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Greenland Cruises
The world's largest island is also the least densely populated country in the world challenging the adventurous with its vast swathes of beautiful, unfenced wilderness. From …
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Getting to Greenland: Key Factors
- Flying is the most popular route for getting to Greenland as there’s no international ferry service, however, flights are pricey
- Alternatively, join an expedition cruise from Svalbard or the Canadian Arctic
- Greenland is increasingly well connected by air, with direct flights from Copenhagen in Denmark, Keflavík in Iceland, and Newark in New Jersey
- Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk in West Greenland are the country’s biggest transportation hubs, with an extensive network of domestic flight connections
- Expedition ships combine Greenland with both Svalbard and the Canadian Arctic, creating fabulous multi-Arctic region combinations (from 15 to 26+ days in length)
- There are no roads or trains between towns, and accommodation outside the settlements is very limited, which makes travelling by expedition ship so appealing
Swoop says
Whether you choose to arrive into Greenland by air, experiencing the vast shimmering ice cap from 20,000 feet en route, or you arrive by sea from either Svalbard or the Canadian Arctic, marked by towering icebergs, there's always a strong sense of arrival.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Our most popular Greenland cruises
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Introductions to the High Arctic don’t come much better. Traverse wildlife-rich Svalbard via East Greenland’s towering icebergs and autumnal tundra, then continue on to Iceland. Aurora sightings are possible at any point.…
- 15 Days
- $14,181
Join a 12-guest micro cruise to explore Scoresbysund in autumn. Witness the Northern Lights illuminating the fjords and discover a wild, pristine landscape on hikes across the autumnal tundra. Spot iconic Arctic wildlife like musk oxen and Arctic hares, and…
- 9 Days
- $18,995
Beginning in Svalbard before sailing west across the Greenland Sea and exploring Greenland’s long eastern coastline to finish in Iceland, this is an audacious Arctic journey of startling diversity and contrast. Spectacular landscapes, towering glaciers and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters all…
- 15 Days
- $23,595
Embark on this epic fly and cruise 11- or 12-day expedition into the wildest, least visited corner of Greenland, which combines the labyrinthine Scoresbysund fjord system with the vast Northeast Greenland National Park. By day, navigate spectacular fjords and pass…
- 11-12 Days
- $21,995
Traversing west to east this voyage takes you to iconic sites such as Cambridge Bay, Lancaster and Smith Sounds and Ellesmere Island, before exploring the fjords and towns of West Greenland. Bears, narwhal, musk ox, beluga and northern lights are…
- 17 Days
- $13,297
We love this voyage for its breathtaking variety – landscape, wildlife, habitat and culture – as you journey south from the icy home of the Inuit, through the boreal forest belt, to finish in Newfoundland, with its Viking and Celtic…
- 14 Days
- $12,921
Exploring East Greenland doesn't get any easier. A short charter flight from Iceland saves you time and a potentially rough crossing of the Denmark Strait. On arrival, embark your small, expeditionary sailing ship and spend the next nine full days…
- 11 Days
- $6,150
For an extraordinary Arctic introduction, join this unique full circumnavigation of Baffin Bay’s icy waters aboard a comfortable, state-of-the-art expedition ship. Travelling clockwise, you will navigate deep fjords, witness towering icebergs and explore remote sites. Venturing further north than almost…
- 19 Days
- $17,568
Sailing in August or September, explore the massive fjords of East Greenland and their legendary icebergs, spot musk oxen and visit ancient and modern Inuit settlements. Late summer provides a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights. A choice of…
- 10 Days
- $6,250
This might be a short trip but it packs a huge amount in. Sail among the ice of Disko Bay and spot humpbacks hunting herring; trek to the look out over Jakobshavn Glacier; explore the settlements of Sisimiut and Itilleq…
- 8 Days
- $8,836
Embark on this epic, sweeping Arctic odyssey spanning Svalbard's rich wildlife, remote Jan Mayen, Greenland's rugged east coast, and Iceland's stunning western fjords. Explore isolated settlements, hike the tundra, kayak among glowing icebergs, and search for polar bears, walrus, fox,…
- 16 Days
- $33,000
Combining all of the jewels in West Greenland’s crown in a single trip, we know firsthand that this epic voyage is a real cracker. Explore the iconic sites of Ilulissat, Eqip Sermia and Uummannaq, alongside the remoteness of Eternity and…
- 11 Days
- $12,931
Getting to Greenland: Your options
Arriving by plane
Arriving into Greenland by air is the most expedient and popular routing. Useful things to be aware of:
- Direct flights to Greenland are available from Copenhagen (Denmark), Keflavik (Iceland) and and Newark (USA), into Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk
- The most important routing is Copenhagen–Nuuk, operated by Air Greenland with one daily flight in each direction
- Greenland has six international airports: Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat, Qaqartoq, Constable Point and Kulusuk, with only the first three capable of receiving large airliners
- These main entry points are supported by eight domestic airports to which Air Greenland flies on a daily basis
- Airlines that currently serve Greenland are: Air Greenland, the national carrier, Icelandair, United Airlines, SAS and Norlandair
Arriving by ship
As there are currently no international ferries to Greenland, arriving by ship is limited to expedition ships only, arriving from Iceland, Svalbard and the Canadian Arctic (including the Northwest Passage) during high summer and early autumn (June - September inclusive).
For all of the expediency of flying, in a country with as modest an infrastructure as Greenland, travelling by expedition ship - where your transportation, basecamp and hotel are all-in-one - is actually very practical, allowing you to also access places which are otherwise off limits, as there are no roads.
Plus, much of Greenland’s most dramatic scenery can be better experienced from the bow of a ship.
Cruising through Scoresby Sund
What our customers think of Greenland
The landscapes were a revelation: instead of the barren wasteland we expected, there was a tapestry of late summer colour provided by Arctic willow and miniature birch, as well as bilberry and bear berry. The icebergs were truly magnificent, especially when the ship’s captain threaded the ship through them out of Scoresbysund. Read the full review
Travelled: August 2018
Charles & Lesley Cook - United Kingdom
Arriving in Greenland
Visas
If travelling to Greenland, you should check the latest Greenland entry requirements for your nationality and travel arrangements, as Greenland has separate visa rules from mainland Denmark and the Schengen Area.
- US passport holders generally do not need a visa to visit Greenland for short tourist stays.
- British citizens generally do not need a visa to visit Greenland for short tourist stays.
- Greenland is outside the Schengen Area, and a Schengen visa is not automatically valid for entry into Greenland
- Travellers from visa-required countries must have a visa specifically valid for Greenland. Always check the requirements for your nationality and itinerary before travel.
The village of Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Getting around
Arriving in Greenland is one thing, the next challenge in this vast country is how to get around.
Fortunately, Air Greenland provides a good service to 14 domestic airports scattered throughout the country on a daily basis, typically using their Dash 8 aircraft which can carry 37 passengers.
In the absence of roads, boats play a significant transportation role in Greenland, for both Greenlanders and visitors alike. Companies like Diskoline and Ilulisat water taxis provide both scheduled and charter transfers between towns and communities. As well as providing an invaluable service, these transfers can be an excellent way to get a sense of the coastline.
In winter, snow mobiles and dog sleds really come into their own and are a crucial way to get around most communities.
Admiring pancake ice from the bow
What to expect in Greenland
Visitors to Greenland can expect a warm welcome from friendly and hospitable people, alongside a travel experience that is very different from most destinations. Distances are vast, with no roads connecting most towns and communities, so travel often depends on flights, helicopters or boats.
Build plenty of contingency into your itinerary, as domestic flights can be affected by weather and delays are a normal part of travelling in the Arctic.
Prices are generally high, reflecting the cost and logistics of bringing goods into Greenland. When visiting smaller communities, approach with respect and sensitivity. Ask before taking photographs, respect local customs and privacy, and remember that these are living, working communities, not tourist attractions.
A Greenlandic girl sits on a windowsill
Swoop says
As with getting to any remote location, researching your options and planning well ahead will help to ensure that everything goes smoothly on departure day.
Plan your trip to Greenland
Greenland Ship Guide
In the absence of hotels, exploring Greenland by ship provides unparalleled access to its remote coastlines and icy fjords. Greenland offers a wide choice of ships to choose from, …
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When to Visit Greenland
Greenland wears very different cloaks depending on when you choose to visit: spring, summer or autumn. Each has its own enchanting characteristics making it tough to decide which …
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Greenland Wildlife
Greenland's wildlife is thriving. Though much of the island is covered by the ice cap, the dry land is colonised by musk ox and reindeer, while in the water, seals and whales are …
Discover MoreGetting to Greenland: FAQs
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Will I need a visa?
Greenland’s visa regulations are the same as those that apply in Denmark. The good news is that no visa is required for EU, US, Canadian or Australian nationals.
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When is the best time to visit?
While Greenland’s main visitor season runs from spring to early autumn, the expedition cruise season begins in June and operates through to late September.
While June and July - high summer in the Arctic - are marked by 24 hours of sunshine if travelling inside the Arctic Circle, from August the nights start to increasingly come in, providing excellent sightings for the Northern Lights in late August and September particularly.
Ready to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
1. Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3. Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
