Arctic Circle Tours (2024)

FAQs

Is a trip to the Arctic Circle worth it? ›

The Arctic Circle's wilderness is profound, even by Alaska standards, making crossing into it a must-do for a complete experience in the Last Frontier. A single road enters the Arctic Circle. It's the Dalton Highway, a wide but rough gravel road built alongside the trans-Alaska oil pipeline in the 1970s.

Also, distances are vast and roads are few. In Greenland, there is only one road that connects between two towns. Otherwise, all travel between towns and cities is done by boat, helicopter, or plane. The easiest way to get to the Arctic Circle is by flying to your Arctic Circle cruise departure port.

If you book an Arctic expedition with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, shorter trips to the region can range from $7,000 to $17,000 while more epic voyages that span up to 24 days will range from $18,000 to $45,000.

Rovaniemi (62,667) in Finland is the largest settlement in the immediate vicinity of the Arctic Circle, lying 6 km (4 mi) south of the line. Salekhard (51,186) in Russia is the only city in the world located directly on the Arctic Circle.

The best time to visit the Arctic is between June and September, during the high summer. The sea ice begins to break up to allow access to cruising vessels and temperatures are between 37°F and 45°F. Wildlife also becomes more active at the start of the season before their annual migration.

Spitsbergen – the most affordable Arctic destination and the best for polar bear spotting.

For an immersive Arctic Circle experience—away from the madding crowds—travelers will stand a much higher chance of fulfilling their Arctic dreams by joining an expedition that visits polar regions such as the Canadian High Arctic, Norway's Svalbard archipelago, Greenland, Russia (especially places like Russia's remote ...

The most practical solution for travelers sorting out how to get to the Arctic Circle is to book a polar voyage with a well-organized polar expedition, in which guests travel on small polar ships built to withstand the rigorous conditions of the polar environments.

Without a doubt, the best place to cross the Arctic Circle with all the pomp and ceremony such an undertaking deserves is at Santa Claus Village. You can't miss the markers that bisect the park and even go through some of the buildings!

Is it safe to drive from Fairbanks to Arctic Circle? ›

Many visitors who come to Fairbanks want to rent a vehicle and try and drive the Dalton Highway to cross the Arctic Circle on their own. This is only recommended, if you have a vehicle specifically equipped for the conditions and are an experienced driver, especially on winter roads.

However, because of the remoteness and high operating expenses, Arctic cruise costs are not cheap. Sadly, the cruise itself is not the only cost and there are often little (and big) costs associated with an Arctic cruise that people forget to factor in to their budget.

If you're wondering how close Norway's second largest city, Bergen, is to the Arctic Circle, the answer is not very close! Bergen is actually over 1,200 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, with the drive from Bergen to the Arctic Circle Centre taking over 18 hours (or just over 3 hours by plane).

The mainland of Iceland is just a few degrees south of the Arctic Circle. The Arctic Circle does, however, pass through Grímsey Island, which lies only 40 kilometers (25 miles) off the North coast of Iceland.

Alaska is the only U.S. state with access to the Arctic Circle, and Fairbanks, Alaska, is the closest major city (it's about 198 miles (158 km) away).

What do you wish to see: Wildlife: The Arctic has greater terrestrial and marine diversity than the Antarctic, however Arctic wildlife tends to be more elusive, partly because of polar bears and the long history of hunting.

It's a remote and unique destination

You can't compare the Arctic to anywhere else on the planet. Small pockets of human life survive in this huge land of ice caps, mountains, glaciers and polar bears in a way that is hard to imagine. They live with simple pleasures and minimal mod cons.

Visitors want to see unique wildlife, experience ice and snow, remote wilderness, and extreme temperatures. They want to enjoy the pristine countryside, and meet indigenous people, and learn about their culture. They are also attracted to the Arctic because of its history of exploration.

Many visitors who come to Fairbanks want to rent a vehicle and try and drive the Dalton Highway to cross the Arctic Circle on their own. This is only recommended, if you have a vehicle specifically equipped for the conditions and are an experienced driver, especially on winter roads.