Svalbard Travel Guide | Kelionė į Svalbard | Špicbergenas
My journey to Svalbard, the world's northernmost settlement, with a complete breakdown of trip costs and personal recommendations.
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Svalbard had been at the top of my travel list for the past two years, and I finally made it happen! What struck me most was how accessible this remote Arctic paradise actually is. Flying from Denmark via Norway, I was amazed at how quickly you can reach one of the world's northernmost settlements—it felt surprisingly close despite being so remote.
After searching for information about visiting Svalbard and finding rather limited resources, I thought I'd share my personal experience, which might prove helpful to fellow travellers dreaming of their own Arctic adventure.
We spent 3 nights/2 full days in Svalbard, which allowed ample time to book two tours per day. Our itinerary was structured as follows: the 1st and 4th days were reserved for flying in and out, the 2nd day included a boat tour and exploration of the town, whilst on the 3rd day we did 2 hiking tours.
Svalbard Trip Cost Breakdown
Flight Tickets: €230 return (Copenhagen - Oslo - Longyearbyen), booked approximately 2 months in advance
Svalbard Accommodation: 102 Guesthouse at €360 (€180 per person), including breakfast, booked through Hotels.com
Airport Bus: 220 NOK return, payment collected by the driver. The bus schedule is conveniently synchronised with flight arrivals and departures. I noticed that some travellers opted to walk from the airport to town on their own.
Svalbard Tours and Activities:
Glacier Boat Tour: 2,895 NOK (including lunch), with Hurtigruten Svalbard
Ice Cave Hike: 1,300 NOK (including lunch), with Snowfox Travel
Platåfjellet Hike: 870 NOK with Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions
Total Budget: Approximately €870 per person
Tips & Recommendations
Wildlife Spotting on a Boat Tour
In early May, I didn't spot any polar bears during our boat tour. If you're on a tighter budget, you might consider booking shorter boat tours (approximately 4 hours). Based on my experience and conversations with other hotel guests, none of us spotted polar bears during this early season. Some parts of the fjord were still covered in ice, preventing access to areas with higher chances of sightings (such as Pyramiden).
Nevertheless, we were fortunate to observe walruses lounging on distant shores, several seals popping their heads above water, and numerous seabirds. What I particularly enjoyed about the boat tour was the educational component—our guides shared fascinating information about the wildlife, geography and history as we cruised through the fjords. It’s a good idea to have binoculars but if you don’t, you can also rent it during the boat tour.
Ice Cave Hike
The ice cave hike begins at the same location as Sarkofagen, offering stunning Arctic views throughout the journey. Personally, I found the initial part rather daunting—you must slide into the cave, which poses a risk if you slip. Fortunately, our guide was exceptionally helpful in ensuring everyone's safety. I'll admit my heart was racing, but the incredible blue ice formations inside made every nervous moment worthwhile!
Platåfjellet Hike
For our Platåfjellet hike, we had the good fortune of having Will as our guide. He was absolutely brilliant—chatty and full of knowledge about the area. If you have the chance to join a tour with him, you'll be in luck! The panoramic views of Longyearbyen and the surrounding mountains from Platåfjellet are worth the effort (the hike is pretty steep) :)
Supermarket Hours
If you're not planning to eat out, do check supermarket opening times, as they typically operate from 10am to 7pm. Be mindful that Norway has several holidays in May which may affect opening hours!
Accommodation & Polar Bear Safety
I was initially hesitant about booking accommodation at Guesthouse 102 due to polar bear safety concerns, as it's situated outside the town centre (approximately a 30-minute walk). However, I'm pleased I chose this place—I never felt unsafe during my stay, and there are usually several people walking the same route.
Money
We didn't need to use cash at any point during my trip. Card payments are universally accepted throughout Longyearbyen, including the bus.
Daylight Conditions
In early May, we already experienced 24-hour daylight (with plenty of sunshine in our case), so unfortunately, no purple skies for those hoping to see them! On the “positive “side, this is when boat tours begin operating (they start in May), and you can still experience snow (ideal for snowmobile experience!).
Have you visited Svalbard? I'd love to hear about your experience! If you've been dreaming about it like I was for two years, I can confirm it's absolutely worth making the journey to this unique Arctic wilderness, even though you may not get a chance to spot polar bears :)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I'm ieva vi - a wedding & lifestyle photographer, based in Copenhagen and photographing worldwide. When I'm not behind the lens capturing beautiful moments, i love to explore new places and share my experiences with readers. Take a look at my portfolio, and feel free to reach out for collaborations.
