Preparing for the Arctic is less about packing lists and more about logistics discipline. Even experienced travellers can be caught out by how Arctic routes actually work—especially in Europe, where many journeys depend on early departures, limited connections, and weather buffers.

Which Countries in Europe Are Best for Arctic Travel?

For a well-supported Arctic trip with reliable infrastructure, Europe offers four strong gateways: Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland. These destinations combine high-latitude access with good aviation networks, strong winter operations, and a travel ecosystem built around snow season. Beyond these four, the journey often becomes more complex (fewer connections, less predictable transport, and more operational risk).

Flying Up North: The Early-Flight Reality

Most flights heading into Arctic regions depart very early—often around 06:30–07:30. That typically means arriving at the airport by 05:00 (or earlier). For many travellers, especially those who are 50+ or travelling solo, this is simply not convenient—but it is common. Arctic schedules often depend on daylight windows, aircraft rotations, and weather resilience. The best approach is to plan around the early departure rather than fighting it.

Airport Hotels: What “Near” Really Means

A frequent mistake is assuming an “airport hotel” means walkable from the terminal. In practice, many are located a few miles away and depend on a shuttle or taxi. That adds friction at exactly the wrong moment: cold, dark, and time-critical. For a smoother start, experienced travellers often:

• Book an airport hotel the night before an early departure (especially for flights around 7am).
• Confirm shuttle times in advance—don’t assume the first shuttle runs early enough.
• Choose brands with consistent airport coverage so the process is repeatable in any country.

Use Hotel Apps (Especially for Airport Properties)

Hotel apps are not just marketing. For airport stays they are genuinely practical: faster check-in, clear late-arrival handling, and better visibility on shuttle details and property messaging. Many frequent travellers keep one or two hotel group apps installed specifically for airport nights. Tip: identify which brands you personally like and that frequently operate airport hotels. Once you have that, booking becomes faster and more consistent across Europe.

Joining Reward Programmes: Less About Points, More About Reliability

Hotel reward programmes are underrated for airport-night travel. The real benefit is not the occasional upgrade—it’s operational reliability. Priority support, more flexible cancellation options, and faster handling when travel disrupts can matter far more than points. For Arctic trips, where delays and changes are part of the reality, reducing friction is the objective. A smooth airport night is not glamorous—but it often decides whether the first day of the Arctic experience starts with energy or exhaustion.