How to Get to Svalbard: Flights to the Arctic Frontier
Ever wondered if it’s possible to travel to the Arctic? You might assume (like we once did) that it’s nearly impossible, or at least incredibly expensive. But the Svalbard archipelago, known as Spitsbergen in Dutch, sits at nearly 80° North and is surprisingly accessible. We visited Longyearbyen in the winter of 2025 and are sharing all our tips, and our handy Google Maps travel guide Svalbard. All to help you figure out how to get to Svalbard.
Flights to Svalbard
On the island of Spitsbergen, you’ll find the northernmost airport in the world with scheduled commercial service: Longyearbyen Airport. Flights run here year-round. During our visit in March 2025, there were multiple flights from both Oslo and Tromsø. If you’re traveling from the Netherlands (or most other countries), you’ll need at least one stopover.
Our Flight Route to Tromsø
We booked our flights to Svalbard about six months in advance. By comparing different outbound and return combinations, we managed to save a decent amount on tickets. We first looked for the cheapest flights to and from Longyearbyen and then planned the rest of our itinerary around those. Here’s what our route looked like:
Flight 1: Eindhoven to Oslo
We flew from Eindhoven to Oslo with Transavia. To avoid the stress of missing our connecting flight, we arrived a day early and stayed overnight near Oslo Airport.
Cost: €50 per person
Hotel Tip: Park Inn by Radisson
This hotel is just over 3 km from the airport and was cheaper than the Radisson Blu hotel right next to the terminal. It also had a great breakfast. A shuttle is available from the terminal, or it’s an easy walk if you’re traveling light.
Flight 2: Oslo to Longyearbyen
The next day, we took a flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen with Norwegian. This flight included a short stopover in Tromsø. It ended up being cheaper than booking separate flights via Tromsø, but always compare! We use Skyscanner to get a clear overview of options.
Cost: €150 per person
Flight 3: Longyearbyen to Tromsø
Our return journey was cheaper via Tromsø, and we were happy to spend a couple of days exploring the city. Since we only had a week in total, we kept our stay to two nights and one full day in Tromsø. Again, we flew with Norwegian.
Cost: €100 per person
Tip: If you have more time, definitely consider combining your trip to Svalbard with a short adventure through Lapland. You’re already passing through!
Flight 4: Tromsø to Amsterdam
For the final leg, we found the cheapest return flight was to Amsterdam. We booked a budget-friendly EasyJet ticket from Tromsø. Be sure to compare: Tromsø has multiple flight options to various European cities.
Cost: €50 per person
Conclusion: How to Get to Svalbard
So, how to get to Svalbard from the Netherlands? You’ll likely need two days for both the journey there and back. Comparing different routes and airports can really help you find more affordable options. And if you’ve got a bit more time, Svalbard is a fantastic add-on to a Lapland trip.
Curious what you can do once you’re there? Check out our guide to the best winter activities in Svalbard!
