The world’s largest island is easy to reach, but you can only travel there by air or sea. There are no bridges, tunnels, or ferries connecting Greenland to other countries, so you must fly from Denmark or Iceland with Air Greenland, Icelandair, SAS, or Airseven.
In summer, United Airlines operates direct flights from Newark to Nuuk, and there are cruise ships from
Europe, Iceland, the USA, and Canada. Most flights arrive at the international airport in the capital, Nuuk Airport (GOH), which opened in 2024. From here, passengers can fly domestically throughout Greenland with Air Greenland or travel along the west coast by ship with Arctic Umiaq Line.
Flights to Greenland
To fly to Greenland, you have these airlines to choose from:
Air Greenland
Their primary route to Greenland is between Copenhagen (CPH) and Nuuk (GOH). Regardless of how you enter Greenland, you will only fly domestically with Air Greenland, as they hold the exclusive right to all internal flights. In cooperation with Icelandair, Air Greenland offers direct flights from Keflavik Airport (KEF) in Iceland to Nuuk all year round.
In summer, there are flights from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Ilulissat (JAV) and from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Narsarsuaq (UAK). Additionally, from Aalborg (AAL) and Billund (BLL) in Denmark to Nuuk (GOH), and in Arctic Canada, there are direct flights between Nuuk (GOH) and Iqaluit Airport (YFB) in Nunavut.
Icelandair
Icelandair, in cooperation with Air Greenland, operates direct flights from Keflavik International Airport (KEF) to several destinations in Greenland. In summer, there are flights to Ilulissat (JAV) in the north, Nuuk (GOH) in the center, and Narsarsuaq (UAK) in the south. In winter, flights primarily go to Nuuk (GOH).
Many of Icelandair’s flights to Greenland offer good connections to and from their destinations in the USA and Europe.
United Airlines
The American airline United operates direct flights from Newark (EWR) to Nuuk (GOH) twice weekly from mid-June to the end of September.
Airseven and Jettime
Airseven and Jettime are charter airlines operating flights for Air Greenland and the travel companies
Albatros to and from Kangerlussuaq (SFJ), and Ruby Rejser to and from Aalborg (AAL). Therefore, their
aircraft can be seen on various routes to and from Greenland.
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
The Scandinavian airline SAS flies from Copenhagen (CPH) to Nuuk (GOH) during the summer season from June to September, several times a week.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much does it cost to get to Greenland?
The average price for a standard economy return ticket is between 3,000 and 5,000 Danish Krone (DKK), depending on the season. This is roughly equivalent to USD$500-800 or EUR€400-670. Note: this only covers your direct international flight, which may not take you to your final destination. It does not include any onward flights within Greenland.
2. How much does it cost to travel within Greenland?
There are no roads in Greenland. To visit several different places or to arrive in your desired destination from your international landing point, your only options are to take a boat (not always possible) or fly. Depending on where you are trying to get to, it may cost you the same or even more than the price of your international flights to Greenland. For this reason (and to avoid surprises), many people choose a vacation package with flights, hotels and experiences included. If you are visiting the West coast of Greenland, there is another long-distance option.
The Sarfaq Ittuk Passenger Ferry plies a weekly route from Ilulissat in the north to Qaqortoq in the south, with stops at each of the major towns and some of the small settlements in between. It operates from April to January and, if you have the time, is a fabulous way to travel in Greenland and meet local people.
3. Do I need a tourist visa to visit Greenland?
A normal Schengen visa is not valid for travel to Greenland.Although Greenland is not part of the Schengen agreement, it is part of the Danish Realm. Therefore, if you do not need a tourist visa to enter Denmark, you also don’t need a visa to enter Greenland. However, if you do need a visa to enter Denmark, you should state on your application that you also wish to travel to Greenland so you are issued with the correct visa.
It is best to check the New to Denmark website for the most up-to-date details of visa requirements.
4. Is there a ferry between Iceland and Greenland?
There are no ferries to Greenland from other countries. The only way to arrive in Greenland by ship is to take a trans-atlantic cruise that incorporates Greenland. Within Greenland, Sarfaq Ittuk is the only passenger ferry.
5. Are there highways in Greenland?
No. There are no roads at all between the cities, towns and settlements of Greenland. Every town is like an island that is surrounded by either mountains, water or ice, and the only way to travel between them is either to take a boat (not always possible) or fly. There are a few places where small settlements are close enough to a town that it is possible to hike to them (during Summer) or ski, snowmobile, or dogsled (only above the Arctic Circle and in East Greenland) to them during Winter. In the far North, it is also possible to drive across the sea ice to reach nearby locations.
