How To Get To Greenland: A Complete Guide For Adventurers

If you’re looking to visit Greenland, the world’s largest island, you’ll find a pristine landscape filled with glaciers, wildlife, and awe-inspiring fjords. While remote, getting to Greenland is easier than you might think. In this guide, I’ll break down your options on how to get to Greenland whether you are flying from Denmark or Iceland, what you need to know about immigration and how to pack efficiently given the limited baggage allowances on Greenlandic flights.

Greenland might feel like it’s at the world’s edge, but there are several direct flight routes from Europe. However, it’s important to know that flights to Greenland are limited, and most international flights pass through Denmark or Iceland.

Flights from 2025

Starting in 2025, Nuuk will take on the role of the primary international airport for Greenland, replacing Kangerlussuaq as the main gateway to the country. Alongside ongoing upgrades to the airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, Air Greenland will offer two daily Atlantic flights from Copenhagen to Nuuk making connections to the rest of the world much easier.

Flights from Denmark to Greenland

If you’re flying from Europe, Denmark is the most common departure point for flights to Greenland.

Copenhagen (CPH): As Denmark’s largest airport, Copenhagen is the primary gateway for international flights to Greenland. Air Greenland operates direct flights to Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) year-round and occasionally to Nuuk.
Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ): Kangerlussuaq is Greenland’s main hub, receiving most international flights. From here, you can connect to other Greenlandic destinations via smaller domestic flights.

Planning Tip: Copenhagen offers more frequent flights, especially during the summer months. If you’re planning an expedition into Greenland, book well in advance as these flights tend to fill up quickly.

Flights from Iceland to Greenland

Flying from Iceland offers a more adventurous route into Greenland, especially for travellers wanting to explore the western coastline.

Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV): Flights to Greenland depart from Reykjavík’s smaller domestic airport, not the international airport (KEF). Air Iceland Connect offers flights to key Greenlandic towns such as Ilulissat, Nuuk, and Kulusuk.
Iceland to Greenland flights are more seasonal and are typically available during the summer months when tourism is at its peak.

Summer Tip: If you’re planning a summer adventure, Reykjavík provides a great option for quicker access to places like Ilulissat, where you can witness the massive icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord.

view from a plane flying over the icefjord sowing the huge icebergs

Immigration: Arriving in Greenland via Europe

Even though Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it’s outside the European Union and Schengen Area. Here’s what you need to know about immigration:

Immigration in Europe: If you’re flying to Greenland from outside Europe, you’ll clear immigration at your first point of entry into Europe (Denmark or Iceland). Make sure you have the necessary visa or travel authorization for the Schengen zone if needed. Once you land in Greenland, no further immigration checks are required.
No Schengen for Greenland: Keep in mind that while Greenland is under Danish sovereignty, it does not follow the same visa regulations as Denmark.

Pro Tip: Double-check visa requirements for both Denmark or Iceland and Greenland before booking flights.

The Hub Airport: Kangerlussuaq

If you’re flying to Greenland, chances are you’ll land at Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ). Located inland, this is Greenland’s primary international hub and the main entry point for travellers. Most international flights from Copenhagen and seasonal routes from Reykjavík arrive here.

Once in Kangerlussuaq, you’ll likely need to take a domestic flight to your final destination, whether it’s Ilulissat for incredible iceberg views or Nuuk for a glimpse of Greenlandic culture.

Connecting Flights: Kangerlussuaq has flights to many smaller airports across Greenland, operated by Air Greenland. These planes are small and flight schedules can be limited depending on the season.

Baggage Allowances: Pack Light for Greenland

One of the most important things to know about flying to Greenland is the limited baggage allowances. This can be especially tricky when flying domestically within Greenland, as smaller planes are used to reach remote areas.

Air Greenland Flights from Denmark: On international flights from Denmark to Greenland, the checked baggage allowance is 20kg (44 lbs), with a carry-on limit of 8kg (17.6 lbs).
Air Iceland Connect Flights from Iceland: Baggage limits on flights from Reykjavík to Greenland are 20kg (44 lbs) for checked luggage and 6kg (13 lbs) for carry-ons.
Domestic Flights in Greenland: When taking smaller planes for internal flights, baggage allowances drop further. Some routes only allow up to 15kg (33 lbs) of checked luggage, so packing light from the outset is essential. Overweight baggage can result in extra charges, or in some cases, may be delayed if space is limited on the aircraft.

Packing Tip: Consider packing only the essentials, focusing on lightweight, versatile clothing, and travel photography gear. You can also send extra items by cargo if needed, but this requires advance planning.

plane used for internal flights in Greenland

How to Get to Greenland from the UK

Currently, there are no direct flights from the UK to Greenland. Travellers heading from the UK will need to fly to either Copenhagen, Denmark, or Keflavik, Iceland, and then connect to a Greenland-bound flight.

From London: London offers frequent flights to both Keflavik and Copenhagen, providing several options for reaching your connecting city.
Overnight Stops: Due to flight schedules, it’s sometimes necessary to stay overnight in either Copenhagen or Reykjavík.

How to Get to Greenland from Europe

The only direct flights to Greenland from Europe depart from Iceland and Denmark. If you’re travelling from another European country, you’ll first need to fly to either Copenhagen or Keflavík.

Copenhagen and Keflavík Connections: Copenhagen and Keflavík are well-connected to northern European cities with frequent daily flights.
- From Germany: Over 50 direct flights per day connect Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich to Copenhagen, with service from Lufthansa and SAS. Several daily flights also link German cities to Keflavík in Iceland.
- From France: Paris offers 15 direct flights per day to Copenhagen via EasyJet, Norwegian, and Transavia.

How to Get to Greenland from the USA and Canada

Currently, there are no direct flights between the USA and Greenland, but this could change in 2025 with the opening of new airports in Nuuk and Ilulissat.

From the USA via Iceland: The quickest way to reach Greenland from the USA is to fly to Iceland and take a connecting flight. From New York, the direct flight to Iceland takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes, with IcelandAir and Delta offering up to 12 flights per day from JFK. Other US cities with direct flights to Iceland include Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Minneapolis.
From the USA via Copenhagen: Flying to Greenland via Copenhagen is also an option, though longer. A direct flight from New York to Copenhagen takes around 7 hours and 40 minutes.
From Canada: Air Canada and IcelandAir offer direct flights between Toronto and Reykjavík, making it easy for Canadians to reach Iceland before connecting to Greenland.

How to Travel to Greenland from the Rest of the World

Travellers from other parts of the world will first need to reach either Copenhagen in Denmark or Keflavík in Iceland before connecting to Greenland. Both Copenhagen and Keflavík airports are well-connected internationally with a range of direct and indirect flights available via major European capitals.

Best Time to Travel to Greenland

If you’re planning a trip to Greenland, consider the time of year. The summer months (June to September) are the most popular due to milder weather, more accessible flights, and extended daylight hours perfect for photography.

Summer: Most flights and travel activities operate from June to September, making this the best time for visitors.
Winter: While it’s possible to visit in winter, flights are less frequent, and the weather is much more severe, making travel trickier.

Start Your Greenland Adventure

Greenland is a destination unlike any other, offering the chance to explore dramatic landscapes, glaciers, and wildlife. Whether you’re flying from Denmark or Iceland, getting to Greenland is straightforward once you understand the flight routes and immigration processes. Remember to pack light due to limited baggage allowances, and plan your travels in advance to ensure smooth connections, especially during peak seasons.