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 reveal calving …
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Getting to Svalbard: Key factors
- The most common route to reach Svalbard is to fly via Oslo, Norway to the town of Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen, the archipelago’s largest island
- Flying time is approximately three hours between Oslo and Longyearbyen, with both direct and indirect scheduled flights via Tromsø en route
- By choosing a Svalbard cruise with included charter flights, you’ll benefit from hassle-free travel, direct flights and also more sociable flight timings
- Fun fact: At 78 degrees North, Longyearbyen airport is the world’s most northerly airport to receive regular scheduled flights
- For anyone considering it, there’s no regular ferry service to Svalbard at any time of year. The only way to arrive by ship is as part of an expedition cruise
Swoop says
It never fails to amaze me that you can take off from Oslo or Helsinki and in under four hours you can find yourself deep inside the Arctic Circle in a totally different world altogether, in which nature holds sway and you can’t leave town on foot unless you're armed.
Karl ONeill Arctic Sales Specialist
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
- $9,761
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 Days
- $18,695
Experience the Arctic’s legendary wildlife aboard an intimate micro expedition ship, amidst a pristine backdrop of calving glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. With an unmatched sense of ‘expedition’ and a deeper connection to nature, you build your own adventure, searching for…
- 10 Days
- $17,500
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…
- 11 Days
- $6,000
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
- $11,590
Spring travel in Svalbard is a real treat, particularly on board a 12-guest micro ship. Revel in being one of the earliest visitors with the whole archipelago largely to yourselves. Explore iced fjords, a landscape still shrouded in snow, and…
- 8-10 Days
- $12,500
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 flight from Oslo to Svalbard, spend seven…
- 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
- $6,971
An intimate summer expedition circumnavigating Spitsbergen on a 12-guest micro ship. Feel connection to nature, with a sense of solitude and scale, which is harder to find on larger ships. Explore rarely-visited islands, glaciers and the polar desert in search…
- 12 Days
- $21,500
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
- $12,090
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
- $6,049
Scouting Svalbard’s ice floes for wildlife by zodiac and on foot, cruising the magnificent 14th of July glacier and reaching the world’s most northerly settlement at Ny Ålesund are just some of this 10-day voyage’s many highlights. There's also the…
- 10 Days
- $6,250
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
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
- $38,739
Getting to Svalbard
Flying to Svalbard by scheduled flight
Svalbard's only airport is at Longyearbyen, the main visitor hub. The vast majority of flights go via Oslo, Norway, which is around a three-hour flight, depending on whether you have a stopover in Tromsø.
Although flights are at least daily, be aware that they can be at awkward times. For example, 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 to your onward flight.
Spring and summer are the busiest visitor months on Svalbard and booking the limited flights early is strongly recommended, as once they are full they don’t put on any more, and flight prices only increase as availability tightens.
Flying to Svalbard by charter flight
To mitigate against the limited and quirky timed flights in and out of Longyearbyen, a growing number of the more upscale Svalbard ship operators now bundle charter flights into the cabin price from either Oslo or Helsinki.
These not only save guests travel time, but also remove a lot of hassle for the traveller, who would otherwise have to work out the right flight to book, arrive a day early in case of delay with a scheduled flight, cover the extra cost of a pre-voyage hotel night in Longyearbyen and arrange transportation into the town on arrival.
Unsurprisingly, these all-inclusive cruise packages are very popular.
Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen
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 nine to 16 days in duration, only running from May to September.
These cruises are adventurous expeditions, with regular off-ship excursions to hike, explore and discover all of Svalbard's famous scenery and wildlife.
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Cruising through Svalbard ice
What our customers think of Svalbard
Close-up views of a blue whale on the first evening as we left Longyearbyen was a great start. Fantastic to have sailed beyond 82N into the ice cap. Read the full review
Travelled: July 2018
Steve & Tina O'Shea - United Kingdom
Arriving in Svalbard
Visas
Svalbard is part of Norway, but is outside the Schengen Area. Tourists and foreign nationals do not need a visa to enter Svalbard.
However, if your journey to or from Svalbard involves mainland Norway or another Schengen country, you must meet that country’s entry requirements.
Travellers who require a Schengen visa should obtain a visa allowing at least two entries, so they can return to mainland Norway/Schengen after visiting Svalbard.
All travellers must carry a valid travel document. Always check the latest requirements for your nationality and route before departure.
Polar bear warning sign on Spitsbergen
Getting to your hotel from the airport
For those people arriving independently via scheduled flights, 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. Purchase one-way tickets on board: 125 NOK (USD $13) for adults and 55 NOK (USD $6) for children.
On-demand taxi – Fares start from approximately 230 NOK (USD $25), though availability can be very limited.
Pre-booked taxi – Fares are 795 NOK (USD $85) for 1–4 passengers; 995 NOK (USD $106) for 5–8 passengers.
View across the Arctic tundra
Getting around
In Longyearbyen, most places are within easy walking distance, while taxis provide a convenient option, particularly for airport transfers or when carrying luggage.
A local bus service also operates on selected routes and schedules.
Beyond Longyearbyen, there are no connecting roads between settlements. Travel across the wider archipelago is typically by boat during the summer and snowmobile during winter.
Snowmobiling is essential in the winter
What to expect in Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen itself is a small but remarkably international Arctic settlement, shaped in part by the Svalbard Treaty and its unique status. Despite its size, you’ll find well-stocked, often expensive shops, excellent museums, restaurants and a diverse community.
A reminder of the town’s frontier credentials requires anyone leaving to carry a suitable firearm because of the risk of encountering polar bears.
Beyond Longyearbyen, Svalbard is a vast, largely untouched Arctic wilderness, where nature holds sway: glacier-sculpted fjords, more than 400 glaciers, abundant wildlife and a fascinating history await.
Houses in Longyearbyen
Swoop says
The big advantage of starting and finishing your trip in Spitsbergen is that it’s the most easily accessible place in all the High Arctic, courtesy of regular scheduled flights from Norway.
Plan your trip to Svalbard
Svalbard Ship Guide
In the absence of hotels, exploring Svalbard by ship provides unparalleled access to the archipelago's remote coastlines and icy fjords. Due to its popularity, Svalbard offers the …
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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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Svalbard Wildlife
At the height of summer when wildlife populations and activity are peaking on Svalbard, there are few other parts of the Arctic which offer the same combination of easy access and …
Discover MoreGetting to Svalbard: FAQs
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Can I add a stay in Longyearbyen before or after the cruise?
Yes you can, even if you have charter flights included in your Svalbard cruise package.
While you’ll typically have a few hours available to explore Longyearbyen, either immediately before or on the morning you disembark, this will only allow you to explore the town itself, church and museums, and won’t give you enough time to take part in some of the more exciting summer excursions on offer, which include:
- A visit to an ex-working coal mine
- Dog sledding on wheels
- An evening of good food and stories
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What happens if my flight is delayed? Will I miss the ship?
As the ship can’t wait for late individual passengers who are delayed in transit, your best course of action is to arrive at least one day before your trip starts.
As well as sewing in natural contingency in case of flight delay, it will also give you time to get over the journey and adjust to the new local time, so you’ll be ready to make the most of your trip from Day 1 of the voyage.
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Is there a pre-cruise hotel stay included with Svalbard cruises?
Yes, many Svalbard cruises include a pre-cruise hotel stay as part of the cruise cost, which depending on which ship you choose may be in Oslo, Helsinki or Longyearbyen.
These packaged cruises simplify logistics for guests by arranging the pre-cruise hotel, and often also include charter flights to Longyearbyen (as scheduled flights are limited and can be at unsociable times).
They also often include all drinks while onboard, and some also include the staff gratuity.
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How early should I book a Svalbard trip?
We strongly recommend booking at least 10-20 months in advance, to ensure you’re able to secure your first choice and a well located cabin. Why risk having to compromise on such an important trip, so book well ahead.
Plus, most ships reward early bookers with a generous early booking discount, which is always appreciated, and may mean that a cabin upgrade is more achievable than you had thought.
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Are there any last-minute Svalbard deals?
From time-to-time, some ships may offer limited, last minute discounts on sub-optimal departure dates or itineraries, but the choice will be limited, and you’ll need to be flexible with your travel dates. Plus, by this stage, flight prices will be high, if they are even still available as with so free flights they do get booked out.
The smarter and less risky tactic is to book as early as possible, when you’ll be able to secure the highest early booking discount.
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.
