Kangerlussuaq
Travelers come to Kangerlussuaq to reach the Greenland ice sheet and the open tundra, with midnight sun in summer and northern lights in winter.
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Kangerlussuaq is a small settlement in West Greenland, in the Qeqqata municipality, and a common base for trips to the Greenland ice sheet. Its airport is a hub for flights within Greenland. The town has no road link to other settlements, so flights are how most visitors arrive. The area began as a wartime airfield used by US forces in the 1940s.
Most people come for the scenery: a wide valley of tundra and lakes, with musk oxen often seen on guided tours. Ice sheet trips take about an hour by vehicle, so a day out is a full one. The town is small, so the trip is built around tours and hikes rather than city sights. Summer suits hiking and long daylight, while winter suits northern lights. Three nights gives you time for the ice sheet trip without rushing it.
Kangerlussuaq in five
- Book flights in and out earlyKangerlussuaq has no road link to other settlements, so flights are the way in and out. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.Getting around
- Set up mobile data before you landSet up mobile data before you land so maps and bookings work on arrival.Phones and eSIM
- Carry Danish kroner in cashGreenland uses the Danish krone. Take cash for small purchases and tour deposits.Money and costs
- Book ice edge trips in advanceThe ice sheet edge is reached on guided trips, and weather can cancel them. Book one for an early day and keep a spare day in case of delays.Tours and tickets
- Check entry rules before you flyGreenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but outside the EU and the Schengen area. Check passport and visa rules before you book.Visas and entry
Need to know
- Currency
- Danish krone (DKK)
- Entry
- Passport needed; visa rules set by Denmark, check before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 112 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDark, cold
- FebruaryCold, aurora
- MarchSnow, aurora
- AprilSnow, longer days
- MayThaw, mild
- JuneLong days
- JulyWarm, insects
- AugustWarm, insects
- SeptemberAutumn color
- OctoberSnow returns
- NovemberDark, cold
- DecemberDark, cold
Right now in Kangerlussuaq
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 53%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 6%
Kangerlussuaq
06:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today5°-14°6%Monday: Fog. High 5°, Low -14°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Tue-3°-11°29%Tuesday: Snow. High -3°, Low -11°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Wed-10°-14°4%Wednesday: Fog. High -10°, Low -14°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu1°-10°13%Thursday: Snow. High 1°, Low -10°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Fri2°-7°14%Friday: Drizzle. High 2°, Low -7°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sat-7°-15°16%Saturday: Cloudy. High -7°, Low -15°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun-2°-15°21%Sunday: Snow. High -2°, Low -15°. Chance of rain 21%.
Updated 06:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.694 DKK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ice sheet edgeabout 1 hour by vehicleWalk to the ice edge on a guided trip; the cold and wind change fast.
- Sisimiutby airA coastal town with harbour views, reached only by air.
- Nuukby airThe capital, with museums and the main national services.
Before you go to Kangerlussuaq
Rules for Kangerlussuaq, checked
- Check passport and visa rules on the Danish immigration website before you book, because Greenland follows Danish entry rules.Source
- Drones need permission in Greenland. Check the local rules with the Greenland authorities before you fly one.
- Keep your distance from musk oxen and reindeer and never feed them.
Plan around Kangerlussuaq
Country overview, towns and the wider route beyond Kangerlussuaq
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights in and out and how to move between settlements
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a day in town
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for Greenland and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayHotel options in town and how far they are from the airport
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data for maps, bookings and calls
Read the guideKangerlussuaq FAQ
Is Kangerlussuaq worth visiting?
Yes, if you want the ice sheet edge, the valley and a quiet Arctic town. It is a small base, not a city, so plan for a short stay with a few set activities.
How do you get to Kangerlussuaq?
By air, through Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ). The town has no road link to other settlements, so flights are the only regular route in and out.
How many days do you need in Kangerlussuaq?
Two to three days covers an ice edge trip, a walk in the valley and a spare day for weather or flight changes.
Can I see musk oxen in Kangerlussuaq?
Yes, musk oxen and reindeer are seen in the valley around the town. Watch them from a distance and never feed them.
Where should I stay in Kangerlussuaq?
Stay in the town center if you want walking distance to hotels and services. Choose the airport side only if you have an early or late flight.
Is Kangerlussuaq a good day trip from another town?
Not by road, because there is no road link. Reaching it means a flight, so most visitors plan an overnight stay.