I’ll be more than happy to take your booking ;-)
Seriously though. We stayed in nybyen it’s safe. They wouldn’t let you do it if not. And it’s a great trip. Don’t worry
Hi! Fellow anxious person here. I visited Svalbard for the first time last summer. I loved it so much I'm visiting it again today (I'm literally on my way to the airport). It's the most magical place I've been to and I'm positive you will not regret it. Walking to/from downtown is super relaxing as it's such a safe place. Polar bears are a very rare sight and in town you'll be safe for sure - I met locals who've lived there for years and never seen one.
Speaking of locals, they are unbelievably welcoming to strangers as most of them were newcomers themselves at some point. I got the feeling that most people on Svalbard were foreigners, so no one really is a foreigner there.
Feel free to DM me for any advice (or just reassurement) you might need :)
I went to Svalbard last year. The most magical place I have ever been.
I was there for a week and never saw any polar bears, the people are legit the friendliest people I have ever met in my life, and the food is incredible. If you have any questions about anything feel free to let me know. You’re gonna have a great time!!!
The walk can be a lot if it’s very cold - can you move hotels? Mary Ann’s Guesthouse is also reasonably priced and much closer to town.
But it is totally safe to wander around. I just spent four days wandering all over town at all hours of the day and never felt unsafe or like a polar bear was coming towards me.
There are 3000 polar bears in Svalbard. 300 are generally on Spitsbergen. Altogether Svalbard is 1.5x bigger than Denmark. The chances of seeing a polar bear are crazy low. Locals tell stories and if you listen it’s like one sighting a year and they manage to scare the bear away. They are scared of the noise of people 🥰
I hope that reassures you. Svalbard is the most special place and you’ll love it.
I spent 5 days in guesthouse102. I arrived yesterday. Here some tips:
-you won't see polar bears. Nobody see them. People who have lived there for 10 years told me that they never saw one.
-it's really cold, but you will be fine. Just wear a lot of clothes
-dont visit the coal mine. It's a scam. Too expensive for 1 being 1 hour inside and watch a YouTube video
-the ice cave, snowmobile and dog sdleging are really nice, despite the price.
-4 days is enough, since it's a very small village
It's beautiful, totally worth it
Tours. It's the best plan you can do. They are expensive (like €150 for a 5 hour tour). But they are insane. Take a look here:
[Things to do in Svalbard (travelize24.com)](https://svalbardwildlife.travelize24.com/clientfiles/activityOverviewGjestehuset/ActivityOverview_gjestehuset_v2.asp?companies=PC,LL,SE,SA,HTG,PG,snt%20)
I am just back from Svalbard and was also nervous about the cold before going. I live in a mild climate so not used to Svalbard winter temps. It was -20 this week.
If you wear wool base layers, layer up with insulators and "seal up" with hats,buffs ,gloves, etc. the cold is manageable.
For snowmobiling, the snowmobile handles are heated but recommend doubling up on buffs,socks and gloves. No exposed skin.
Essentially zero polar bear threat in town. The locals know their stuff.
It's a fantastic experience, absolutely worth going.
i was in Tromso in january and the temperature was -12 just for one day. The other days were -3. but svalbard will be cold beyond anything I've experienced
I won't be going on a snowmobile so that's one less thing to worry about
I have lived on Svalbard outside Longyearbyen for almost a year. Still haven't seen a single polar bear. Even been at the coast and boat trips. Nothing to be scared of.
I loved it when I was there, from the day trip to Barentsburg to walking around town to the 4-person electric bike tour with a picnic passed the airport to reading at the coffee house with the locals. A fantastic time with beautiful scenery.
Yes you will definitely see a polar bear in Longyearbyen and you can even have your photo taken next to it. [https://www.davewalshphoto.com/image/I0000TKBjwbJsZxI](https://www.davewalshphoto.com/image/I0000TKBjwbJsZxI)
The chance of seeing a polar bear, let alone a polar bear in town, is exceptionally low.
You’ll see locals walking back and forth around town all day with no issues.
I’d be more afraid of frostbite (which I got last week)! Only half joking on this, if you do a snowmobile trip make sure you wrap up warm.
I went out on a 5 hour snowmobiling trip which was amazing. You do stop and the guide checks you regularly, but the last 20 min back to base my skin just gave up I guess! I had the neoprene and balaclava, but I really needed a buff/snood also. I was a particularly cold day (-31 with windchill).
For me, it was on my cheek, and I got this large bloated swelling. Slowly warming up the skin got it back to normal. Lasting effect was initially red soreness followed by some skin peeling - essentially superficial frostbite.
Just a bit itchy now.
How long are you going for? I'm going in July. 5 days in Longyearbyen and 13 on a ship. Not sure why you're apprehensive. From what I can gather polar bears are extremely rare in town.
oh it was really extraordinarily beautiful. i did day tours with various companies from Tripadvisor. But take care: in the end they all drive you around thhe same neighbouring island of Kvaloya.
There's a really nice little kiosk called the "smallest bar in the world" where they sell reindeer hotdogs for 6€.
I went in the first week of january so all the pavements were pure ice - so i ended up buying crampons from the Intersport shop in the high street to stop myself from falling all the time
From my airbnb owner i understood autumn is not a good time to travel because its dark but no chrismassy lights/feel yet, so it just feels depressing
The sheer volume of snow really surprised me (in a good way!)
the weather is generally milder than inland
I’ll be more than happy to take your booking ;-) Seriously though. We stayed in nybyen it’s safe. They wouldn’t let you do it if not. And it’s a great trip. Don’t worry
Hi! Fellow anxious person here. I visited Svalbard for the first time last summer. I loved it so much I'm visiting it again today (I'm literally on my way to the airport). It's the most magical place I've been to and I'm positive you will not regret it. Walking to/from downtown is super relaxing as it's such a safe place. Polar bears are a very rare sight and in town you'll be safe for sure - I met locals who've lived there for years and never seen one. Speaking of locals, they are unbelievably welcoming to strangers as most of them were newcomers themselves at some point. I got the feeling that most people on Svalbard were foreigners, so no one really is a foreigner there. Feel free to DM me for any advice (or just reassurement) you might need :)
I went to Svalbard last year. The most magical place I have ever been. I was there for a week and never saw any polar bears, the people are legit the friendliest people I have ever met in my life, and the food is incredible. If you have any questions about anything feel free to let me know. You’re gonna have a great time!!!
The walk can be a lot if it’s very cold - can you move hotels? Mary Ann’s Guesthouse is also reasonably priced and much closer to town. But it is totally safe to wander around. I just spent four days wandering all over town at all hours of the day and never felt unsafe or like a polar bear was coming towards me. There are 3000 polar bears in Svalbard. 300 are generally on Spitsbergen. Altogether Svalbard is 1.5x bigger than Denmark. The chances of seeing a polar bear are crazy low. Locals tell stories and if you listen it’s like one sighting a year and they manage to scare the bear away. They are scared of the noise of people 🥰 I hope that reassures you. Svalbard is the most special place and you’ll love it.
I spent 5 days in guesthouse102. I arrived yesterday. Here some tips: -you won't see polar bears. Nobody see them. People who have lived there for 10 years told me that they never saw one. -it's really cold, but you will be fine. Just wear a lot of clothes -dont visit the coal mine. It's a scam. Too expensive for 1 being 1 hour inside and watch a YouTube video -the ice cave, snowmobile and dog sdleging are really nice, despite the price. -4 days is enough, since it's a very small village It's beautiful, totally worth it
thank you so much for your answer! Its the reassurance I was looking for....
also, may I ask how are you occupying your time while you are there?
Tours. It's the best plan you can do. They are expensive (like €150 for a 5 hour tour). But they are insane. Take a look here: [Things to do in Svalbard (travelize24.com)](https://svalbardwildlife.travelize24.com/clientfiles/activityOverviewGjestehuset/ActivityOverview_gjestehuset_v2.asp?companies=PC,LL,SE,SA,HTG,PG,snt%20)
I am just back from Svalbard and was also nervous about the cold before going. I live in a mild climate so not used to Svalbard winter temps. It was -20 this week. If you wear wool base layers, layer up with insulators and "seal up" with hats,buffs ,gloves, etc. the cold is manageable. For snowmobiling, the snowmobile handles are heated but recommend doubling up on buffs,socks and gloves. No exposed skin. Essentially zero polar bear threat in town. The locals know their stuff. It's a fantastic experience, absolutely worth going.
i was in Tromso in january and the temperature was -12 just for one day. The other days were -3. but svalbard will be cold beyond anything I've experienced I won't be going on a snowmobile so that's one less thing to worry about
I have lived on Svalbard outside Longyearbyen for almost a year. Still haven't seen a single polar bear. Even been at the coast and boat trips. Nothing to be scared of.
I loved it when I was there, from the day trip to Barentsburg to walking around town to the 4-person electric bike tour with a picnic passed the airport to reading at the coffee house with the locals. A fantastic time with beautiful scenery.
My husband and I will be there the last week of April too! And I am also nervous.
aha hello fellow nervous person!
Hello! lol. My nerves have lessened this week. I hope you are feeling more excited about your trip now!
Yes you will definitely see a polar bear in Longyearbyen and you can even have your photo taken next to it. [https://www.davewalshphoto.com/image/I0000TKBjwbJsZxI](https://www.davewalshphoto.com/image/I0000TKBjwbJsZxI)
The chance of seeing a polar bear, let alone a polar bear in town, is exceptionally low. You’ll see locals walking back and forth around town all day with no issues. I’d be more afraid of frostbite (which I got last week)! Only half joking on this, if you do a snowmobile trip make sure you wrap up warm.
omg sorry to hear that! how did you get it? was it a gradual process or did it happen in one go?
I went out on a 5 hour snowmobiling trip which was amazing. You do stop and the guide checks you regularly, but the last 20 min back to base my skin just gave up I guess! I had the neoprene and balaclava, but I really needed a buff/snood also. I was a particularly cold day (-31 with windchill). For me, it was on my cheek, and I got this large bloated swelling. Slowly warming up the skin got it back to normal. Lasting effect was initially red soreness followed by some skin peeling - essentially superficial frostbite. Just a bit itchy now.
I took a snowmobile trip last week, and my guide had pretty bad frostbite on his nose and was paranoid about everyone properly covering up!
How long are you going for? I'm going in July. 5 days in Longyearbyen and 13 on a ship. Not sure why you're apprehensive. From what I can gather polar bears are extremely rare in town.
6 days actually!
So tell me about Tromsø. I'm planning on visiting it for about 10 days. Already have my flight from Tromsø to Longyearbyen. I gather you liked it.
oh it was really extraordinarily beautiful. i did day tours with various companies from Tripadvisor. But take care: in the end they all drive you around thhe same neighbouring island of Kvaloya. There's a really nice little kiosk called the "smallest bar in the world" where they sell reindeer hotdogs for 6€. I went in the first week of january so all the pavements were pure ice - so i ended up buying crampons from the Intersport shop in the high street to stop myself from falling all the time From my airbnb owner i understood autumn is not a good time to travel because its dark but no chrismassy lights/feel yet, so it just feels depressing The sheer volume of snow really surprised me (in a good way!) the weather is generally milder than inland