Hello,

I'm visiting Longyearbyen with another friend for a week in December (8th to 16th). The main obvious goal is hunting for some northern lights, after some failed attemps in Iceland and Tromso.

TDLR: any tours/experiences/recommendations whatsoever, just hit reply !

We know that we will probably be reduced to our accommodation for almost the entire period of the day never-ending-night, but we'd like to get some feedback from you (travelers/locals) on what could be done so deep in the winter season.

We are both carrying some music instruments so also if there's live music bars or places to jam, we'd be VERY interested.

We're also now looking for accommodation, and preferrably with decent internet to do some remote work in one or two days (or more, in case there is really nothing else to do).

Thank you and see you soon!

Hi I’m traveling to Svalbard in October and wondering how difficult the Foxfonna hike is. Has anyone done it before?

Hello ! I'm a 1st year master's student in France studying atmospheric, ocean and climate science (particularly interested in the last 2). As part of this master's program, I have to find a 2 month internship in April to May. I am very passionate about the poles thus UNIS seems like the perfect place as it's one of the only universities in the Arctic circle. However, I can't find any information regarding internships on their website.

Do any of you have experience with UNIS and their internships opportunities ?

I'm wondering if there are any viable options for finding a summer job (July, August, September) in Svalbard? I'm hoping to do this in the summer after I finish my bachelor's degree in Russian and Philosophy (which would be in 2026). I'd be interested in any kind of job - those requiring Russian skills, or simply any admin, tourism, shop, or kitchen jobs.

If it helps I'm a UK citizen who speaks Russian, French, and Danish in addition to English.

My wife and I will be spending the last week of October in Longyearbyen. I know the timing isn't the greatest and it's probably not the ideal period to visit, but we have an event to attend in Norway so as long as we're in the neighborhood we decided to tack on an extra week to see Svalbard.

Lodging is taken care of but I haven't reserved any excursions yet, so I was hoping to get some advice from more knowledgeable folks about what can best be done and seen on day trips from Longyearbyen.

I'm an avid landscape and wildlife photographer and I'll admit I'd love to photograph a polar bear (I have very long lenses) but I know that's unlikely. Arctic fox are on my wish list as well.

I wouldn't say I'm an experienced musher, but I did take some classes in the Canadian Rockies and I've driven dog sleds before. I've heard there's generally not enough snow on Svalbard for dog sleds in October.

Our only limitation is that I'm recovering from knee surgery. I get around fine and probably won't even have a limp by the time we get there, but long hikes are unfortunately not going to be a smart option on this visit.

Any advice or suggestions you folks could offer would be most welcome.

Hello! I am wondering if anyone in Svalbard or neighboring areas that might have access to the canned beer from the Svalbard Brewery and might be willing to work with me to help me purchase and ship some to me in Minnesota? Not positive on the logistics of it, but I cannot find it anywhere near me so I figured I’d try reaching out here. I messaged the brewery direct on the website without any luck. Thanks in advance!

I am planning to visit for 2-3 days in Svalbard in mid march 2025. What are the short activities which can be done apart from dog sledding or snow biking?

Also, is the Austofonna glacier tour possible from Svalbard?

And if I rent a car for those 2-3 days, how much I can travel within the town? What are the borders exactly there as I understand I am not permitted to drive outside on my own.

I have lot more questions but I am researching in parallel as well.

Thank you

I have asthma and a modest level of fitness, can do a 90min walk before feeling tired. In the winter when its frosty, if I do anything physical outside, my lungs seem to seize up somewhat and it takes the inhaler to open them up again. I've gotten better at cold endurance but Svalbard sounds like another level when you factor in wind chill and the fact I'd be outside for longer stretches of time

If I did got Svalbard, I'd be looking at some short hikes, some boat cruises, including Pyramiden, coal mine tour and maybe some dog sledding.

This is a question about the end of Polar Night. When polar night officially concludes, is it very sudden? Meaning, one day you don't see the sun at all, and then the next day you see the sun for a few minutes?

I'm very curious to understand this. Thanks for any answers or resources!

Hi all,

I've been looking into travelling to Longyearbyen in December on my own, but I'm looking for some fun activities to do, however, activities seem to be limited due to the lack of daylight and most sites I'm looking at say there needs to be a minimum number of participants, which is a shame considering I'll be on my own.

Can anyone who has been on their own before provide any advice, please?

Note: I don't have a driver's license so I'm aware I probably won't be able to do any of the snowmobile adventures, even though I ride a 125cc motorcycle at home, it's basically the same thing right 😅

Hi all!

I'm writing a novel set on Svalbard after visiting it twice. My first visit was in summer and my second one was in mid-spring, and both were over a week long, so I got a good feeling of what Longyearbyen looks and feels like in those specific times of the year. However, when I try to describe twilights or nights, or autumn landscapes, I realise I lack knowledge as I've pretty much only been there during sunny seasons.

Therefore, I was wondering if you'd be willing to share any links or any pics/vids of your own from which I could get a taste of what Svalbard (most importantly, Longyearbyen) looks like during a whole year, as the seasons change. I've found some live webcams that might come in very handy when it's no longer summer, but right now only give me information I already know. I'm mostly interested in sky colors and tundra colors, but all details are relevant. Text-based sources are great as well, but I'd rather do pictures so that I don't end up just copying someone else's words accidentally.

Many thanks in advance and please enjoy Svalbard for me if you can :')

Hello,

Does anyone remember the price of Pyramiden vodka you can buy in Barensburg and Pyramiden? I think it was either 300 or 500 NOK per 0,5 l.

Thank you for your help!

Hello! I want to ask if there are any British citizens with British change that you could switch for Norwegian currency? I really need £50 but there are no ATMs here. I'll pay you the equivalent in Nok (our currency)

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I’m currently living in Europe temporarily and Svalbard is definitely on my list of places to visit after a conversation I had with someone recently, I just have a few questions which I listed below.

-Am I able to just book a plane ticket and arrive? It just seems a location you would need to provide notice too.

• what activities can I partake it just for a long weekend visit?

-I will need to book accomodation well in advance because I am assuming it is limited?

-what season is best to visit in? I’m guessing stay away from winter?

-do I need to be concerned about polar bears? (I wouldn’t be wandering around outside without guides etc)

-is the cost of living their outrageously expensive? (Food, accommodation etc)

-is their anyway to get somewhat cheap flights?

I know I could probably use google for some of these but sometimes it’s just easy to speak to people that have been there, thanks.

So, I've been reading and researching about Svalbard and I guess it gives me a good opportunity to move there, considering that it's a tourist destination as well.

I've been in the hospitality sector for the last 8 years and alongside I've been trying to promote travel destinations to many Global Travel Agents to land a job in Travel Trade sector as well.

Right now I'm bearing the cost of my brothers wedding, which happens to be in November, so I'm planning to move in December or January at the earliest.

I know the harsh conditions and housing issue but I'd more than grateful for any help that could help me move.

Thank you

So I definitely want to visit Svalbard one day, it's high on my bucket list for sure. Does anybody know of any travel companies that offer a good itinerary for a trip to Svalbard?

Hello everyone,

My two friends and I are planning a trip to Svalbard, and we're trying to find out just how stupid our idea might be. We're all reasonably fit and somewhat experienced with camping, but none of us have ever been to Svalbard before. We'll be renting a gun for, and one of us has a hunting license, so we're confident in handling it safely. We’re planning to sleep in tents the whole time for around 4-5 days.

We’re aware of the need to be super cautious about polar bears and the extreme weather conditions.

Our Specific Questions:

• How risky is this plan in reality?
• Are there any good trails or areas that are safer (other than longyearbyen) or some we should avoid for first timers in Svalbard?
• Has anyone done something similar, and if so, do you have any advice or tips?

Any tips, warnings, or “don’t do it, you’re insane” comments are welcome!

Thanks!

Me and my partner are looking to move here in the upcoming future. I am beginning my planning stage, one of these bullet points I have is finding work. We desire to flee the political situation going on in the United States. So our commitment to our goal is extraordinary high.

I would love information about acquiring work before I move here. What would be the best way to go about this problem.

Our experience is limited tho our dedication and willingness to work is exponential. We do not have any special skills or college degrees. Other than her being a freelance makeup artist. I personally am interested a wide range of things. Tho lack certifications.

If anyone can help me or assist me in the right direction that would be very appreciated.

Hey all, I was wondering if its typical to snow at the end of octomber, I'm really looking forward for those kind of pure white landscapes under the last rays of the sun, or it just doesn't happen? Will it all just be grey and cold instead? Thank you

its for a birthday present and they love trucks and want to play the game euro truck simulator

I am university graduate with 3 year of experience in Tech. Would like to be away from normal rhythm of life and would like to try out of something different in life. Seems like Svalbard could be something which will be very interesting for me. I am open to all sort of job. How to find it and how to find interesting peoples there?

Can you rent a firearm as a tourist in svalbard? If so, what are the procedures? Most days we booked tours that have guides who are armed, but we have an extra day that we'd like to do a hike on our own.

I’m looking at visiting Svalbard for a week in September/October, and would like to do a Northern Lights tour to get into the best areas to see them.

Has anyone booked through these:

https://en.visitsvalbard.com/things-to-do/4-day-northern-lights-adventure-in-svalbard-basecamp-spitsbergen-p2524163

And know if they’re legit, good, etc?

If anyone has other recommendations, please let me know.

Can someone please explain the significance of the timing of Solfestuka? My understanding is that this week-long festival welcomes the return of the sun on March 8th, however based on the graph below, the first day with actual daylight occurs on February 16th. From what I've read, March 8th seems to be the first day the sun is visible on the steps in Longyearbyen so perhaps there's a technicality. Is Solfestuka instead representative of the first day without nighttime? Appreciate the explanation!

https://preview.redd.it/fjt473fajwgd1.png?width=1238&format=png&auto=webp&s=5950aadd20ac7ee1c2c58f17a68a7e3e97b0ddde

I bought for hiking, about to go home, happy to give them to someone else to use

Hi, I was wondering if there is a tattoo artist on the island who can be contacted during our stay?

Can you help with this?