Packing list for Svalbard

Facts last verified 2026-10-03

The weather in Svalbard changes fast, and it’s cold even in summer. The secret isn’t one big jacket, but layers: wool next to the skin, something warm in the middle, and a windproof shell on top. Add proper boots, something for your feet indoors, and a few small extras, and you’re set.

If you forget something, don’t worry: the outdoor shops in Longyearbyen are well stocked, and everything is tax free.

The essentials, all year

• Proper boots. Waterproof, solid mountain boots or hiking shoes for rough, rocky ground in summer. In winter, warm winter boots with room for two pairs of wool socks.
• Indoor shoes or warm socks. In Longyearbyen you take your shoes off at hotels, many restaurants, shops, offices and museums, so bring slippers or light indoor shoes, or at least good wool socks. See Why Longyearbyen takes its boots off.
• Wool base layers. Long-sleeved wool underwear, top and bottom.
• A warm middle layer. One or more layers of wool or fleece.
• A windproof outer layer. A windproof, ideally waterproof, jacket and trousers.
• A hat and mittens. Warm and windproof, even in summer.
• Passport. Svalbard is outside Schengen, and there’s passport control both ways. See Getting there.
• A bank card, and a spare. There’s no bank or ATM in town. See The town with no bank and no ATM.
• A refillable water bottle, to fill with free drinking water at the store. See Glaciers everywhere, but don’t drink the tap water.

Winter: October to May

Normal winter temperatures run from −11 °C down to −30 °C, and the wind makes it feel colder.

• Several layers of wool and/or fleece under windproof outerwear.
• Warm winter boots, roomy enough for two pairs of wool socks.
• Warm, windproof mittens or gloves, a balaclava and a warm, windproof hat.
• Spikes for your shoes, for the icy roads in town.
• A reflective vest, because it’s dark much of the day, and a headlamp. See Northern lights and the polar night.

Summer: May to September

Summer temperatures average 3 to 7 °C, and the weather can change quickly.

• A windproof jacket and wool underwear, plus mittens and a hat.
• Waterproof boots, and gaiters for crossing streams: meltwater raises the water levels.
• A sleep mask. The midnight sun shines around the clock, and it can be hard to sleep. See Midnight sun and summer activities.

For trips and tours

• Check what’s included. Tour operators usually provide the special clothing you need for their trips, so ask before you buy. If in doubt, ask the operator what to bring.
• Your driving licence, if you want to drive a snowmobile or an ATV.
• Binoculars, for walruses, whales and bird cliffs.

Shopping in Longyearbyen

Forgot your mittens, or want a better jacket? Longyearbyen’s outdoor shops are well stocked, and most are on or near the pedestrian main street, including in the Lompen shopping centre:

• Longyear 78°, in the centre: outdoor clothing and equipment.
• Spitsbergen Sport, on the main street: clothing and equipment.
• Sportscenteret Svalbard, a sports shop in town.
• Arctica, in the Lompen centre: mountain equipment and clothing from well-known brands.
• Sport 1 Svalbard, in the Lompen centre, with brands such as Fjällräven, Norrøna, Bergans and Devold.
• Svalbardbutikken, the department store, also sells clothing.

Everything in Svalbard is tax free, and all shops in Longyearbyen take cards. You can also rent clothing and gear, along with snowmobiles and ATVs, from Svalbard Snøscooterutleie.