How to Get to Greenland Without Taking Out a Second Mortgage on Your House

(Photo: Annie Spratt)

Since the invention of the flying machine, getting to far-off destinations has become easier than ever — and yet, there are still significant barriers you may come up against when attempting to travel to certain parts of the world.

Sometimes, that barrier presents itself in the form of unsafe conditions, such as those that might be found in modern-day Syria or South Sudan, where ongoing conflicts persist. Other times, it simply has to do with the tremendous amount of legwork required to get somewhere, as is the case with the Pitcairn Islands out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or Tristan da Cunha, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic.

But the biggest barrier of all? You guessed it: cash money. For a variety of reasons, some destinations are still overwhelmingly expensive to travel to, and one such place that falls under this category is Greenland. The number of visitors making their way to the massive chunk of ice that constitutes the world’s largest island has been growing in recent years, but Greenland’s tourism industry is still young, and, consequently, the cost of getting there is still fairly high.

As things stand now, there are only four cities in the world offering direct flights to Greenland: Copenhagen, Denmark, and three cities in Iceland — Reykjavik, Keflavik, and Akureyri. So if you’re planning on getting there by air, at least one connecting flight will more than likely be part of your travel itinerary.

While round trip airfare to any part of Greenland is likely to cost at least $1,000 (USD), your chances of finding a cheaper flight are higher if you travel in the spring or fall. According to Greenland Travel, very few tourists make their way to the island nation during these two seasons, so you’re more likely to have the run of the place.

“Spring in Greenland is short and can be experienced on trips in May where the winter is waning, making the days longer and brighter, and the temperature rises significantly,” the travel agency says. “Autumn in Greenland is a time of natural diversity — from beautiful, sunny days where the mountains are covered in tawny shades, to the dark skies of night where the Northern Lights appear.”

As the video above will tell you, not all flights to Greenland operate year-round. In my opinion, the best options for spring/fall are Keflavik to Nuuk and Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, both offered by Air Greenland. Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, makes for a great landing spot as the country’s cultural and economic center, while Kangerlussuaq (pronounced “kang-er-loo-shoe-auck”) is the nation’s main travel hub.

The other way to get to Greenland is via cruise ship. While you might think travel by ferry would be easy enough from Iceland or Canada, no such service exists (yet), thus your only option is to pick a cruise that includes Greenland on its itinerary.

Such vessels sail from the U.S., Canada, and various countries in Europe, but the thing to keep in mind here is that Greenland would be a mere stop along the way and not the destination in and of itself. You’d also likely be shelling out more dough than if you’d opted to fly, so there’s that as well.

Once you’ve found a flight that you and your wallet can live with, the next thing to consider is where you’ll be staying. Whether you’ll be landing in Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq, or one of the four other international entry points, you’ll have options when it comes to accommodations. There are hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, and more, but if inexpensive is what you aim for, hostels are your friend.

Part of the harbor in Nuuk, Greenland (Photo: Filip Gielda)

If you’ve never stayed in a hostel, the word may bring to mind some dark, dingy hole in the wall, but the truth is that they take many forms — and most of them are perfectly comfortable places to stay for travelers on a budget. In Nuuk, you might try one of the cozy cabins at Inuk Hostels, which run a flat rate of about $115 a night, or one of the many overnight options offered at Hotel Nordbo, where you can find a place to rest your head for as little as $55.

Of course, hostels can also be found in Kangerlussuaq, as well as in other major “cities” like Ilulissut and Kulusuk and in not-so-major places like Oqaatsut and Nanortalik. You can find a comprehensive list of Greenland’s hostels by clicking right here.

So we’ve covered the flight and the sleeping arrangements, but how about ways to save money when you’re actually there on the ground, eating, shopping, exploring, and all of that good stuff? Well, hey, we’ve got that, too. According to Budget Your Trip, the average visitor spends roughly $211 each day. Much of that comes from your lodging situation, but the rest is split between food and transportation for the most part.

As is the case when you’re at home, meals in Greenland will undoubtedly be cheaper if you prepare them yourself. While there, purchasing food from the supermarket should be your default setting. Just be aware that things like fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as alcohol and tobacco, will be priced at the higher end of the scale, as they all need to be imported.

All that said, if you’ve got the cash money to go out and treat yourself to some traditional Greenlandic food, I’d definitely recommend doing so at least once during your stay. And if you do, buckle up for a very gamey meal: the nation’s cuisine is comprised mostly of meat from marine mammals, birds, and fish (sorry, vegetarians and vegans).

A football pitch in remote Ittoqqortoormiit (Photo: Annie Spratt)

As for transportation, there are no roads connecting Greenland’s various towns and settlements, so the main means of getting around is via plane or boat. Air Greenland provides service to all major towns and a selection of settlements year-round, but unlike mainland Europe, domestic flights here still cost a pretty penny. For that reason, sailing is likely going to be the cheaper option.

Shipping company Disko Line sails all along Greenland’s West Coast, offering passage between numerous communities, as well as hotel packages; Blue Ice Explorer is a good option for getting around in South Greenland; and the Arctic Umiaq Line, which operates the ship Sarfaq Ittuk, can get you anywhere from Qaqortaq in South Greenland all the way up to Ilulissat in Disko Bay (between April and December anyway).

However, if your budget doesn’t allow for travel outside your original destination, that’s okay, too, because there’s always plenty of exploring to do no matter which town or settlement you find yourself in. Hiking, fishing, and dog sledding are all popular activities that visitors can take advantage of, as is camping (which could help you save money re: lodging costs). Other favorites include kayaking, biking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Basically, if you’re a fan of the great outdoors, you need to make your way up here.

And while we’ve been talking about planning your own trip, there are certainly people out there that would be happy to do it for you, as well, some at a more affordable rate than others. You can check out what Greenland Travel has on tap right here, or look into trips offered by Nordic Visitor or Quark Expeditions. Your personal level of adeptness with penny pinching will likely determine whether it’s cheaper to go your own way or opt for a pre-planned trip.

-LTH