Subsequent week, United Airways will wind down its first summer time providing nonstop flights to Greenland, ending (for now) the one nonstop hyperlink between North America and the Arctic territory.
Nevertheless it’ll be again quickly: United has already mentioned it is returning to the capital metropolis of Nuuk in 2026, doubling down on its push to serve extra off-the-beaten-path locations.
And bookings are already open, whether or not you are hoping to pay out of pocket or redeem MileagePlus miles — although you will possible endure some sticker shock, both means.
Nuuk is house to a few of the most dramatic surroundings I’ve encountered in my travels — an ideal house base for Greenland’s many mountaineering, fishing and iceberg-spotting alternatives.
Or, go for a real off-the-grid glamping expertise just like the one which landed me in a heated yurt overlooking an icy fjord earlier this summer time.
Learn extra: United Airways connects the US to Greenland in historic new nonstop flight
“As an alternative of highways, we’ve got hikes. And as an alternative of quick meals, we’ve got meals that strikes quick earlier than you catch it,” Greenland enterprise minister Naaja Nathanielsen mentioned in June, shortly after United’s first flight arrived.
Here is what to anticipate in case you’re contemplating or planning a visit to Greenland subsequent summer time.
Reserving a visit to Greenland
Touring to such a distant vacation spot as Greenland may seem to be it could require a long-haul flight.
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It is truly solely a four-hour trek, give or take, from United’s Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) hub.
Airfare and award pricing
Be warned: Fares for this epic vacation spot are steep.
Spherical-trip tickets in June begin at $1,100 for a primary financial system ticket, and greater than a whopping $4,600 for a premium seat. Whereas United hasn’t introduced precise dates for 2026, the 2025 season ran between mid-June and late September — so you will have a couple of three-month window to journey.
Alternatively, you may ebook an award flight for 40,000 miles in coach — or a hefty 180,000 miles in premium financial system — every means.
United operates its Greenland route with a narrow-body, 166-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8, a airplane widespread in your common home flight.
The plane consists of 54 extra-legroom Economic system Plus seats and 16 first-class recliners within the entrance cabin, which, for this route, will get United’s long-haul Premium Plus (premium financial system) branding.
If you do not have sufficient United miles in your account, remember the fact that you may switch factors at a 1:1 ratio from Chase Final Rewards or test associate redemptions by its Star Alliance companions, like Singapore Airways and Air Canada.
Learn extra: Greatest United Airways bank cards
Resorts and lodging
Earlier than finalizing any nonrefundable flights, be sure to have lodging locked down.
Most vacationers to Greenland who aren’t happening a cruise base themselves within the capital metropolis of Nuuk, minutes from the primary airport.
Whereas there are each inns and short-term leases (like Airbnb) obtainable within the metropolis, capability can positively get tight; I actually had issue discovering an open room after I went final June, as did quite a few different vacationers I spoke with.
It is a actuality of the latest tourism inflow to a vacation spot that hasn’t beforehand welcomed guests in droves.
“The infrastructure is sort of fragile, in that sense,” Tanny Por, head of worldwide relations at Go to Greenland, acknowledged, whereas emphasizing that “There may be [enough] capability in Nuuk.”
Do not count on factors inns from Marriott, or the luxurious of a Park Hyatt, both. You will discover smaller, impartial properties just like the Resort Hans Egede, situated alongside the primary stretch of downtown Nuuk.
The lodge additionally affords apartment-style lodging a couple of blocks away on the Nuuk Resort Residences by Resort Hans Egede — like my spacious one-bedroom, one-bath flat that had the texture (and the facilities) of your run-of-the-mill Airbnb. Costs began at round $190 per evening.
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Condo lodging in Nuuk. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The lodge can also be affiliated with the newer, extra budget-friendly HHE Categorical property close by, which I would examine to a Hyatt Place or Hilton Backyard Inn.
I would additionally advocate checking lodging by credit score card-branded journey platforms like American Categorical Journey and Chase Journey℠.
You will wish to ebook a room with blackout curtains. The solar barely units in Nuuk throughout the summer time months, typically getting solely as darkish as twilight. For instance, here is the view from my house balcony at 1 a.m. on the evening I arrived.
What to anticipate arriving in Nuuk
Although it will be summer time, I would recommend placing on that heavy sweatshirt or coat as quickly as you contact down at Nuuk Worldwide Airport (GOH).
Regardless of leaving the heat of New York Metropolis’s summer time, you will arrive at a vacation spot the place temperatures could also be just a few levels above freezing.
And you may hit that chilly air as quickly as you deplane down the airstairs.
Airport and floor transportation
The airport terminal is brand-new, as is the runway. Each opened final November, setting the stage for brand spanking new worldwide flights, which embrace new service on each United and Scandinavian Airways, which additionally launched in 2025 from Copenhagen.
This summer time wasn’t with out some rising pains on the airport; at one level, a priority over safety personnel coaching led to a halt in worldwide flights.
However the amenities are actually a step ahead for Greenland.
“It is a massive alternative that opens a number of choices,” Greenland Airports CEO Jens Lauridsen informed me in June.
Inside, it is a tiny terminal with only a small customs space, a store for necessities and a espresso store.
Stepping exterior, you will instantly see Greenland’s rocky terrain. Whereas there are not any ride-hailing providers right here, you will discover loads of taxis, which typically settle for bank card funds for the quick, 10-minute experience to the Nuuk metropolis heart.
Downtown Nuuk
Nuuk is by far the largest metropolis in Greenland. It is maybe most recognizable for the multicolored homes that dot its shoreline.
With a inhabitants of lower than 20,000, Nuuk is hardly a booming metropolis. On days when the fog and clouds filter, you may take pleasure in beautiful mountain and water views whereas strolling the city, which has quite a lot of eating places and outlets.
On multiple event, I warmed up with a cup of espresso and lunch at Cafe Esmerelda, a block or two from my house.
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Nuuk, Greenland. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
I additionally dined at Nivi, a contemporary tapas restaurant downtown. Owing to town’s coastal location, there may be additionally a bevy of seafood-focused spots.
Pondering of cooking? Down by the water, the Kalaaliaraq Market is a well-liked spot to choose up freshly caught fish.
There’s additionally a grocery retailer alongside the primary avenue, the place I grabbed some bottled water and snacks.
Just like the taxis, almost each restaurant and retailer I visited accepted bank cards. Should you do pay money, the native forex is the Danish krone, owing to Greenland’s place within the Kingdom of Denmark.
I discovered the pricing to be just about on par with what you’d pay at house: $35 for a solo sit-down dinner, $29 for a full-service lunch and $24 for a taxi experience from city to the airport.
Getting round
Suffice to say, do not count on to hire a automotive or head out on a highway journey. Should you’re hoping to enterprise far exterior Nuuk, you will virtually actually be on a ship or a airplane.
Extra on each in a second.
What to do in Greenland
In launching Greenland flights, United was clear on who it thought the vacation spot would enchantment to.
“The journey traveler,” mentioned Patrick Quayle, the airline’s high community planner, who makes the ultimate choice on the place United flies.
“London, Rome, Paris, they’re at all times going to be well-liked,” Quayle informed me on the bottom in Nuuk. “Our prospects have been there so many occasions, they need one thing that is a bit totally different. And Greenland provides them a giant distinction.”
That distinction is probably most obvious within the actions you may select from throughout your journey to Greenland.
I began my first full day in Greenland with a three-hour hike ($93) on Quassussuaq Mountain simply exterior Nuuk, led by a information with the native firm Nuuk Water Taxi.
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Greenland. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Should you’re mountaineering, deliver your most waterproof mountaineering boots. You will be trekking by snow, even in summer time!
Nuuk Water Taxi additionally affords a variety of maritime excursions, from a whale safari to an ice fjord cruise within the close by (and beautiful) iceberg-laden Nuuk Fjord ($343).
Later in the summertime, you may ebook a ship tour ($140) to attempt to see the northern lights, which begin showing from about late August as soon as Nuuk truly begins to see true darkness at evening.
You may spend the evening in a glass igloo at Inuk Hostel and take a dip in a sizzling tub overlooking the water — earlier than retreating inside for a hearty bowl of fish soup.
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Overlooking the water in Nuuk, Greenland. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Or, be a part of Inuk Journey (as I did) on a utility terrain automobile tour of town’s high landmarks.
Headlining my journey: a two-hour boat experience deep into Nuuk Fjord for an epic one-night keep at Camp Kangiusaq, a 15-tent glamping website on a hillside overlooking the water.
Every of the heated tents has a cot and an outlet for charging an digital machine — although it’s possible you’ll not want it, because the campground is devoid of Wi-Fi or a mobile sign, which implies it is a true digital detox expertise.
You may go for a hike with a GPS tracker (for security), kayak or paddleboard across the icebergs, or take pleasure in a beverage in your dock overlooking the fjord.
Charges begin at $625 for a one-night keep.
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Tent at Camp Kangiusaq in Greenland. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Much more adventurous vacationers can ebook day journeys by air or water to see Greenland’s ice sheet, the most important on the planet, which covers a majority of the landmass.
Simply be ready with backup lodging and provides in case you’re going far out of city, tourism leaders stress: “In Greenland, nature is the one which [calls] the photographs generally, so I believe [tourists should be prepared] for that uncertainty,” Por mentioned. “It’s good to do analysis. I might say that is the very best recommendation.”
Useful suggestions for touring to Greenland
Truly, that is secure recommendation, no matter you are doing in Greenland.
It is not a vacation spot the place there is a Starbucks and a comfort retailer on each nook.
When you’ll typically discover any provides you want in Nuuk, its untouched pure magnificence is what makes the vacation spot such a novel draw for vacationers.
My different recommendation:
- I would advocate getting a journey insurance coverage coverage earlier than visiting, or checking to see what protections your bank card affords — simply to be ready in case the sudden occurs.
- Deliver a couple of additional days of garments in case you run into flight bother. As we noticed in August, cancellations can occur — and there is not at all times a direct backup flight to hop on.
- Err on the facet of heat: Temperatures throughout my go to hovered round 40 levels Fahrenheit, and most of the actions you will participate in are exterior.
Lastly, tourism officers ask that guests respect the native atmosphere they’re visiting.
And there is a lot to see.
“There’s alternative in that, and the wild nature is a spot the place you may actually, I suppose, end up,” Por mentioned. “In a world the place it is so noisy, Greenland can provide you that silence.”
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