Touring to Greenland: What to anticipate, and what to do

Subsequent week, United Airways will wind down its first summer season providing nonstop flights to Greenland, ending (for now) the one nonstop hyperlink between North America and the Arctic territory.

However it’ll be again quickly: United has already mentioned it is returning to the capital metropolis of Nuuk in 2026, doubling down on its push to serve extra off-the-beaten-path locations.

And bookings are already open, whether or not you are hoping to pay out of pocket or redeem MileagePlus miles — although you will seemingly endure some sticker shock, both manner.

Nuuk is residence to a few of the most dramatic surroundings I’ve encountered in my travels — an ideal residence base for Greenland’s many mountaineering, fishing and iceberg-spotting alternatives.

Or, go for a real off-the-grid glamping expertise just like the one which landed me in a heated yurt overlooking an icy fjord earlier this summer season.

Learn extra: United Airways connects the US to Greenland in historic new nonstop flight

“As a substitute of highways, we now have hikes. And as a substitute of quick meals, we now have meals that strikes quick earlier than you catch it,” Greenland enterprise minister Naaja Nathanielsen mentioned in June, shortly after United’s first flight arrived.

Here is what to anticipate in case you’re contemplating or planning a visit to Greenland subsequent summer season.

Reserving a visit to Greenland

Touring to such a distant vacation spot as Greenland would possibly seem to be it could require a long-haul flight.

It is really solely a four-hour trek, give or take, from United’s Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) hub.

Airfare and award pricing

Be warned: Fares for this epic vacation spot are steep.

Spherical-trip tickets in June begin at $1,100 for a primary economic system ticket, and greater than a whopping $4,600 for a premium seat. Whereas United hasn’t introduced actual dates for 2026, the 2025 season ran between mid-June and late September — so you could have a couple of three-month window to journey.

Alternatively, you might ebook an award flight for 40,000 miles in coach — or a hefty 180,000 miles in premium economic system — every manner.

United operates its Greenland route with a narrow-body, 166-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8, a airplane widespread in your common home flight.

The plane consists of 54 extra-legroom Financial system Plus seats and 16 first-class recliners within the entrance cabin, which, for this route, will get United’s long-haul Premium Plus (premium economic system) branding.

If you do not have sufficient United miles in your account, remember the fact that you may switch factors at a 1:1 ratio from Chase Final Rewards or verify accomplice redemptions by means of its Star Alliance companions, like Singapore Airways and Air Canada.

Learn extra: Greatest United Airways bank cards

Resorts and lodging

Earlier than finalizing any nonrefundable flights, be sure you have lodging locked down.

Most vacationers to Greenland who aren’t occurring a cruise base themselves within the capital metropolis of Nuuk, minutes from the primary airport.

Whereas there are each resorts and short-term leases (like Airbnb) accessible within the metropolis, capability can positively get tight; I definitely had problem discovering an open room once I went final June, as did quite a few different vacationers I spoke with.

It is a actuality of the current tourism inflow to a vacation spot that hasn’t beforehand welcomed guests in droves.

“The infrastructure is sort of fragile, in that sense,” Tanny Por, head of worldwide relations at Go to Greenland, acknowledged, whereas emphasizing that “There’s [enough] capability in Nuuk.”

Do not anticipate factors resorts from Marriott, or the posh of a Park Hyatt, both. You will discover smaller, unbiased properties just like the Lodge Hans Egede, situated alongside the primary stretch of downtown Nuuk.

The lodge additionally provides apartment-style lodging a couple of blocks away on the Nuuk Lodge Residences by Lodge Hans Egede — like my spacious one-bedroom, one-bath flat that had the texture (and the facilities) of your run-of-the-mill Airbnb. Costs began at round $190 per evening.

The lodge can be affiliated with the newer, extra budget-friendly HHE Specific property close by, which I would evaluate to a Hyatt Place or Hilton Backyard Inn.

I would additionally suggest checking lodging by means of credit score card-branded journey platforms like American Specific Journey and Chase Journey℠.

You will wish to ebook a room with blackout curtains. The solar barely units in Nuuk through the summer season months, usually getting solely as darkish as twilight. For instance, here is the view from my house balcony at 1 a.m. on the evening I arrived.

What to anticipate arriving in Nuuk

Though it’s going to be summer season, I would recommend placing on that heavy sweatshirt or coat as quickly as you contact down at Nuuk Worldwide Airport (GOH).

Regardless of leaving the heat of New York Metropolis’s summer season, you will arrive at a vacation spot the place temperatures could also be just a few levels above freezing.

And you will hit that chilly air as quickly as you deplane down the airstairs.

Airport and floor transportation

The airport terminal is brand-new, as is the runway. Each opened final November, setting the stage for brand spanking new worldwide flights, which embrace new service on each United and Scandinavian Airways, which additionally launched in 2025 from Copenhagen.

This summer season wasn’t with out some rising pains on the airport; at one level, a priority over safety personnel coaching led to a halt in worldwide flights.

However the amenities are definitely a step ahead for Greenland.

“It is a huge alternative that opens a variety of choices,” Greenland Airports CEO Jens Lauridsen advised me in June.

Inside, it is a tiny terminal with only a small customs space, a store for necessities and a espresso store.

Stepping outdoors, you will instantly see Greenland’s rocky terrain. Whereas there are not any ride-hailing companies right here, you will discover loads of taxis, which usually settle for bank card funds for the quick, 10-minute journey to the Nuuk metropolis heart.

Downtown Nuuk

Nuuk is by far the largest metropolis in Greenland. It is maybe most recognizable for the multicolored homes that dot its shoreline.

With a inhabitants of lower than 20,000, Nuuk is hardly a booming metropolis. On days when the fog and clouds filter out, you may get pleasure from beautiful mountain and water views whereas strolling the city, which has quite a lot of eating places and retailers.

On a couple of event, I warmed up with a cup of espresso and lunch at Cafe Esmerelda, a block or two from my house.

I additionally dined at Nivi, a contemporary tapas restaurant downtown. Owing to town’s coastal location, there may be additionally a bevy of seafood-focused spots.

Pondering of cooking? Down by the water, the Kalaaliaraq Market is a well-liked spot to choose up freshly caught fish.

There’s additionally a grocery retailer alongside the primary road, the place I grabbed some bottled water and snacks.

Just like the taxis, almost each restaurant and retailer I visited accepted bank cards. In case you do pay money, the native foreign money is the Danish krone, owing to Greenland’s place within the Kingdom of Denmark.

I discovered the pricing to be just about on par with what you’d pay at residence: $35 for a solo sit-down dinner, $29 for a full-service lunch and $24 for a taxi journey from city to the airport.

Getting round

Suffice to say, do not anticipate to lease a automotive or head out on a street journey. In case you’re hoping to enterprise far outdoors Nuuk, you will nearly definitely be on a ship or a airplane.

Extra on each in a second.

What to do in Greenland

In launching Greenland flights, United was clear on who it thought the vacation spot would attraction to.

“The journey traveler,” mentioned Patrick Quayle, the airline’s prime community planner, who makes the ultimate resolution on the place United flies.

“London, Rome, Paris, they’re at all times going to be well-liked,” Quayle advised me on the bottom in Nuuk. “Our clients have been there so many instances, they need one thing that is a bit totally different. And Greenland offers them a giant distinction.”

That distinction is probably most obvious within the actions you may select from throughout your journey to Greenland.

I began my first full day in Greenland with a three-hour hike ($93) on Quassussuaq Mountain simply outdoors Nuuk, led by a information with the native firm Nuuk Water Taxi.

In case you’re mountaineering, convey your most waterproof mountaineering boots. You will be trekking by means of snow, even in summer season!

Nuuk Water Taxi additionally provides a variety of maritime excursions, from a whale safari to an ice fjord cruise within the close by (and beautiful) iceberg-laden Nuuk Fjord ($343).

Later in the summertime, you may ebook a ship tour ($140) to attempt to see the northern lights, which begin showing from about late August as soon as Nuuk really begins to see true darkness at evening.

You’ll be able to spend the evening in a glass igloo at Inuk Hostel and take a dip in a scorching tub overlooking the water — earlier than retreating inside for a hearty bowl of fish soup.

Or, be part of Inuk Journey (as I did) on a utility terrain automobile tour of town’s prime landmarks.

Headlining my journey: a two-hour boat journey deep into Nuuk Fjord for an epic one-night keep at Camp Kangiusaq, a 15-tent glamping website on a hillside overlooking the water.

Every of the heated tents has a cot and an outlet for charging an digital machine — although you could not want it, because the campground is devoid of Wi-Fi or a mobile sign, which implies it is a true digital detox expertise.

You’ll be able to go for a hike with a GPS tracker (for security), kayak or paddleboard across the icebergs, or get pleasure from a beverage in your dock overlooking the fjord.

Charges begin at $625 for a one-night keep.

Much more adventurous vacationers can ebook day journeys by air or water to see Greenland’s ice sheet, the biggest on the earth, which covers a majority of the landmass.

Simply be ready with backup lodging and provides in case you’re going far out of city, tourism leaders stress: “In Greenland, nature is the one which [calls] the photographs typically, so I believe [tourists should be prepared] for that uncertainty,” Por mentioned. “It’s good to do analysis. I’d say that is the most effective recommendation.”

Useful suggestions for touring to Greenland

Truly, that is secure recommendation, no matter you are doing in Greenland.

It is not a vacation spot the place there is a Starbucks and a comfort retailer on each nook.

When you’ll usually discover any provides you want in Nuuk, its untouched pure magnificence is what makes the vacation spot such a novel draw for vacationers.

My different recommendation:

• I would suggest getting a journey insurance coverage coverage earlier than visiting, or checking to see what protections your bank card provides — simply to be ready in case the surprising occurs.
• Deliver a couple of further days of garments in case you run into flight hassle. As we noticed in August, cancellations can occur — and there is not at all times a right away backup flight to hop on.
• Err on the facet of heat: Temperatures throughout my go to hovered round 40 levels Fahrenheit, and most of the actions you will participate in are outdoors.

Lastly, tourism officers ask that guests respect the native atmosphere they’re visiting.

And there is a lot to see.

“There’s alternative in that, and the wild nature is a spot the place you may actually, I suppose, end up,” Por mentioned. “In a world the place it is so noisy, Greenland may give you that silence.”

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