Svalbard - Norway - page 833

Norwegian ( www.norwegian.com ) also flies three times a week between Oslo-Garder-
moen and Longyearbyen.

Getting Around

AIRPORT BUS
The SAS Flybussen (Nkr60) connects with flights and runs between the airport and all of
the hotels.

BICYCLE
Bicycles can be rented for between Nkr150 and Nkr300 from Poli Arctici or Basecamp
Spitsbergen and various other, well-signposted outlets around town.

TAXI
Svalbard Maxi Taxi (

79 02 13 05) and Longyearbyen Taxi ( 79 02 13 75) charge

Nkr100 to Nkr150 for the journey between town and airport.

Around Longyearbyen

Although on the cusp of Longyearbyen, even these short hikes carry the risk of a polar
bear encounter. For that reason, you'll either need to seek permission (to hike and carry a
gun) from the governor's office or, more likely, join an organised group with an armed
guide.

Platåberget & Bjørndalen

The extensive upland region that overlooks Longyearbyen to the west is known as
Platåberget (commonly called the Plateau) and makes for a popular day hike. Either as-
cend a steep, scree-covered route from near the governor's office or sneak up Blomster-
dalen, not far from Mine No 3. You can also get onto Platåberget via Bjørndalen (yes, it
means 'bear valley'), south of the airport. Once on the plateau it's possible to continue to
the summit of Nordenskiöldsfjellet (1050m), where a Swedish observatory is said to have
once operated.