Things to know about the North Pole

  • At 90 degrees north you'll be standing at the point on which all lines of longitude converge
  • There are only around 5 trips per year for 640 passengers
  • A total of just 1,000 people a year reach this point
  • Travel on an icebreaker through ice 6-10 feet thick
  • The Pole is around 700 miles from the nearest land
  • While there is not much wildlife at the Pole itself you are likely to see polar bears, seals, walrus, whales and plenty of birds along the way

Swoop says

Swoop Says background image

Bucket List destinations don't get any bigger than the chance to stand at the North Pole where all lines of longitude converge.

Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic

Our North Pole Voyages

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

North Pole in Luxury

Reach the top of the world in serious comfort onboard a state-of-the-art luxury, hybrid-powered icebreaker. Travel north through icebound waters and join the exclusive list of intrepid explorers who have visited the geographical North…

  • 16 Days
  • $44,900
Ultimate North Pole Marathon

Book your place for the world’s coolest marathon. Maximum kudos and bragging points included. Fly by charter flight direct from Paris to Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic where you embark the world’s most advanced icebreaker ship for your journey to…

  • 16 Days
  • $53,073
The Geographic North Pole & East Greenland

As if a voyage to the North Pole isn’t special enough, this extended version includes exploring both east Greenland and Svalbard as well, thereby ticking off three very distinct and contrasting parts of The Arctic in a single thrilling voyage.…

  • 18 Days
  • $47,010

How to get to the North Pole

Though inaccessible for most of the year, it is possible to travel to the North Pole in June and July when the ice is thinner, or in April if travelling via helicopter.

North Pole voyages sail from Reykjavík in Iceland or Longyearbyen in Svalbard. 

Travelling by a luxury icebreaker ship, you'll crush through multi-year ice to reach 90 degrees north where you can disembark, stand atop 13,000 ft of Arctic ocean and gaze at a mosaic of ice sheets.

Le Commandant Charcot in the Arctic ice

Le Commandant Charcot in the Arctic ice

The North Pole: FAQs

  • During which months can I travel to the North Pole by ship?

    It's only possible to travel to the North Pole by ship during June and July. Outside of these months, you can consider travelling by plane and helicopter, or by the hauled-sled route. Ask our specialists for more details on your options.

  • How many days is a trip to the North Pole?

    Typically 16 days in length, excluding travel days to and from your start and finish point in Paris. Days at sea are jam-packed full of lectures, time spent getting to know your fellow adventurers, and opportunities to gain valuable insights from your specialist expedition leaders. You'll also be looking out for wildlife, getting off on zodiac excursions, and preparing yourself for reaching the North Pole.

  • How much does a cruise to the North Pole cost?

    Cruises to the North Pole cost from USD $45,000 per person, depending on which cabin category you choose.

  • When should I start to plan my trip?

    With only a small number of North Pole trips each season, you are strongly recommended to book early, approximately 12 to 18 months in advance. 

  • What's the weather like at the North Pole?

    The average temperature during the summer months is 32°F (0°C), and the atmosphere is dry and the sun remains low in the sky. However, the weather in the Arctic is hugely variable, and it's worth being prepared for all eventualities so that you can be sure you'll still enjoy your trip if the weather turns.

Arctic Guide

The Arctic is so vast and diverse that one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to begin. Our exclusive guide will help you get started with your travel plans.

Download Guide

Discover the Arctic

Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot

Travel in luxurious surroundings on board this purpose built ice breaker. Designed to minimise the environmental impact of travel while maximising the expedition approach.

Discover More
A guide to Arctic travel

A guide to Arctic travel

Standing as an ice mass that stretches up to 14 million square miles at peak winter, the Arctic is one of the last wildernesses left on Earth. The Frozen Planet series inspired …

Discover More
How to get to the Arctic

How to get to the Arctic

You're planning a trip to the end of the earth! Now, how to get there? With multiple countries and entry points, tricky weather conditions and vast distances, this is a decision to…

Discover More
When to visit the Arctic

When to visit the Arctic

The arctic summer, blessed with long days and buzz of wildlife and human activity, is favoured by travellers seeking the classic arctic experience. But delve deeper and you'll find…

Discover More

Ready to Book Your Arctic Adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.

2
Match

Match

Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.

3
Reserve

Reserve

We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.

Our team of experts are ready to help you with any questions about a trip to the Arctic.