Getting to Ittoqqortoormiit is not just a trip. It is a full expedition. This town sits on the Liverpool Land peninsula in East Greenland. It is one of the most isolated places on Earth. There are no roads. For nine months of the year, thick sea ice blocks all access by water.
To get here from the USA in 2026, you must travel through Iceland in stages.
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Phase 1: Start in Iceland
There are no direct flights from North America to East Greenland. Your first stop is Iceland.
Fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Airlines like Icelandair and Delta fly here from major US cities, including JFK, BOS, and SEA.
- Always book at least one buffer night in Reykjavik. Arctic weather causes frequent delays. Small planes to Greenland will not wait for a late transatlantic flight. A buffer night protects your trip.
Phase 2: Cross the Denmark Strait
You cannot fly to East Greenland from Keflavík. You must move to one of two smaller airports. Flights are operated by Norlandair, sometimes in partnership with Air Greenland or Icelandair.
- Option A: Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV) This airport is in the heart of Reykjavik, about 45 minutes from KEF. Flights go to Nerlerit Inaat, also called Constable Point (CNP). They usually run once or twice a week, often on Thursdays. The flight takes around 3 hours.
- Option B: Akureyri Airport (AEY). Akureyri is in northern Iceland. You can get there by a 45-minute domestic flight from Reykjavik or a 5-hour drive. This airport is often used for charter expeditions to Constable Point.
About Constable Point: This is not a town. It is a gravel airstrip built in the 1980s by an oil company. There are no hotels or shops. Just a small terminal building.
Phase 3: The Final 40 km
Once you land at Constable Point, you are still 40 km from Ittoqqortoormiit. How you cover this last stretch depends on the season.
- Winter and Spring (January to June) You travel by Air Greenland helicopter. The flight takes just 15 minutes over the frozen Hurry Inlet. This is the only way into town when the sea is frozen. Book this leg as a connecting flight timed to meet your Norlandair arrival.
- Summer (July to August) You travel by boat. The ride takes about one hour through the icebergs of Scoresby Sund. Book this through a local outfitter like Nanu Travel.
Option: Expedition Cruise
If the multi-stage journey sounds too complex, consider an expedition cruise. Companies like Oceanwide Expeditions and Quark offer cruises that stop at Ittoqqortoormiit.
Cruises usually depart from Akureyri in Iceland or Longyearbyen in Svalbard. The best time is late August to September. All logistics are handled for you. You also get to explore the world’s largest fjord system along the way.
The downside is limited time in the village, usually just a few hours.
Key Travel Tips for 2026
Luggage limits are strict. Twin Otter planes carry only 9 to 15 passengers. Baggage is limited to 15 to 20 kg total. Extra weight is costly and may get bumped to a later flight. Pack light.
There is no roaming. Buy a local Greenlandic SIM card or be ready for a full digital detox.
Book early. Flights have very few seats. Book at least 6 to 9 months in advance.
Budget for flights. A round trip from Iceland to Ittoqqortoormiit costs roughly $900 to $1,500 USD. This does not include your flights from the USA.
