Planning a trip to a remote and stunning destination like Greenland requires careful consideration. Having explored other Nordic gems such as the dramatic Trolltunga hike in Norway and embarked on an unforgettable Iceland road trip, Greenland was always on my radar. After experiencing the unique charm of the Faroe Islands and the extreme Arctic beauty of Svalbard, the allure of Greenland became irresistible. What once seemed like a distant dream gradually transformed into a concrete plan, fueled by dedicated budgeting and meticulous research. Finally, the day arrived when I booked my Greenland adventure. To help you navigate the complexities of planning your own journey, I’m sharing my detailed planning process, which involved some serious organizational effort to bring to fruition.
When is the Best Time to Travel to Greenland?
Deciding on the timing of your Greenland trip is crucial and largely depends on your desired experiences.
For those dreaming of the midnight sun, long daylight hours, and wildlife encounters – think whales, musk oxen, and reindeer – summer, spanning from June to early September, is the ideal window to Travel Greenland.
Whale watching is a popular summer activity when you travel Greenland, offering incredible wildlife encounters in their natural habitat.
Conversely, if your interests lean towards snow-filled adventures like dog sledding, ice fishing, and chasing the mesmerizing Northern Lights, the winter season will be more appealing.
However, spring, particularly February to April, emerges as a highly favored period to travel Greenland. During these months, you can still witness the Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky, while also enjoying the subtle transition from winter, marked by breathtaking pink-tinged sunrises and sunsets over the snow-capped landscapes.
While an Easter trip was tempting, my vacation landed in August, allowing me to experience Greenland during a season rich with boat excursion opportunities.
Navigating Greenland: Transportation Options
Reaching Greenland involves flying primarily through Copenhagen or Reykjavik, with numerous direct flights available daily. While flight search engines can be helpful, I found AirGreenland particularly useful, especially if you’re considering stopovers in different cities.
Air Greenland planes are essential for travel Greenland, connecting remote settlements and offering scenic flights over the icy landscapes.
AirGreenland’s website offers flexibility. For instance, you can book flights to Ilulissat with brief stopovers, or opt for a longer layover, like a 23-hour stop in Kangerlussuaq. This allows you to briefly explore Kangerlussuaq without incurring extra travel costs. While Kangerlussuaq itself might be small, it serves as a gateway to various adventure excursions.
Furthermore, AirGreenland’s “Takuss” tickets provide cost-effective options for those booking in advance.
Interestingly, I observed that AirGreenland flight prices remain relatively stable throughout the year, unlike typical airlines where prices fluctuate significantly based on holidays and travel seasons.
Ultimately, I booked all my flights directly through the AirGreenland website.
Getting around within Greenland presents its own set of challenges. Most settlements are coastal and unconnected by roads, leaving air travel and ferries as the primary modes of transportation.
Inland Flights within Greenland
AirGreenland handles the majority of domestic flights. Many routes connect through major hubs such as Nuuk, Ilulissat, or Kangerlussuaq. A significant perk of internal Greenland flights is that they often involve smaller propeller planes or helicopters, transforming transportation into a scenic adventure at no extra cost. Helicopters, often seating around 10 passengers, offer unparalleled aerial views. Securing a window seat elevates these flights to sightseeing experiences in themselves.
Helicopter rides are a unique way to travel Greenland, providing breathtaking views of the fjords and ice caps from above.
Aerial views from small planes offer a stunning perspective when you travel Greenland, showcasing the vast icy wilderness.
Inside a helicopter during travel Greenland, capturing the excitement of a scenic flight.
Helicopter tour is an unforgettable experience for anyone who travel Greenland, offering unique perspectives on the landscape.
Small planes are common for domestic travel Greenland, offering a more intimate flying experience with stunning window views.
Ferry Travel around Greenland
The Arctic Umiaq Line is the sole passenger ferry operator in Greenland. Running from April to January, it navigates the west coast between Ilulissat and Nuuk, and further south from Nuuk to Qaqortoq, with numerous stops at smaller settlements.
Ferry journeys offer a slower pace to travel Greenland, allowing you to appreciate the coastal scenery and local life.
Ferries to specific destinations often operate just once a week. For example, the Nuuk to Ilulissat ferry departs only on Fridays. Meticulous planning is therefore essential. Booking in advance is highly recommended. I booked a couchette two weeks prior to departure and cabin options were already fully booked. A flexible cancellation policy, allowing full refunds up to 2 hours before departure, provides some reassurance and encourages early booking.
Finding the Best Greenland Hotels
Accommodation in Greenland, particularly outside major towns like Nuuk, is limited. Securing budget-friendly options requires booking well in advance. In reality, “budget accommodation” is a relative term in Greenland. While some local sites might offer slightly cheaper options, expect prices starting from around 950 DKK (130EUR) per night.
Local Stays in Ilulissat
Due to late booking, local residences in Ilulissat were fully booked, leading me to rely on conventional hotel booking platforms like Booking.com.
Recommended Hotels for your Greenland Travel
Hotel prices can sometimes decrease closer to travel dates as hotels offer promotions to maximize occupancy. Checking booking apps, which often feature “mobile-only” discounts of 10-20% compared to desktop prices, is a smart strategy.
Here are hotels I personally recommend for your travel Greenland:
Hotel SØMA Ilulissat – Located on the coast, it offers rooms with coveted iceberg views, with prices starting around 1,200 DKK per night (165EUR).
A room at Hotel SØMA Ilulissat with views of the fjord, showcasing the stunning icebergs that make travel Greenland unique.
Hotel SØMA Sisimiut – A sister hotel in Sisimiut, offering similar amenities and price ranges.
Breakfast at Søma Hotel in Sisimiut, a typical start to the day when you travel Greenland, fueling up for arctic adventures.
For couples traveling Greenland, explore hotel deals that might include overnight stays with dinner packages for better value.
A notable perk of Greenland hotels is complimentary airport or ferry port pick-up and drop-off services. Inform your hotel of your arrival time and flight or ferry details to arrange this convenient service.
Must-Do Activities When You Travel Greenland
Planning activities in advance is highly recommended for your trip to Greenland.
The official Visit Greenland website is an excellent resource for identifying activities suited to your travel season and region. It provides a comprehensive overview for planning your Greenland adventure.
For detailed tour information, Guide to Greenland is a useful platform, aggregating tours from various operators by location and time of year. While helpful for planning, be aware of additional “service” and “banking” fees, which can add significantly to the total cost. Booking multiple tours at once can minimize these fees per tour.
Manawa also offers a selection of boat tours.
Dog sledding is a thrilling winter activity when you travel Greenland, experiencing traditional arctic transport across snowy landscapes.
Boat tours are essential for travel Greenland, allowing access to remote areas and stunning coastal views.
Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see when you travel Greenland, showcasing nature's grandeur.
Hiking around Ilulissat Icefjord offers incredible views and a chance to experience the arctic landscape up close during your travel Greenland.
For tour operators, I recommend Disko Line Explorer for Disko Bay area tours, known for excellent TripAdvisor reviews. I also booked tours through Albatros Arctic Circle.
In Conclusion: Planning Your Greenland Trip
This guide summarizes the essential information I gathered while planning my own travel Greenland adventure. Thorough planning is key to a successful and cost-effective trip, especially to a destination as unique as Greenland. I hope this information helps you create your own unforgettable Greenland experience!
