Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen, (pronounced lungyer-byin) is the largest populated area, and capital of the Norwegian region of Svalbard. The settlement is generally regarded as the northernmost town in the world as well as the most easily accessed frontier in the Arctic, and is an ideal base for the greater exploration of Svalbard and the high Arctic.

Understand
Longyearbyen is the largest populated settlement on the Svalbard archipelago, located in the high Norwegian Arctic.

The settlement is named after American entrepreneur John Munro Longyear (1860-1922), who as head of the Arctic Coal Company founded the town and the neighboring coal mine, the first large mine on Svalbard. Mining remains an important component of the economy, and historical remnants of the mining past can be seen on the nearby mountain slopes and throughout the town. Today, however, most mining is done at the Svea mine to the south. The economy of Longyearbyen is now driven primarily by scientific research and tourism.

With approximately 2,500 inhabitants, the town is the de facto "capital" of the islands, and is today a vibrant, modern, and international settlement with much of the character of mainland Norwegian towns. It has an airport, a school, a shopping centre, hospital, hotels, restaurants, and a university. People from approximately 40 different countries call Longyearbyen home, and this is reflected in the events offered in the town.

Orientation
Longyearbyen lies on the southern side of Adventfjorden, stretched out along the Longyearelve (Longyear River). The centre of the town lies near the coast on the east side of the river, with the district of Skjæringa across the river, the district of Nybyen to the south and the airport  to the west. Adventdalen, the valley housing Longyearbyen's only operational mine (#7), stretches out to the east.

Longyearbyen 78° North is a free pamphlet, available at most lodges and sometimes at the airport, which has a detailed map of the city and listings of all its facilities.

Climate
Svalbard's climate is a combination of a cold Arctic climate tempered by the North Atlantic Current, an arm of the Gulf Stream. Nordenskiöld Land is the warmest and wettest part of the archipelago, caused by the convergence of mild and humid air from the south and cold air from the north. Average summer temperatures are typically 4 to 6 °C (39 to 43 °F) while average winter temperatures are −12 to −16 °C (10 to 3.2 °F). Longyearbyen experiences midnight sun from 19 April to 23 August, and polar night from 14 November to 29 January. The sun is under the horizon from 26 October to 16 February however, the sun is not visible in Longyearbyen until 8 March due its location. Snow covers the town from late September to May.

By plane
There is the possibility of chartered services to other bases on Svalbard, but these are generally reserved for scientists and those travelling on expeditions to the North Pole. Sightseeing by plane or helicopter is not allowed under the environmental laws.

The airport has a little souvenir shop, which also sells some snacks. Svalbard is officially outside the Schengen Area. The Norwegian government has imposed identity checks on individuals wishing to enter and leave the mainland going to and coming from Svalbard, with the border between the latter and the rest of Norway being treated as an external Schengen border. A Schengen visa must be multiple entry to return through Norway, or any other Schengen country, for cruise passengers continuing for example to Iceland.

Airport shuttle buses (NOK100 one way, NOK170 return for adults) connect with all flights arriving and departing at the airport. Taxis are also available.

Apart from passport control when returning to mainland Norway, passengers also need to go through customs control at their first stop in mainland Norway – usually Tromsø or Oslo; this is due to the duty-free status of Svalbard (see below for shopping for alcohol). If your flight gets routed Longyearbyen – Tromsø – Oslo, all formalities are handled at Tromsø, with Oslo-bound passengers having to pick up their luggage, even if it is checked through to Oslo on their baggage tags.

By boat
Longyearbyen's port is accessible only in the summer when the pack ice recedes. For dates, see the port website. There are weekly freight boats to and from Tromsø. Organised sightseeing tourist boats offer day trips to Barentsburg, the active Russian town, and Pyramiden, a Russian settlement that was abandoned in 1998, throughout the summer months.

Get around
There is no public transportation aside from the airport shuttle bus. Visitors who leave the town centre without a guide should be aware that polar bears can be seen anywhere on the islands at any time of year. Leaving the central area of Longyearbyen without a hunting rifle is not recommended. Rifles can be rented from several places in the town, or alternatively, a guide can be hired for expeditions.

On foot
Walking is a viable option, although rather tedious if you need to move around outside the centre, especially when the weather is bad. Although rarely needed, the town centre features a few pedestrian crossings. In winter, be aware of snowmobiles which use tracks not congruent to the roads that cars use.

By taxi
Taxi services are available, at a price. As an example, a 5-minute ride from the church to the town centre costs around NOK120.



By hotel shuttle
As of 2024, Hurtigruten Svalbard runs a free evening shuttle between the Radisson Blu Polar hotel and the Coal Miner's Bar & Grill (in Nybyen), as well as one or two more stops on the way, daily at 17:45 and 18:30, starting at the aforementioned hotel.

By bike
Most of the hotels and hostels, and some of the tour operators, offer bike rentals in the summer season.

By car
Car rentals are available at the airport (Arctic Autorent) and in the town centre (Svalbard Auto), but vehicle inventory is very limited, so reservations are recommended. Given the high prices and the few roads to drive on, this option makes little sense for tourists, as everyone booking tours will be picked up free of charge at their accommodation.

See


There are many possibilities for walking and sight-seeing in the immediate Longyearbyen area. Walking out of the settlement into the fjord, you will see the old cemetery and several abandoned mine buildings.



Do


A wide variety of activities including hiking, dog-sledding, kayaking and snowmobile safaris and ice-caving and more are offered by Svalbard's many tour companies. The largest operators are Spitsbergen Travel and Svalbard Wildlife Service (SWS). Prices are high &mdash; expect to pay from NOK390-1000 for a half-day activity, NOK1000-3000 for a full day &mdash; but the standard is high and the experiences are well worth the price.







If you have multiple days to spare then your options really open up: how about a week-long snow scooter trip (NOK21,500) or 11 days by boat around all of Spitsbergen (from around ) For a real Arctic experience, you can arrange to join a trip to the North Pole.

Events

 * In late October, Longyearbyen hosts the annual that draws large crowds. This marks the beginning of the dark season when daylight and the sun is about to leave Svalbard.

Buy
Svalbard's shopping is concentrated in and around the two-story Lompensenteret shopping mall and the supermarket. Most shops are only open M-F 11:00-18:00, and Sa 11:00-14:00.



Eat
Eating out in Longyearbyen (as with all of Norway) is expensive, with the simplest sit-down meals usually costing over NOK150. There are several small cafés in the town centre, and also a restaurant and bar at the Radisson SAS Hotel. Many places serve traditional Norwegian food. Some serve Svalbard specialties such as seal and whale. Delivery is usually available, arranged through local taxis for about NOK50.

Drink
Svalbard's tax-free status makes alcohol a lot cheaper than on the mainland.



Sleep
The full service hotels are fairly expensive, especially during the high season. Discounts of 20-50% may be available in the October–May low season.

Mid-range
A number of guesthouses and homestays offer basic accommodation. Read the small print carefully, as you're often charged extra for breakfast, linens, towels and perhaps even use of the bath.



Cope
Virtually all shops and services take major credit cards. As of 2024, Longyearbyen has no banks nor ATMs. You will have to bring sufficient funds from the mainland. Some businesses don't accept cash at all.

Stay safe
Perhaps more so than anywhere in the world, Longyearbyen is free from crime. The risk of being involved with any type of altercation or incident is practically nil, with the sole threat being from fellow visitors. It is not uncommon to see intoxicated tourists wandering around during the midnight sun in August, but despite the lack of visible law enforcement, problems are almost non-existent. Note that driving under the influence of alcohol is regarded as a very serious offence, and police stops for cars and snowmobiles are not uncommon. The blood alcohol content limit is 0.02%, and the fines are steep.

You are advised not to leave the settlement limits (clearly marked with signs bearing the picture of a polar bear). If you choose to do so, it is compulsory to carry a firearm which can be rented from the town. Travelling further afield requires permission from the Governor of Svalbard, whose office is near the church.

As everywhere in Svalbard, it is critical to understand that all year round there is a significant threat from polar bears. However, polar bears are legally protected, and shooting one will be treated very seriously by the police and investigated thoroughly.

Go next
Both trips operate summer season only, and will not operate unless minimum numbers (about 12) are achieved. Be prepared for disappointment in shoulder season.
 * Barentsburg - Svalbard's solitary remaining Russian settlement, easily visited on a (albeit expensive) day trip.
 * Pyramiden - Alternatively on Tuesdays you could take the same ship to visit the mysterious abandoned Russian settlement of Pyramiden - perfectly preserved but utterly empty.