Svalbard Travel Guide | Letsa Travel

The story

The northernmost towns most people can reach

Svalbard sits between mainland Norway and the North Pole, about 62,050 km² of islands that are mostly glacier and rock. Fewer than 3,000 people live there, nearly all in Longyearbyen and Barentsburg.

Wikivoyage notes that in principle it is forbidden to die on Svalbard, and that all man-made objects older than 1946 are protected by law, so visitors must not touch them.

60%of the area is covered by glaciers

<3,000residents, in two main towns

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Practical guide

Plan your Svalbard trip

Check before you go: outside the settlements you are required to carry a rifle against polar bears, or go with a guide. Most visitors should reserve a guided tour and check the Governor of Svalbard's rules.

Getting there

Longyearbyen Airport has scheduled flights from Oslo and Tromsø on SAS and Norwegian.
Svalbard has no border controls, but flights start in Norway, so you pass Norwegian immigration first. Svalbard is not in the Schengen area.
Cruises are the practical way to reach far-flung places such as Ny-Ålesund.

Seasons

Midnight sun runs from about 20 April to 23 August, and polar night from about 26 October to 15 February.
The cruise season is June to August. March to May is the high season for fly-and-stay visitors, with both sunlight and snow.
July averages about 6 °C and January about −16 °C, and wind chill makes it feel colder.

Polar bears

About 500 polar bears live on the main islands at any one time, and they can be unpredictable.
Outside settlements you must carry a rifle to protect yourself. Renting one needs a Norwegian licence or a European Firearms Pass, with a separate application otherwise.
For most visitors the guide says to stick to guided tours.

Getting around

There is almost no infrastructure outside Longyearbyen, and visitors generally cannot go out on their own.
You do not need a car. Snowmobiles are common in winter and boats run in summer.
For trips outside the central Spitsbergen region you must notify the Governor and may need insurance or a deposit for rescue costs.

Safety and health

Watch for frostbite, especially with wind on a snowmobile. Crossing glaciers and rivers is hazardous, so use local guides.
Crime is virtually nonexistent. Tap water is drinkable, but surface water should be boiled.
There is a hospital in Longyearbyen. Late-stage pregnancy is discouraged because there are no maternity clinics.

Etiquette and connection

Take off your shoes in most buildings, including some hotels and shops.
4G works near Longyearbyen and 3G is gone. Internet is good because of undersea fibre cables.

Details come from Wikivoyage and the official Visit Svalbard site. We checked on November 1, 2026. Entry rules, fees and prices change, so confirm them with official sources before you reserve.