Frequently asked questions

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The islands stretch from 74° to 81° North in latitude and 10° to 35° East in longitude. Spitsbergen is the largest island, and Longyearbyen is the main settlement. 

Svalbard is the official name of the entire archipelago, with Spitsbergen being the largest island.

In German, you may see it spelled "Spitzbergen." This term is used to refer to the entire archipelago, essentially meaning Svalbard.

The main way to reach Svalbard is by air, with SAS and Norwegian operating regular flights to Longyearbyen. Flights depart from Oslo and Tromsø, with a direct flight from Oslo taking around three hours. Since Svalbard is outside the Schengen Area, make sure to bring a valid passport or national ID card, regardless of your nationality. 

An airport shuttle service operates in connection with all flight arrivals and -departures. It stops at every hotel and guesthouse in Longyearbyen. You can check the shuttle schedule with your hotel reception. Payment can be made in Norwegian kroner (NOK) or by credit card.  Taxis are also available when travelling to and from the airport or around Longyearbyen. 

You can also choose to travel to Svalbard by boat, by joining Hurtigruten's popular "Svalbard Line". Read more about the voyage here.

Passports are valid as travel documents for entry to Svalbard. Norwegian national ID cards and documents listed in Appendix 4 of the Immigration Regulations are also accepted.

Note that Svalbard is part of the Kingdom of Norway, but is not included in the Schengen area or the European Economic Area (EEA). This means that all passengers must go through customs and immigration when travelling between mainland Norway and Svalbard.

For more detailed information regarding travel and entry requirements for Svalbard, please visit the official website of the Governor of Svalbard.

Svalbard has a unique status that allows visa-free entry for all nationalities. However, since flights to Svalbard transit through mainland Norway, Schengen visa regulations apply for the mainland portion of your journey. Read more about visas and immigration here. 

The best time to visit Svalbard depends on what you want to experience: 

• Polar Summer (17 May – 30 September): Enjoy the Midnight Sun, milder temperatures, and fantastic opportunities for boat trips, hiking, and wildlife spotting. Read more about Polar Summer. 

• Northern Lights Winter (1 October – 28 February): Experience the Polar Night, when the sun never rises, and witness the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. This is also the season for aurora hunting and unique Arctic culinary experiences. Read more about Northern Lights Winter. 

• Sunny Winter (1 March – 16 May): Discover Svalbard’s winter wonderland by snowmobile or dog sledding and enjoy the return of daylight. From mid-April, the sun shines 24/7, creating stunning Arctic light conditions. Read more about Sunny Winter. 

Packing for a trip can be tricky, especially if it's your first time visiting Svalbard and the Arctic. To make it easier, we've put together a list of essential items to bring.

The official language of Svalbard is Norwegian. However, with a diverse international community and tourism industry, English is widely spoken. Whether you're exploring town, joining a guided tour, or dining out, you’ll have no trouble getting around using English!

Svalbard is connected to the mainland Norwegian Telenor network via a fibre optic cable, providing good coverage in Longyearbyen and parts of Isfjorden. However, outside these areas, mobile signal is generally unavailable.

In Longyearbyen, mobile rates are the same as on the Norwegian mainland.

The Norwegian Krone (NOK) is the official currency used across Svalbard.

As of 2021, there is no bank or ATM in Longyearbyen. The easiest way to pay is by credit card, which is widely accepted at all hotels, tour operators, and shops.

There are plenty of shops in Longyearbyen offering outdoor clothing and equipment, as well as souvenirs, jewellery, and high-quality items from premium Scandinavian brands. Since Svalbard is a tax-free zone, you can find great products at lower prices than on mainland Norway!

In addition, Longyearbyen has a supermarket, pharmacy, hairdresser, post office, church, emergency hospital, dentist, taxi services, and a tourist information centre. Please note that to purchase alcohol in a store, you must present your boarding pass from your flight to Svalbard.

It’s also important to be aware that there is no bank or ATM in Longyearbyen.

The polar bear is perhaps the most iconic symbol of Svalbard. Here, we are always mindful that polar bears can appear unexpectedly. However, there is no need to worry about them within Longyearbyen.

Warning signs are placed at various points around Longyearbyen’s city limits. You are free to walk around town, but once you reach a polar bear warning sign, you should not go any further. Beyond these signs, it is essential to carry polar bear protection. This means that anyone travelling outside the settlement must have appropriate deterrents and a firearm, and know how to use them. Visitors should not leave the town limits unless accompanied by a local guide with the necessary safety equipment.

The safest way to explore Svalbard’s landscapes is by joining organised tours led by experienced guides. Here, you can browse a range of activities to experience Svalbard in a safe and responsible way.

From 1 January 2025, new environmental rules came into effect on Svalbard. These changes aim to protect the Arctic's fragile ecosystem while still allowing visitors to enjoy everything this special destination has to offer. 

These new rules are here to help safeguard the wildlife and landscape while ensuring your visit remains as exciting and enjoyable as ever. Read more about the regulations here.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy on Svalbard throughout the year. The options available depend on the season you visit. You can try everything from dog sledding and snowmobiling to biking, boating, and hiking. Guided tours of historical sites and sightseeing by car are also great ways to explore the Arctic landscape. The possibilities are endless!

Here you’ll find an overview of available activities, with easy filters for dates, category, season, or month.

Driving licence requirements for class S – Snowmobile

A Norwegian driving licence in categories A1, A2, A, B, or T grants the right to drive a snowmobile (Class S), regardless of when the licence was issued.

Valid foreign driving licences

Driving licences from countries that are party to the Geneva or Vienna Conventions:
You may use your driving licence as long as it is valid. No additional documentation is required if your licence meets the model requirements of one of these conventions. All driving licences from EU/EEA countries meet this requirement.

If your driving licence was issued in a country outside the EU/EEA, you should check whether it meets the model requirements under one of the conventions (the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic). It is your responsibility to ensure that your driving licence is valid for use on Svalbard.

For updated information, see:
Statens vegvesen – Driving Licences on Svalbard

Remember to bring your driving licence

The guide will check each participant’s driving licence before departure. If your licence is not valid on Svalbard or Jan Mayen, you will not be allowed to participate, and no refunds will be given.

Seeing a polar bear is at the top of the wish list for many visitors, and who wouldn’t want to catch a glimpse of the King of the Arctic? While there’s always a chance of spotting one, anywhere, at any time, it’s never guaranteed. We can’t stress this enough! Most visitors don’t see a polar bear during their stay, and those who do are incredibly lucky. The best way to experience Svalbard is to enjoy everything it has to offer, with a polar bear sighting as an exciting bonus rather than the main goal.

No tour operator actively searches for polar bears, but if we do come across one, we always keep a respectful distance. That’s why a pair of binoculars and a good zoom lens for your camera are great to bring along, just in case you get lucky!

The midnight sun shines over Svalbard from approximately 20 April to 23 August each year. During this period, the sun never sets but remains above the horizon 24 hours a day, creating continuous daylight, even at night.

You have the chance to see the northern lights as long as there is solar activity, the skies are clear, and it is dark enough outside.

During the polar night, from 11 November to 30 January, Svalbard is in complete darkness 24/7. This gives you a unique opportunity to spot the northern lights at any time of day – even at midday! In fact, Svalbard is the only inhabited place on Earth where this is possible.

However, dark evenings and nights begin as early as the start of October and last until early March. During this entire period, there is a chance to see the northern lights.

The polar night on Svalbard lasts from approximately 11 November to 30 January each year. During this time, the sun never rises above the horizon, meaning it’s dark around the clock, even at midday! The only natural light sources are the moon, the stars, and the dancing northern lights, creating a magical Arctic atmosphere.