Greenland
Getting around Greenland: trains, buses, driving and domestic flights
There are no trains and no roads between towns, so getting around Greenland means domestic flights, helicopters and boats. Fly Air Greenland between hubs (Nuuk–Ilulissat about 1.5 h, DKK 1,500–5,000 one way), walk everywhere inside towns, and build in a weather buffer day before any international flight.
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GuideGreenland
Key facts
- Trains
- None in Greenland
- Roads between towns
- None; every inter-town move is a flight or a boat
- Main domestic airline
- Air Greenland, plus helicopter and boat services
- Nuuk – Ilulissat flight
- About 1.5 h; DKK 1,500–5,000 one way (2026 estimate)
- Nuuk – Kangerlussuaq flight
- About 45 min
- In-town transport
- Walkable; Nuuk has city buses at about DKK 20 a ride
- Weather buffer
- Keep at least one spare day before an international flight
- Winter transport
- Dog sled and snowmobile north of the dog line (Sisimiut and north)
Summary table: mode, time, cost
Greenland is bigger than Western Europe with a population of about 56,000, and none of the towns are connected by road. Match the mode to the distance: walk inside town, fly or sail between regions, and treat winter sledding as an activity rather than a way to reach another town.
| Mode | Typical time | Typical cost (2026 estimate) | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic flight (Air Greenland) | 45 min – 1.5 h | DKK 1,500–5,000 one way | Nuuk, Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut |
| Helicopter | Short hops | DKK 800–3,000 | Settlements without runways, mainly south and Disko Bay |
| Coastal ship and passenger ferry | Hours to days | DKK 300–3,000 | Disko Bay (Disko Line), South Greenland; Arctic Umiaq Line route — check season |
| Tour boat | 2–8 h | DKK 800–2,500 | Icefjord, whale and glacier trips |
| City bus (Nuuk) | Minutes | About DKK 20 | Getting across Nuuk |
| Taxi | Minutes | DKK 60–150 | Airport runs, luggage, late nights |
| Dog sled or snowmobile | Day trip to multi-day | DKK 1,200–4,000 a day | Winter travel and tours in the north |
Fares and schedules change by season and year; confirm with the operator before booking.
Step by step: planning each move
First, decide your hubs. Almost every itinerary is two or three towns, and each move between them is a flight or a boat, so fewer hubs means fewer chances of a weather delay. Book domestic flights as early as your dates allow: seats on the small aircraft that serve most towns sell out in summer, and prices rise closer to departure.
Second, check how you reach the airport or harbour. In Nuuk the new 2,200 m runway opened on 28 November 2024 and the terminal is a short ride from the centre; in smaller towns the airstrip or heliport is usually a short walk or taxi from the guesthouses. Ask your accommodation about the transfer when you book, because some settlements have no taxi at all.
Third, keep the last day free. Fog, wind and snow cancel flights and boats across Greenland, and a delay of a day or more is normal rather than exceptional. If you have an international flight home, position yourself in the departure town at least one day early, and buy travel insurance that covers weather disruption — see our travel insurance guide.
- Book domestic flights and any coastal ship berth as soon as dates are fixed.
- Confirm the airport or harbour transfer with your host before arrival.
- Leave one buffer day before every international departure.
- Recheck schedules the day before travel; operators post changes locally.
Notes: tickets, passes and practicalities
There is no national rail pass and no national bus pass, because there are no trains and no inter-town buses. Air Greenland sells point-to-point tickets and some seasonal fare products; ask at the ticket office or your hotel whether a multi-leg discount applies to your route. In Nuuk, city bus tickets are bought on board or via the local app, and the fare is low enough that a pass rarely matters.
Money and cards work the same way on transport as elsewhere: cards are widely accepted for flights, ferries and taxis, but carry some cash in small settlements. See greenland currency and tipping for the details. For connectivity while you move between towns, check our greenland esim page before you fly.
Winter changes the options. Dog sledding and snowmobiles operate north of the dog line, which runs at Sisimiut, so you will not find sled dogs in South Greenland. Sledding is usually booked as a tour with a local hunter rather than used as public transport. In summer, walking is the main way around every town, and most are small enough to cross on foot in 20–30 minutes.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Flight cancelled by weather | Re-book at the airport counter or by phone; keep the buffer day |
| Travelling with heavy luggage | Pre-book a taxi in Nuuk; small towns may have none |
| Winter travel north of Sisimiut | Book sled or snowmobile tours through a local operator |
| South Greenland in winter | No sled dogs; plan on flights, boats and walking |
| Late arrival | Confirm a late check-in with your accommodation in advance |
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Greenland?
Domestic flights for anything between regions, boats and helicopters for settlements without runways, and walking inside towns. There are no trains and no roads linking towns, so every long move is booked as a flight or a sea crossing.
Do I need a car in Greenland?
No. Towns are small and walkable, and you cannot drive between them. Rental cars exist in a few places, such as around Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq, mainly for local trips to the ice sheet or valley, not for touring the country.
Are there rail or bus passes for Greenland?
No. Greenland has no railways and no inter-town bus network, so there is nothing to pass. Air Greenland sells point-to-point tickets, and Nuuk's city buses charge a small single fare of about DKK 20.
How much does it cost to fly between Greenlandic towns?
Expect roughly DKK 1,500–5,000 one way on Air Greenland domestic routes, with shorter helicopter hops around DKK 800–3,000. These are 2026 estimates; summer seats sell out and prices rise closer to departure.
How long does it take to get from Nuuk to Ilulissat?
About 1.5 hours by air. Nuuk to Kangerlussuaq is about 45 minutes. There is no road or regular passenger boat link, so the flight is the practical option, and weather can delay it.
Can I get around Greenland by boat?
Yes, in some regions. Disko Line serves Disko Bay and operators run boats in South Greenland, while the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ship covers a longer route — check the current route and season, as schedules change by year.
What happens if my domestic flight is cancelled?
Weather cancellations are common, especially for helicopters and small aircraft. Operators re-book you on the next available departure, which can be a day or more later, so keep a buffer day before any international flight.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialAir Greenland
- officialVisit Greenland
- officialArctic Umiaq Line
- secondaryWikivoyage – Greenland