When to visit the Arctic
The arctic summer, blessed with long days and buzz of wildlife and human activity, is favoured by travellers seeking the classic arctic experience. But delve deeper and you'll find…
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Getting to the Arctic
Most people fly to the Arctic, but you can get there by ship, or even car! Although flying is quickest, and cheap regular flights make the Arctic easily accessible, the adventure of the journey is far greater on an expedition vessel.
- Flying is the most popular and quickest way to get to the Arctic. There are regular scheduled flights throughout the region
- Ship operators mainly use charter flights, often included in the cost of your trip
- Getting to the Arctic by boat is only possible for a few months each summer, with routes starting in either Scotland, Iceland or Norway
- Voyages typically last 10-14 days and are a great way to experience the transition in climate and habitat as you journey north.
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
- $8,036
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
- $18,495
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
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
- $6,000
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board a choice of three 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
- $9,290
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
- $8,326
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…
- 16 Days
- $36,840
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
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
- $6,495
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
- $20,521
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
- $22,295
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 only possible by plane via Denmark (4 hrs) or Iceland (3 hrs).
The most important route is Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq, which has one daily flight in each direction. There are currently no direct flights from North America.
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. The most popular route for getting to the North Pole is via icebreaker ship from Murmansk in Russia, during the summer months, forcing a path through the ice to reach 90 degrees north.
Alternatively, for those shorter on time, you can fly to Svalbard and from there arrive at the North Pole by helicopter (in April only).
Exploring the 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 and Edmonton 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.
More about travelling to the Arctic
Getting to Svalbard
Svalbard is geographically closer to the North Pole than to Norway. Surprising then, that getting there is quite so straightforward, with regular flights from Norway to …
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Arctic Cruise Ships
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 Maps
One of history's expeditionary legends, The Arctic has captivated humankind's imagination for hundreds of years. It is defined as any area above 66 33'N and standing at a …
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Find Your Arctic Ship
Making the correct choice of ship is key. With firsthand experience of all of the ships we offer, let Swoop help guide you to exactly the right one.
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.
