Territory capital · Norway
BarentsburgБаренцбург
Go as a boat day trip from Longyearbyen (2–3 h each way, about 2 h ashore) or sleep one night; skip as a base — there is no road out.
Barentsburg is a Russian coal settlement of about 470 people on Isfjord, the only one of Svalbard's Russian towns still running after Pyramiden closed in 1998. Visitors come from Longyearbyen by boat in the March–November season, or by snowmobile in late winter, and see the Lenin statue, the chapel, the Pomor Museum and the mine in about two hours. One night adds the husky centre and the sport hall; there is no road in or out.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NOK
- Best months
- Mar–May (snowmobile, auroras), Jun–Aug (boat, midnight sun)
- avoid Nov–Feb (polar night, few boats, cold and dark)
- Airport
- LYR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Norway ↗Norway is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Norway ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at the state Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not in the evenings or on Sundays.
- Norway ↗The right to roam (allemannsretten) lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, keeping a distance from homes and leaving no trace.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Barentsburg112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Barentsburg, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK, kr); the euro is not used.Norway-wide
- SIM or eSIMEEA roaming applies: EU and EEA SIMs work at home prices.Norway-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent; streams in the mountains are usually drinkable, but avoid water below farms and grazing.Norway-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Included; round up or add 5–10% for good service.Norway-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Norway-wide
- SafetyThe settlement itself is calm and small; the risk is outside it.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree or card-paid (NOK 10–20 (≈ US$1–2)) in towns; trailheads often have pit toilets.Norway-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 113 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays out of season; small fjord-village hotels and cafés close October–April.Norway-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLYR Svalbard Airport, Longyearbyen (No scheduled flights to Barentsburg; the heliport is for the mining company, not tourist charters.
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: about 220 steps from the dock up to the main street, ulitsa Ivana Starostina, and everything sits along it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketPomor Museum entry50 kr
- Budget bedHostel Pomor triple room, a night, per roomNOK 1,000 (≈ US$100)
- Mid-range bedBarentsburg Hotel double room, a night, per roomNOK 1,800 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedBarentsburg Hotel double room, a night, per roomNOK 2,400 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NOK 700 (≈ US$70) · Mid NOK 1,400 (≈ US$140) · High NOK 2,500 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LYR Svalbard Airport, Longyearbyen (No scheduled flights to Barentsburg; the heliport is for the mining company, not tourist charters. Most visitors reach Barentsburg by boat from Longyearbyen.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
Feb
Avoid
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
Mar
Best
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
Apr
Best
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
May
Best
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Jun
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Jul
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Aug
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Sep
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Oct
not flagged
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Nov
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Dec
Avoid
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
Best: Mar–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)), coolest Feb (−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C) low), wettest Aug (11 rain days), driest Apr (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Barentsburg: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
10 rd
Feb
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
9 rd
Mar
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
9 rd
Apr
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
8 rd
May
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Jun
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Jul
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Aug
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Sep
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Oct
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
11 rd
Nov
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
10 rd
Dec
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable: about 220 steps from the dock up to the main street, ulitsa Ivana Starostina, and everything sits along it. Outside town you need a guide, or a rifle and signal gun for polar bear risk.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Longyearbyen
goDoor to door: 2–3 h each way by boat
Boat with the town's travel company, or snowmobile in late winter
The standard way in and out; day trips give about 2 h ashore.
Pyramiden
goDoor to door: Full day
Boat from Longyearbyen, usually combined with Barentsburg
The other Russian settlement, abandoned in 1998; same operator.
Ny-Ålesund
skipDoor to door: A separate trip
No direct link; go via Longyearbyen
Not reachable from Barentsburg without returning to Longyearbyen.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Barentsburg Hotel
1988 block, about 46 rooms, breakfast and Wi-Fi, bar, restaurant and sauna; the main option for one night.
Hostel Pomor
About 78 beds in twin and triple rooms, shared kitchens and laundry, free Wi-Fi; cheaper, book through the town's travel company.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 700–1,200 kr excl. bed
- Mid
- 1,200–2,000 kr excl. bed
- High
- 2,000 kr+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Barentsburg Hotel double room1 × 1 night × NOK 1,800 | NOK 1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NOK 1,400 | NOK 2,800 |
| Boat day trip from Longyearbyen, return2 × NOK 2,000 · check | NOK 4,000 |
| Guided coal mine tour2 × NOK 700 | NOK 1,400 |
| Pomor Museum entry2 × NOK 50 | NOK 100 |
| Art Arctic Gallery entry2 × NOK 75 | NOK 150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NOK 1,025 |
| Trip total≈ NOK 5,638 per person per day, bed included | NOK 11,275≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in kroner; the boat from Longyearbyen is the big cost and is usually bought as a package. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pomor Museum entry | 50 kr |
| Art Arctic Gallery entry (15+) | 75 kr |
| Guided coal mine tour | 700 kr |
| Barentsburg Hotel room | around 1,800 kr |
| Hostel Pomor double / triple | 800 kr / 1,000 kr |
| Boat day trip from Longyearbyen, returncheck | 1,500–3,000 kr |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Polar bears are a real risk outside the settlement: carry a rifle and signal gun or go with a guide.
- No roads connect Barentsburg to Longyearbyen; the only ways in are boat, snowmobile or a two-day hike.
- The heliport serves the mining company, not tourist charters — do not plan on flying in.
- Boats run roughly March–November; outside that window access is snowmobile or nothing.
- Prices are Norwegian-level even though the town is Russian; cards work, but carry some cash as backup.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 113
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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BarentsburgБаренцбург
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
По этому адресу, пожалуйстаTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance113
- Fire110
Embassy
Norway handles consular matters; the Russian consulate in Barentsburg is not a general tourist service. Most embassies are in Oslo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Longyearbyen → Barentsburg: 2–3 h each way, March–November season
- Guided coal mine tour: 700 kr
- Pomor Museum entry: 50 kr
Say or show
- Здравствуйте — Hello (zdravstvuyte)
- Спасибо — Thank you (spasibo)
- Сколько стоит? — How much is it? (skolko stoit)
- Можно картой? — Can I pay by card? (mozhno kartoy)
- Где туалет? — Where is the toilet? (gde tualet)
- Я не понимаю — I don't understand (ya ne ponimayu)
English is widely understood; Russian is the local language.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Barentsburg. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May (snowmobile, auroras), Jun–Aug (boat, midnight sun) · avoid Nov–Feb (polar night, few boats, cold and dark) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat and snowmobile departure times from Longyearbyen, with the last return of the day.
- Mine tour and husky centre slots, with English-language times.
- Polar bear rifle and signal gun rules for hikes outside town.
- Hotel and hostel booking windows for the short summer season.