Practical tips

Before booking:

If you have looked through our programmes and found which trips or activities you would like to participate in, we suggest that you check flights, free seats and prices for air tickets. See http://www.sasbraathens.no.

You may also check if we have free capacity on our Online booking.

High Season:

In the weekends, in the period from 15 March to 15 May, booking of rooms can not be done independently from booking activities or trips with Basecamp Spitsbergen. This is due to limited capacity at the hotel and must consider the coating on the Boat in the Ice.

Flights:

SAS Braathens is currently the only alternative to arrive by plane in Svalbard. Last summer, however, Norwegian Air Shuttle also brought adventurers here. We are hoping Norwegian will resume its flights as spring arrives.

Airtickets:

Basecamp Spitsbergen can be of assistance with air tickets for groups of a minimum of 10 participants. The best price is available by direct order or over the airlines’ internet sites.
The earlier you book your tickets, the cheaper tickets you will get.

Seasons:

March – May is the winter season and the busiest time of year with dog sleigh trips, scooter trips and ski trips to the mountain peaks from April to the end of June. From the middle of March when the days are long and the nights comparably short and from 19 April the Midnight sun arrives. March is also the month when the birds of passage start returning north.

The daytrips with boat from Longyearbyen start 1 June the latest, while the cruise boats commence at about the same time. 

Trekking where we will arrive at magnificent mountain tops with a fantastic view over the nature of Svalbard. Svalbard is flourishing at this time and the contrast between glacier and exuberance has to be experienced.

Autumn is also a nice time for trekking and excursions. In October the days gets shorter and in November the Polar Night slowly moves in. From 14 November the Polar nights has taken over the sky with its fascinating lights.

We will be taking trips with the dog sleigh as soon as the snow covers the ground. On a December day with a full moon and the Northern Lights in the sky above, you will be having unforgettable experiences.

In February the lights slowly returns and we can embark on the longer trips to the Boat in he Ice with dogs or scooter. The Boat will be frozen in the ice covering Tempelfjord already by the end of January. 

Eating out

Longyearbyen has a range of restaurants with good food and a nice atmosphere. In the same place as the Trapper Hotel, you will find the popular Kroa (The Tavern) with its excellent kitchen. Huset (The House) serves gourmet dinners with wine from the world’s most northern wine cellar, cafeteria and nightclub. In the city you will find coffee bars with delicious lighter dishes and Svalbard’s own pizza bar. Both the big hotels also has open restaurants, at Radisson SAS and at Spitsbergen Hotel. You can choose from several pubs like Kroa; Stuffen på Hjørnet, Karls-Berger Pub and the pub at the SAS hotel. During high season tables should always be booked in due time.

Sigthts in Longyearbyen:

Gallery Svalbard, Svalbard Museum (small, but comprehensive and interesting), Svalbard Church, in addition to a range of cultural heritage sites and memorials.

Shopping:

Svalbard is a custom and tax free area. Tobacco and alcohol is rather inexpensive. Goods such as electronics and sporting equipment can also be bought at bargain prices. You will have to show your travel documents when shopping at the Nordpolet (the only liquor and wine shop).