Staying Connected in Greenland – My Experience with the Tusass eSIM
As the airplane started its approach, I looked out the window and saw the first icebergs drifting through the blue water below. When the doors opened, cool Arctic air met my face. Stepping outside, I took my first breath of Greenland’s fresh air — it felt like the real beginning of my adventure.
Planning Ahead: How to Stay Connected in Greenland
For months I had dreamt of fjords, glaciers, and endless hiking trails. But as the excitement grew, one practical question kept circling in my head: How will I stay connected? Should I go all in for a social media detox and rely only on hotel Wi-Fi, or would it be smarter – and safer – to have internet access while exploring the Arctic wilderness?
In the end, curiosity won. I decided to try something new: an eSIM from Tusass, Greenland’s local provider. Of course, I had my doubts. Would it be easy to install? Would it even work in a place where ice and silence seem to stretch forever?
Installing the eSIM – Easier Than Expected
Tusass makes the process surprisingly simple. After purchasing online, an email arrives with a single button to activate your eSIM. I would recommend activating it once you’ve arrived in Greenland, so it connects directly to the local network. Within minutes, it’s installed and ready to go – no need to visit a store or fiddle with tiny cards - no stress, no confusion, just that satisfying little “4G” icon lighting up your screen.
In your phone’s settings, you can then choose which SIM should act as the primary one, for example for mobile data, and which one will stay active in the background as a secondary SIM.
For my trip, I set the Greenlandic eSIM as my main data connection and kept my German SIM active only so I could still be reached in case of any last-minute changes during my travels.
Tip: Keep your home number active, especially if you used it for bookings or reservations. This way, you can still receive important updates while traveling. Just make sure to check your provider’s roaming fees beforehand and turn off mobile data on your home SIM to avoid unnecessary costs. To use both SIMs in parallel, your phone needs to support dual SIM and be unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
Coverage on the Trails
Over two unforgettable weeks in Nuuk, Ilulissat, and Kangerlussuaq, I hiked through some of the most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen. On almost every trail, I had coverage. Only rarely did the signal drop – brief moments that reminded me how remote this land truly is.
That steady connection brought an unexpected sense of comfort. Hiking in Greenland often means spending long stretches in nature on your own, sometimes only meeting other hikers after quite some time. While that solitude is part of the country’s magic, it’s reassuring to know that help – or a friendly voice – is just a tap away.
Of course, there are also places where you’re truly offline. At the Eqi Glacier Lodge, for example, there’s no mobile network for the eSIM. The lodge itself has a small connection, but otherwise you’re completely surrounded by nature, cut off from the outside world. And honestly? It’s wonderful.
Before heading out on hikes there, guests write their names, routes, and expected return times in a logbook – a small ritual that connects you to the place and to the people looking out for you. It’s a good habit everywhere in Greenland: let your accommodation know your plans, especially if you’re hiking alone.
More Than Just Safety
Before arriving, I told myself I’d go offline, enjoy the silence, and maybe just use hotel Wi-Fi. But standing on a cliff above Ilulissat Icefjord, with icebergs glowing in the midnight sun, I couldn’t resist sharing the view. A quick FaceTime with family back home, their faces lighting up in awe – it made the moment even more special.
That’s the beauty of balance: feeling deeply present, yet still connected enough to share the wonder.
Technically speaking, the eSIM worked flawlessly for this. WhatsApp calls and video chats ran perfectly – clear, stable, and surprisingly fast.
Data That Lasts
I was actually surprised by how little data I ended up using. Checking the balance was easy – you can simply text the word data to 1800 and get an update within seconds. Even though I didn’t pay much attention to my usage and uploaded plenty of photos, used maps, and made a few video-calls, I still had over 13 GB left from my 20 GB plan after two weeks. So for my needs, it turned out to be more than enough.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, choosing an eSIM for my trip was simply a practical decision – and for me personally, it worked out really well. It was easy to set up, and in most places I had exactly the level of connection I needed while traveling through Greenland.
Of course, everyone travels differently. Some people enjoy being completely offline, while others feel safer knowing they can reach someone if necessary. For me, the eSIM offered a good balance: I could switch off whenever I wanted, but still stay connected when it mattered.
In a country where nature is so powerful and the silence feels endless, it was reassuring to have a reliable option in my pocket – without it ever taking away from the experience itself.
In the end, it simply gave me what I personally needed on this trip: peace of mind, a sense of safety, and the chance to share a few special moments with the people back home.
