What is the typical length of tours starting in Longyearbyen?

Tours from Longyearbyen span 8-14 days with most Arctic expeditions lasting 10-12 days around the Svalbard archipelago. The Ocean Albatros runs a 10-day circuit while the Sea Spirit takes a longer 14-day route. Before boarding expedition ships guests often stay at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel for guided city tours. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The 10-day circumnavigation gave us plenty of time to truly experience the Arctic wilderness and spot incredible wildlife."

What are the best months to start a tour from Longyearbyen?

June and July offer the best conditions for Longyearbyen departures. The midnight sun provides constant daylight making wildlife spotting easier. Ships like the Sea Spirit choose these months for better navigation and increased chances of seeing polar bears walruses and seabirds. Local hotels including the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel and Funken Lodge are usually full during this period. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Visiting in June was perfect - we had constant daylight for wildlife viewing and the ice conditions were ideal for reaching remote areas."

What wildlife can I expect to see on tours starting from Longyearbyen?

The Arctic waters around Longyearbyen support diverse wildlife populations. Visitors regularly spot polar bears walruses seals Arctic foxes and large colonies of seabirds including guillemots and little auks. Key viewing areas include the Alkefjellet bird cliffs Kongsfjorden and the pack ice north of Svalbard where polar bears roam. Tours often begin at the Funken Lodge before heading to these wildlife hotspots. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The wildlife encounters exceeded expectations - we saw over 12 polar bears massive walrus colonies and countless seabirds from our expedition ship."

What's the typical starting point and meeting location in Longyearbyen?

Expedition staff meet guests at Longyearbyen Airport arranging transfers to the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel or Funken Lodge. Ships depart from the central port a brief walk from downtown. Common meeting points include the Svalbard Museum and the notable polar bear warning sign at the airport entrance. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The pickup from the airport and transfer to the Radisson was seamless - everything was well-organized from the moment we arrived."

What activities are available right after starting the tour in Longyearbyen?

First-day activities in Longyearbyen include visits to the Svalbard Museum the world's northernmost church and local restaurants serving Arctic specialties near the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel. Many tours offer guided town walks to spot Svalbard reindeer and explore old mining sites. From the port visitors can join Zodiac trips into Isfjorden or hike at Alkhornet. A TourRadar traveler recalled: "The first day exploring Longyearbyen was fascinating - we learned so much about Arctic history at the museum and saw reindeer right in town."

What kind of ships depart from Longyearbyen for Arctic expeditions?

Longyearbyen serves as a base for various expedition vessels. The MV Sea Spirit carries 114 passengers while the newer MV Hondius accommodates 167 guests. Smaller boats like the sailing vessel Noorderlicht which takes just 20 passengers offer more personal experiences. TourRadar travelers often praise "the perfect balance of comfort and expedition capability of ships departing from Longyearbyen."

10 Best Arctic / North Pole Tours & Trips from Longyearbyen

10 best Arctic / North Pole tours from Longyearbyen

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Ocean Cruise
West Svalbard (11 Days)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Hornsund, Bellsund
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
From
US$9,395per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Best of Svalbard
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
From
US$10,195per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Svalbard Arctic Adventure - Polar Summer
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Spitsbergen
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
20% Off
From $4,498
US$3,600per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Discover the freshest adventures available
New on TourRadar
Sailing
Arctic Highlights Southbound
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Svalbard Norway Greenland Iceland
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
15% Off
From $8,649
US$7,352per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Spitsbergen Exclusive between pack ice & midnight sun
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Smeerenburgfjorden, Alkefjellet,Bråsvellbreen+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Inventia
15% Off
From
US$14,880per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
West Svalbard (10 Days)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
25% Off
From $19,395
US$14,546per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Sailing
Drau Cycle Path & Carnic Lakes from Lienz to Klagenfurt
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
Only: German
Operator
DERTOUR
25% Off
From
US$3,966per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Solar Eclipse over East Greenland
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Svalbard Norway Greenland Iceland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MV Hondius MV Plancius+1 ship
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Inventia
25% Off
From
US$13,380per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Svalbard Circumnavigation
3.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Ny Aalesund, Ytre Norskoya, Spitsbergen,Nordaustlandet Island,Barentsoya,Bellsund,Hornsund,Varsolbukta+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Ocean Albatros
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Albatros Expeditions
25% Off
From
US$7,895per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Svalbard - Last Stop before the North Pole 2026
4.5 (4 traveler reviews)
"The sites and experiences are indescribable. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to reach the top of the world."
Matthew, traveled in June
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Ytre Norskoya,Smeerenburgfjorden,Alkefjellet,Phippsoya,Monacobreen,Ny Aalesund+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Ocean Albatros
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Albatros Expeditions
25% Off
From
US$5,495per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Wild Wonders of the Arctic - 8 days
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Excellent tour, staff went above and beyond to make the tour as memorable as possible."
Lynette, traveled in June
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Ytre Norskoya, Svalbard, Ny Aalesund
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
25% Off
From
US$8,830per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Svalbard Arctic Adventure - Sunny Winter
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
20% Off
From $5,548
US$4,440per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Arctic / North Pole Tours from Longyearbyen

An adventure starting in Longyearbyen is a great way to see Arctic / North Pole. We have 12 tours that range from 5 days up to 15 days. The most popular time for tours from Longyearbyen is June, which has the most tour departures.

10 best Arctic / North Pole tours from Longyearbyen

West Svalbard (11 Days)

Best of Svalbard

Svalbard Arctic Adventure - Polar Summer

Arctic Highlights Southbound

Spitsbergen Exclusive between pack ice & midnight sun

West Svalbard (10 Days)

Drau Cycle Path & Carnic Lakes from Lienz to Klagenfurt

Solar Eclipse over East Greenland

Svalbard Circumnavigation

Svalbard - Last Stop before the North Pole 2026

Wild Wonders of the Arctic - 8 days

Svalbard Arctic Adventure - Sunny Winter

Contact our Longyearbyen travel experts