Cheap flights to Iqaluit
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Quick summary
Country
Canada
Continent
North America
Airport
YFB
Currency
Canadian dollar
Time zone
UTC-5
Deals already spotted to Iqaluit
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The Arctic edge
Visiting Iqaluit, in the heart of Arctic Canada
Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut and its largest community, with about 7,400 residents at the 2021 census. It is Canada's northernmost city and one of the country's smallest capitals. This is not a classic tourist town but a niche destination for travellers who want living Inuit culture and a gateway to the Arctic.
Reached only by air
No road links Iqaluit to the rest of Canada, which makes it the only Canadian capital cut off from the highway network. You arrive by plane, or by ship in the open-water season: an off-the-beaten-path flight rather than a city break.
Tundra and sea ice
On Baffin Island, at the head of Frobisher Bay
The town sits at the inner end of Frobisher Bay on the southern coast of Baffin Island. Around it stretches treeless tundra, with sea ice covering the bay for much of the year; the ice breaks up around June and the bay stays open to ships until November.
Milestones
A town shaped by Inuit history and a wartime air base
| Period | What to know |
|---|---|
| For thousands of years | Inuit and their Dorset and Thule ancestors have lived, fished and hunted in the region. |
| 1942 | A US air base built during the Second World War, and the radar line of the 1950s, shaped the growth of the town. |
| Until 1987 | The town was called Frobisher Bay. Iqaluit means place of many fish in Inuktitut. |
| 1995 and 1999 | Residents chose Iqaluit as capital in 1995, and Nunavut was created on 1 April 1999, the first Canadian territory with an Indigenous majority. |
Inuit culture
Art, crafts and museums
Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum
Inuit and Arctic objects displayed in a restored Hudson's Bay Company building, with art from communities across Nunavut.
Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre
Information and exhibits on Inuit life and on the whole territory.
Legislative Assembly and St. Jude's
The Legislative Assembly is known for its colourful interior decorated with Inuit art, and St. Jude's Cathedral is an igloo-shaped Anglican church rebuilt in 2012 after a fire.
Carvings and prints
Stone carvings, prints, jewellery and handmade clothing are sold in galleries and by artists on the waterfront. Toonik Tyme in early April and the Alianait Arts Festival around late June highlight Inuit musicians, artists and filmmakers.
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Arctic nature
Territorial parks, northern lights and snowmobiles
Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park lies just west of town, with tundra trails, a waterfall and an archaeological site where caribou and Arctic foxes are sometimes seen. Qaummaarviit Territorial Park, about 12 km away, preserves a Thule campsite some 750 years old, reached by boat in summer or by ski, dog sled or snowmobile in winter. Across the bay, Katannilik Territorial Park Reserve follows the Soper River, a Canadian Heritage River.
Winter
Harsh, with January averaging around minus 26 degrees C; the season of northern lights, dog sledding and kite-skiing on the frozen bay, best in April and May.
Summer
June to August is the peak season, with mild days, hiking, fishing and boat trips, but also mosquitoes in July and August.
On the ground
What to know before you go
Restaurants and cafes are few, and nightlife is very limited. Local specialities include Arctic char and caribou. Most fresh food arrives by air, so food, transport and heating cost far more than the Canadian average, and rooms fill up in July and August.
The town is compact: most things are within walking distance, with taxis charging a flat fare per person. Many guided trips need a minimum group size, so book early. Guides suggest three to five days.
Getting to Iqaluit
Iqaluit Airport
Iqaluit
The only gateway to town, a short distance west of the centre, with scheduled flights from Ottawa of about three hours.
In pictures
Iqaluit and Frobisher Bay in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Iqaluit
How do you get to Iqaluit?
No road links Iqaluit to the rest of Canada: you arrive at Iqaluit Airport (YFB), with scheduled flights from Ottawa of about three hours, or by ship in the open-water season.
What is there to see in Iqaluit?
The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre, the Legislative Assembly, St. Jude's Cathedral, Inuit art galleries and the nearby territorial parks.
Can you see the northern lights in Iqaluit?
Yes, they are visible in winter, when you can also try dog sledding or kite-skiing on the frozen bay, best in April and May.
Is Iqaluit expensive?
Yes: because most food is flown in, food, transport and heating cost far more than the Canadian average, restaurants are few and hotels fill up in summer.
How much does a flight to Iqaluit usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Iqaluit drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Iqaluit as the destination and your maximum budget. You'll be notified automatically the moment a matching price is detected.
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