Svalbard Cruises
Halfway between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard distils the best of The Arctic into one remarkable archipelago. In high summer, largely ice-free coastlines and fjords reveal …
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Things to Consider
- The most common route to reach Svalbard is to fly via Oslo, Norway to Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen
- Flying time is 3 hours between Oslo and Longyearbyen
- Longyearbyen airport is the world’s most northerly airport to receive regular scheduled flights
- There’s no regular boat service to Svalbard at any time of year
- The only way to arrive by ship is as part of an expedition cruise (9 - 14 days)
Our most popular Svalbard cruises
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and, with numerous early season departures, guarantees plenty of ice. Sail onboard one of the newest ships in polar waters and spot bears from the plentiful deck space. Optional kayaking and hiking…
- 11 Days
- $7,267
Maximise wildlife sightings with the chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen island. Search for walrus, arctic fox, whales and of course the ‘King of The Arctic'. Sail through the Hinlopen Strait and visit abandoned trapping stations and experience glaciers up close all…
- 11 or 12 Days
- $18,695
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard on board a schooner. Sail north through the melting spring ice, spot wildlife and learn about the archipelago’s rich history. Highlights include the Monaco Glacier, 17th century whaling settlements, close encounters with…
- 8 or 11 Days
- $4,200
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board on a comfortable expedition ship and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling on a smaller ship allows you more time to explore, and some late-season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special guest…
- 12 Days
- $9,290
Travelling in luxury aboard an outstanding expedition ship, we love this trip for its unusual combination of Svalbard and Norway’s northern tip, plus its focus on top-notch service and cuisine. After a hassle-free charter flight from Oslo to Svalbard, spend…
- 11 Days
- $17,600
Circumnavigate the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, cruising as far as 80° North to reach the edge of the pack ice. This voyage includes an impressive eight days of off-ship exploring, with ample opportunities to spot remarkable Arctic wildlife…
- 10 Days
- $7,895
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board a choice of two small ships and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling in such small groups allows you more time to explore, and some late-season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special…
- 12 Days
- $11,790
If you’re looking for a good value introduction to Svalbard, travelling on a sturdy, older ship with bags of charm and history, this is a good option to consider. Spend six full days exploring and learning about Svalbard’s rich history…
- 8 Days
- $4,312
Delivering a whopping 12 full days of exploration under the midnight sun, this voyage appeals to both wildlife enthusiasts keen to boost their chances of sighting Svalbard’s captivating fauna and the slow traveller who wants to get under the skin…
- 15 Days
- $23,495
Set sail on this in-depth exploration of Svalbard aboard a state-of-the-art super yacht. No other trip combines such comfort with so many days exploring this Arctic archipelago. Wildlife sightings, and your chance of seeing polar bears, will be maximised by…
- 13 Days
- -
Experience the best of two contrasting Arctic regions as they get ready for summer. Beginning in Reykjavík, this audacious voyage by expeditionary icebreaker ship arches north across the Arctic circle following the dramatic, ice-choked coastline of east Greenland, before steering…
- 17 Days
- $36,860
Getting to Svalbard
Flying to Svalbard
Svalbard's only airport is at Longyearbyen, the main visitor hub. The vast majority of flights go via Oslo, Norway, around a 3-hour flight.
Although flights are at least daily, be aware that they can be at awkward times. On your way to Longyearbyen you may find you'll be arriving around midnight, and on your way out you may need an overnight in Oslo before connecting the following morning.
Spring and summer are the busiest visitor months on Svalbard and booking flights early is strongly recommended.
Travelling by ship to Svalbard
There is no regular boat or ferry service to Svalbard from anywhere. However there is an alternative: to get there on an expedition ship as part of a multi-day cruise.
These trips generally start from either Norway, Iceland or Scotland, and are typically 9 - 14 days in duration, only running from May to September. These cruises are adventurous expeditions, with regular excursions to hike, explore and discover all Svalbard's famous scenery and wildlife.
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Cruising through Svalbard ice
Swoop says
The big advantage of Spitsbergen is that it’s the most easily accessible place in all the High Arctic, courtesy of regular scheduled flights from Norway.
Help me choose
Flying vs sailing
For expediency, a reasonably priced flight will get you straight to Svalbard so you can get out exploring. However, while cheap international flights have made all corners of the world so much more accessible over the last 30 years, sometimes we forget that the journey can be just as important a part of travel as time in the destination itself.
If you have a little more time, getting to Svalbard’s pristine landscapes, calving glaciers and abundant wildlife by ship means the journey is part of the adventure. You'll experience the transition in habitat and climate, and can even to combine Svalbard with another region.
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The stunning mountains and glaciers of Svalbard
Arriving in Svalbard
Visas
On arrival visitors will need to go through passport control. While Norwegian authorities do not require a visa for visiting Svalbard, as you will be transiting through Norway, nationals with visa requirements for Norway or the Schengen area will need a valid visa. No visa is required for EU passport holders.
Getting around Spitsbergen
Getting to your hotel
The airport itself is conveniently located only 1.6 miles (3km) to the northwest of Longyearbyen and there are frequent shuttle buses and taxis available to make the 7-10 minute journey.
Shuttle bus: This departs as soon as all arriving passengers have collected their luggage. You can purchase tickets on board, which cost NOK 75 for adults and NOK 25 for children.
Taxis: Approximate costs for guidance: Airport to Spitsbergen Guesthouse NOK 170 (1-4 people) Airport to the town pier NOK 100
View across the Arctic tundra
Getting around
There are only around 46 kilometres of road on the Svalbard Islands. Driving off-road is strictly prohibited.
Winter & Spring: As there are no roads outside of the settlements of Longyearbyen, Barentsburg and Ny-Ålesund and also no roads actually interconnecting them, snowmobiles are the main mode of transport on Spitsbergen when there is snow on the ground. Snowmobiles can be rented in Longyearbyen.
Summer: During high summer, when western Spitsbergen becomes largely ice free, smaller boats and RIB’s provide access for visitors to remoter places outside Longyearbyen, including Isford Radio, and the Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden.
FAQs on how to get to Svalbard
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How long is flying time to Longyearbyen?
Flights from the Norwegian capital, Oslo, take 3 hours.
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How much do flights cost?
Flight prices can vary quite significantly between different dates and flight prices typically only increase with time, which is why booking early is strongly recommended. Return flights Oslo/ Longyearbyen can start from as little as £126/ USD $165 per person with Norwegian airlines, but more typically are around £400/ USD $520 per person
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Do I need a visa?
Not for Svalbard itself, but as you will be travelling through Norway non-EU nationals should check what the visa requirements for that country are.
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Are taxis available on arrival?
Yes, both shuttle buses and taxis are at the airport and available to transfer you the short journey (less than 10 mins) into Longyearbyen, or to your hotel.
Plan your trip
When to visit Svalbard
While Svalbard may be an almost year round destination, the changing weather, number of daylight hours, amount of ice and snow conditions through the year all have a marked effect …
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Spitsbergen & Longyearbyen
The largest and only permanently populated of Svalbard’s islands, Spitsbergen is where all the activity and life happens. The beating heart of Spitsbergen itself is the town of …
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Help Me Choose
We're all clear on where the Arctic is located and why we want to visit, but its vastness and the sheer variety of experiences on offer can be a real challenge when deciding where …
Discover MoreReady 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.
