Getting to the Northwest Passage

A mother and cubs explore the ice

With such expansive distances to cover, flying to the Northwest Passage is unquestionably the fastest, easiest option. Many expedition trips will start or end in Greenland, with flights into and out of Kangerlussuaq – where a full-sized runway allows for reliable flight service. With a population of only 36,000 living in just 25 communities across the Canadian province Nunavut’s 2 million km², there is little availability or need for air travel or landing sites, so local airlines, Canadian North and First Air offer only limited and irregular scheduled flights.

Visa requirements

When travelling to the Northwest Passage, which is part of the Canadian Arctic, you'll need to ask your local embassy or consulate if you require a visa.

United States passport holders can visit Canada without a visa for up to 180 days
British Citizens don’t usually need a visa for Canada but must secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travel
If you're starting or finishing in Greenland as part of your trip you'll need to check immigration regulations, but generally, USA and British citizens do not need a visa

Scenery of the Northwest Passage

Booking flights

When booking your flights, please check your trip dates carefully and make sure you're arriving in plenty of time. If you're late, your ship will not wait for you.

Booking your international flights will depend on your personal circumstances. Some of our passengers choose to wait to purchase flights, while others prefer to book theirs to take advantage of current availability and pricing. We would recommend that you seek the advice of an airline or flight specialist.

Changeable/refundable tickets will give you peace of mind and flexibility if anything unexpected happens. Whatever you choose, we strongly recommend that you opt for flexible ticket options.

Pre-voyage arrangements

Please build in a minimum of two nights at the start of your itinerary as a buffer in case of travel delay. This allows time for any mandatory pre-embarkation arrangements and helps to make sure you’re refreshed and ready for your adventure. Some cruise packages may already include one night of pre-voyage accommodation; please check your itinerary for details.

The cruise will not wait for you if you're delayed arriving at the start point, so it's sensible to plan in plenty of time for your travels.

Your lodge in the wilds of Greenland

Charter flights

The Northwest Passage is sparsely populated and isn't an easy place to reach. Anyone travelling by air will be bound by a handful of fairly unreliable scheduled flights between the communities. This does make independent travel in the region something of a major challenge and adventure!

Because of this, our expedition trips rely on chartered flights in and out of the more substantial settlements where it’s possible to land larger jets. These tend to depart from Calgary, Yellowknife, Ottawa or Toronto and arrive in settlements including Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk and Resolute (in the Northwest Passage), or Kangerlussuaq in Greenland.

To find information on your charter flights, please refer to your itinerary or reach out to your Customer Experience Coordinator with any questions.

Please note that you'll still need to arrange your international flights. Swoop does not have an in-house flights team, so we'd advise booking your international flights directly with the airline or using a local flight agent.

Arranging your travel insurance

Both Canadian and Greenlandic governments highly recommend having coverage for incidents such as medical care. Please keep in mind that it's your responsibility to check with your insurance provider to make sure you have the appropriate cover in place.

Bring your complete travel insurance policy with you when travelling. As well as making sure your full policy is available on your phone or tablet, we recommend that you carry a printout and a spare copy in case you lose one.