Nordic countries have always held a special allure for me, with their remote landscapes and unique experiences. Having explored the stunning Trolltunga hike in Norway and embarked on an unforgettable Iceland road trip, my adventurous spirit naturally turned towards Greenland. After venturing to the verdant Faroe Islands and the remote Svalbard archipelago high in the Arctic, Greenland beckoned as the next frontier. For years, a trip to this vast, icy island seemed like a distant dream, but the idea took root, fueled by a dedicated travel fund and countless hours of research. Finally, after meticulous planning and spreadsheet wizardry, I booked my Greenland adventure. Now, I’m excited to share my planning process with you, providing a comprehensive guide to crafting your own perfect Greenland Travel experience.
Ilulissat Icefjord trek in Greenland showcasing the vast icy landscape.
When is the Best Time for Greenland Travel?
Deciding when to visit Greenland is the first crucial step in your travel planning. The ideal time largely depends on your priorities and what you hope to experience during your Greenland travel.
If witnessing the midnight sun, enjoying extended daylight hours, and wildlife spotting are high on your list, then summer, from June to early September, is the best time for Greenland travel. This period offers opportunities to see whales, musk oxen, and reindeer in their natural habitats.
Whale watching in Greenland, a popular summer activity for tourists.
For those seeking winter activities like dog sledding, ice fishing, and the mesmerizing Northern Lights, winter in Greenland holds a unique appeal. The winter season offers a magical Arctic experience.
Alternatively, spring, specifically February to April, is a popular window for Greenland travel. This shoulder season allows you to witness the Northern Lights while also experiencing the gradual return of sunlight, painting the snowy landscapes with pink sunrises and sunsets.
While an Easter trip initially appealed to me, my vacation fell in August, allowing me to experience Greenland travel during a season with abundant boat excursions, perfect for exploring the coastal wonders.
Navigating Greenland Travel: Transportation Options
Reaching Greenland involves flights primarily through Copenhagen or Reykjavik, with direct daily connections. Flight search engines can help you find routes, but AirGreenland often provides optimal options, especially if you consider stopovers.
Air Greenland plane on the tarmac, illustrating air travel within Greenland.
AirGreenland’s website allows for flexible itineraries, including layovers in cities like Kangerlussuaq. A 23-hour layover can be an opportunity to explore Kangerlussuaq without added flight costs, though the town itself is small, it serves as a gateway to adventure trips.
Their “Takuss” tickets offer discounted fares for advance bookings, making Greenland travel slightly more budget-friendly.
Interestingly, AirGreenland flight prices remain relatively stable throughout the year, unlike typical airline fluctuations based on holidays or peak seasons. This price consistency led me to book directly through their site for all my flights.
Internal Greenland travel presents unique challenges due to settlements being mostly coastal and unconnected by roads. Flying and ferry services are the primary modes of transport between towns.
Inland Flights for Greenland Travel
AirGreenland handles domestic flights, often routing through major hubs like Nuuk, Ilulissat, or Kangerlussuaq. A significant perk of flying within Greenland is the scenic experience itself. Internal flights often utilize small propeller planes or helicopters, offering breathtaking aerial views. This transforms transportation into an integral part of your Greenland travel adventure, essentially providing a sightseeing tour at no extra cost. Helicopter flights, accommodating around 10 passengers, guarantee stunning vistas, especially from a window seat.
Helicopter view of Greenland's icy terrain, showcasing a unique travel experience.
Aerial view from a helicopter over Greenland's mountains and ice.
Inside a helicopter during a flight in Greenland, passenger enjoying the view.
Helicopter ride experience in Greenland, capturing the vast landscape.
View from a small plane window in Greenland, showing icy fjords below.
Small propeller plane in Greenland, a common mode of transport.
Ferry Travel in Greenland
The Arctic Umiaq Line operates Greenland’s sole passenger ferry service. Running from April to January, it traverses the west coast between Ilulissat and Nuuk, extending south to Qaqortoq, with stops at numerous smaller settlements.
Ferry boat navigating through icy waters in Greenland, offering a scenic travel option.
Ferry schedules can be infrequent, often serving destinations only once weekly. For instance, the Nuuk to Ilulissat ferry departs just once a week on Fridays. Careful planning is essential, and advance bookings are highly recommended. I booked a couchette two weeks prior to my trip and found cabins already sold out. However, Arctic Umiaq Line offers a flexible cancellation policy, allowing full refunds up to 2 hours before departure. Booking in advance is always advisable to secure your spot.
Finding the Best Greenland Hotels
Accommodation in Greenland, especially outside major towns like Nuuk, is limited. Budget-friendly options are scarce. In fact, defining “budget accommodation” in Greenland is almost an oxymoron. While some local sites might offer slightly cheaper options, even these typically start around 950 DKK (130EUR) per night.
Local Stays in Ilulissat
Due to late booking, local residences in Ilulissat were fully booked. This led me to utilize conventional hotel booking platforms like Booking.com.
Booking Hotels for Greenland Travel
Hotel prices can sometimes decrease closer to travel dates as hotels offer promotions to maximize occupancy. Keep an eye on booking apps, as “mobile-only” deals on platforms like Booking.com can offer discounts of 10-20% compared to desktop prices.
Here are hotel recommendations based on my Greenland travel experience:
Hotel SØMA Ilulissat: Located on the shore, this hotel offers rooms with sought-after iceberg views. Prices start around 1,200 DKK (165EUR) per night.
Sea view from Hotel SØMA Ilulissat, showcasing icebergs from a simple room.
Hotel SØMA Sisimiut: A sister hotel in Sisimiut, offering similar amenities and price range.
Breakfast spread at Søma Hotel in Sisimiut, highlighting hotel dining.
For couples traveling to Greenland, check for hotel deals that may include overnight stays with dinner packages for better value.
A significant advantage of Greenland hotels is complimentary airport or ferry port pickup and drop-off services. Inform your hotel of your arrival details (time and flight/ferry number) to arrange your transfer.
Greenland Travel Activities
Planning activities in advance is highly recommended for your Greenland travel.
The official Visit Greenland website is an excellent resource for discovering activities suited to your travel season. It provides comprehensive information for general Greenland travel planning and seasonal activity availability across different regions.
For detailed tour searches, Guide to Greenland is a useful platform. It aggregates tours from various operators, filterable by town and time of year. While helpful for planning, I opted against booking through them due to substantial “service” and “banking” fees, adding at least 300 DKK (40EUR) extra to tour prices. If using Guide to Greenland, booking multiple tours simultaneously can minimize these fees per booking.
Boat tours can also be found on platforms like Manawa.
Iceberg tour in Greenland, showcasing massive ice formations on the water.
Dog sledding in Greenland, a traditional winter activity with huskies.
Boat tour in Greenland, navigating through calm waters surrounded by ice.
Ilulissat Icefjord site in Greenland, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hiking at Ilulissat Icefjord site, exploring trails with views of ice formations.
For tour operators, Disko Line Explorer, specializing in Disko Bay tours, has excellent TripAdvisor reviews. I also booked tours through Albatros Arctic Circle.
Greenland Travel Planning: In Summary
This guide summarizes the key information gathered during my Greenland travel preparations. Thorough planning is crucial for a successful and cost-effective trip, as spontaneous Greenland travel can be expensive. I hope this guide assists you in creating your own unforgettable Greenland travel experience!
Collage pin image for planning a trip to Greenland, featuring key aspects like summer/winter choices, transportation, and itinerary considerations.
Another pin image option for planning a trip to Greenland, emphasizing choices for summer or winter and travel logistics.
