Why Greenland is expensive and why expertise isn't free
Ilulissat view. Image source: Facebook, I Love Ilulissat Group
This is salty and a vent post.
I posted this strategically on Reddit in the r/greenlandtravel subreddit I moderate first and then our sister sub r/greenland a few days later. I’m pleased with the reception and the shares and views of these posts. The resounding expression from people that actually understand Greenland is clear: Greenland is expensive, and when I say expensive, I mean that Greenland is priced like Antarctica more than Norway or Iceland. It doesn’t look that remote on a map but the limited infrastructure and lack of competition keep prices very fair - but it’s high for the uninitiated.
Over the years, I have some hacks that can make some things cheaper but I go to the most expensive places in Greenland that few Greenlanders go to because of the expense. It’s home for me but I had to invest a lot to develop that trust and the connections. The cheaper way to visit these places is to go on one of my group trips. Split expenses and sharing rooms goes a long way. You also need to get very creative with the flights. I know how to do this, few do. This would require engaging me as a consultant. I can help but it’s not free.
I’m exhausted and quite frustrated by the interactions I’ve had that have been met with outright hostility from “journalists” when I mention the price of visiting Greenland in the best of times but especially right now before the major election on 11 March with an unprecedented amount of attention and scrutiny. I give prices based on real time prices on the airline and the hotels that have published rack rates.
To add insult to injury, I politely ask anyone that is engaging me to provide me a budget up front. We work backwards in Greenland to see if your budget is even in range of possibility. For some reason, people find this suspicious. We do not try to charge you the max budget. We try to go as low as possible but usually people think Greenland costs something like Iceland or Sweden. That’s not the Arctic like Greenland, Nunavut, and Alaska. It’s a different planet. And it’s really expensive you’re planning last minute during a period of never before seen demand - the media storm.
As detailed below, getting a price in remote Greenland is not looking something up on a database somewhere, and when there is unprecedented demand from a media storm, it’s even more complicated. Ice conditions dictate things as do fuel prices, hunting seasons, weather delays, availability, and many other priorities. Greenland is 4D chess. It takes time and relationships and it’s not simple. We have to align on many things in a sequential process first.
I am an incredibly generous person but my knowledge has been exploited. It’s something people run into a lot in the travel business and the expert business. So I came to a decision. I have no choice but to start charging fees for all interactions with me. There is one exception, if you’re engaging about one of my group trips, I’ll happily speak with you for free to help you decide.
If you need help with the black box that is Greenland, I’m happy to help but out of respect for my time and level of expertise, I charge now but I guarantee that it’s worth it.
The post is below. It’s written for media but it really applies to anyone that has never been to Greenland and wants to start planning a visit.
TLDR: In my numerous interactions with media companies from all over the world, this is what I'm seeing: They Don’t Get Greenland’s Costs – They think of it like any other remote location and don’t understand the extreme logistical and financial realities. I'm getting to the point where I will refuse journalists. It's that bad.
I cannot emphasize this enough. I will shout it from the rooftops:
Greenland is an extreme environment with extreme costs
Producing in Greenland is more like Antarctica or the deep Amazon than Iceland or Norway. A trip that costs $10K in Norway will be $30K+ in Greenland due to remote logistics, limited infrastructure, and extreme seasonality
Outline below - present this to your boss before you even THINK about coming to Greenland and engaging one of the pros like me on your project.
Rant over but it must be said. I find it shocking that journalists do no research prior to talking to us and get shocked by the prices.
I hope this post is clear. Please save it if you need to.
--
I. The Cost of Greenland: Why Is It So Expensive?
Geography & Infrastructure
No roads between towns—every trip requires a plane, helicopter, boat, or snowmobile.
Most freight is shipped in from Denmark, meaning everything is imported—food, fuel, equipment, even toilet paper.
Limited hotels & guesthouses = high demand, high prices.
Air Travel: One of the Most Expensive in the World
Flights from Copenhagen to Nuuk start at $1,000+ round-trip—more if booked late.
A domestic flight from Nuuk to Ilulissat (~600 miles) can cost the same as a transatlantic ticket.
Helicopters are a necessity, not a luxury—short distances can cost thousands.
High Wages & Limited Workforce
Greenland has one of the highest minimum wages in the world (~$14/hour).
Limited workforce = hiring a single guide or fixer costs more than in most countries.
Skilled professionals (boat captains, drone pilots, translators) charge premium rates due to scarcity.
Seasonality: The “Ice Tax”
During winter, logistics slow down, and specialized transport (dog sleds, helicopters) is required.
Summer is high season—limited resources mean last-minute bookings are nearly impossible.
II. Expect Delays: Greenland Runs on Nature’s Time
Unpredictable Weather & Flight Delays
Weather in Greenland changes hourly—fog, high winds, and ice can shut down flights for days.
Even Nuuk, the capital, frequently experiences cancellations due to coastal storms.
Filming schedules must have buffer days—tight itineraries are unrealistic.
Limited Flights & Alternative Routes
Domestic flights don’t have multiple daily departures—if one is canceled, you’re waiting until the next scheduled flight (which could be days later).
Boats are a great backup if the ice allows it—but even that isn’t guaranteed.
Freight & Equipment Delays
Shipping gear to Greenland can take weeks, even months if it’s coming from outside Denmark.
Anything lost or delayed cannot be replaced locally—bring duplicates of crucial equipment.
III. Understanding Greenland’s Regions: What You Get & What You Don’t
Nuuk (Capital Region): “The Closest to Normal”
Has hotels, cafés, modern infrastructure, but still no roads outside the city.
Better internet, more flights, but unpredictable weather.
Media presence is overwhelming due to the election & Trump controversy.
Ilulissat (Tourism Hotspot, Iceberg Capital)
Most accessible for film crews—stunning scenery, easier logistics, more flights.
Hotels are booked months in advance—last-minute stays are near impossible.
Boats are the main mode of transport, but ice conditions can cancel trips.
South Greenland (Remote, Viking History, Farming Culture)
Stunning landscapes, Norse ruins, sheep farms—but harder to reach.
Infrastructure is more limited—fewer hotels, guides, and transport options.
Some areas (like Qaqortoq) can be reached by ferry, but schedules are rigid.
Extreme North & East Greenland (Qaanaaq, Ittoqqortoormiit, Tasiilaq)
Most remote, hardest to access, most expensive.
Flights are rare and costly—logistics require serious planning.
Inuit hunting communities, extreme Arctic conditions, stunning landscapes.
IV. What This Means for Media & Production Teams
Greenland is Expensive Because It Has to Be
High costs are not inflated—this is the reality of the Arctic.
No roads, imported goods, extreme conditions = logistical challenges that drive up prices.
Delays Are a Given—Plan for Them
Weather, logistics, and political chaos make Greenland unpredictable.
Backup plans are a must—boats, buffer days, extra transport.
Media Storm = Harder Access
Journalists, documentary crews, and government delegations are taking up resources.
Booking must be done well in advance—there is no room for last-minute flexibility.
Final Takeaway
Greenland is not a place for cut-rate budgets or rushed timelines.
It’s remote, expensive, and unpredictable—but that’s what makes it special.
If you want the story, you have to respect the realities of the Arctic.