Looking to visit the world’s largest island?
Here’s your ultimate guide on how to get to Greenland.
Commercial airlines are the only way for travellers to get to Greenland, served by airports in Denmark and Iceland unless you arrive with a cruise ship or chartered boat.
There are currently six international airports in Greenland – Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, Narsarsuaq, Kulusuk and Constable Point.
From 2025, Nuuk will become the new primary airport for international flights, replacing Kangerlussuaq as the gateway to Greenland. Air Greenland will subsequently schedule two Atlantic flights a day from Copenhagen to Nuuk, in the morning and afternoon, allowing for better connectivity to the rest of the world.
Two other airports in Greenland (Ilulissat 2200m and Qaqortoq 1500m) are also in the process of being built.
TO GREENLAND FROM EUROPE – VIA DENMARK
If your point of departure is in mainland Europe, the quickest way to get to Greenland is via Copenhagen, Denmark. Air Greenland operates frequent flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq all-year round and to Narsarsuaq two times a week in the summer season (June to August).
From Kangerlussuaq Air Greenland offers connecting flights to Nuuk, Ilulissat, Aasiaat, Sisimiut, Maniitsoq, and Narsarsuaq.
From Narsarusaq you’re connected domestically to Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, Paamiut and the settlement Narsaq.
TO GREENLAND FROM THE US & CANADA – VIA ICELAND
If you’re planning on flying to Greenland via the US, Canada and the UK, the quickest way to get to Greenland is through Iceland.
Air Greenland operates direct flights from Keflavik International Airport just outside Reykjavik to the capital Nuuk all year-round. With Icelandair you can fly directly from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Ilulissat, Kulusuk, Narsarsuaq and Nuuk all-year round.
Norland Air has one route between Akureyri to Nerlerit Inaat (Constable Point) in North-east Greenland that has a few departures per week all year round.
CRUISES TO GREENLAND
There are no ferry connections between Greenland and Iceland, Denmark or Canada. However, more and more cruise shipping companies are choosing to include Greenland on their itineraries, whereby it is possible to begin the voyage from Iceland or go onboard at, for example, Kangerlussuaq.
Some shipping companies also sail from the USA and Canada or a country in Europe.
CHARTERED BOAT EXPEDITIONS TO GREENLAND
It’s also possible to charter your own boat to Greenland. It’s important to note though that a permit is required for travelling in various parts of Greenland with no public access like the National Park and parts of East Greenland for example. Special rules also apply to the Ilulissat Icefjord due to its UNESCO world heritage site status.
How far is Iceland from Greenland?
It takes around 2 hours to fly from Iceland to Kulusuk in East Greenland, around 3.5 hours to Ilulissat and Nuuk and 2.5 hours to fly to Narsarsuaq in the South.
How far is Denmark from Greenland?
Copenhagen, Denmark is a 4-hour flight away from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.
Can you fly to the northeast Greenland National Park?
The stations in the northeast National Park in Greenland are accessed by short gravel runways for small airplanes, however they’re not available for civilians. The nearest airport, open for civilians, is Nerlerit Inaat (Constable Point) which is close to ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund), ca. 80 km from the southern border of the National Park.
Can you fly from Newfoundland to Greenland?
There are no scheduled direct flights between Newfoundland and Greenland. You can either charter a plane to go directly to Greenland or fly via Iceland.
