Traveling to Greenland on United Airlines: What to expect, and what to do once you’re there

Next week, United Airlines will wind down its first summer offering nonstop flights to Greenland, ending (for now) the only nonstop link between North America and the Arctic territory.

But it’ll be back soon: United has already said it’s returning to the capital city of Nuuk in 2026, doubling down on its push to serve more off-the-beaten-path destinations.

And bookings are already open, whether you’re hoping to pay out of pocket or redeem MileagePlus miles — though you’ll likely endure some sticker shock, either way.

Nuuk is home to some of the most dramatic scenery I’ve encountered in my travels — a perfect home base for Greenland’s many hiking, fishing and iceberg-spotting opportunities.

Or, opt for a true off-the-grid glamping experience like the one that landed me in a heated yurt overlooking an icy fjord earlier this summer.

Read more: United Airlines connects the US to Greenland in historic new nonstop flight

“Instead of highways, we have hikes. And instead of fast food, we have food that moves fast before you catch it,” Greenland business minister Naaja Nathanielsen said in June, shortly after United’s first flight arrived.

Here’s what to expect if you’re considering or planning a trip to Greenland next summer.

Booking a trip to Greenland

Traveling to such a remote destination as Greenland might seem like it would require a long-haul flight.

It’s actually only a four-hour trek, give or take, from United’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) hub.

Airfare and award pricing

Be warned: Fares for this epic destination are steep.

Round-trip tickets in June start at $1,100 for a basic economy ticket, and more than a whopping $4,600 for a premium seat. While United hasn’t announced exact dates for 2026, the 2025 season ran between mid-June and late September — so you have about a three-month window to travel.

Alternatively, you could book an award flight for 40,000 miles in coach — or a hefty 180,000 miles in premium economy — each way.

United operates its Greenland route with a narrow-body, 166-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8, a plane common on your average domestic flight.

The aircraft includes 54 extra-legroom Economy Plus seats and 16 first-class recliners in the front cabin, which, for this route, gets United’s long-haul Premium Plus (premium economy) branding.

If you don’t have enough United miles in your account, keep in mind that you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from Chase Ultimate Rewards or check partner redemptions through its Star Alliance partners, like Singapore Airlines and Air Canada.

Read more: Best United Airlines credit cards

Hotels and lodging

Before finalizing any nonrefundable flights, make sure you have lodging locked down.

Most travelers to Greenland who aren’t going on a cruise base themselves in the capital city of Nuuk, minutes from the main airport.

While there are both hotels and short-term rentals (like Airbnb) available in the city, capacity can definitely get tight; I certainly had difficulty finding an open room when I went last June, as did numerous other travelers I spoke with.

It’s a reality of the recent tourism influx to a destination that hasn’t previously welcomed visitors in droves.

“The infrastructure is quite fragile, in that sense,” Tanny Por, head of international relations at Visit Greenland, acknowledged, while emphasizing that “There is [enough] capacity in Nuuk.”

Don’t expect points hotels from Marriott, or the luxury of a Park Hyatt, either. You’ll find smaller, independent properties like the Hotel Hans Egede, located along the main stretch of downtown Nuuk.

The hotel also offers apartment-style accommodations a few blocks away at the Nuuk Hotel Apartments by Hotel Hans Egede — like my spacious one-bedroom, one-bath flat that had the feel (and the amenities) of your run-of-the-mill Airbnb. Prices started at around $190 per night.

The hotel is also affiliated with the newer, more budget-friendly HHE Express property nearby, which I’d compare to a Hyatt Place or Hilton Garden Inn.

I’d also recommend checking accommodations through credit card-branded travel platforms like American Express Travel and Chase Travel℠.

You’ll want to book a room with blackout curtains. The sun barely sets in Nuuk during the summer months, often getting only as dark as twilight. For example, here’s the view from my apartment balcony at 1 a.m. on the night I arrived.

What to expect arriving in Nuuk

Even though it’ll be summer, I’d suggest putting on that heavy sweatshirt or coat as soon as you touch down at Nuuk International Airport (GOH).

Despite leaving the warmth of New York City’s summer, you’ll arrive at a destination where temperatures may be only a few degrees above freezing.

And you’ll hit that cold air as soon as you deplane down the airstairs.

Airport and ground transportation

The airport terminal is brand-new, as is the runway. Both opened last November, setting the stage for new international flights, which include new service on both United and Scandinavian Airlines, which also launched in 2025 from Copenhagen.

This summer wasn’t without some growing pains at the airport; at one point, a concern over security personnel training led to a halt in international flights.

But the facilities are certainly a step forward for Greenland.

“It’s a big opportunity that opens a lot of options,” Greenland Airports CEO Jens Lauridsen told me in June.

Inside, it’s a tiny terminal with just a small customs area, a shop for essentials and a coffee shop.

Stepping outside, you’ll immediately see Greenland’s rocky terrain. While there are no ride-hailing services here, you’ll find plenty of taxis, which generally accept credit card payments for the short, 10-minute ride to the Nuuk city center.

Downtown Nuuk

Nuuk is by far the biggest city in Greenland. It’s perhaps most recognizable for the multicolored houses that dot its coastline.

With a population of less than 20,000, Nuuk is hardly a booming metropolis. On days when the fog and clouds clear out, you can enjoy stunning mountain and water views while strolling the town, which has a variety of restaurants and shops.

On more than one occasion, I warmed up with a cup of coffee and lunch at Cafe Esmerelda, a block or two from my apartment.

I also dined at Nivi, a modern tapas restaurant downtown. Owing to the city’s coastal location, there is also a bevy of seafood-focused spots.

Thinking of cooking? Down by the water, the Kalaaliaraq Market is a popular spot to pick up freshly caught fish.

There’s also a grocery store along the main street, where I grabbed some bottled water and snacks.

Like the taxis, nearly every restaurant and store I visited accepted credit cards. If you do pay cash, the local currency is the Danish krone, owing to Greenland’s place in the Kingdom of Denmark.

I found the pricing to be pretty much on par with what you’d pay at home: $35 for a solo sit-down dinner, $29 for a full-service lunch and $24 for a taxi ride from town to the airport.

Getting around

Suffice to say, don’t expect to rent a car or head out on a road trip. If you’re hoping to venture far outside Nuuk, you’ll almost certainly be on a boat or a plane.

More on both in a moment.

What to do in Greenland

In launching Greenland flights, United was clear on who it thought the destination would appeal to.

“The adventure traveler,” said Patrick Quayle, the airline’s top network planner, who makes the final decision on where United flies.

“London, Rome, Paris, they’re always going to be popular,” Quayle told me on the ground in Nuuk. “Our customers have been there so many times, they want something that’s a bit different. And Greenland gives them a big difference.”

That difference is perhaps most apparent in the activities you can choose from during your trip to Greenland.

I started my first full day in Greenland with a three-hour hike ($93) on Quassussuaq Mountain just outside Nuuk, led by a guide with the local company Nuuk Water Taxi.

If you’re hiking, bring your most waterproof hiking boots. You’ll be trekking through snow, even in summer!

Nuuk Water Taxi also offers a wide range of maritime excursions, from a whale safari to an ice fjord cruise in the nearby (and stunning) iceberg-laden Nuuk Fjord ($343).

Later in the summer, you can book a boat tour ($140) to try and see the northern lights, which start appearing from about late August once Nuuk actually starts to see true darkness at night.

You can spend the night in a glass igloo at Inuk Hostel and take a dip in a hot tub overlooking the water — before retreating inside for a hearty bowl of fish soup.

Or, join Inuk Travel (as I did) on a utility terrain vehicle tour of the city’s top landmarks.

Headlining my trip: a two-hour boat ride deep into Nuuk Fjord for an epic one-night stay at Camp Kangiusaq, a 15-tent glamping site on a hillside overlooking the water.

Each of the heated tents has a cot and an outlet for charging an electronic device — though you may not need it, since the campground is devoid of Wi-Fi or a cellular signal, which means it’s a true digital detox experience.

You can go for a hike with a GPS tracker (for safety), kayak or paddleboard around the icebergs, or enjoy a beverage on your dock overlooking the fjord.

Rates start at $625 for a one-night stay.

Even more adventurous travelers can book day trips by air or water to see Greenland’s ice sheet, the largest in the world, which covers a majority of the landmass.

Just be prepared with backup accommodations and supplies if you’re going far out of town, tourism leaders stress: “In Greenland, nature is the one that [calls] the shots sometimes, so I think [tourists should be prepared] for that uncertainty,” Por said. “It is good to do research. I would say that’s the best advice.”

Helpful tips for traveling to Greenland

Actually, that’s safe advice, whatever you’re doing in Greenland.

It’s not a destination where there’s a Starbucks and a convenience store on every corner.

While you’ll generally find any supplies you need in Nuuk, its untouched natural beauty is what makes the destination such a unique draw for tourists.

My other advice:

• I’d recommend getting a travel insurance policy before visiting, or checking to see what protections your credit card offers — just to be prepared in case the unexpected happens.
• Bring a few extra days of clothes in case you run into flight trouble. As we saw in August, cancellations can happen — and there isn’t always an immediate backup flight to hop on.
• Err on the side of warm: Temperatures during my visit hovered around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and many of the activities you’ll take part in are outside.

Finally, tourism officials ask that visitors respect the local environment they’re visiting.

And there’s so much to see.

“There’s opportunity in that, and the wild nature is a place where you can really, I guess, find yourself,” Por said. “In a world where it’s so noisy, Greenland can give you that silence.”

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