Svalbard Travel Forum

I, we will stay in Svalvard 21th and 22th of august, what one day tour recomended to us??

Hej alla på Svalbard!

I'm seriously thinking ;-) about visiting Svalbard for few days in the beginning of August.

It's quite easy to get in (for me, from Stockholm), and as I see there is even a choice of mid-expensive hostels present (Guesthouse 102 & Spitsbergen Guesthouse) - about 330 NOK/night.

However, what disturbs me most is that almost all kind of organized activities present at official tourist website www.svalbard.net are outrageously and furiously expensive, from 500NOK for few hours hike to 1500 NOK for a boat trip around the corner.

From other point of view, it would be stupid to come so far away to such exotic nature and spend all the time inside of a village, which is not so different (as I heard) from other Norwegian villages.

So, here comes THE QUESTION:
is it possible to do some nice day-trips around Longyearbyen by yourself, without tourist agency???

I bought a book about Svalbard which I thought should help me - "SPITSBERGEN: Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Jan Mayen (Bradt Travel Guide Spitsbergen)"
It's a nice book with very thick chapters about history of Svalbard, about nature in general, about other places of archipelago which are almost impossible to reach, but when it comes to explaining immediate surrounding and suggesting some trekking routes - absolutely nothing inside!
No wonder, because the book is written by an owner of a travel agency, and everywhere you just between the lines - pay money to agencies, don't go alone.
Even very thin section about Svalbard in LonelyPlanet Norway was more useful: they recommended to walk to Mine #3 on Burma rd., Platåberget, Nordenskiöldsfjellet, Longyearbreen and so on.

I know of cause about polar bears danger, but still: renting a gun for protection is only about 100kr, which is much cheaper than hiking offers from agencies.

Another things which makes me crazy about the agencies - in description of many activities it's written: "do not require any physical demand, totally suitable for everyone" - which often means: walk for 45 minutes to a nearest hill, two hours of stories from a guide and walk back.
I'm not eager to pay 500 NOK for this kind of "arctic experience". But I can understand - Svalbard is such an expensive place, so only rich pensioners can afford to come, and then activities needs to be suited for their abilities.

I pre-selected some more-or-less realistic activities for myself:
1) Boat trip to Barentsburg and the Esmark glacier, 1400 NOK
http://www.spitsbergentravel.no/eng/show.asp?page=goxpage00000071.html

2) Sarkofagen - Hiking trip in glacier landscape, 590 NOK
http://www.wildlife.no/en/summer_activities/day_trips/sarkofagen_-_hiking_trip_in_glacier_landscape

3) Hiortfjellet - an arctic challenge, 1100 NOK
http://www.wildlife.no/en/summer_activities/day_trips/hiortfjellet_-_an_arctic_challenge

4) Kayak tour on Adventfjorden, 890 NOK
http://www.wildlife.no/en/summer_activities/day_trips/kayak_tour_on_adventfjorden

Are they nice? Maybe they are, but it's very expensive for me to buy all of them.
Which one is recommended to skip and go around on my own?

Another question: my flight back to Oslo is going to depart at 04:50 in the morning. How to get to the airport at this time? Or can I come to the airport about midnight, and stay there until departure? Is the airport open in the night?

Thanks for reading this long request.
I would be very grateful for any advises!

Sincerely, Andriy
PS: sorry for being so sceptical about tourist agencies...

Hello everyone,

I'm looking at coming to Svalbard (Longyearbyen) for about two weeks. What I would like to know is how I can rent the small colorful terraced cabins I see pictures of (small houses clustered together). Also, I am looking to moving there permanently. I've read so many different things and would just like to get to know some of the local residents, start making friends. Even if you lived there or vacation there, any info would be good to know.

So far, I have gathered:

1. It's expensive

2. And you cannot live there in old age, you would have to move off the island (is this true?)

3. Employment issues (can I move there and find a job? What is my job is writing?) I read that you would have to be full time employed.

4. How hard is it to open up your own business there? And how much am I looking at roughly for rent.

5. I have been trying to find the Longyearbyen Chamber of Commerce (you know so I can find out demographics such as the different types of business and how many there are. Example: bar, laundromat, grocery stores, post office


6. Vehicles (so far, I've seen few from Google Earth pictures) and seen most of snow mobiles.

7. Most importantly, is there internet and cable? Which company provides this service. What kind of cable service - digital?

8. Are you allow to buy land if you live there and how hard would it be to buy a house or even rent one? If yes on buying land, what are the prices I'm looking at.

9. Emergency medical services such as hospitals?

10. There is no crime rate.

11. Clothing stores or department stores (I have read that Longyearbyen has one).


12. Is there any days when it will be warm enough for just jeans and a tee shirt?


***Thank you so much for everyone's help. It is expensive to go there, so I want to make sure I have researched everything before I do. I've ran across so many people wanting to move there. I know some of my questions are very ignorant, but that's why I'm posting, so I can understand what living there will be like.

Hi!, we are planning to go to Svaldbard in middle april, 12 nice people searching for adventure but with little resources, we have looking up almost all activities agencies and they are really really expensive. Have somebody some advices how we can make a "cheap" Svalbard tour??,

I am looking for experiences with people cruising around Svalbard on the 9-day Polar Star Cruise or the 5-day Nordstjernen cruise. Please tell me if this was worthwhile and if there were kids on the ships. This is in the August timeframe. Thank you.

Hi all,

I am extremly exited by Spitsbergen and would love to go there. I have lots of experiences traveling the world but none in that extream environment.
I am seeking some info re best time to go, what to take, here to sleep, what activities e.t.c.

Thank you

Tomek

I cannot find the website of Svalbard Arctic Sport/Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr. .
Svalbard Arctic Sport/Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr lies in Longyearbyen (city centre) according to this page http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/6ed8c/4eb/c/

Svalbard Arctic Sport/Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr lies in the rectangle on the right side of the Longyear Elva (river) at this map http://www.svalbardbutikken.no/img/longyearbyen_map.pdf
Regards Jesper

I am currently planning a short visit to Svalbard in December. I understand that it is the dark period but may I know if there are any activities that can still be done then? Thank you!

Hi

Many thanks for the nice website and the details therein. I will be comming to Longyearbyen in May I wish to know as to what are the clothes that will be required to be brought there to protect myself from the severe cold there and whether these are available on rent as I am from a place where I will never require this once I leave Svalbard. Please inform I will be thankful.
Thanks
Mr. Vijay

This must seem like a bit of a shallow question, but can anyone give me an idea of the cost of a bottle of beer in Longyearbyen. Ditto for wine etc. Just curious. Am planning a summer holiday to Longyearbyen with some friends, and while we aren't drunken students, it would be good to get a ball park figure for our evenings' frivolities. Many thanks.

hi
how long does the snow last for as i am looking to travel in mid march

cheers andy london

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, folks!

I would like to know about atmosphere in this camping site, for example, is not the proximity of airport too disturbing when aircrafts arrive or depart and have any bears spotted nearby in recent times? Actually any impressions and observations about life there will be gladly read by me. :)

I know official Longyearbyen camping site - it's great with plenty of useful information but I would like to know visitor experience, as well.

I hope to spend 4-5 days next July in Longyearbyen (using Norwegian airline - any experience, are this company's aircrafts good?), if all will go accordingly.

P.S. How far one can go out of Longyearbyen without a rifle, I mean, even 100 - 500 meters outside town borders it is mandatory to have someone with a rifle? And how often bear have been spotted in the town or nearby? Actually, I love to walk around, so I would like to avoid any bear being too close. :)

Thank you very much for any good responses and have a nice "day". :)

Hi,
I was just scrolling through the countries in the European area,
and I spotted Svalbard.
I know it belongs to Norway.
Is it similar to Greenland, mainly made of ice and snow?
How big is the population and how do you get there?

Hi

I´ll fly to Longyearbyen for 3 weeks in August.

1. I´ll stay at Longyearbyen Camping most of the time. What´s to do nearby???

2. I´m flying in at 1.25 i the night and out at 5.05 in the morning. Is there any posibility to sleep in the airport and save two days camping fee???

3. How big is the realistic chance to have a "polar-bear-meeting"?? Everybody warns but if someone asks about bear-watching I allways get the answer: Bad times during the summer months...

4. I think the information that there is an ATM in Longyearbyen acepting Maestro is still up to date, isn´t it??

5. I´ve read everything is expensive in Svalbard exept alcohol and Cigarettes, so what´s for example the price for a) one bottle of the cheepest beer b) one packet cigarettes and c) one litre of milk???

6. Anyone else up there in august???

Thx Philipp

hello

does anybody know a reasonable cruise to the longyearbyen region from bergen or somewhere else from norway... if yes, is it also possible to go by this in the mid of august? i could'nt find so far any, may be the season is not suitable... if it is, pls do notice me...

actually, i want to see the north cape before svalbard if it is possible... may be there is a cruise between north cape and longyearbyen, is it?

thank you

selmah

Hi everybody!,

I've planned to go to svalbard this year. Currently I've the hotels and flight but I don't know what are the best trips to do there, and that's my problem. I'd need to book a trip there with an agency and that's the reason because I ask for your advice. I only have 1 day and half to make trips in Svalbard, so, What are the best agencies? What are the best trips where we can see wildlife? Is possible to see a Polar bear in a guided trip? Well, any recommendation will be wellcome.

Thanks in advance

Jose Manuel.

Hi

What´s the best (cheepest) way to go from Longyearbyen to Ny Alesund???

Philipp

Hi,

I plan to stay at Longyearbyen for a couple of months. I have a couple of questions and would appreciate any replies.
1) Mobile phone: Where and what sort of a prepaid SIM card should I get for my tri-band mobile phone that would work in Longyearbyen? I will be in Oslo first and would be able to get one there.
2) I know that there is a bank in Longyearbyen. Is there an ATM that accepts Cirrus/Maestro cards (i.e. I could withdraw money from my home bank)?

Thank you.

Hi,

I am looking at staying in Longyearbyen for a couple of months.

I have done some basic enquires on accommodation. I could only afford guesthouses. Could someone who has stayed at:
1) Mary-Ann's Polarrigg
2) Spitsbergen Guesthouse
3) The '102' Guesthouse
please tell me a bit more about these places?

Thank you.

I've just been reading about Svalbard and was fascinated to learn there is a Russian Community there.

Can anyone explain more - how have the Russians got permission to firstly live, and secondly mine coal there? Are they subject to Norwegian taxation? Must make for an interesting juxtaposition between the wealthy western Norwegian culture and the developing Eastern Russian culture.

Hello everybody,

I'm planning a trip to Svalbard next summer and am thinking of going from there to Murmansk. Does anybody if there are regular flights?

Greets,

birgit

I'm offski to Svalbard working on a boat for 2 month and the only time on shore is aprox. once a week on Sundays. My question now is - Is there an internetcafé open on Sundays (or at all) or is there any other possible way to access the net on Sundays in Longyearbyen?

Also, have anyone on VT any experience in using a mobile/cellphone in Svalbard/Spitsberg calling to the more southern parts of Europe? Does it work?

Many thanks for any reply!
Malena

We will be in Longyearbyen from June 11 - 13, 2005 and hope to spend two unforgettable days there. But since it is not really high season, it might be difficult to find something exciting to do!

Any suggestions and/or anybody there at the same time who would like to meet?

Looking forward to your replies!

We will be in Longyearbyen from June 11 - 13, 2005 and hope to spend two unforgettable days there. But since it is not really high season, it might be difficult to find something exciting to do!

Any suggestions and/or anybody there at the same time who would like to meet?

Looking forward to your replies!

Which of the various 2-4 day sea kayak tours on offer by travel agents in Longyearbyen has most value for money and which is the cheapest? The agents seem reluctant to post their prices. I notice Svalbard Wildlife Service has some August tours that cover some of the inner fjords of the Isfjord system - are they good at this, and priceworthy?
Thanks for any indicative advice,
Olav

I really want to travell to Svalbard after my graduation, but I have few money.
I want to spend some days there and walking with my pack...
What I have to do? Which are the best ways to go there.
Thank you and please answer me!

Hi
I am thinking of making two trips to Svalbard, one in the summer to experience the midnight sun and one in the winter to experience the winter night and hopefully see the northern lights.
i have never been before but I have the brochures from Spitsbergen travel at home. I have a couple of questions:
1/ i assume there is less to do in the winter, should I make this a shorter visit?
2/ Do I need to plan my whole trip before I go or can I sign up to treks etc once i am there?
3/ I will be travelling alone so is it a friendly place for a lone traveller?

many thanks
Kieron

I will be going to Svalbard for the second time from August 21st - 30th 2005.

With this being my second trip I am considering somewhat more ambitious endeavours such as going hiking without the assistance of a guide.

I am currently looking for advice and people, who might like to join me for a relatively undemanding outing of maybe four days' duration starting out from Longyearbyen.

One trip I'm considering would be to go from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg and return by boat.

I have the maps from NPI, GPS and am a subscriber to Svalbardposten. I am skilled with a hunting rifle. I have most of the major equipment that I think I would need (i.e. wind-proof tunnel tent, -10C sleeping bag, good 75L backpak, decent footwear, warm clothing), which has been proven already under arctic conditions. I know about most of the safety precautions regarding wildlife and glaciers.

I would be interested in a hiking trail that could be traversed in about four days under good conditions and not requiring any glacial walking or climbing with good possibilities for setting up a tent and a low chance of polar bear encounters. Can anyone in here recommend a particular route?

It seems to me the best option would be to walk past Hotelnesset into the Björndalen, walking west at Grumantbreen through the Grumantdalen, then once at Grumantbyen head southwest along the Rusanovodden (I've heard there is a disused railway along this trail) to Colesbukta crossing the Coleselva and then just generally following the coastline to Heerodden from where Barentsburg should be easily within reach?

Is this the best route to take bearing in mind my preferences and limitations listed in the above? Are there any special issues to keep in mind? Specifically:

1) How easy is it to cross over the southern mountain ridge of Grönberget (at Grumantbreen)

2) Is it possible to hike along the shore from Grumantbyen to Colesbukta in late August?

3) Where is the suggested point of crossing the Coleselva and is there a recommendable technique for doing so?

I will be going to Svalbard for the second time from August 21st - 30th 2005.

My last trip up there was in July, 2004. I camped in a tent at Longyearbyen Camping and went on guided tours to Foxfonna and went with a party for three days to stay in a camp at Ymerbukta.

With this being my second trip I am considering somewhat more ambitious endeavours such as going hiking without the assistance of a guide.

I am currently looking for advice and people, who might like to join me for a relatively undemanding outing of three - four days' duration starting out from Longyearbyen.

One trip I'm considering would be to go from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg and return by boat. Can anyone recommend this trip for a relative novice?

I have the maps from NPI, GPS and am a subscriber to Svalbardposten. I am skilled with a hunting rifle. I have most of the major equipment that I think I would need (i.e. wind-proof tunnel tent, -10C sleeping bag, good 75L backpak, decent footwear, warm clothing), which has been proven already under arctic conditions. I know about most of the safety precautions regarding wildlife and glaciers.

I would be interested in a hiking trail that could be traversed in about four days under good conditions and not requiring any glacial walking or climbing with good possibilities for setting up a tent and a low chance of polar bear encounters. Can anyone in here recommend a particular route?

I will not be going on my own under any circumstance so you don't need to point out that I should not be going out alone.