Getting to Svalbard
Air links, entry rules and transfers from the airport into Longyearbyen
Routes from Longyearbyen
Barentsburg lies 45 km from Longyearbyen. No road joins the two places, and the crossing can be made by snowmobile in winter or by ship at any time of year.
Pyramiden is 100 km from Longyearbyen. It can be reached by snowmobile in winter or by ship all year.
| Destination | Distance from Longyearbyen | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Barentsburg | 45 km | Snowmobile in winter or ship all year; no road connects them |
| Pyramiden | 100 km | Snowmobile in winter or ship all year |
Roads, transport and seasons
The settlements on Svalbard are not connected by road. Aircraft, boats and snowmobiles carry travellers between them.
Longyearbyen runs its own bus system, and every settlement on the archipelago has a port.
The record temperature for Longyearbyen is 21.7 °C, measured in July 2020.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Warmest temperature ever recorded in Longyearbyen | 21.7 °C, measured in July 2020 |
| Transport between settlements | Snowmobile, aircraft and boat; no roads connect them |
| Local transport in Longyearbyen | Bus system; every settlement has a port |
Flights to Svalbard Airport
Scandinavian Airlines runs a daily service between Svalbard Airport and both Tromsø and Oslo.
Norwegian Air Shuttle covers the Oslo route with three or four flights per week.
Since October 2017, the airport has held no international status. Foreign aircraft may not use it, with the exception of Russian aircraft.
| Route | Operator | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Tromsø to Svalbard | Scandinavian Airlines | Daily |
| Oslo to Svalbard | Scandinavian Airlines | Daily |
| Oslo to Svalbard | Norwegian Air Shuttle | Three or four flights a week |
Entry requirements
For Svalbard itself, Norwegian authorities ask foreign nationals for no visa and no work or residence permit.
Travellers who need a Schengen visa must hold one for travel to and from Svalbard by way of mainland Norway.
Svalbard Airport performs no passport control. The exit check is made in Oslo or Tromsø.
| Requirement | What applies |
|---|---|
| Visa or work and residence permit for Svalbard itself | Not required by Norwegian authorities for foreign nationals |
| Passport control at Svalbard Airport | None carried out; exit checks made in Oslo or Tromsø |
Airport transfers and parking
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Taxis, rental cars and airport coaches | Available at the airport |
| Shuttle bus | Runs from the airport to hotels and guesthouses in Longyearbyen and Nybyen |
| Parking | 200 free outdoor parking spaces |
A shuttle bus carries passengers from the airport to hotels and guesthouses in Longyearbyen and in Nybyen.
Visitors arriving at the airport can also use taxis, rental cars or airport coaches.
The Longyearbyen campsite lies 300 m from the airport.
Outdoor parking at the airport is free, with 200 spaces in total.
On arrival in Longyearbyen
A rifle can be hired from about 150 kr a day.
Svalbardbutikken is the sole grocery store in the Longyearbyen area.
A night in a cheap-category guesthouse is put at about 500 kr.
Man-made objects older than 1946 are protected by law, and visitors may not touch them.
| Item | Figure | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle hire | From about 150 kr per day | Rifles can be rented from about this price |
| Cheap guesthouse | Around 500 kr per night | Cheap guesthouse accommodation |
| Protected man-made objects | Older than 1946 | Protected by law; visitors may not touch them |
Questions about getting there
Which airline flies to Svalbard Airport every day?
Scandinavian Airlines is the carrier named for daily flights, to Tromsø and to Oslo.
How often does Norwegian Air Shuttle fly to Svalbard?
Its Oslo to Svalbard route runs three or four times a week.
Is a visa needed to reach Svalbard itself?
Not for Svalbard itself: foreign nationals need no visa and no work or residence permit from Norwegian authorities. A Schengen visa is needed by those who must have one for travel through mainland Norway.
Is passport control carried out at Svalbard Airport?
No. The exit check takes place in Oslo or Tromsø, not at the airport.
How far is Pyramiden from Longyearbyen?
The distance is 100 km. The trip can be made by snowmobile in winter, or by ship during any month of the year.
How many parking spaces does the airport have?
There are 200 free outdoor spaces for parking at the airport.
Are the settlements linked by road?
No road links them. Aircraft, boats and snowmobiles carry people between the settlements.
Does Longyearbyen have local buses?
Yes, Longyearbyen runs a bus system.