird Mountain just outside Longyearbyen, a paradise for seabirds such as little auks, guillemots and fulmars.
Exploring on the Arctic Ocean and in the Fjords
Get aboard a ship and sail out into the picturesque fjords. Wherever you’ll look, you’ll marvel at the stunning views and 360 degrees of picture-perfect beauty. When travelling as part of an expedition cruise, you’ll get the opportunity to take excursions in small motorized boats to the most remote spots around the islands and visit untouched nature at its prime. A few tour operators also offer excursions to the rarely visited Bear Island, the southernmost island of the archipelago. Expect to see marine wildlife such as whales, seals and walruses during the summer months. Most cruise operators also offer kayaking. Don’t skip this option! The feeling of paddling the pristine Arctic Ocean at your own speed is something that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Learn more about our exclusive kayak club and how to become part of it!
Taking excursions to glaciers and ice caves
Over 57% of the archipelago is covered by ice and you can explore Svalbard’s glaciers either by cruise (for visiting the 14th of July glacier), snowmobile or dog sled (for the Von Post, Tempelfjorden and Scott Turner glaciers). Ice cave tours let you explore the fascinating world beyond the glaciers. Equipped with headlamps, crampons and helmets, you’ll see incredible blue-colored ice formations. This experience is a year-round option. Choose from various levels of difficulties of cave exploration, glacier climbing and hiking.
Watching the Aurora Borealis During the Winter Months
Once the midnight sun sets with the onset of autumn, you can witness the northern lights. Visit Svalbard during the winter months and sign up for one of the wilderness tours that take you out of the city for prime opportunities to spot them. While there is no guarantee you’ll see them, the chances are high around Svalbard. We recommend budgeting several days for spotting aurora, so you’ll be able to wait out bad weather and overcast skies.
What to Wear on Your Trip
If you travel to Svalbard, make sure you pack for different weather conditions. Especially if it’s your first visit, pack for all contingencies. Here is a little help with your packing list – the recommendations of our Svalbard expedition team:
Summer packing list
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Hiking pants
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Base layers (wool or synthetics)
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Long and short sleeve shirts
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Polar fleece sweater
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Rain jacket and light down coat
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Hat, gloves, warm socks
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Daypack
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Hiking shoes and trainers
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Indoor clothes and slippers
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Sunglasses and sunscreen
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Sleep mask (to get some sleep with 24-hours of daylight)
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European travel adapter
Winter adventure gear list
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Thermal underwear
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Warm scarf, mittens, gloves, hat, socks
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Warm winter down jacket with insulated hood
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Thick wool sweater
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Ski jacket and pants
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Warm boots or winter hiking shoes
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Daypack and rain cover
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Headlamp (in case you need extra light during the polar night)
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Indoor clothes and slippers
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Ski goggles (for snowmobile tours and dog sledding)
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Sleep mask (to get some sleep with 24-hours of daylight)
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European travel adapter
What to Keep in Mind When Travelling to Svalbard
Before you go, check out some interesting facts about travelling to the archipelago to prepare for your adventure:
Guns are mandatory when travelling outside of the main cities (usually your guides will be armed as it is polar bear country, after all)! Don’t venture out of Longyearbyen alone. While you may think it’s cute to meet a polar bear in the wild, they are dangerous animals.
Svalbard is multinational, with over 40 nationalities present on the archipelago.
It’s customary to take off your shoes when entering someone’s home, in hotels, shops and offices. Most places provide slippers or you can bring your own.
FAQs
Is it worth going to Svalbard?
Visiting Svalbard high north above the Arctic Circle is the adventure of a lifetime and worth the trip! You can experience the northern lights and midnight sun (during the summer months), explore Longyearbyen and witness iconic Arctic wildlife such as polar bear, Arctic fox and the Svalbard reindeer. Summertime is also the best time to board an expedition cruise. Most tourists visit Svalbard during the warmer months. To avoid huge crowds, avoid the peak season! A visit in winter can be magical and you can discover the frozen tundra, polar night and engage in winter activities such as dog sledding.
Can Americans go to Svalbard?
There are no visa requirements for visiting Svalbard. However, most likely you will travel through mainland Norway (e.g. Oslo) by plane, crossing the Schengen zone. Holders of a U.S. passport can enter the Schengen zone without a visa for a period of up to 90 days.
How do most tourists travel to Svalbard?
The majority of visitors arrive by plane. There are daily flights to Svalbard from Oslo (Norway). Norwegian airlines offers flights to the Svalbard archipelago, as well as SAS. Note that direct flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen are not considered domestic flights and thus leave from the international terminal. If you are wondering how to get to Svalbard aboard a ship, check out our current itineraries.
What is the cheapest way to reach Svalbard?
If you are wondering how to get to Svalbard without overspending, consider air travel and book well in advance. While this all depends on your personal circumstances, generally the most comfortable and cheapest way is by plane. Direct flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen with Norwegian airlines start from around 151 USD one way in mid-July 2024 and around 334 USD with SAS. Flight prices fluctuate seasonally and depend on the day you plan to fly. Tour operators of expedition cruises starting on the Svalbard islands often include airfare from Oslo to Longyearbyen in their cruise packages.
Do I need a Visa to Go to Svalbard?
The Svalbard Treaty recognizes Norway’s sovereignty over the archipelago for regulation, taxation and environmental and military issues. While Norway is part of the Schengen area, Svalbard is not and visiting Svalbard does not require a visa. Most travelers that aren’t citizens of EU, EFTA or Switzerland may still require a Schengen visa to reach Svalbard, because flights to Longyearbyen airport (the most northerly airport in the world) depart from mainland Norway (e.g. Oslo) and you will have to clear passport control upon arrival before you can continue on to Svalbard.
What is the flight time to Svalbard?
Direct flights from Oslo (southern Norway) will take you to Svalbard in around three hours, while flights from Tromsø (northern Norway) will take around 1.5 hours.
How much money will I need in Svalbard?
When you visit Svalbard, understand that this is not a cheap destination. All food has to be brought in, which drives up the prices of groceries and meals in restaurants. Day trips and excursions can be pricey as well given the remoteness of the area and the safety protocols tour guides follow (this is polar bear country and strolling out of town on your own is dangerous, after all). Hotel rooms and guesthouses come in various price ranges and you can get a double room for 129 USD a night (mid-July 2024).