Kangerlussuaq services
Kangerlussuaq – the town
Kangerlussuaq is a small settlement with more than 600 beds for field workers and other visitors. The settlement is divided into four parts and there is a regular local bus that connects the north, south and western parts of the community.
North of the runway
- Self-service petrol station
- The Airport terminal
- Hotel Kangerlussuaq incl. restaurant Muskox and Cafeteria
- Polar Lodge (general accommodation)
- A modest Pilersuisoq supermarket offering basic food, daily necessities, clothing, alcohol
- Small shops offering souvenirs, gifts, clothing, ice cream
- Road to the ice
- Hostel Old Camp (general accommodation)
- Road to Kellyville and Kangerlussuaq Port
South of the runway
- Field worker accommodation: KISS and KS&TS
- Field work spaces and support: KISS, KS&TS, JMM Gruppen, Kang Mini Tours, Entreprenørservice SFJ
- Hostel Kangerlussuaq Vandrehjem (general accommodation)
- A bar: Nordlyset Pizzeria-Thai-Grillhouse (not currently serving food)
- A small grocery store: Kang Mini Marked
- Kangerlussuaq museum, which focuses on the aviation and research history of Kangerlussuaq
- A gym, swimming pool and other fitness activities
- Municipal service center, school, day care, football field, and playgrounds
- Restaurant Roklubben on the shore of Lake Ferguson
- Waste disposal (rubbish dump)
Fieldwork accommodation and dedicated spaces
Kangerlussuaq International Science Support (KISS)
- KISS is owned by the Greenlandic government and operated by the Greenland Civil Aviation Department, Mittarfeqarfiit. It consists of several buildings, can accommodate up to 300 people, and offers the following services:
- Private and shared rooms with shared bathrooms, kitchen, dining area, and living room
- Conference room, computer room with internet access, offices, storage room
- Well-equipped workshop
- Wet and dry laboratories equipped with basic scientific equipment: scales, drying oven, refrigerator, deep freezer. Electrical power options of 110V and 220-230V, 60Hz.
- logistics (e.g. for transportation, long-term storage of equipment, freight, field camps, etc)
For more information contact KISS Manager:
Chris Sørensen
sciencesupport@mit.gl
+299 524533
Kangerlussuaq Science & Tourism Support (KS&TS)
A new, privately owned company offering similar facilities to KISS in a recently renovated building. It has plans for expansion but currently offers:
- Private and shared rooms with shared bathrooms, kitchen, eating area, laundry
- offices, included internet, storage room
- dry workrooms
- logistics (e.g. for transportation, long-term storage of equipment, freight, field camps, etc)
Contact information:
https://www.ksts.dk/
reception@kangv.dk
+299 589897
JMM Gruppen
- 3-bedroom house for up to 5 people
- Long-term car rental
- Mechanical workshop
For more information contact :
Per Mikkelsen
permik.1965@gmail.com
+299 524260
General accommodation
As a former military base and now one of the prime research and tourism destinations in Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a wide range and large number of beds available. The map opposite shows the location of each, including those available to the general public and those specifically for field workers.
If you plan to use the publicly available accommodation at all, we recommend you book very early.
General accommodation options include:
- Hotel Kangerlussuaq – private rooms, suites, private bathrooms
- Polar Lodge – private rooms, shared bathrooms, shared kitchen and common area
- Old Camp – private rooms, shared bathrooms, shared kitchen and common area
- Kangerlussuaq Youth Hostel – private rooms, dorm rooms, shared bathrooms, shared kitchen and common area
Purchasing supplies
Greenland’s isolation and arctic climate means that almost everything must be shipped in from abroad. This means that you can’t just pop to the shops as you do in other countries for last minute purchases. That said, we do strongly encourage you to support local businesses whenever possible.
The following summarize the different providers and what they can help you with:
- Pilersuisoq – The main supermarket in Kangerlussuaq. Here you will find basic food items, daily necessities, and a small selection of outdoor equipment including camping gas.
- Kang Mini Marked – a private grocery store offering a similar but smaller selection of items as the Pilersuisoq. It is open longer hours than the Pilersuisoq and also sells fast food.
Telecommunications
As the main international airport for Greenland (until the end of 2024), an important military base, and a key centre for scientific research and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, specialised telecommunications equipment and services are available in Kangerlussuaq.
For further information about these specialized facilities or to enquire about establishing services required for your research, please contact:
TUSASS (near the Pilersuisoq) is also where you go if you would like to post any items or purchase a Greenlandic SIM card. For short stays, a TravelSIM may be sufficient for your needs, however, keep in mind, that phone coverage is very limited beyond the outskirts of town.
