Destinations > Norway > Svalbard

Svalbard

This group of islands is about as remote as you can get. Located well within the Arctic Circle and accessible only by a long flight from either Oslo or Tromsø.

Svalbard offers the traveller an untouched wilderness where the polar bear roam. Activities on Svalbard include sea kayaking, snowmobile expeditions, dog sledging,

It is one of the few places in the world where it is forbidden to leave settled areas without a gun (to defend yourself against polar bears); don't worry if you don't have one, you can rent them in Longyearbyen or from the airport!

There are no roads between settled areas on Svalbard, which means that snowmobiles and boats are an essential way to get around. The location and lack of transport infrastructure on the island makes it an expensive place to get around.

Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen is the northern-most permanent settlement in the world. The town has around 1500 residents

Practical Information

Longyearbyen Tourist Information Centre

Næringsbygget, Longyearbyen

Tel 79 02 55 51

Website www.svalbard.net

Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm

Coming and Going

Both Braathens and SAS fly to Longyearbyen from Tromsø and Oslo. Although it is normally an expensive flight, you can sometimes get a good deal if you book several other connecting domestic flights at the same time.

A shuttle bus operates between Longyearbyen and the airport.

Accommodation

Spitsbergen Nybyen Guesthouse

PO Box 500, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Tel 7902 6300