Welcome to Svalbard

Dreaming of the Arctic North? Svalbard makes it accessible. This land of the Midnight Sun, polar bears and mighty glaciers is a welcoming archipelago of islands just shy of the North Pole. Satisfy your need for socialization in the compact city of Longyearbyen, showcasing the island’s best food (including the world’s northernmost sushi establishment), shopping and accommodations.

Come during the polar summer and visit with polar bears and reindeer. Take a boat trip, a snowmobile expedition or a dog-sledding excursion. Go ice caving and snowshoeing. And don’t miss glimpsing the ethereal Northern Lights, far from artificial lighting that could mar the view. Magical and mystical, Svalbard is an Arctic wonderland of fjords, glacier, mountains and rare wildlife.

Unique Facts

• Longyearbyen, on Svalbard, is the northernmost town in the world.
• There are more polar bears living on Svalbard than humans. The law actually requires anyone traveling outside the island’s settlements to equip themselves with weapons that would scare off a polar bear.
• There are 47 national parks in Norway and 7 of them are on Svalbard, featuring mountains, glaciers and islands.
• Svalbard reindeer, of which there are an estimated 10,000 on the island, are the smallest reindeer in the world. They’ve been around for about 5,000 years.
• Svalbard is actually an archipelago, consisting of many Arctic islands. The nine main islands are Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Edgeøya, Barentsøya, Prins Karls Foreland, Kvitøya, Kong Karls Land, Bjørn Island and Hopen.

Language

Svalbard’s official language is Norwegian.

When To Go

The best time to go to Svalbard is from May to September.

Airports

Svalbard Airport, Longyear

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid for six months beyond entry date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of less than 90 days

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccine for all travelers when visiting Svalbard: Measles and routine vaccinations. Most travelers should receive Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: type F. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Norwegian Krone

Getting Around

There is taxi and bus service provided on Svalbard, as well as an airport shuttle bus. Cars and bicycles are available to rent.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Oslo
Morgedalsvegen 36,
0378 Oslo,
Norway
Mailing address: PO Box 4075 AMB, 0244 Oslo, Norway
Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540
Fax: +(47) 2256-2751
osloacs@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Tourist Information Centre
Vei 221.1
Longyearbyen 9171
Svalbard & Jan Mayen
Tel: +47 79 02 55 50

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 112

Safety and Security

The crime rate is low in Svalbard.