From the airport to the city centre Greenland
Several airports host international flights throughout the country: Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat on the west coast, Narsarsuaq in the south region and Kulusuk on the east coast. However, Kangerlussuaq, the largest of these airports, remains the international leader for flights to Greenland since it is the only dowry;a runway long enough to accommodate commercial aircraft but also to benefit from a more favourable climate and conducive to landing in the event of bad weather.
Two new international airports are expected to open in the coming years: “Qaqortoq in the South (to replace Narsarsuaq), ” Tasiilaq ” East (to replace Kulusuk). Renovations and expansions are also planned at Nuuk and Ilulissat airports.
To reach the city centres of the largest cities, you will find taxis without problems and at the right prices. Free shuttles are also usually provided by the hosts if you inform them in advance of your arrival time. Otherwise, you will soon realize, once you get there, that nothing is ever far away in Greenland’s cities and villages! The latter are relatively small in size.
Arrival by train Greenland
Arrival by boat Greenland
There are no ferry connections between Greenland and other countries, it is also possible to reach ice via many more cruise lines. While the first Arctic cruise was made in 1871 between Scandinavia and Spitsbergen, the trip to Greenland was long kept confidential until the 1990s. In particular, the chartering of former disarmed Russian icebreakers has profoundly changed the market. Most of the places have become accessible, provided that they have the financial means to do so! The most famous cruises are those of the Compagnie du Ponant (www.ponant.com), the Hurtigruten (www.hurtigruten.fr) or even on board the MS Astoria with the agency Grand Nord Grand Large (www.gngl.com). It is possible to travel on smaller sailing boats with an intimate spirit like Thierry Dubois’s La Louise or even, why not, to come to Greenland waters with your own boat… !
Public transport Greenland
There are no roads between towns in Greenland. Travelling around the country is always an adventure in itself! One of the most common means is by airplane - or helicopter - with the company Air Greenland (www.airgreenland.com), which manages the majority of domestic flights throughout Greenland. In some areas, such as the south and Disko Bay on the west coast, you will also find the Disko Line (www.diskoline.dk). Helicopters generally serve cities in the south, north and east of the country as well as small isolated villages.
Tip: Due to frequent flight cancellations due to weather conditions, it is possible to miss your connections. So remember to book your flights in one go so that you get a single ticket for a multi-stop trip. This will allow you to get a full refund if necessary, including transfers, or simply to leave later for free when the weather improves. The plane or helicopter is however the fastest (and often the only) way to reach your drop-off point. It's ideal but also very expensive!
The boat is the other means of public transport in Greenland, whether it is the locals who mostly own their own boat (the Greenlandic car!) or local Greenlandic shipping companies such as the Disko Line company, established in the Disko Bay and the whole southern region, or Blue Ice Explorer (http://blueice.gl/francais), established only in the south of the country, which connects several towns and villages to each other. There is only one company in Greenland that makes long trips, namely the Arctic Umiaq Lines (https://aul.gl) which makes a multitude of ferry stops on the west coast between Ilulissat (north) and Qaqortoq (south) between April and December, count 4 days for this. It is therefore recommended that you contact the local operators directly when travelling in the vicinity of a city, for this please refer directly to the details of the cities in the guide. Always use approved boats, both for your own safety and to comply with the law.
Although living conditions have changed greatly and snowmobiles have made their appearance in cities, the carriage is still the most reliable and economical way to travel between villages in winter. Of the four species of sled dogs existing in the Arctic world, the most authentic and robust is undeniably the Greenlandic breed. Refer to each city in the guide for more details
The Southern region. There are several gateways into the South Greenland region
Narsarsuaq International Airport (Air Greenland, Iceland Air) via Copenhagen or Reykjavik for foreigners and otherwise some major Greenlandic cities for domestic flights (Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq...). Note: the future construction of an airport in Qaqortoq.
The Umiaq Arctic Lines Coastal Express from northwest Greenland stops once a week from April to early January at Narsaq and Qaqortoq (terminus).
Sightseeing cruises stop in the region during the summer via Iceland or Norway.
You can travel around the region using different modes of transport
The Blue Ice Explorer boat company offers shuttles throughout the region as well as tailor-made tours during the high tourist season.
The boat and helicopter company Disko Line offers year-round transport by sea or air (helicopter), linking towns and villages throughout the region.
Or if not, why not ask a local boat owner to bring you...?
The West Coast. The west coast of Greenland has several gateways
The international airport of Kangerlussuaq (Air Greenland, Iceland Air) via Copenhagen or Reykjavik for foreigners and otherwise some major Greenlandic cities for domestic flights (Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut ...).
The Umiaq Arctic Lines Coastal Express connects the south to the west coast and stops once a week from April to early January in the following towns and villages: Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Arsuk, Paamiut, Qeqertarsuatsiaat, Nuuk, Maniitsoq, Kangaamiut, Sisimiut, Aasiaat and Ilulissat (terminus).
Sightseeing cruises stop in the region during the summer via Iceland or Norway.
You can travel on the West Coast using different modes of transportation
The Disko Line provides year-round travel by boat and helicopter in the Disko Bay area, as well as on the entire west coast around the capital Nuuk.
Other local boat companies can also arrange tours between Nuuk and Paamiut, Nuuk and Maniitsoq, Sisimiut and Kangaamiut, etc. Find out more by city.
The more expensive Air Greenland planes connect the local towns and villages with each other if necessary. The main flights are to Nuuk, Sisimiut, Kangerlussuaq, Aasiaat and Ilulissat.
Or alternatively, why not ask a local boat owner to take you? Not forgetting the tour operators of the places visited.
The Northwest Coast. The northwest coast of Greenland has several gateways
Air Greenland, from Ilulissat, flies to several cities in the region, including Ummannaq, Upernavik and, to the north, Qaanaaq. There is no international airport in the region, so you will have to pass through Ilulissat to get there.
Some sightseeing cruises stop at Ummannaq or Qaanaaq. Ask around.
You can travel on the Northwest Coast using different modes of transport
The Air Greenland company serves by helicopter several villages near the largest cities.
Local tour operators offer excursions by boat (in summer) or by dogsled and snowmobile (in winter). Why don't you ask a local to bring you?
The East Coast. The northwest coast of Greenland has several gateways
The international airport of Kulusuk (Air Greenland, Iceland Air) via Reykjavik for foreign flights and otherwise via the capital Nuuk (sometimes even Kangerlussuaq) for domestic flights. Note: the future construction of an airport in Tasiilaq.
Nerlerit Inaat Airport or Constable Point, (Air Greenland, Iceland Air and Norlandair) via Akureyri in Iceland for foreign flights and otherwise via Kulusuk for domestic flights. This airport allows you to reach Ittoqqortoormiit, near the Northeast National Park.
Some sightseeing cruises stop at Tasiilaq or elsewhere in the region. Ask around.
You can travel on the East Coast using different modes of transportation
The Air Greenland company serves by helicopter all year round several villages near the largest cities.
Local tour operators offer excursions by boat (in summer) or by dog sled and snowmobile (in winter). Why don't you ask a local to bring you?
With a driver Greenland
Since cities and villages are small in Greenland, you will not need to use a taxi in advance. However, you should know that you will find them almost everywhere in the country, even in the villages.
By car Greenland
Greenlanders only use the car in the city. It is possible to rent them in some large cities, such as Nuuk (Europ Car, Sixt) or Sisimiut, but the most convenient solution is undoubtedly taxis or buses. Refer to each city in the guide for more details. Note: the probable construction of a future road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq would be the first in the country linking two cities together!
