Greenland, the largest island in the world, lies between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and is geographically part of North America. Although it’s an autonomous region, it remains under the umbrella of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is relatively close to the U.S. and Canada, with a mere 10 miles of ocean at one point separating northern Greenland from Canada’s remote Ellesmere Island. However, travelers keen on visiting Greenland have limited options, and only a few routes pass through North America.
To get to Greenland by commercial means, you’ll need to either fly or take a cruise—both available from only a select number of locations. These limitations are driven by practical considerations and Greenland’s commitment to sustainable tourism, keeping visitor numbers manageable. Here’s a quick guide on reaching and traveling within Greenland.
Although Greenland is becoming more popular with U.S. tourists, flights to the island are only available from two cities in Europe: Copenhagen, Denmark, and Reykjavik, Iceland. For those coming from the U.S. or Canada, this means traveling to one of these cities before continuing to Greenland. Reykjavik tends to have more frequent flights. As Greenland’s tourism infrastructure develops, more flight routes might become available, but currently, Copenhagen and Reykjavik are the primary options.
IcelandAir offers direct flights from Reykjavik City Airport (RKV) and connecting flights from Nuuk to various destinations. Air Greenland also operates from Reykjavik City Airport and Keflavik (KEF), providing direct flights to Nuuk and connections, except to Kulusuk. Additionally, Air Greenland flies from Reykjavik to several commercial airports in Greenland.
Air Greenland is the only carrier flying from Copenhagen to Greenland, with non-stop routes to Nuuk, Narsarsuaq, Kangerlussuaq, and Sisimiut, along with connections to other airports, excluding Kulusuk.
There aren’t any passenger ferries to Greenland from other countries. However, many travelers arrive via commercial cruise lines departing from Canada, the U.S., Iceland, Norway, and northern Europe. These cruises are generally long and costly, often offered by expedition cruise lines that are typically more expensive than traditional ones.
Some cruises only navigate Greenland’s coastline without landing. These expedition ships use Zodiac vessels for wildlife watching and close encounters with icebergs and glaciers.
Other cruises dock at various Greenlandic ports and might end with disembarking at Kangerlussuaq for your flight home, allowing visitors to extend their stay or explore further independently or with a tour.
Traveling within Greenland poses its own challenge, as there are no roads connecting settlements. Even Nuuk, the capital, is isolated from the island’s other communities, with the only road being a short, 3-mile stretch between Kangilinnguit and the now-abandoned mining town of Ivittuut. As a result, travelers often rely on tour companies to handle flights, transfers, tours, and accommodations—it simplifies the planning process considerably.
