Arctic Cruises
Expeditionary cruising is a very practical way to discover the Arctic, allowing you to comfortably explore often untouched areas of wilderness you can’t otherwise reach from …
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Tips on getting to the Arctic
- Flying is unquestionably the most popular and quickest way to get to the Arctic. There are regular scheduled flights throughout the region, and where there aren’t charter flights are utilised
- Getting to the Arctic by boat is much more limited as there are only a small number of set departures each season, typically starting in Scotland, Iceland or Norway
- When booking scheduled flights to the Arctic, flight prices follow the usual trajectory of increasing over time, so booking early is advised. This is doubly important for Svalbard in July/August when high demand meets very limited daily flights
- Many Arctic expedition ships include charter flights in their itineraries (normally included in the cost) as they provide the most expedient way to get to/from the ship
Swoop says
Fun fact: Longyearbyen airport is the most northerly airport on the planet with regular scheduled flights, making Svalbard the most easily accessible part of the whole High Arctic.
Our most popular trips to the Arctic
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
The big ice and small towns of West Greenland provide a stunning start to this trip before you sail across the Davis Straight to Baffin Island and enter the Northwest Passage. Blend history, scenery and wildlife; pay your respects at…
- 17 Days
- $13,297
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
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
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
Exploring East Greenland’s wild, dramatic coastline on board a small, custom-built polar ship, this is expedition cruising at its very best. Hike the autumnal tundra in search of musk oxen during the day, with a strong chance to see the…
- 11 Days
- $13,995
Reach the top of the world in serious comfort onboard a state-of-the-art luxury, hybrid-powered icebreaker. Travel north through icebound waters and join the exclusive list of intrepid explorers who have visited the geographical North…
- 13 Days
- $38,292
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
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
Spending time exploring Canada’s historic Northwest Passage and West Greenland, we like this voyage’s balance and variety as much as exploring little visited spots such as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world, and Smith Sound. Big ice,…
- 17 Days
- $23,790
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
How to get to...
Svalbard (Spitsbergen)
Svalbard is one of the most accessible parts of the High Arctic, and the least expensive to get to. There are daily scheduled flights from Oslo (Norway) to Longyearbyen, which take around 3 hours. Though short, these flights can be at awkward times, requiring an overnight in Oslo.
Flights book up quickly in spring and summer, so booking flights early is strongly recommended for getting to Svalbard. Prices vary and fluctuate, so we also recommend doing a bit of research before booking.
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How to get to Greenland
Surprisingly remote, getting to Greenland is possible by plane via Copenhagen in Denmark (4hrs), Reykjavík in Iceland (3hrs), or Newark in the USA (4.5hrs).
The most important route is Copenhagen (Denmark) to Kangerlussuaq (Greenland), which currently has one daily flight in each direction.
Trekking across tundra, East Greenland
How to get to the North Pole
A truly iconic destination which resides on many a traveller’s bucket list, it's actually more accessible than many realise. Currently the only route for getting to the North Pole is via icebreaker ship from Longyearbyen in Svalbard, during the summer months, forcing a path through the ice to reach 90 degrees north.
At the Geographic North Pole
How to get to the Canadian Arctic & Northwest Passage
In the absence of scheduled flights, charter flights from gateway cities like Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Yellowknife are called upon to reach remote Inuit communities and logistical centres.
Ship operators often book these charter flights in advance, so you don't have to, but we recommend checking your trip notes to see what is included.
Devon Island at Sunset
How do I get to the Arctic?
More about travelling to the Arctic
What to expect on an Arctic cruise
Choosing to visit the Arctic is the easy part, but what can you expect to do and see once you arrive? From daily zodiac safaris, guided shore landings, insightful lectures and …
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Arctic Ship Guide
We partner with selected ice-strengthened Arctic expedition vessels from small yachts and nimble little ships with convivial atmospheres, to larger Russian research boats and …
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Arctic Cruises FAQs
Our expert team are ready and waiting to answer your questions. Whether it's about a specific ship, the best time to travel, or even what clothing is best for the Arctic, we're …
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.
