Best of Svalbard Winter - Express

On a tour to Svalbard, Nordic Visitor takes care of your local transportation, accommodation and excursions for a relaxed, partially guided travel experience. That means you’ll enjoy some free time to explore on your own as well as planned, guided day tours.

Each activity is run by a different tour operator, so you’ll get to meet a few local guides throughout your trip.

You can rest assured that Nordic Visitor only works with a small number of handpicked suppliers that meet our high standards. The activities you’ll participate in are all extremely well rated so you’re sure to have a memorable time.

You will follow an itinerary that’s been pre-planned and booked for you before you arrive. This means you can take advantage of Nordic Visitor’s insider knowledge while exploring at your leisure.

Ahead of your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information via email, including an itinerary and detailed Svalbard Travel Guide. During your tour, you’ll always be able to reach us by calling our 24/7 helpline.

Yes, you should be in good physical fitness to take part comfortably in this tour. This is because Svalbard packages include active outdoor excursions. Arctic travel can sometimes involve extreme weather conditions as well as vigorous activity.

The flights to and from Svalbard are not included in the tour package. That said, we would be happy to assist you with the flights from Oslo or Tromsø.

After making a booking with Nordic Visitor, it might take a few weeks to confirm your travel arrangements. Please wait to book your flights to Norway until your travel consultant confirms your desired travel dates.

We can also help you secure nights in Norway before or after your Svalbard tour. Due to the Svalbard flight schedule, we highly recommend you spend a night in either Oslo or Tromsø before and after the trip.

The weather can also be unpredictable, so extra nights are always recommended to be more flexible.

If you have any questions about your flights or itinerary, please contact us for more details.

To find out which dates you can start your trip on, navigate to the "Find your price" section on the tour's page. Under "Tour start date", you'll see a calendar symbol. Select this and you'll see all the available dates to start your tour.

If you can't select a certain day, this means there are no departures available then. In that situation, please get in touch and one of our travel consultants will look into the options for you.

Due to the nature of this tour and the activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for active children of 10 years or older. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

On your Svalbard tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our travel experts. We selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

The Comfort Plus category in Svalbard usually consists of a standard room in a good quality lodge-style or boutique-style hotel.

You will be able to choose between single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Svalbard and Norway room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms might include a bed as well as a bunk bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

Your dog-sledding adventure will last around 7 hours. First, you’ll meet the hard-working huskies who will pull your sleigh. Your experienced guides will give you a lesson in dog sledding, also called “mushing”, before you set off into the frosty Arctic wilderness.

You’ll share a sleigh with one other person and you’ll both take turns driving. The dog sledding experience includes a hot beverage and light lunch. Enjoy your meal while gazing out over the vast, snow-covered scenery that surrounds you.

Dog sledding is an active excursion and so requires a good level of fitness. This tour is not suitable for people suffering from back pain or those who are pregnant.

To experience life in the Arctic, you’ll go on a snowmobile excursion across the Svalbard wilderness. On this tour, you’ll enjoy an 8-hour snowmobile trip around the Tempelfjorden region.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the station where you’ll receive a lesson and safety briefing about driving a snowmobile. Then you’ll set off!

You will feel the thrill and excitement of riding a snowmobile over the pristine white landscape and have the chance to spot Arctic wildlife. This includes seals, reindeer and maybe even a mighty polar bear (although sightings cannot be guaranteed).

Finally, you’ll reach the majestic glacier of Von Post in Tempelfjorden. On the way back, there will be a lunch break.

On this excursion you’ll drive your own snowmobile. You must bring and present a valid driving licence to take part in this tour.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add optional day trips, excursions and upgrades to your itinerary. You could also request additional nights in Oslo, Tromsø, or Longyearbyen.

We are happy to help you customise a trip combining a tour of Svalbard and Norway. Check out our Norway tours or contact us for more details.

Svalbard is a visa-free zone. That said, you’re likely to have to fly through Norway and so you’ll have to follow their visa rules.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Norway. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Norway on the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select your home country to view details. If you do require a visa, you will be directed to your local embassy website to learn about the visa requirements.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Norway. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Svalbard for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore and what you want to see and do.

Our tours span throughout the spring and summer. That means that depending on the month you visit, you could have very different experiences.

Visit in February for a winter wonderland and to experience the legendary polar night (when the sun doesn’t rise at all). This is the ideal time if you want to go chasing the northern lights, as the sky will be dark all day.

March is ideal for outdoor excursions as you’ll have plenty of daylight for sightseeing and long nights to hunt the aurora borealis.

In April and May, the nights are short (or even non-existent). This gives you long days to take full advantage of all your excursions.

From May to September, you’ll enjoy the warmest weather of the year. Instead of snowy activities, you’ll enjoy adventures like dog sledding on wheels. The midnight sun is also ideal for wildlife spotting.

Because of its location in the Arctic Circle, Svalbard experiences extreme daylight hours across the year. In late October, the polar night sets in and the sun doesn’t rise for months. Then in summer, the sun never sets.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before booking your travels:

At the beginning of February, Svalbard is still under its dark polar night, which means the sun doesn’t rise at all. But from mid-February, the sun finally makes an appearance and the days grow longer really quickly. The residents of Svalbard usually have a celebration to mark the return of the sun.

In March, there is already a lot more daylight, growing from 8 hours earlier in the month to nearly 16 hours at the end.

From mid-April until the end of August, the sun doesn’t set at all. This is known as the “midnight sun”.

Yes! Wintertime is the right season to visit Svalbard if you want to see the northern lights (or aurora borealis).

This far north, northern lights are usually at their most active between 6 AM and 6 PM when clear conditions are possible.

That means that Svalbard’s polar night and following low daylight are ideal to catch sight of the aurora borealis in February and early March. From mid-April, please be aware that the midnight sun will make it impossible to witness the lights.

Please note that sightings cannot be guaranteed as northern lights are a natural phenomenon.

The winter in Svalbard is unlikely to be similar to anything you’ve experienced before, due to its location close to the North Pole. But don’t let that scare you, it is sure to be an adventure you will remember forever.

Between February and April, the average temperature is likely to be around -8 to -10°C (14–17°F). That said, you may experience temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F). Please come prepared and packed for winter conditions. By May, temperatures may hover around 0°C (32°F).

In summer, the climate is generally mild with average temperatures around 5–10°C (40–50°F). While visiting the Arctic, even at this time of year, you should be ready for any sudden weather changes.

Please note that sightseeing and activities in Svalbard are dependent on weather conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered without notice if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. In the unlikely event that an activity is cancelled due to the weather, an alternative will be offered.

Whatever time of the year you visit Svalbard, you’ll want to come packed and dressed for the Arctic weather. You are going close to the North Pole after all!

Here is an essential packing list for your trip to Svalbard:

• Insulated (water and windproof) jacket
• Warm wool or fleece jumpers
• Several insulated layers of clothing
• Snow or waterproof trousers depending on the season
• Thick gloves and mittens
• Warm hat and scarf
• Woollen underwear
• Thick and warm woollen socks
• Thin woollen socks
• Hiking boots or insulated boots
• Indoor shoes
• Backpack for personal essentials and day trips (waterproof recommended)
• Lip balm and moisturiser
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Eye mask to sleep (summer)
• Binoculars
• Electronic gear such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
• and don’t forget your camera!

If you’re travelling in winter, your tour will include the loan of additional outerwear for snowmobiling and dog-sledding excursions.

When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Svalbard accommodation is always included. For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

That said, we recommend budgeting between 100–400 NOK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners might cost between 500–1,000 NOK. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.

Please wait for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

After you have booked your tour, we will start the booking process. It may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything.

Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents. This will include your personalised itinerary, our Svalbard Travel Guide and your service vouchers. We recommend printing your tickets and vouchers to bring with you.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect when you land in Svalbard?

After picking up your luggage, you’ll catch an airport shuttle to your accommodation. This is included in your booking. Check-in times vary, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel until check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your trip if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before making your way to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.