THE MOST ACCESSIBLE HIGH ARCTIC
Luxury Svalbard Holidays from the UK
78°N
HIGH ARCTIC
Polar Bear
COUNTRY
ATOL
PROTECTED
Why Svalbard
6+
HAND-VETTED PROPERTIES
The Realm of the Polar Bear
Svalbard is the most accessible corner of the High Arctic — a Norwegian archipelago at 78°N where polar bears outnumber people, glaciers tumble to the sea, and the midnight sun and the polar night each rule for months. Reached by a short flight from mainland Norway, it offers genuine far-north wilderness without a long expedition to get there.
At HighStreet Holidays we don't simply book Svalbard — we match the right summer expedition cruise or winter adventure to you, with the flights via Norway, the vessel and the logistics handled.
With access to a carefully vetted portfolio, from Longyearbyen design hotels to small expedition ships, we build a Svalbard journey into polar-bear country in real comfort.
Svalbard is the High Arctic made reachable — polar bears, glaciers and the midnight sun, just a short flight beyond mainland Norway. The easiest way to the true far north.
Signature Experiences
Moments That Linger
Svalbard delivers the High Arctic without the long voyage to reach it. These are the experiences our clients come home remembering.
Polar Bears
Svalbard is among the best places on earth to see wild polar bears — watched safely from ship and Zodiac as they hunt and roam the pack ice and shores.
Summer Expedition Cruise
The classic way to experience Svalbard — a small-ship circumnavigation under the midnight sun, with daily Zodiac landings among glaciers, wildlife and ice.
Glaciers & Pack Ice
Vast tidewater glaciers, the edge of the polar pack ice and the dramatic peaks of Spitsbergen — High Arctic scenery at its most pristine.
Walrus, Whales & Birds
Walrus hauled out in their hundreds, beluga and other whales, Arctic foxes, reindeer and vast seabird cliffs — abundant summer wildlife.
Longyearbyen
The world's northernmost town — a surprisingly characterful base of good restaurants, museums and outfitters, and the gateway to every Svalbard adventure.
Midnight Sun & Polar Night
The 24-hour summer sun for cruising and hiking, and the dark polar-night winter for aurora, snowmobiling and dog-sledding — two utterly different seasons.
Featured Properties
Where You'll Stay
Every expedition vessel and lodge we feature has been carefully vetted by our specialists — the small ships and addresses our clients return to, year after year.
Recommended Packages
Curated for Every Occasion
Every package includes return flights from your nearest UK airport (lowest fares ex-London), transfers and the expedition voyage or lodge stay — tailored by your specialist.
Most Popular
7 Nights
Spitsbergen Polar Bear Voyage
- Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard (via Oslo) - overnight pre-voyage
- 7-9 day North Spitsbergen expedition voyage round-trip Longyearbyen
- Polar bears, walrus haul-outs, glaciers, seabird cliffs, the pack-ice edge
- Full board on ship | expedition cabin | parka & boot hire included
- Zodiac cruises | guided tundra landings | 24-hour daylight wildlife watching
- Return flights from London airports + Oslo/Longyearbyen flights
Signature Journey
9 Nights
Spitsbergen Circumnavigation in Style
- Fly to Longyearbyen - luxury pre-voyage hotel night
- 9-12 day full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen aboard a luxury expedition ship
- Premium suite + butler + comprehensive Zodiac & landing programme
- Full board with fine dining & premium drinks | all-suite accommodation
- Polar bear & walrus | the pack-ice edge at 80 North | photography & marine-biology team
- Return flights from London airports + Oslo/Longyearbyen flights
Ultra Luxury
12 Nights
Svalbard Private Expedition
- Fly to Longyearbyen - luxury pre-voyage stay
- 12+ day extended or private-charter expedition (Svalbard + the pack ice, or Svalbard + East Greenland)
- Owner's suite or full private yacht charter with dedicated crew
- Full board, all-inclusive, finest cabins
- Beyond-the-itinerary access to remote ice | private guiding | heli-options (charter)
- Return flights from London airports + all expedition flights
Looking for something different? Enquire below or call us on 020 3322 7866 and we'll curate a Svalbard journey around you.
Best Time to Visit
When to Go
EXPEDITION SUMMER
June to August
The prime season — the midnight sun, navigable seas and the best expedition cruising, with polar bears, walrus and abundant wildlife. The most popular window; book well ahead.
SPRING ADVENTURE
March to May
Light returns to a snow-covered land — the season for snowmobiling, dog-sledding and ski touring from Longyearbyen, with crisp, bright Arctic days.
POLAR NIGHT
November to February
The sun never rises — a dark, otherworldly season for the Northern Lights, the 'blue hour' light and cosy Longyearbyen, with snowmobiling under the aurora.
SHOULDER
September to October
The transition to dark, with the first aurora, autumn light and the season's last sailings — quieter, atmospheric and good value.
Sample Itinerary
A 7-Night Svalbard Expedition (Summer)
Every itinerary we create is bespoke — this is simply one way a summer voyage unfolds.
1
DAY 1 — ARRIVAL
To Longyearbyen
Your flight reaches Longyearbyen via Oslo or Tromsø in mainland Norway. A night in the world's northernmost town before embarking.
2
DAYS 2-3 — INTO THE ICE
Glaciers & Fjords
Sail out under the midnight sun — Zodiac cruising among tidewater glaciers, fjords and the first wildlife of Spitsbergen.
3
DAYS 4-5 — POLAR BEARS
The Pack Ice
North to the edge of the pack ice in search of polar bears, with walrus haul-outs, seabird cliffs and the high-Arctic wilderness.
4
DAYS 6-7 — EXPLORATION
Wildlife & Landings
Daily landings as ice and weather allow — reindeer, Arctic foxes, historic sites and the pristine scenery of the far north.
5
DAY 8 — DEPARTURE
Homeward
Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly home via mainland Norway.
Make an Enquiry
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Budget per person (flights + hotel)
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Practical Information
Practical Information
Getting There
- No direct flights from the UK — via Oslo or Tromsø in mainland Norway to Longyearbyen (around 3 hours from Oslo)
- From the UK, via a Norwegian hub
- Connections from major regional UK airports
- Svalbard is 1 hour ahead of the UK
Entry Requirements
- Svalbard itself needs no visa — it has special visa-free status under the Svalbard Treaty
- But you transit mainland Norway, which is in the Schengen Area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and the now-live EES apply on the way through, and a passport (not just an ID card) is needed as Svalbard sits outside Schengen
- ETIAS expected late 2026, not yet required
Health & Safety
- No vaccinations are legally required for entry from the UK
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation cover is essential — Svalbard is remote
- Outside Longyearbyen, polar-bear safety rules require an armed guide — always travel with a licensed operator
- The UK GHIC is not valid here
Currency & Local Notes
- The currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK); Svalbard is largely cashless, so cards work everywhere
- Longyearbyen has good hotels and restaurants
- Itineraries flex with ice and weather
- Tipping is modest, as in mainland Norway