Getting there

Facts last verified 2026-10-02

For almost every visitor, getting to Svalbard means flying to Longyearbyen from mainland Norway, via Oslo or Tromsø. What surprises people is the border: Svalbard is outside the Schengen area, so you go through passport control in both directions, even though you never leave Norway.

Flights

Two airlines fly to Svalbard Airport, Longyear:

• SAS normally has several flights a week all year, both direct from Oslo and via Tromsø. In peak season (March to August) that rises to several flights a day.
• Norwegian normally has weekly flights all year, direct from Oslo, with more in peak season.

The flight takes about 3 hours from Oslo and about 1.5 hours from Tromsø. Schedules change from season to season, so check the airlines’ own sites for current routes and times.

Passport, ID and visas

Bring a valid travel document. Passports are accepted. So are Norwegian national ID cards, and the documents listed in Appendix 4 of the Norwegian Immigration Regulations. If you plan to travel on anything other than a passport, check it’s on that list first. A passport is the simplest choice.

There are identity checks when you fly between mainland Norway and Svalbard, in both directions. Airlines also have to send passenger details in advance and make sure everyone on board has a valid document.

No visa is needed for Svalbard itself. But if you need a Schengen visa to enter Norway, you must have one to travel via the mainland, and it must allow double entry. You leave Schengen when you fly to Svalbard and re-enter it when you fly back.

Visitors also need the means to support themselves during their stay. The Governor may turn away people who don’t meet the entry requirements.

The environmental fee

Every visitor pays an environmental fee of NOK 150 to the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund. Airlines and cruise companies add it to the ticket price automatically, so there is nothing to arrange.

Arriving in Longyearbyen

An airport shuttle bus meets every flight and stops at every hotel and guesthouse. A one-way adult ticket costs NOK 110, payable in Norwegian kroner or by card; foreign currency is not accepted. Taxis and car rental are also available at the airport. See Longyearbyen for getting around town.

Alcohol

If you arrive on a scheduled flight and stay at least 24 hours but less than 30 days, you can buy a monthly alcohol allowance at Nordpolet in Longyearbyen. Bring valid ID and your boarding pass; the shop stamps your flight ticket. This doesn’t apply to charter flights.

Bringing alcohol with you: if you stay less than 24 hours, you can bring a reasonable amount for your own use. If you stay longer, the normal customs rules apply.

Flying home: customs

Svalbard is a separate customs area, and Norwegian Customs has been present there since 2022. When you land on the mainland, the same duty-free allowances apply as when you return from abroad:

• Goods: after at least 24 hours on Svalbard, you can bring goods worth up to NOK 6,000 duty-free. For a stay of less than 24 hours, the limit is NOK 3,000.
• Alcohol and tobacco: the normal Norwegian duty-free allowances for travellers apply.

The rules are tightening. Norwegian Customs plans to make goods control on Svalbard as similar to the mainland as possible, and reporting duties for private individuals are planned from early 2028. They are not in force yet.

By sea

Cruises and voyages. Multi-day voyages that start in Longyearbyen, such as Hurtigruten Svalbard’s mini-cruise, mean flying in to join them. See Choosing an expedition cruise. Since 1 January 2025, ships calling in Svalbard’s national parks may carry no more than 200 passengers.

Your own boat. Sailing to Svalbard yourself comes with its own rules. If you travel outside the travel area around Longyearbyen, you must apply to the Governor at least four weeks before the trip and carry search and rescue insurance.

Insurance

Get travel insurance that covers your whole stay, including medical treatment, transport to the mainland and medical evacuation. The European Health Insurance Card doesn’t cover healthcare in Svalbard; see Safety in Svalbard.