The most important information when travelling in Greenland

When to go

Summer temperatures are on average between 5°C and 15°C, with the possibility of going down to -5°C. In winter temperatures can fall as low as -40°C. Everything therefore depends on what you want to do whilst there and what you are looking for. It is essential to note that Greenland does not have roads or railways, so any travel is to be done by plane or helicopter.

Entry requirements

As Greenland belongs to Denmark, those from the EU will not need a visa for a trip to Greenland: a valid passport will suffice. For journeys of less than 90 days, Canadians won't need a visa either, only a passport valid for 3 months after the return date.

Health advise

No vaccination is obligatory, however before your trip to Greenland, make sure that your DTP vaccine is up to date. If you are planning a polar expedition, it is essential to be vaccinated against tetanus and hepatitis A and B. For more information, you can consult the NHS website.

Airline tickets

A plane ticket for Greenland won't cost less than £1000. For the best prices, book in advance of your trip.

Time difference

There is a 3 hour time difference between the UK and Greenland, when it is 12 noon in the UK, it is 3pm in Nuuk.

Language

The official language is Greenlandic, the Inuit language of the west coast. Danish is mainly spoken in administrative contexts, as it is the former official language.

Relevant contacts

Danish embassy in the UK: 

55 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SR

UK consulate in Greenland: 

c/o Air Greenland A/S, Nuuk Lufthavn, P.O. Box 1012, 3900 Nuuk

Kastelsvej 36-40, 2100 København

Phone and internet connection

The dialling code for Greenland is +299. You won't have any problem using phones in towns, further afield there is no phone coverage. Internet is still very expensive in Greenland, so it will cost you a lot to be connected when you can!

Electricity

Sockets are different between Greenland and the UK, so you will need to have an adaptor.