Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen uses Arctic/Longyearbyen, currently CEST (UTC+02:00). Clocks move back 1 hour on 25 October 2026.
As the capital of Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Longyearbyen plays a central role in national life, home to around 2,400 people. Local clocks move forward and back with daylight saving time each year.
The band below is your local scale — accent shows when everyone's business hours overlap. Add or remove a city on the left and this updates too.
Written for people arriving, calling in, or planning a trip around the time difference.
The small settlement is compact enough that most guesthouses sit within easy walking distance of shops and the main street. Its remote Arctic location means there's little practical distinction between central and outer areas.
Guided glacier and wildlife excursions are the main draw, best timed to the long daylight of the midnight-sun summer months when visibility is best. Winter's polar darkness instead offers a chance to see the northern lights.
The settlement itself is easily walkable, though venturing beyond it requires a guide due to polar bear safety rules. Snowmobiles are a common way to cover longer distances in winter.
Summer (roughly May–September) brings continuous daylight and milder temperatures suited to outdoor excursions, while the dark winter months are colder but offer northern lights viewing. Conditions stay cold year-round given the high Arctic latitude.
Svalbard and Jan Mayen uses the NOK, calling code +47.
The Norwegian krone is the official currency, and Norwegian is the official language, though English is very widely spoken and understood. Warm clothing is essential regardless of season.
