Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen - Nome, Alaska
Sep 5 - Sep 25 2025
20 Nights
Price from per person
£38,570
Welcome to our complete North Pole Travel guide based on our vast experience of visiting the North Pole high above the Arctic Circle. In it you will find:
Remember our team of adventure consultants are always here to help you plan your trip. With their first hand knowledge and experience they can give you the most up to date information. Please contact them here.
This article has been updated to reflect changes in 2025, including new expeditions and tours that are no longer available.
Yes you can go to the North Pole! Thanks to modern icebreaking ships travelling through the Arctic sea ice in the summer is now more accessible than ever before. In the past this was the domain of seasoned polar explorers. But with the introduction of the world’s first luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot in 2021 the most northerly point on the planet is now open to anyone with a polar dream.
The Geographic North Pole is the northernmost point on Earth, in the middle of the frozen Arctic Ocean. Unlike the South Pole which is land under ice, there is no land under the North Pole; it’s just sea ice floating on the surface of the Sea and is in constant motion. Here All the Earth’s lines of latitude meet and when you’re standing on the frozen sea you’ll be facing south in every direction.
To find out more please see our article Where Is The North Pole? The Mystery of The Earth’s Moving Poles
Price from per person
Price from per person
Price from per person
There are five ways to get to the North Pole, the most common and easiest being an icebreaker expedition cruise from Longyearbyen in Svalbard to the North Pole.
The easiest and most reliable way to get to the North Pole in 2025 is on an icebreaker expedition, sailing through the frozen Arctic Ocean on the purpose built icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot. The ship was launched in 2021 and designed specifically for this mission. It features the latest sustainable technologies, hybrid engines and recycled heat. It’s a new way to get to the furthest north in maximum comfort, safety and luxury with minimal environmental impact on this pristine wilderness.
In 2025 Le Commandant Charcot will offer four 16 day sailings from Longyearbyen. The voyages will sail north through the pack ice to the North Pole and then back to Longyearbyen.
For the ultimate explorer, it’s possible to visit both the Geographic North Pole and the Magnetic North Pole on a 20 night Trans Arctic icebreaker cruise from Svalbard to Nome in Alaska. This is something only a handful of people have ever done.
Travel Update: As of 2024, due to the situation in Ukraine, no expeditions are departing from Murmansk in Russia via Franz Josef Land on the nuclear powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory. The only way to route by Icebreaker is on Le Commandant Charcot from Longyearbyen in Svalbard.
More information and dates and prices here.
If you are going to the North Pole, please get in touch with our Travel Experience Team for free advice to help you plan.
In April it’s possible to fly by plane from Longyearbyen to a runway carved into the ice at the Barneo Camp. The position of the runway changes daily as it moves with the sea ice. From the Barneo Ice Camp you can fly to the North Pole by Helicopter. Some expeditions also offer the unique experience of flying above the North Pole in a tethered hot air balloon, for the most spectacular views of the ice below.
This is for those who are short on time and don’t want to spend 16 nights on an icebreaker. The disadvantage of flying is that it’s only possible in April and is weather dependent.
Travel Update: As of 2024 flying is becoming more and more complicated and is no longer a reliable way due to the changes in the ice at the Barneo camp. An icebreaker is the most reliable way.
From 2026 you will be able to visit the North Pole by airship. For the first time ever you can fly in a custom made airship, following in the footsteps of Amundsen and Nobile.
This 48 hour round trip from Longyearbyen will fly you over the Arctic wilderness before landing at the North Pole.
You can reach the North Pole by skiing or dog sledding. Both are extreme and require a lot of logistics, expert guidance and physical training. But they are much more expensive than cruising or flying.
Travel Update: Due to the changes in the Arctic Ocean ice it’s becoming more and more difficult to cross the ice floes.
The most common way to get to the North Pole is to ski the final degree which is about 60 miles or 111km in a straight line. But as the ice floes are constantly drifting and shifting and you have to overcome pressure ridges in the ice the distance is much longer.
Add to that the sledge with all your gear which will weigh 80kg and you can understand why most people choose to fly or cruise.
You can still ski from the Canadian Arctic to the North Pole, one of the most extreme polar challenges ever.
You can dog sled to the final degree to the North Pole. This is the same physical strength and preparation as skiing and is extreme undertaking.
Dog sledding has many challenges: the weight of the sledge over rough terrain and the logistics of having 15 extra four legged teammates per sledge.
Due to its location in the high Arctic the North Pole is only accessible by ship between July and September. These months are the best for ice navigation.
July and August have midnight sun, and in September there is the best chance to see the northern lights as darkness returns to the Arctic.
Flying is only possible in April when the ice is at its thickest after the winter and light returns to the Arctic after the dark winter.
Overland expeditions occur in March and April when the sea ice is at its thickest.
For a detailed guide of when to visit, please see our guide.
Here are some of our favourite things to do on a North Pole Tour.
A big part of the experience is reaching the North Pole itself, something only a few have ever done. When the ship reaches the North Pole you can step off the boat and onto the ice if conditions allow.
Le Commandant Charcot has an open bridge policy, and a big part of any North Pole expedition is spending time on the bridge, watching the navigation of this technical ship through the sea ice. The bridge has the best views of ice navigation.
Navigating through the pack ice is the best time to see wildlife. Use the ship’s on-deck spotting scopes to spot polar bears and ringed seals.
Days at Sea features talks by expedition guides, special guests and experts. Le Commandant Charcot has a purpose built lecture theatre in the bow of the ship where lectures and briefings take place.
On select departures on Le Commandant Charcot, depending on the weather and conditions, there may be the opportunity to go kayaking. Kayaking is the best way to experience the raw and untouched beauty of the polar environment.
A polar plunge is a rite of passage for every polar explorer. Jump into the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean under the watchful eye of the ship’s expedition team.
Le Commandant Charcot has some of the best amenities at Sea. Enjoy a sauna with a panoramic view, or watch the ice float by from the outdoor heated lagoon. Work out in the gym with floor to ceiling windows. See the polar scenery from the comfort of the observation lounge and bar. Take a walk around the promenade with heated benches and sit back and take it all in.
Visiting the North Pole is one of the most expensive expedition cruises due to its remoteness, complexity and small group size. But we have had feedback that this trip is worth the investment to get to one of the most remote and exclusive places on Earth.
The cost for a voyage on Le Commandant Charcot in 2025 is £31,170 ($42,800) per person based on two people sharing a Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 an Icebreaker Cruise departing from Longyearbyen in Svalbard.
Cost to fly from Longyearbyen: from €25,500 per person
Cost for 8 day ski expedition: from €53,000 per person
You won’t see any wildlife on the North Pole itself as it’s too far north, but the Arctic Ocean is home to many species, some of which you will see on your journey north.
As you travel north through the sea ice you’ll get a special insight into this unique environment. Keep your eyes peeled for polar bear sightings as these magnificent creatures use the ice to hunt seals, walruses and various Arctic birds.
See the complete list of animals in the North Pole Region.
In the summer the average temperature is 32°F (0°C), warmer than most people think. This can feel warmer on sunny days and much colder when there is wind.
In the winter the temperature at the Pole is -40°F (-40°C) so it is only possible to visit in the summer.
This is in contrast to the South Pole which has a much colder climate with an average mean temperature of -18°F (-28.2°C) in the summer making it harder to visit.
Please see our Guide To North Pole Weather.
Almost anyone can travel on an icebreaker or fly and no special preparation is required. You must be medically fit enough to travel to a remote area where medical facilities are limited and a rescue in an emergency would take longer than in other parts of the polar regions. The trip isn’t physically demanding but some mobility and fitness is required for activities such as polar hiking, kayaking and the polar plunge.
Overland expeditions require extensive training and high level of fitness to do this trip.
Due to the variable weather and environment in the Arctic you need to pack the right clothes for your adventure to keep you warm and dry. You don’t need any special equipment but the following is mandatory.
For the complete packing list, please see our North Pole Cruises Packing List.
It’s considered safe to visit the North Pole but some extra precautions need to be taken due to its remote and hostile environment.
Safety is a top priority. The safest way to get to the North Pole is on an icebreaker expedition. Le Commandant Charcot has been built to rigorous safety standards with advanced safety and evacuation systems and onboard medical facilities.
Off ship activities are led by a team of experienced polar guides who will ensure the ship is safe while you are off it. In the Arctic regions this includes polar bear defence protocols and procedures.
Due to the remote areas, the biggest risk is that help in a medical emergency will take longer than elsewhere so good fitness is required.
As the North Pole is not a country you don’t need a visa to visit. Svalbard, the main departure port for doesn’t require a visa, just a valid passport.
To get to Svalbard you need to meet the entry requirements of any transit country you visit, such as Norway. Travellers from the USA, Europe and the UK don’t need a visa to enter Norway for 90 days or 180 days for tourism.
Find out more about Norway visas.
Tourism to the North Pole is a relatively new phenomenon. In 1994 the Russian icebreaker Yamal reached the furthest north with fare paying passengers. For the first time ever, people could visit the North Pole without being scientists or having to train for a polar expedition. The Yamal was later replaced by the nuclear Russian Icebreaker 50 Years of Victory which made several trips a year with tourists until 2020.
In 2021 Le Commandant Charcot became the first cruise ship to visit the North Pole.
Less than 1000 people visit the North Pole every year, making it one of the world’s most remote and sought after destinations.
To find out more please contact our Travel Experience Team, who will help you plan your trip.
You can search all our North Pole Cruises
A great article by National Geographic about the North Pole’s climate, history and geography. See Article.
Ice charts for the Arctic Ocean on the Norwegian Metrological Institute website.
To get you in the mood visit the North Pole Expedition Museum in Longyearbyen to learn about the early days of exploration.
To learn about my experience on Le Commandant Charcot see my ship review.
A North Pole classic that looks at the rivalry between Peary and Cook and the early exploration of the North Pole.
The New York Times book of the year it explores the history and challenges of expeditions to the North Pole. From governments to eccentric explorers it’s the perfect reading companion for your North Pole trip.
Looking for some inspiration for places to visit? The North Pole is on our Top 50 Places To Visit In The Arctic.
Thanks for reading, and happy exploring.
Subscribe to be the first to know about new voyages, exclusive offers and insider travel tips.
North Pole Cruises – a brand by the Expedition Collective Limited
A valuable opportunity to discuss your travel interests, ask questions, and receive impartial guidance on the different ship options and itineraries.
Do you have a question for our knowledgeable Travel Experience Team? We’re all ears! Just fill out this form, and we will be in touch shortly to answer your question.
Subscribe to be the first to know about new voyages, exclusive offers and insider travel tips.
