Those colorful row houses, the aurora borealis, polar bears! There’s so much to see on your trip to Svalbard that it can feel tempting to pack every activity into a single visit.
This is impossible. Svalbard is located in the Arctic Circle. This means that it’s dark for half the year (winter) and light for the other half (summer). The time of year when you can see both the Northern lights and polar bears is so short, it barely exists.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting Svalbard. After considering these logistics, consult our itinerary for more practical planning advice.
What’s Included:
- When is the Best Time to Visit Svalbard?
- What Can I Do in Svalbard in the Summer? In the Winter?
- How Do I Get to Svalbard?
- Do I Need a Passport to Visit Svalbard?
- How Much Time Should I Spend in Svalbard?
- Should I Book a Tour to See Svalbard or Go Solo?
- Additional Svalbard Resources
When is the Best Time to Visit Svalbard?
We recommended going to Svalbard between mid-April and early May. The ground will be covered in snow, but it will be sunny 24/7. The weather will be cold, but manageable. Add in the fact that this is the best time to spot polar bears and to get around by snowmobile.
What Can I Do in Svalbard in Summer? In the Winter?
Mid April to Mid May – This is our favorite season because there’s so much to do! Once the sun rises (in mid-April), you’ll be able to spend long days outside exploring. The temperatures are still cold and the snow has yet to melt, giving the archipelago an archetypical polar ambiance.
During this season, you’ll be able to choose between snowmobile tours, dog sled excursions and even hiking or cross-country skiing. Since the water is still frozen over, you can easily navigate inside the archipelago and traverse frozen fjords.
This is the best season for spotting a polar bear. The sea ice is still frozen over, allowing them to roam where they please. They’ve just ended their hibernation season and are out scouring for food.
That being said, it’s far from guaranteed that you’ll be lucky enough to see a polar bear (stuffed polar bears and polar bear paraphernalia is another story). They remain quite elusive. We did see a polar bear during our trip … a mile away through binoculars during the middle of the “night”.
Mid May to Mid September – During the summer season the days will be long and possibly even hot. Longyearbyen’s temperature is rising rapidly with climate change and in 2020 the city saw record-breaking 90 degree days.
With all this heat, you’ll see a snow-free landscape. There will be some scrub on the ground and a few flowers peeking through. If you’re interested in going on a boat tour, this is the season to do so. There are plenty of tours to choose from and we’re particularly attracted to one that would circumnavigate the islands. This is also an excellent season for spotting wildlife as many birds and even whales are active during summer.
Mid September to Mid October – This is another shoulder season, but one we don’t recommend visiting during. While the temperatures are starting to drop, the landscape will still be mostly barren. And if snow does start to fall, it will restrict visibility and limit your ability to move around. Since the water has yet to freeze over, you’ll need to join a boat tour if you want to see more than just Longyearbyen.
Mid October to Mid April – This is the dark season and the time to visit if you want to combine your trip to Svalbard with seeing the Northern Lights. Our favorite hotel in Longyearbyen has a specially dedicated room for aurora-spotting.
The thing is, Svalbard is actually too far north to give you a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. If you want to plan a trip to Norway to see this spectral beauty, you’re better off heading to Tromsø or Bodø on the mainland.
How Do I Get to Svalbard?
There’s one commercial airport in Svalbard that’s located in the main town of Longyearbyen. Both Norwegian Air and SAS fly into the airport via either Oslo or Tromsø. During March to August, both airlines operate multiple weekly flights. It’s about a three hour trip from Oslo and just an hour from Tromsø.
For a flight from Oslo, you can expect it to cost around 300 euro ($350 USD). This is subject to some seasonal fluctuation in demand, but overall we found it to be one of the more stable airfares we’ve encountered.
Typically cruises will opt to fly you from Oslo to Longyearbyen to get started on your journey, though there are some longer cruise options that travel up Norway’s coast and then sail across the Norwegian Sea to Longyearbyen.
Pro Tip: If you sit on the left side of the plane to Longyearbyen (or the right side leaving), you might be lucky enough to get a view of the Lofoten Islands!
Do I Need a Passport to Visit Svalbard?
Thanks to the Svalbard Treaty, citizens of any country of the world can enter Svalbard without a special visa. This is pretty cool as it enables people from any country to stay and work on the island, which gives Longyearbyen a surprisingly international feel at times.
However, you will need your passport and checks are performed. And since all routes into the region are via Norway, if your country requires a visa for entry into Norway, you’ll need to arrange that in advance.
How Much Time Should I Spend in Svalbard?
It all depends on how much time you have to dedicate to exploration. Our perfect itinerary lasts five days, which is enough to get a feel for the spectacular environment. If you want to really explore everything the archipelago has to offer, you could easily stretch this to eight or ten days by combining multiple tours or opting for a longer excursion. Obviously, if you choose to do a boat tour, your trip will be longer.
That being said, we think five days is really the minimum amount of time you should consider. Exploring the wilderness outside of Longyearbyen is a magical experience, and with any less than five days you risk rushing this once in a lifetime trip.
Should I Book a Tour to See Svalbard or Go Solo?
While 90% of the time we prefer self-guided trips, Svalbard is one of the few exceptions. Booking onto a guided tour is essential for getting the most out of your time in the Arctic.
We booked with Basecamp Explorer, a company that operates tours in Svalbard and Kenya. They employ top-notch guides, operate stunning hotels and lodges, and provide you with the equipment you’ll need to safely traverse the vast wilderness outside of Longyearbyen. They operate a wide range of tours throughout the year, so there’s sure to be something that matches your interests.
Other tour companies to consider are Arctic Adventures, Husky Travellers and Spitzbergen Adventures. If you’re looking for a cruise, both Hurtigruten and NatGeo Expeditions offer brilliant itineraries that are worth the price tag.
Additional Svalbard Resources
- Jump into planning! Check out our favorite five-day itinerary to learn what kind of activities you can expect to do during your trip.
- Wondering if you’ll need any new gear? We have a no-frills packing list that explains what you’ll really want in your suitcase for a worry-free trip.
Roam The Reaches 