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.

Nevertheless it’ll be again quickly: United has already stated 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 may probably endure some sticker shock, both method.

Nuuk is dwelling to among the most dramatic surroundings I’ve encountered in my travels — an ideal dwelling base for Greenland’s many mountain climbing, 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 an alternative of highways, we have now hikes. And as a substitute of quick meals, we have now meals that strikes quick earlier than you catch it,” Greenland enterprise minister Naaja Nathanielsen stated in June, shortly after United’s first flight arrived.

Here is what to anticipate if you happen to’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 may appear to be it could require a long-haul flight.

It is truly 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 financial 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’ve gotten a couple of three-month window to journey.

Alternatively, you might guide an award flight for 40,000 miles in coach — or a hefty 180,000 miles in premium financial system — every method.

United operates its Greenland route with a narrow-body, 166-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8, a aircraft frequent 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 financial system) branding.

If you do not have sufficient United miles in your account, take into account that you possibly can switch factors at a 1:1 ratio from Chase Final Rewards or examine associate redemptions by way of its Star Alliance companions, like Singapore Airways and Air Canada.

Learn extra: Greatest United Airways bank cards

Inns 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 principle airport.

Whereas there are each resorts and short-term leases (like Airbnb) out there within the metropolis, capability can positively get tight; I definitely had issue discovering an open room after 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 may be [enough] capability in Nuuk.”

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

The resort additionally provides apartment-style lodging just a few blocks away on the Nuuk Lodge Flats 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 night time.

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

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

You will wish to guide a room with blackout curtains. The solar barely units in Nuuk throughout the summer season months, usually getting solely as darkish as twilight. For instance, this is the view from my condominium balcony at 1 a.m. on the night time I arrived.

What to anticipate arriving in Nuuk

Despite the fact that it will be summer season, I might counsel 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 may arrive at a vacation spot the place temperatures could also be only some 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 massive alternative that opens lots 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 exterior, you may instantly see Greenland’s rocky terrain. Whereas there aren’t any ride-hailing providers right here, you may discover loads of taxis, which usually settle for bank card funds for the brief, 10-minute trip to the Nuuk metropolis middle.

Downtown Nuuk

Nuuk is by far the most important 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, you possibly can take pleasure in gorgeous mountain and water views whereas strolling the city, which has quite a lot of eating places and retailers.

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

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

Considering 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 principle 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 forex 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 dwelling: $35 for a solo sit-down dinner, $29 for a full-service lunch and $24 for a taxi trip from city to the airport.

Getting round

Suffice to say, do not count on to hire a automobile or head out on a street journey. In case you’re hoping to enterprise far exterior Nuuk, you may virtually definitely be on a ship or a aircraft.

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,” stated Patrick Quayle, the airline’s prime community planner, who makes the ultimate resolution on the place United flies.

“London, Rome, Paris, they’re all the time going to be common,” Quayle advised me on the bottom in Nuuk. “Our prospects have been there so many instances, they need one thing that is a bit completely different. And Greenland offers them an enormous distinction.”

That distinction is probably most obvious within the actions you possibly can 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 exterior Nuuk, led by a information with the native firm Nuuk Water Taxi.

In case you’re mountain climbing, carry your most waterproof mountain climbing boots. You will be trekking by way 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 gorgeous) iceberg-laden Nuuk Fjord ($343).

Later in the summertime, you possibly can guide a ship tour ($140) to try to see the northern lights, which begin showing from about late August as soon as Nuuk truly begins to see true darkness at night time.

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

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

Headlining my journey: a two-hour boat trip 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 system — although you could not want it, for the reason that campground is devoid of Wi-Fi or a mobile sign, which suggests 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 take pleasure in a beverage in your dock overlooking the fjord.

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

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

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

Useful ideas for touring to Greenland

Really, that is protected recommendation, no matter you are doing in Greenland.

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

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

My different recommendation:

• I might 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 just a few further days of garments in case you run into flight hassle. As we noticed in August, cancellations can occur — and there is not all the time a direct backup flight to hop on.
• Err on the aspect of heat: Temperatures throughout my go to hovered round 40 levels Fahrenheit, and most of the actions you may participate in are exterior.

Lastly, tourism officers ask that guests respect the native surroundings 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 possibly can actually, I suppose, end up,” Por stated. “In a world the place it is so noisy, Greenland may give you that silence.”

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