Svalbard Travel Forum

How frequent are flight delays/cancellations from Oslo to Longyearbyen and vice versa and usually how long they are delayed? I mean in mid-year (end of May, June, July).

This is very important for me (especially regarding flights FROM Longyearbyen) as I have to acommodate my further flight home from Oslo after returning from Svalbard.

Many thanks!

Hi - We took a flight from Olso to Longyearbyen via Tromso May 18th, and vice-versa a little less then a week later. All flights were on time. But since anything can happen - and I am sure there are weather related delays - you may want to allow some extra time for your further flight home. Enjoy!

Thanks, Donna!

Looks like I will fly almost in the same date. :) My plan is to arrive in Svalbard in 16th May and depart in 19th.

How were weather conditions in the middle of May there? Mild winter or beginning of spring, sunny, foggy, snowing, raining?

Hi Nils - It was really the end of winter when we were there although it was still very cold! We wanted to go during the winter time and unfortunately this was the only time we could schedule to go. If I had to do it over, I would go earlier because I really wanted to venture to try and see the polar bears. We did the dog-sledding and the full-day snowmobiling. It was about the last week they were offering the snowmobiling because the snow was starting to melt. Indeed one of the snowmobiles in our group fell in the water. Still it was a wonderful experience and we loved it. Took some getting used to all that daylight! Enjoy!

I will be in Svalbard May 20-23! The weather almanac seems to say it'll be around freezing +-5 degrees around that time.

We were there until May 18th last year and it was starting to warm - enough so that many of the winter activities were over by the time we left. It was still very cold for us when we went walking in the "open". When we went snowmobiling we enountered a lot of "slush" and had to be really careful. One of the snowmobiles in our group actually halfway submerged and had to be pulled out. Hope you'll get to enjoy the winter activities.

Sorry I already mentioned all that!! :-)

Which snowmobile trip did you do? The slush is what I'm worried about. I'd like to visit Barentsburg at least, but I hope it's not too late for snowmobiling since the boat tours don't start until June.

Hi - we took the one to Tempelfjorden. I was really hoping to take the one to look for polar bears, but no such luck. Also, it was warm enough that the ship in the ice (where we were supposed to have lunch) was already removed. They didn't tell us before we booked (only a day or two before) and instead gave us some pretty gross "dried" food packets for lunch. We booked through http://www.spitsbergentravel.no/eng/. If you can, get in touch with them and see what they recommend. If at all possible maybe you can change your dats? It was still a wonderful trip and I wish I could do it again!

I already booked a place in Spitsbergen Guesthouse and bought plane tickets (hell, this will be my first day of flying in my life, firstly from my homeland to Oslo and then up north). I will be there at the end of May.

Hi Nils - Since you're going on the 16th, you probably will be okay. Don't worry. Enjoy the flights and enjoy Spitesbergen. You'll have a great time, no matter what. If you're worried about any of the excursions being available, send an email to Spitsbergen Travels and see what they say.