Guidance

Arctic travel safety advice

Planning for the risks of Arctic travel, including during cruises.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
15 December 2023

The Arctic includes northern parts of:

  • Canada
  • Finland
  • Greenland (part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
  • Iceland (some remote northern parts)
  • Norway (including the Svalbard archipelago and Jan Mayen island)
  • Russia
  • Sweden
  • USA (Alaska)
  • the Arctic Ocean (including voyages to the North Pole)

Risks of Arctic travel

Most British nationals visiting the Arctic each year travel safely. Consular assistance to British nationals in the Arctic can be limited and is unlikely to be available in person given the remoteness of the locations. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is unable to organise any rescue operations from the Arctic.

Before you visit:

  • consider the remote nature of certain destinations and review what access you would have to medical facilities, search and rescue, and evacuation
  • make sure you have appropriate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment or repatriation
  • have emergency plans in place, particularly if you are an independent traveller (you are travelling independent of a group or organised tour)
  • follow advice from local authorities in the part of the Arctic you are visiting

Land-based Arctic travel

When on land expeditions, consider taking precautions against:

  • dangers on glaciers
  • avalanches
  • polar bear attacks
  • extreme and unpredictable weather conditions

Cruises to the Arctic

Most people visit the Arctic by ship. Some areas of the Arctic are uncharted and ice-covered. Search and rescue teams called to cruise ships in Arctic waters may be very far away and take several days to arrive, particularly in bad weather. They can only offer basic transport and medical care and are unlikely to be able to offer advanced life support.

Before you book:

  • check the experience and credentials of operators
  • review the on-board medical facilities and discuss any pre-existing conditions with your cruise operator

Responsible tourism

Many tourism and cruise companies that operate in the Arctic subscribe to the standards and guidelines of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). If your operator is a member of AECO, they support safe, responsible and sustainable tourism in the Arctic.

AECO has produced a set of guidelines for visitors to the Arctic, which includes safety precautions and environmental, cultural and social responsibilities.

You should respect the rights and cultures of indigenous communities and other local people living in the Arctic.

Travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

You should also consult the FCDO travel advice page for the country you are visiting:

Disclaimer

You can read the disclaimer relating to this guidance.

Published 15 December 2023
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