TRAVEL REPORT TO THE SVALBARD ARCHIPELAGO (THE MOST NORTHERN PLACE OF MY LIFE) IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: Longyearbyean, Pyramiden, Nordenskiöld Glacier, Nybyen, Advent Dalen, Dalmark Glacier, Barentsburg, Blomsterdalshornengd, Hotjornengd, Hotjornengd.

  

Punctual as never before from Terminal 1 of Milan Malpensa Airport at 13.55 my plane no. DY1877 of the Norwegian Company in the direction of Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (Norway), (price of one-way ticket Malpensa - Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), including taxes: Euro 194.87).

 

Food and drinks are not served for free on the aforementioned aircraft, but only for a fee.

 

Punctual arrival at 16.35, at Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (Norway).

 

There is no time zone difference compared to Italy.

 

At Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (Norway), they check your document, very scrupulously if you have an Identity Card. Faster checks for those in possession of the Passport.

 

At Oslo Airport - Gardermoen (Norway), I changed currency at the following, not very advantageous rate: 1 Euro = 8.98 Nok. In the city you change like this: 1 Euro = 9,40 Nok

 

Punctual as never before leaves from Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (Norway), at 10.30 pm my plane no. DY396 of the Norwegian Company in the direction of Longyearbyen Airport (Svalbarrd, Norway), (price of one-way ticket Malpensa - Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), including taxes: Euro 194.87).

 

Food and drinks are not served for free on the aforementioned aircraft, but only for a fee.

 

Punctual arrival at 01.30 A.M., at Longyearbyen International Airport (Svalbard, Norway)

 

There is no time zone difference compared to Italy.

 

To set foot in Svalbard (Norway), it is sufficient to be in possession of an identity card, although the Norwegian authorities much prefer those who have a passport, as it is much easier to carry out checks. However, for those who only have an identity card, the check will be very fiscal and usually performed with a magnifying glass to verify the veracity of the document. Keep in mind that the checks are carried out at Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, before arriving at the gate and not upon arrival at Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway).

 

In Svalbard, in addition to Norwegian, Russian and English are widespread.

 

Keep in mind that the Svalbard Archipelago offers the possibility of reaching the northernmost point of the life of a normal person quite easily. In fact, Longyearbyen, the capital is located only 1,300 km from the North Pole.

In summer, there are 5 or 6 flights a day that reach Longyearbyen, almost all from Oslo or Trombo.

Keep in mind that in Svalbard, crime practically does not exist, while the greatest danger is represented by the White Bear, which in the past has also killed some tourists. Not for nothing the locals already on the outskirts of the capital always carry a rifle with them. It is logical to think that Bears are more likely to go to Winter City during the Arctic Night when there are meters of snow even in Longyearbyen.

In winter the external temperatures can even reach minus 30 ° Celsius, while in Summer during the day it can reach + 20 ° Celsius. Even if the wind is the master often and willingly lowering the perceived temperature.

 

From Longyearbyen International Airport (Svalbard, Norway), located 4 km northwest of the capital. Keep in mind that in correspondence with the departures and arrivals of the flights, there are buses that shuttle between the airport and Nybyen (about 3 km upstream of the capital) and vice versa also stopping in front of the port and all the main hotels of the capital, including Guesthouse 102. The ticket, which can also be purchased inside the bus with credit cards, costs 75 Nok. The journey takes between 5 and 15 minutes depending on where you decide to get off or on.

 

The cheapest solution for sleeping in the summer (from late May to early September) in Longyearbyen is to stay overnight via e-mail (ietsmet@michellevandijk.nl) at Longyearbyen Camping, the most northerly campsite in the world. If you arrive at night, the staff will leave you a note just outside the office, in the lobby where you leave your shoes, with your name and the number of the tent indicated. Then the next morning you will pay the due. Keep in mind that the kitchen is open and can be used 24 hours a day. The campsite is located 100 meters away. from the airport downstream of it, attached to the Fiordo. To reach any Bar, Restaurant, Supermarket, ect. you have to go to the center of Longyearbyen which is about 4 km away.

Here are the prices:

 

• Use of the campsite during the summer season, per person per night: NOK 150

• Use of the campsite, per person under the age of 13 per night: FREE

• Token for 5 minutes of hot water in the shower, to be inserted in the slot machine of the shower: NOK 10.

• Rental of tents, per tent per night (by reservation only): NOK 180.

• Sleeping bag rental (by reservation only), per person per night: 50 NOK.

• Insulation mat per night: NOK 10.-

• Bike rental (with only one ratio) per day: NOK 100.

• Telephone: short local call: NOK 5.

 

If you want to make excursions on foot or by bicycle, keep in mind that it is possible to reach, in summer, the following locations with relative ease:

 

• Longyearbyen, 4 km east of a flat asphalt road, from the campsite.

• Nybyen, 3km south of uphill asphalt road from Longyearbyen.

• Camp Barentz (near the coal mine no. 7, still active), 6 km south-east of a flat dirt road, from Longyearbyen, along the Advent Valley;

• Bjorn Valley, 4 km west of a flat dirt road, from the campsite;

• Global Seed Vault, the worldwide seed bank, located just above the international airport. Access to the interior is forbidden for non-workers but a photo at the external entrance is possible. The same can be reached from the airport, with 1km of paved road towards the capital, until you find a fork on the right where an uphill dirt road starts which in less than 1 km reaches the Global Seed Vault;

• Blomsterdalshøgda mt 321, on top of which there are dozens of white balloons (antennas), which offer a lunar landscape. It can be reached like this: from the Global Seed Vault, continue on the dirt road uphill for about 2 km, very steep, access to which in the final part is forbidden to non-experts.

 

The most popular day trips of Svalbard, departing from the capital, are these:

 

1. Russian settlement of Pyramiden and Nordenskiöld Glacier, departing at 9.30am from Longyearbyen and arriving at approximately 6.30pm. This tour is offered by two companies: POLAR CHARTER at the price of NOK 1.700 and HENNINGSEN TRANSPORT & GUIDING at the price of NOK 1.950. In both cases, it is possible to book and pay via the internet or directly at the campsite, hotel or tourist office in Longyearbyen. The price of the package includes transport from the hotel or campsite to the port and vice versa, the ferry trip, the Guide on the same, the Guide to Pyramiden and lunch served on the ferry.

 

2. Russian settlement of Barentsburg and Esmark Glacier, departing at 9.30am from Longyearbyen and arriving at approximately 6.00pm. This tour is offered by two companies: POLAR CHARTER at the price of NOK 1.700 and HENNINGSEN TRANSPORT & GUIDING at the price of NOK 1.950. In both cases, it is possible to book and pay via the internet or directly at the campsite, hotel or tourist office in Longyearbyen. The package price includes transport from the hotel or campsite to the port and vice versa, the ferry trip, the Guide on the same, the Guide to Barentsburg and lunch served on the ferry. Drinks are paid for. If you buy the cup on the boat for 130 NOK, you can drink free coffee and tea all day. Otherwise you have to pay him 25 NOK per cup.

 

Excursion to the aforementioned tours, the SPITSBERGEN TRAVEL, SVALBARD WILDLIFE EXPEDITIONS, SVALBARD VILLMARKSSENTER, GREEN DOG SVALBARD, POLI ARCICI, SPITSBERGEN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, offer excursions on foot or with dog sledges both in winter and in summer, half-day, a day or several days at prices of all kinds. . In all cases, it is possible to book and pay via the internet or directly at the campsite, hotels or the Longyearbyen Tourist Office.

 

Another excursion offered by the SPITSBERGEN TRAVEL Company is the one by boat to Prins Karls Forland Island, located between Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden, where you can admire the Walruses. The price is NOK 2,150. It is possible to book and pay via the internet or directly at the campsite, hotels or the Longyearbyen Tourist Office. The package price includes transport from the hotel or campsite to the port and vice versa, the ferry trip, the guide on the same and lunch served on the ferry. Drinks are paid for.

 

Punctual as never before from Longyearbyen International Airport at 00.05 my Airplane no. DY397 of the Norwegian Company in the direction of Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (Norway), (one-way ticket price, including taxes: 86.28 Euros).

 

Food and drinks are not served for free on the aforementioned aircraft, but only for a fee.

 

Punctual arrival at 2.55 A.M, at Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (Norway).

 

There is no time zone difference compared to Italy.

 

At Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (Norway), they check your document, very scrupulously if you have an Identity Card. Faster checks for those in possession of the Passport.

 

If you want to reach Oslo Torp from Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, keep in mind that there are no direct connections but you must always change in the center of Oslo.

 

To reach Oslo Center from Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, during the day the cheapest solution is to take a local train, while the fastest one is to take a fast train. The intermediate solution is to take a bus. In all cases, to save money, it is better to buy the ticket in advance through the internet.

 

At night, however, trains do not circulate and therefore one is forced to take a bus. There are several companies. In my case I chose the Flybussen at the price of 169 NOK. There are departures approximately every hour, 24 hours a day. The ride takes approximately 35 minutes. To save money, it is better to buy the ticket in advance via the internet, although the same can be purchased directly from the driver by paying for it by credit card or cash. The bus drops you off at the Bus Terminal, located in central Oslo, which is open from 5.15 a.m. at 00.55 a.m. If you have to take a bus during the closing time, keep in mind that it will pick you up outside the Bus Terminal.

 

To reach Oslo Torp Airport, from the Oslo Bus Terminal, the cheapest solution is to take the Torp Ekspressen Company Bus at a price of NOK 259. There are departures at irregular intervals (depending on flight departures). The ride lasts approximately 2h 20 '. To save money, it is better to buy the ticket in advance via the internet, although the same can be purchased directly from the driver by paying for it by credit card or cash.

 

Keep in mind that at Oslo Torp Airport, it is possible to change Euros or Dollars to obtain NOK, from the automatic machines, but the opposite is not possible.

 

Punctual as never before leaves from Oslo-Torp Airport (Norway), at 10.40 am my plane no. 4558 of the Ryainair Company in the direction of Orio al Serio Airport (Bg), (one-way ticket price, including taxes: NOK 967.98 Euros).

 

Food and drinks are not served for free on the aforementioned aircraft, but only for a fee.

 

I arrive punctually at 13.05, at Orio al Serio Airport (Bg), where my journey ends.

 

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2018/12/viaggio-allarcipelago-delle-svalbard-il.html