svalbard visit visa requirements

• Islenska is
• Death and bereavement
• Education and training
• Higher education
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• Social security
• Tax, customs and excise
• Temporary residence

Moving or travelling to Svalbard

Svalbard and Norway

Svalbard is part of the Kingdom of Norway, but not all laws that apply on the Norwegian mainland apply for Svalbard. For example, Svalbard is not part of the Schengen co-operation or the EEA Agreement, and there is a requirement that you must be able to support yourself if you are living on, or travelling to, Svalbard. However, the Nordic Convention on Social Security does apply on the archipelago in the north, but you should note that regulations may differ from those that apply on mainland Norway.

Regulations regarding entry to Svalbard

The Norwegian Immigration Act does not apply on Svalbard, but Svalbard has a particular status in international law through the Svalbard Treaty. This means that citizens of all countries that are signatories to the treaty have the same right of access to and residence on Svalbard. Svalbard is not part of the Schengen co-operation, and foreigners need neither a visa nor a work or residence permit to stay on Svalbard. However, a visa for the Schengen area is required when travelling via the Norwegian mainland.

Everyone travelling in and out of Svalbard must be able to prove their identity with a passport. Citizens of Schengen countries and Nordic citizens may also show national ID cards when travelling to and from Svalbard.

Moving to Svalbard

It is recommended that you have a job or place on an educational programme before moving to Svalbard. This is because of the requirement that you must have sufficient funds to support yourself on Svalbard. This requirement applies to both foreigners and Norwegians. 

People planning to live on Svalbard must register in the archipelago’s Population Register within 8 days of arrival. You should visit the tax office and report your arrival if:

You are moving to Svalbard and will be there for at least 6 months

You are moving within Svalbard and your period of residence will be/has been at least 6 months

You are moving from Svalbard

If you are registered as a resident on Svalbard, you have certain rights regarding hunting and fishing, firearms, alcohol cards, and health services. Even if you are registered as a resident on Svalbard, you are not regarded as a resident of Norway, so it is important to check with your home country about your rights and obligations when you live on Svalbard.

Rights and obligations when living on Svalbard

If you are planning to live temporarily, or move to Svalbard, you should find out about the regulations that apply there. 

One requirement is that you have sufficient resources to support yourself  on Svalbard. The Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren), the Norwegian Government’s highest-ranking representative on the archipelago, has the right to reject people who do not meet the requirements. This applies to both Norwegian citizens and citizens of other countries.

The Norwegian Social Welfare Act does not apply on Svalbard, so residents are not entitled to financial support for living expenses or housing. Residents are therefore not entitled to practical assistance if they have special needs because of illness, disability or age.

In order to receive benefits from The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) on Svalbard, you must be a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (folketrygden). If you work for a Norwegian employer on Svalbard, you are automatically a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, but the membership ceases one month after the work agreement ends. If you have any questions about entitlement to social security benefits on Svalbard, contact NAV in Norway or the social insurance authorities in your home country before travelling.

Foreign citizens admitted to hospital on Svalbard must be able to show their passports and a health insurance card. If you do not have a health insurance card, you must be insured or be able to pay for the hospital stay yourself.

Because the Norwegian Immigration Act does not apply on Svalbard, you cannot earn the right to residence permits for the Norwegian mainland, even if you have lived on Svalbard for several years.

Work and housing

You must obtain a job on Svalbard before travelling. Most housing on Svalbard is owned by employers, and accommodation is usually offered in combination with a job offer. This makes it difficult to find housing without having a job on Svalbard.

The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, NAV, has a list of all public vacant positions in Norway. 

Tax on Svalbard

Svalbard has its own tax legislation, so all tax collected is used in the archipelago. Tax rates are lower than on the Norwegian mainland. There two tax schemes. You can either be subject to ordinary tax liability as a resident or have limited tax liability. 

Studying on Svalbard

Svalbard has its own university centre (UNIS), offering research-based education in the fields of Arctic biology, geology, geophysics and technology. UNIS is not an independent university, but a specialist institution for students who have already studied at another university in Norway or abroad. English is the working language at UNIS, where a number of courses are offered at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.

Relevant links

Please fill in our contact form if you have any questions or if you have encountered an obstacle in another Nordic country.

NB! If you have questions regarding the processing of a specific case or application, or other personal matters, please contact the relevant authority directly.

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How To Travel To Svalbard (2022 Guide With Multiple Options)

There’s no place just like Svalbard, and this arctic island is a part of Norway. Despite this, Svalbard is located almost 1,000 km north of Norway, so getting to Svalbard from Norway is actually a bit of a challenge. So, what are the best options for traveling to Svalbard?

The by far best option of getting to Svalbard is to fly from either Oslo or Tromsø to the airport on Svalbard (Longyear Airport). Flight time is between 1.5 and 3 hours from Norway, and takes you very close to Longyearbyen, the main city on Svalbard.

So if you dream of seeing polar bears and arctic mountains, getting on a plane from Norway to Svalbard might be just what you need to make this dream come true! However, there are other options, although they are much more expensive and take much longer.

So, let’s take a deep dive into how to get to Svalbard by plane and other means!

Table of Contents

Getting to Svalbard by plane from Oslo or Tromsø

99 % of all travelers who travel to Svalbard arrive by plane from either Oslo or Tromsø. Most days have several planes that travel between Svalbard Airport Longyear and these two airports.

This means that for most travelers, flying from your home airport to Oslo, then changing to a plane headed to Svalbard is the best option.

Airlines that operate the flights between Tromsø or Oslo and Svalbard are SAS, Enter Air, Transavia, and Titan Airways. You will usually find at least one daily flight to Svalbard, but some days have multiple departures.

Total travel time from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Svalbard is 3 hours. The flight time from Tromsø is shorter with just 1 hour and 35 minutes in the air.

When arriving at Svalbard Airport Longyear, getting to Longyearbyen is about a 15 minute drive. Most people opt to use the Airport Express Bus for 100 NOK each to get to the city. There are also taxis available, which could save you some money if you are a party of three or four people.

If you want a more luxurious option, consider booking a private airport transfer to have a car waiting for you:

Read more : How to get from Svalbard Airport Longyear to Longyearbyen city .

The price for a plane ticket to Svalbard

Flights to and from Svalbard are not that expensive really, and you can get lucky and find tickets that are around 1,000 Norwegian kroner (about $100) each way.

However, it’s most common for the flight tickets to be in the 1,500 NOK to 3,000 NOK price range. This means that a ticket and a return ticket could cost as much as 6,000 NOK ($600) in total for each person . This adds up if you are a whole family of 4 or 5 traveling to Svalbard, so it might be worth trying to get your hands on one of the cheaper tickets.

PS. keep in mind that Svalbard is considered to be very expensive to visit as a tourist!

I always use Google Flights to find the cheapest tickets, but there are many other plane ticket aggregators that works just as good.

Riding a ship or ferry to Svalbard

It’s possible to get to Svalbard by ship or ferry, but there are no regular ferry service between mainland Norway and Svalbard . Your only option of getting to Svalbard by ferry is to book a multi-day cruise from other parts of the world.

There are cruise ships that operate between mainland Norway and Svalbard , but be aware that we are talking about a 4 – 7 day cruise in the arctic before arriving at Svalbard! Expect to pay premium (around 50,000 NOK) for such a cruise.

These cruises only operates in the summer, and tend to be fully booked many months in advance. They tend to start at Tromsø, so you will need to fly to Tromsø to begin the cruise.

Hurtigruten does offer a Svalbard cruise this summer, but you will need to fly to Longyearbyen to actually start the cruise.

While a cruise to Svalbard might be ten tines as expensive, take much longer and be much more inconvenient, it might still be a great option for some people. Not only do you get a few days of complete cruise luxury, but you also get to the some incredible nature along the Norwegian coast!

So if you find that journey is more important than the destination, consider if you should travel to Svalbard by cruise next time.

Getting to Svalbard by private boat

You can in theory just drive your boat to Svalbard to visit the island, but this boat ride is considered difficult and dangerous for smaller boats. However, there are some sailboats that tend to stop by Svalbard every once in a while.

I don’t have much experience with sailing from Norway to Svalbard, so I’m not going to comment further on this, but please only attempt this route if you are knowledgeable enough about it.

Flying to Svalbard directly from France

There are a few flights from France to Svalbard for some reason, which is the only country besides Norway that fly to Svalbard directly. These lines tend to be during the summer only, and I have yet to find a winter flight between France and Svalbard.

ASL Airlines and EFT Airways operate the fights between France and Svalbard. There are flights from both Paris and Nice to Svalbard , but they are usually only once weekly, and cost more than flying from Oslo or Tromsø.

However, if you’re already in Paris and want to get to Svalbard, this might be a decent option if you don’t want to have a layover in Oslo.

Anyone can visit Svalbard without a visa (in theory)

Most countries outside of EU and EEA requires a visa if you want to enter Norway, but Svalbard es exempt from this visa rule. Anyone can enter the island without a visa, but the problem is that you will need a visa if you want to go to Svalbard via a flight from Oslo or Tromsø.

In reality, this means that most people who want to visit Svalbard will need to get a visa for Norway before arriving at the island . Remember to make sure that the visa is good for two entries to Norway, since you will need another entry when you get back to Oslo or Tromsø from Svalbard.

In addition, remember to bring your airport when traveling to Svalbard. You are required to have this on you when entering the island unless you have another type of documentation that is accepted by the Norwegian government (which is pretty much only Norwegian National ID cards and Norwegian driver’s licenses).

PS. only people from outside of EU or EEA need a visa to enter Norway. So all you EU citizens can freely travel to Svalbard trough Norway.

Nicklas is the owner and editor of The Norway Guide, and is responsible for most of the content on the website.

He lives in Skien, Norway with his wife and two children. Nicklas is specialized in Norwegian ecology (including Norway’s geology, wildlife and flora) from his degree in Ecology And Nature Management at University of South-Eastern Norway, but has a particular interest in tourism and content creation.

His biggest hobbies are fishkeeping, going on hikes with his dog, and rooting for the local football team.

2 thoughts on “How To Travel To Svalbard (2022 Guide With Multiple Options)”

Great information – thanks

Looking at getting to Svalbard from Ireland. I try to go overland/sea as much as possble so my plan would be to get to Tromsø by boat/train/bus etc. and fly from there. I have plenty of time 🙂

That sounds like an incredible journey!

Best regards Nicklas

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• Travel and visas
• Introducing Svalbard
• Destination highlights

Visas Getting there and away Getting around

For getting into Svalbard, neither passports nor visas are required for nationals of the countries that signed the original Spitsbergen Treaty. These countries include all EU and EFTA countries, as well as Japan, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many others. However – important – a passport and maybe visas are needed for travelling through mainland Norway on the way up and down: Norway is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which regulates joint border procedures of the member states, which include most of the EU. Owing to its special status, Svalbard is excluded from that membership.

Therefore, when landing in Norway on the way back from Svalbard, you cross the border of the Schengen Agreement, which automatically requires a valid passport, even from Norwegian citizens: just a valid identity card is not enough there. As for the need for a visa for transiting through mainland Norway, check with your Norwegian consulate or embassy; citizens of EU and EFTA countries and some other nations as well do not need a visa for Norway. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has an excellent website  which gives clear information on visa requirements.

Travel permits

For tours in most parts of Svalbard, permission from the Sysselmann has to be obtained. Only the areas close to the settlements – Nordenskiöld Land, Bünsow Land, Dickson Land and a limited area around Ny-Ålesund – are exempted from this restriction. Nevertheless, it may make sense to register voluntarily for tours in these areas, too, for your own safety. Applications for permission have to be sent to the Sysselmann’s office, preferably several months in advance, as it may take quite a lot of time for permission to be granted. The application should include a detailed description of the planned tour, the equipment taken (including safety equipment like firearms, communication, etc) and the previous experience of the participants.

Furthermore, the insurance against search and rescue costs is part of the requirements.

Getting there and away

Two airlines serve Svalbard: Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) offer direct flights into Longyearbyen from Tromsø in northern Norway (or from Oslo in southern Norway with a short stopover in Tromsø), while Norwegian flies direct from Oslo to Longyearbyen ( flight time 1hr 40mins from Tromsø; 3hrs (Norwegian) & 4hrs (SAS) from Oslo ). Flights are particularly frequent in the summer, although they should be booked in advance during peak periods (ie: Easter). Note that Norwegian operates a reduced service from November to January.

Norway is well connected with eight international airports around the country, the four biggest of which are among the busiest in Europe. As you might expect, Oslo Airport Gardermoen is the country’s main airport. The SAS group has links worldwide; KLM, British Airways and Lufthansa all have routes into the country; and low-fare operators with routes into Norway include airBaltic, Norwegian, Ryanair and Wideroe. United fly from the USA into Oslo.

The Hurtigruten coastal steamer terminated its regular summer calls to Svalbard in 1982, presumably due to competition from the then-recently opened airport at Longyearbyen. A limited capacity service ran from Bergen up the Norwegian fjords to Longyearbyen for several years until 2012, when  MS   Nordstjernen , the oldest ship in the fleet, was sold off . However, today, Hurtigruten rents the MS  Nordstjernen  and sails to Svalbard in June and back to the mainland in September, with half-week cruises off ered from Longyearbyen in between. They also have plans to relaunch the Sports Route from the mainland to Svalbard, using a new ship, MS  Spitsbergen.  Even more exciting, from 2019 the brand-new hybrid ship MS  Fridtjof Nansen  will run northbound and southbound voyages between Longyearbyen and Amsterdam.

If you are intending to travel in May then an option could be to join one of the cruise ships. Typically these ships will have spent the November–March period down around the Antarctic peninsula and will then head up to the Arctic for April–September. The cruise market is complex, and you’ll regularly find the same cabin on the same ship for the same cruise listed by several different agencies, sometimes at different prices. You should be aware that these cruises can book out over a year in advance, so planning ahead is strongly recommended. An in-depth discussion of the cruise industry is beyond the scope of this book (although you might like to raise it one evening in the ship’s bar if you’ve run short of other topics of conversation), but the majority of ships are chartered out to third party travel companies and can be booked through those agencies. There are a couple of companies that own and operate their own ships and so may not appear on as many of these websites.

Getting around

While it is easy to get to Longyearbyen simply by boarding a normal scheduled flight, it can be a major challenge to explore the remaining 99.9% of the vast Arctic wilderness that is Svalbard. Outside of the settlements, there is effectively no infrastructure that can be used by the traveller, with few straightforward connections between the settlements. Svalbard is truly the last big wilderness of Europe, a place where roads and paths end. Even between the two main settlements, Longyearbyen and Barentsburg , transport can be tricky: in the warmer months the only viable means of transport is the scheduled day cruises that run several times a week (the only other option is to embark on a tough two-day cross-country hike) while, once the snow hits, it’s a gruelling, several-hour snowmobile ride. Except for the few accommodation options in the settlements, you will have to use your tent when exploring the wilds as there are no cabins, etc, for tourists to use, with the exception of a few cabins for commercial dog sled programmes in winter.

For many potential visitors, it is difficult to imagine how difficult and expensive it is to reach many areas of Svalbard. Indeed, at times some of them are out of reach entirely during large parts of the year.

With the exception of Longyearbyen Airport, there are only two private landing strips in the archipelago (Sveagruva, used solely by the mining company, and Ny-Ålesund), plus a few additional landing sites for helicopters in the other settlements and bases. Both private landings and commercial sightseeing flights are forbidden, with special permission required for any landings off the official airstrips – and for purely tourist purposes, such permission will not normally be granted. Unfortunately, non-touristic helicopter use has risen over the years, even though the official stance is that helicopter use should be reduced – and has been forbidden for tourist purposes since 1992.

Within the archipelago, there is no scheduled ferry service. During the summer months, a few smaller boats (up to about 100 passengers) run sightseeing day cruises in Isfjord from Longyearbyen, mostly to Barentsburg but also to a few other destinations. All these tours run only if a minimum number of bookings (usually eight fully paying participants) is reached.

These tours usually depart at the weekend, and can also be used as a one-way passage only, allowing you to stop at the destination (or somewhere along the way) for a night or more. Be warned, though, that not all companies will readily pick up embarking passengers along the way. An alternative, if you are part of a group, is one of the commercial passenger boats that can be chartered by the hour. So far, the season for these cruises lasts from early June (though often limited by ice at this time) into September. Schedules for these cruise offers are published one week in advance and can be found in the tourist information office and various hotel lobbies.

Any motorised traffic is forbidden off the roads, and there are few roads here anyway, other than a few routes around the settlements, with some exceptions for snowmobiles on snow-covered and frozen ground (which, of course, is limited to travel outside of the summer period). There are no connecting roads, not even paths or marked routes, between any of the settlements. Accordingly, it makes no real sense for visitors to bring their car or motorbike to Svalbard. For the limited road network of Longyearbyen (two trunk roads of 11km each leading out of the settlement), both bicycles and cars can be hired.

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Everything you need to know when visiting Svalbard for the first time

Sep 15, 2022 • 10 min read

Visiting Svalbard is a proper Arctic adventure © Ondrej Prosicky / iStockphoto / Getty Images

Your first visit to Svalbard may seem a bit daunting. Midway between Norway and the North Pole, this remote Norwegian island is a land of extreme climate, glaciers and polar bears. This, combined with Svalbard's unique laws, can make it feel far removed from the rest of the world.

The Svalbard archipelago consists of three islands: Spitsbergen, Edgeøya and Nordaustlandet. Most of the tourist activity takes place on Spitsbergen, centered on the settlement of Longyearbyen . Accommodation is limited to mostly traditional hotels, although a small number of hostel rooms and self-catering apartments are available near Longyearbyen. 

If you feel up for the adventure, here's what you need to know about visiting Svalbard for the first time.

Why you should visit Svalbard

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to a view of glaciers glittering in a sun that never sets or dog-sledding under the northern lights, Svalbard is the destination for you. Accessible from mainland Norway, this archipelago retains a real sense of adventure, and its main town, Longyearbyen, is a frontier outpost, poised on the edge of one of the harshest – and most awe-inspiring – wildernesses in the world.

Realistically, this is the farthest north most of us are ever likely to get. If you’re intrigued by the polar north, Svalbard should definitely be on your list. Wrap up and spend as much time as you can out in the wild landscape. Wildlife watching and glacier-spotting cruises or kayak trips are great in the summer or you can go on a hike with the proper safety precautions (remember, this is polar bear country). You can hop on a snowmobile or take a ride on a dog-sled at any time of year.

The wilderness and wildlife are the big lures, but there are some conventional sights to see too. Unfortunately, you can’t visit Svalbard's remarkable Global Seed Vault without special permission, so you’ll have to make do with snapping a picture from afar. The fascinating Svalbard Museum is well worth a couple of hours of your time, with its displays on the life formerly led by whalers, trappers, seal and walrus hunters and miners.

For something a bit different, head to Svalbard Bryggeri , the northernmost brewery in the world. A tour with tastings costs 429 NOK and you can book in advance. If you can’t make it to the brewery, not every bar stocks the local beer, but you will be able to pick up some cans in a grocery store.

Do I need a visa for Svalbard?

You do not need a visa to travel to Svalbard, though you may need a Norwegian visa to reach the islands. In fact, you do not even need a visa to work here! If you are truly captivated by your trip and wish to move north, it’s legal for anyone of any nationality to immigrate – you just need to acquire employment and housing prior to arriving.

Note that you will most likely be traveling to Svalbard via mainland Norway so you must meet the visa requirements for Norway if you’re passing through.

How do I get to Svalbard?

Both Norwegian Air and SAS fly from Oslo to Longyearbyen, and between the two carriers, you’ll be able to get a flight most days of the week. You can also get a flight from Tromsø – in fact, even if your flight says it is direct from Oslo, it may stop at Tromsø and you’ll have to disembark for passport control.

If you are connecting directly to Svalbard via Oslo airport, you should also be careful to check ahead to see if you need a Schengen visa for Norway as Svalbard is not part of the Schengen area.

The best time to go to Svalbard

Most people visit Svalbard in the summer season (May to September). The snow starts to melt in May, making it easier to get around, and it’s a busier time for tourism, with more flights from Oslo and more cruise ships docking at Longyearbyen.

This is also the best time of year for wildlife watching. Come in June and you’ll have a good chance of spotting walrus, polar bears and even whales on a cruise. You’ll also be experiencing this under 24 hours of daylight until the end of August when the sun begins to set again. Overall, it’s an easier experience to visit during the warmer months.

That being said, Svalbard was made for adventurous travel. Some are drawn to Svalbard by the endless polar nights. The sun disappears entirely from the end of October to February but that doesn’t mean that Svalbard comes to a standstill – you can still enjoy activities such as snowmobiling and dog sledding, and there's a good chance of spotting the northern lights. Just be sure to pack for the conditions – winter temperatures can drop as low as −20°C (−4°F).

Is it easy to get around Svalbard?

Public transport is almost non-existent in Svalbard, with the exception of the shuttle bus to Longyearbyen from the airport. The journey takes just minutes, and the bus is timed to coincide with all arrivals and departures and will drop you straight to your accommodation. A return ticket costs 170NOK.

Most visitors explore the area outside Longyearbyen on guided excursions, which often include transfers to and from your accommodation. For the most part, if you leave Longyearbyen, you’ll probably be with a tour guide, using their transport and following their safety precautions.

Arctic Autorent is the biggest car rental company in Svalbard and has an office at the airport. You can book ahead online , and prices start from 1090 NOK a day. However, you should note that roads are limited once you leave Longyearbyen; you will not be able to get to other settlements like Barentsburg or Ny-Ålesund by car. There are also two taxi services in Longyearbyen; call ahead and book if you want to get a lift somewhere.

The most common form of transport you’ll see in Svalbard is the snowmobile; one (or two!) of these vehicles are parked outside practically every home in Longyearbyen. Plenty of tour operators can arrange a rented snowmobile if you’d like to drive one yourself (electric models are often available). Guided tours can take you to ice caves, fjords and the active mining settlement of Barentsburg to see the industry that shaped Svalbard. There are also northern lights tours in winter.

Don’t let the Arctic weather stop you from exploring Longyearbyen on foot – the locals don’t! Getting hold of some crampons for your shoes will make this an easier endeavor.

Safety precautions when leaving Longyearbyen

As you approach the town limits of Longyearbyen, you’ll notice striking road signs with a polar bear on them. Go past these signs and you’ll be required to take safety precautions in case you encounter a polar bear.

At the very minimum, you should have equipment that will scare off polar bears, such as a flare gun with multiple flares. However, a rifle – and the necessary firearms safety experience – is safer still. If you’re leaving on a guided excursion, you won’t need to worry about safety protocols as your guide will have all the necessary equipment.

It’s always wise to have a professional guide with you whenever you leave the town limits. If you are planning to travel independently, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the extensive safety precautions and regulations from the Governor’s office far in advance.

Ensure that you bring or rent all the necessary equipment, including an emergency beacon, map and compass – and that you have the skills to use them. You also need to alert the Governor's office of your trip beforehand.

Bring your good socks!

Leave your worn, tired socks at home, because in Svalbard, your shoeless feet will be on show…a lot! Svalbard was dominated by coal mining for a long time and workers were required to leave their boots at the door to avoid bringing the black dust inside. Coal mining is dwindling on the islands but the tradition remains; you’ll be required to remove your shoes in your accommodation and in restaurants and bars (though not in shops).

Most accommodation places provide you with slippers, but you might want to bring your own for comfort. At the very least, bring decent, warm socks.

How to keep well in Svalbard

If you’re coming from somewhere with a more temperate climate, conditions in Svalbard can feel extreme, even in the summer. You might experience some sleep disruption – it can be difficult to wind down in 24-hour daylight, and tough to wake up at the right time due to the constant darkness in winter.

Unless you’re visiting at the very height of summer – when temperatures can reach a balmy 10°C (50°F) – it will likely be very, very cold. A heavy-duty moisturizer and lip balm will help protect your skin from getting too dry. Carry some Vaseline and apply a thin layer just inside your nostrils to protect your sinuses from the sudden change to cold, dry air.

For the summer, a good eye mask is essential and a medicinal supplement such as melatonin may help you drift off to sleep at the right time. Try to maintain a good sleep routine, and use your accommodation’s black-out curtains to relax for a couple of hours before attempting to sleep. If your sleep is disrupted, don't worry – the sun will probably give you enough energy during the day to make it through your activities, even if everything seems difficult when you first get up.

How to protect the landscape in Svalbard while you explore

Although you should be careful when traveling through any natural landscape, even stricter rules apply in Svalbard due to the fragile nature of the High Arctic environment. Don’t disturb the birds or other animals and familiarize yourself with the no-go areas for vehicles and snowmobiles if you are traveling independently. It’s prohibited to actively lure or pursue polar bears, both for their safety and your own. Rabies is also a risk; the disease can be carried by reindeer and Arctic foxes.

If you visit Svalbard in the summer, don’t pick the flowers. And, of course, don’t leave any evidence of your trip behind in the form of litter or other waste.

What to pack for the Svalbard weather

Here's a packing list to make sure you're prepared for the Svalbard climate.

• Long wool underwear
• Wool socks and gloves
• Fleece layer
• Outer wind-proof layer 
• Waterproof boots
• Comfortable indoor clothes for your hotel
• A camera with a long lens

There are some extra seasonal items you'll need. For winter, bring a down jacket, crampons for your shoes, a headtorch and a reflective vest. For summer, bring high-factor sunscreen, good-quality sunglasses and an eye mask.

How much money do I need in Svalbard?

As most visitors pack their days with costly excursions, Svalbard isn’t a cheap destination to visit, though you’ll probably pay for many of these activities in advance. However, unless you’re planning on taking a hardcore, multi-day trek across the archipelago, you can experience the highlights in a short trip of 2 to 3 days.

For day-to-day living, Svalbard has the same high costs as other Scandinavian destinations. All food has to be imported, which increases the cost of meals and provisions. However, this is offset slightly by the fact there is no VAT in Svalbard. In fact, if you need to stock up on outdoor gear or clothing, it will probably be cheaper to get it here than in mainland Norway.

Average daily costs in Svalbard:

• Hostel room – 1000–1900 NOK
• Basic room for two – 1900–3100 NOK 
• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb) - 1500–3000 NOK 
• Coffee – 40 NOK
• Dinner for two – from 300 NOK for pizza to 900 NOK for steaks 
• A pint of beer at the bar – 80 NOK

AnneMarie traveled to Svalbard at the invitation of Volvo Penta. Lonely Planet staff members do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.

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• Food and drinks experiences

Dog Sledding

• Sightseeing and lectures
• Brewery Visits

Ice Cave visits

• Northern Lights adventures

Photo safari

• Expeditions
• Fishing trips
• Svalbard Church
• Museums and Galleries
• Gullgruva Arctic Design
• Spitsbergen Sport AS
• Sportssenteret
• Svalbardbutikken
• Longyear 78
• Ingeniør G. Paulsen (IGP)
• Svalbard Snøscooterutleie AS
• Arctic Autorent
• Svalbard Camera Rentals
• Svalbard Tourist Information Office: Bike rental
• Spitzbergen Reisen Rubber boot rental
• Activity Planner
• Activity Providers
• Polarjazz Festival 3. - 6. February
• Arctic Chamber Music Festival 23. - 26. February

Sun Festival Week 1. - 9. March

Svalbard ski marathon 13. april, spitsbergen marathon 1. june.

• Longyearbyen Pride 24. - 27. August
• Isfjord Radio Music Festival 1. - 3. September
• Longyearbyen Literature Festival 1. - 6. September
• Taste Svalbard 4. - 8. October
• Dark Season Blues Festival 26. - 29. October
• Christmas in Longyearbyen
• New Year's in Longyearbyen
• More events
• Meetings and events (MICE) in Svalbard
• Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen

Funken Lodge

• Svalbard Hotel - Polfareren
• Svalbard Hotel - The Vault
• Basecamp Hotel
• Mary Ann's Polarrigg
• Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel
• Svalbard Hotell - Lodge
• Coal Miners' Cabins

Gjestehuset 102

• Haugen pensjonat
• Longyearbyen Camping
• Nordenskiöld Lodge
• Tommy's Lodge
• Krekling Lodge
• Huset Restaurant
• Gruvelageret
• Funktionærmessen
• Restaurant Nansen
• Kroa - Steakers Restaurant

Vinterhagen Restaurant

• Isfjord Radio Restaurant
• Huset Bistro
• Café Huskies
• Karlsberger Pub
• Barentz Gastropub

Svalbar Pub

• Det gamle Nordpolet
• Coal Miner's Bar & Grill
• Polar Summer
• Northern Lights Winter
• Sunny Winter
• Longyearbyen
• Barentsburg
• Isfjord Radio
• Polar Bear, The King of the Arctic
• Svalbard Guidelines
• Travel Concepts
• About Svalbard
• Safety in Svalbard

Sustainable Destination

• Svalbard Cruise Forum
• Visit Svalbard Insights
• Activity providers
• How to dress in Svalbard
• Airport Shuttle in Longyearbyen

How to travel to Svalbard

• Get around in Longyearbyen
• How to get to Barentsburg and Pyramiden
• Opening Hours
• Tourist Information Centre
• The use of drones
• The Northern Lights forecast for Svalbard
• For tour operators
• Articles for inspiration

Longyearbyen Community Guidelines

Adventures close to the North Pole

Summer, autumn and winter

The seasons There are three main seasons in Svalbard: Polar Summer, Northern Lights Winter and Sunny Winter. Each season has its unique charms and characteristics.

Choose your Svalbard adventure! Do you want to challenge yourself on an adventure in Svalbard’s majestic wilderness? Or would you prefer a cosy time in the tiny metropole of Longyearbyen? These three travel concepts will make it easier for you to find the Svalbard experience that suits you best!

Welcome to the High Arctic of Svalbard!

During the Polar Night, the months of darkness from October to January, the Northern Lights dominate the sky both day and night. The residents of Longyearbyen – the world’s northernmost urban community – spend a lot of time at social gatherings. We meet at pubs and restaurants, concerts or exhibitions or at each other’s homes. Good food, good drinks and varied cultural offerings are the key to enjoying this season, which many locals regard as the best time of the year.

Nevertheless, we look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel of darkness, and in February the sun slowly but surely rises above the horizon again. The play of colours we experience during this time is beyond beautiful. Blue skies and snow-capped mountain peaks provide the background for the sun’s return, and the rays of sun turn the blue colours to pink. We call this phenomenon the “blue light” and, to put it simply, it’s something you must experience to understand. As the light changes, so too do the interests of the local population. Instead of seeking cosiness indoors, we head outdoors into the winter landscape on skis, by snowmobile or on a sled behind a team of eager huskies. Sometimes we prefer short trips and sometimes longer expeditions over glaciers or frozen fjords. Maybe we see polar bears, maybe we seek shelter in an out-of-the-way cabin or maybe we don’t go far from our doorstep to experience the surrounding wilderness.

After the winter, around mid-May, a short spring awaits us, followed by a slightly longer summer. The archipelago is invaded by birds which migrate here in vast numbers to nest. On the seemingly inhospitable tundra, a minor miracle occurs at ground level as a rich flora emerges in the most unthinkable of places, offering life where you would hardly believe it was possible for plants to take root. When the landscape dries up after the snow melts, countless possibilities for hiking emerge. Many locals transform into eager hikers and head for the mountain peaks which surround Longyearbyen. Consequently, outdoor recreation still dominates the lives of the locals. Hiking boots make way for boats or kayaks when we set our sights on slightly longer trips.

Svalbard is large and diverse, boasting nature which is surprisingly rich and extremely varied. At the same time, we have personal experiences of climate change and the threats it poses here in the Arctic, and we are worried about the future. Life in Longyearbyen may be perceived both as different and perhaps extreme, but for those of us fortunate to live here, it’s hard to imagine anything else. We live as one with nature, and we work in harmony to uphold the good life that we do have throughout the enormous seasonal variations in temperature, light and darkness. We love this place and are proud to call ourselves Svalbardians. We also love to receive visitors from all over the world – all year round.

I welcome you to Longyearbyen and Svalbard – and hope you have wonderful, memorable and profound experiences as a guest in our small, local community. Please remember, if you are bitten by the Polar bug, it’s harmless even though it will remain in your body for a long time! Arctic greetings from The Visit Svalbard Team

Svalbard Inspiration

Did you know?

Svalbard Reindeer

Love to walk around town

You can encounter polar bears anywhere in Svalbard, all year round

When leaving the settlements: Go organized with a local guide!

The walruses of Svalbard

Every couch potato's spirit animal

The Arctic Fox

A cute and curious furball

The Svalbard rock ptarmigan

A true local amongst Svalbard's birdlife

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Applicant required, svalbard tourist visa requirements & documents checklist, travel itinerary, proof of funds.

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