Is Svalbard Expensive? Budget Trip Svalbard
A trip to Svalbard certainly isn’t cheap, but exploring the Arctic doesn’t have to be as unaffordable as you might think. We visited the Svalbard archipelago in the winter of 2025 for a midweek trip, and while we needed a relatively high daily budget, the experience was absolutely worth it. So, how much does a trip to Svalbard really cost? Is Svalbard expensive? Here’s a breakdown of our travel expenses to help you plan your own Arctic adventure!
Overall Costs of a Trip to Svalbard
To give you proper context, here’s what kind of trip we took. We traveled as a couple in March, for 8 days total. Our itinerary included stops in Oslo and Tromsø (layovers), and those expenses are included in our daily budget for Svalbard. We stayed in private rooms everywhere, though on Svalbard we shared bathrooms with other guests. We cooked our own meals every evening, and the bulk of our budget went to tours and activities.
Is Svalbard Expensive? Cost Breakdown
We spent a total of €2250 for two people over 8 days (including Oslo and Tromsø), excluding flights. Below is the rough breakdown of how that was spent (based on 2025 prices). We did not receive any discounts or special deals.
- Accommodation (36%)
- Food and drinks (7%)
- Transportation (4%)
- Activities (53%)
Flights to Svalbard
To reach Svalbard, you fly to the world’s northernmost airport in Longyearbyen. At the time of our trip, the only access was via Oslo or Tromsø, meaning a layover is inevitable when flying from the Netherlands. We booked our flights about six months in advance, flying out from Eindhoven and returning at Amsterdam. We also extended our stay in Tromsø to reduce ticket costs. Because flight prices can vary significantly, we excluded them from our Svalbard-specific budget. Want details on how to get there? Check out our full guide on how to travel to Svalbard.
Accommodation Costs in Svalbard
There are a few budget-friendly options just outside Longyearbyen’s center. We stayed at Gjestehuset 102 in Nybyen, where we paid around €65 per person per night for a small private room with shared bathrooms and breakfast included. Still pricey, but reasonable by Svalbard standards. Another option nearby is Coal Miners’ Cabins, which looked similar in both price and quality.
In total, we spent €800 on accommodation during our trip, this includes our hotel in Oslo and a cabin in Tromsø.
Food & Drink Costs in Svalbard
As you might expect, food and drinks are expensive due to Svalbard’s remote location. That said, we found the prices somewhat manageable. There’s a supermarket in town, and we were able to cook at our accommodation. We didn’t eat out at all. We spent about €150 on food and drinks, mostly for dinners and the occasional coffee. Breakfast was included with our stay, and most tours provided lunch.
Transportation Costs in Svalbard
When you land in Svalbard, you’ll need transport into Longyearbyen. The airport lies outside the town’s ‘safe zone’, so you’ll need a taxi or shuttle. We took the shuttle bus, which cost NOK 110 per person one way, totaling NOK 440 (€40) per person round trip.
Beyond that, there are essentially no local transportation costs. Longyearbyen is walkable, and anything outside the safe zone requires a guide due to polar bear danger. Most tours include hotel pickup and drop-off. Including other parts of the trip, we spent about €60 on transport (e.g., buses in Tromsø, train in the Netherlands).
Activities & Tour Costs in Svalbard
Let’s be honest: you’re not going to Svalbard just to sit in a hotel. There’s very little to do without a guide, and Longyearbyen can be fully explored in a single afternoon. Our biggest tip? Plan your trip around the tours you want to do, they’re expensive, but they’re the core of the Svalbard experience.
So, how much do tours in Svalbard cost? A lot. But they’re also unforgettable. We booked three guided tours and spent around €1,200 for two people. That budget covered snowmobiling, a fjord cruise, and hiking. We don’t regret a single euro!
Other Expenses in Svalbard
We didn’t spend much beyond the essentials. We bought a small souvenir, used our mobile data for internet, and all other costs were included in our tour packages.
