If you’re planning to visit Norway, joining a tour is an easy and stress-free way to help you see the aurora borealis. In this guide, we share some of the most popular short and long tours to Norway northern lights that you can book for 2024-2025.
We know everyone has their own travel preferences and budget, so in this article we’ve brought together a variety of Norway northern lights tours. Whether you are looking for a short one-night excursion, or 3-4 day tour as part of your self-planned vacation, or a luxury tour package in Norway, there is likely to be something here for you.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but it does represent the most popular northern lights in Norway tour options available today. After you’ve finished up here, make sure to have a look at our article on the best cruises for visiting Norway northern lights – aurora cruises are huge in Norway and there are plenty to choose from.
But for now, let’s dive into some of the most popular Northern Lights in Norway tour options.
One-Night Tours to Norway Northern Lights
In this section we bring together the most popular one-night tours to northern lights in Norway. Booking into a one-night Norway tour of northern lights is the cheapest way to enjoy an aurora tour, but also the riskiest as you are rolling your chances for seeing the aurora into one-night; if there is cloud cover, your tour experience may be a downer. Having said that, even if you don’t see the lights you will still have the opportunity to enjoy a trip into the Norwegian countryside, experience some local culture, food and drink, and chat with the locals.
Northern Lights Minibus Chase
- Where: Tromsø, Norway
- Tour Provider: Pukka Travels https://www.pukkatravels.com/
- More Information: https://www.pukkatravels.com/product/t/en-us/tours/northern-lights-minibus-chase
- Duration: 6-8 hours
- Price: Starting at $180
Discover the beauty and splendor of the aurora borealis, from Tromsø, the heart of Norway.
Tromsø is a popular destination for viewing the northern lights. Every year, thousands of people make their way to the country in order to hunt for the elusive lights. For those who visit Tromsø during the wintertime, the best way to go on a hunt for the auroras is by taking a minibus into the Norwegian countryside. This popular 6 to 8-hour tour starts and finishes at the Pukka base camp, which is located in the heart of the Tromsø city center.
Itinerary Overview
The 6 to 8-hour tour starts at the Pukka base camp where you will meet your English-speaking tour guide, and prepare for your trip out into the Norwegian countryside. Throughout the length of your trip, the guide will take photos of all of the guests, and send you copies of them free of charge within 72 hours of the trip. Towards the end of the hunt for the elusive lights, the tour guide will light up a campfire, where you will be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy a warm meal and hot chocolate.
What’s Included
- English speaking guide
- Hot chocolate, tea, and coffee
- Warm meal
- Arctic suit and boots
- Camera tripod access
- Free trip photos
- Access to base camp
Why It’s Popular
Although there are many great ways to hunt for the elusive Northern lights, Pukka tours aim to make it a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Thanks to their experienced English-speaking tour guides, you will spend the evening wandering through the Norwegian countryside headed towards the best destinations for viewing the natural phenomenon. No trip would be complete without a campfire side meal and a warm drink. Come and experience Norway, the way it was meant to be seen.
Aurora Dinner Cruise
- Where: Tromsø, Norway
- Tour Provider: Chasing Lights https://chasinglights.com/
- More Information: https://chasinglights.com/tour/aurora-dinner-cruise/
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Price: Starting at $165
There is nothing more magical than a dinner cruise into the pristine waters of the Tromsø fjords under the starlit Norwegian skies.
There are many different unique and interesting ways to view the northern lights, but nothing beats a world-class dinner under the stars. This popular Aurora dinner cruise departs from Tromsø and makes its way into the darkness of the local fjords to give you some of the most panoramic views of the aurora borealis. The electric-powered boat, silently sails through the pristine waters, as you sit back and enjoy a delectable meal made from the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. While you enjoy your meal, the captain of the ship will keep his eye out for the elusive lights, and inform everyone when they are visible.
Itinerary Overview
The ship will pick up guests from the Skarven, which is located along the shores of Tromsø. From there, it will sail out into the local fjords where dinner will be served soon after. The English-speaking guides will provide you with information about the surrounding countryside and the myths, legends, and lore that make Norway truly unique. The silent, electric boat will sail along as you enjoy a wonderful meal under the starlit skies. All the while, you can rest assured that both the captain and the tour guides will keep their eyes open for the elusive northern lights.
What’s Included
- Dinner
- English-speaking tour guide
- Hunt for the northern lights
- Wonderful atmosphere
- Views of the surrounding fjords
Why It’s Popular
For many, the ideal evening is dinner and a movie. What better movie, than a nature film showcasing the starlit skies and the pristine waters of the fjords around Tromsø? Create memories that will last a lifetime, as you enjoy a wonderful Scandinavian meal aboard an electric ship as it makes its way through fjords that were carved out of the land by centuries of glacial melt.
3-Night Tours to Norway Northern Lights
In this section we share a couple of popular 3 night tours of the Norwegian northern lights. Although pricier, they offer a more immersive experience and a better chance of seeing the lights than a one-night excursion. They are a great option if you want to include a short tour into your self-planned holiday, or want a short break from the UK or mainland Europe for a few days.
Autumn Aurora in Northern Norway
- Where: Tromsø, Norway
- Tour Provider: Baltic Travel Company https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/
- More Information: https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/packages/autumn-aurora-in-northern-norway/
- Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Price: Starting at $1,130
Departing from London UK, spend 3 nights enjoying the memorable Norwegian countryside surrounding the beautiful historic city of Tromsø.
Tromsø is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world who are seeking expeditions into the Arctic. The city is home to one of the largest universities in Norway, and it is nestled comfortably between the ancient fjords that were carved out by countless centuries of glacial melt. For those seeking to view the northern lights, Tromsø is the perfect destination to hunt for the natural phenomenon. This popular 4-day, 3-night tour of Tromsø, provides you with many opportunities to seek out the elusive lights.
Itinerary Overview
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After your arrival in Tromsø, you will be picked up at the airport and taken to the local hotel, where you are free to spend your first day and Norway exploring the historic city and look for the northern lights on your own. The following morning, you will be treated to breakfast in the hotel and will have the entire day to wander through the city to visit many of the popular destinations located within its borders. But you will want to be back to your hotel by nightfall because that is when the experienced guides show up to take you to some of the best locations surrounding Tromsø to view the northern lights.
On your third day in Tromsø, there are countless excursions to keep you busy. Not only can you go cycling along the Blue Harbor, but you can also take a cruise through the fjords, or go on a dog sledding adventure through the countryside. Sign up for a dinner cruise on your third night, before returning to the hotel for your final evening in Norway. After eating breakfast, you will still have some time to view several popular attractions around Tromsø before the shuttle takes you back to the airport.
What’s Included
- Return flight to London Gatwick
- Airport shuttles
- 3 nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Northern lights chase
Why It’s Popular
The huge drawcard for this tour is that it departs from London, and return flights are included. If you live in the UK and want a short break, that’s really tough to beat. Over the course of your 4 day stay, you will have plenty of opportunities to catch the northern lights as they shimmer through the Arctic skies. During the daytime, go on excursions through the countryside or even visit the reindeer farms on the outskirts of town. Considering all the inclusions, for the price tag, that’s great value.
Northern Lights & Arctic Resort
- Where: Tromsø, Norway
- Tour Provider: Arctic Holiday https://www.arcticholiday.co.uk/
- More Information: https://www.arcticholiday.co.uk/tours/northern-lights-arctic-resort/
- Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Price: Starting at $1390
Stay in one of the most popular resorts in Tromsø, where you will have the opportunity to view the splendor of the Norwegian fjords and northern lights from the comfort of your room.
Over the course of your 3-night stay in Norway, you will have plenty of opportunities to hunt out and find the elusive auroras. Your first night will be spent in the historic city of Tromsø, which is also known as the gateway to the Arctic. From there, you will be transferred to one of the most popular Arctic resorts that is located within the picturesque Norwegian fjords. From there, not only will you have plenty of opportunities to view the northern lights, but you will find a number of excellent excursions into the Norwegian countryside.
Itinerary Overview
After you arrive in Norway, you will be picked up by shuttle service and taken to a four-star hotel located in the heart of Tromsø. You’ll have the entire day to yourself, and even spend the evening exploring the historic city. If you want to see the area from above, a cable car will take you up to a popular local vantage point.
After enjoying a breakfast buffet, you’ll be transferred to a mountain resort that is located a mere 100 miles away from Tromsø. Here, you can enjoy local cuisines, or simply relax in the sauna, far away from the light pollution created by the city. On your first night in the resort, you will head out on a Norway northern lights chase, where you will have the opportunity to seek out the elusive lights in the arctic skies.
Spend the rest of your time choosing between a wide variety of available excursions including snowmobiling, dog sledding, reindeer sledding, and much more. You will be able to enjoy breakfast each morning and have ample time to hunt for the elusive lights at night time. On the day of your departure, you can enjoy a final breakfast before being transferred back to the airport in Tromsø for your flight home.
What’s Included
- Return flights from London airports
- 1-night stay in Tromsø
- 2-nights stay at Arctic resort
- Breakfast every morning
- 2 dinners at the resort
- Lots of activities
- Arctic gear
Why It’s Popular
Spend most of your time at a beautiful Arctic resort, where there are plenty of excursions out into the surrounding Norwegian countryside, up through the mountains, and along the fjords. You will have opportunities to go on dog sledding adventures, and even learn all about the indigenous Sami. Don’t forget, that no trip to Tromsø would be complete without viewing the phantom lights, all from the comfort of a mountainside hot tub.
4-Night Tours to Norway Northern Lights
The following two tours are some of the more popular longer options for seeing the Northern Lights. They are also some of the more luxurious offerings, reflected in the higher price tag. As well as seeing the aurora borealis, they give travelers the opportunity to experience other aspects of the Norwegian landscape and activities such as dogsledding and skiing.
Chasing the Northern Lights in Norway
- Where: Lofoten, Norway
- Tour Provider: Agate Travel https://www.agatetravel.com/
- More Information: https://www.agatetravel.com/norway/northern-light-trip.html
- Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Price: Starting at $3,429
See Norway as you have never seen it before on this trip from Lofoten to Tromsø, including accommodations, plenty of food, and more excursions than you could ever dream of.
This popular chasing the northern lights tour starts off in Lofoten and heads to Tromsø via Svolvær. It is a private tour that is both flexible and customizable. You will have an English-speaking tour guide and driver throughout the entire length of the trip and stay in some of the best hotels in the region. You will even have a large selection of cuisines to choose from, including local as well as Western-style meals.
Itinerary Overview
You will start your trip in Lofoten before being transferred to Svolvær. After you check into your hotel, you will find that there are plenty of things to do in and around the city. From the pristine blue seas to the crystal-clear skies and densely populated forest, there is a little bit of something for everyone in the surrounding Norwegian countryside. Don’t forget to get back to your hotel in time for your guided northern light tour. When you wake up the following morning, you’ll have breakfast in the hotel and have the entire day to yourself to explore all that Svolvær has to offer.
From Svolvær, you will fly all the way to Tromsø where you will be able to enjoy the aurora borealis even more. After arriving at the hotel in Tromsø, you will have the rest of the day to explore the historic Arctic city. Once the sun has set, it is time to meet up with the rest of the guests as you head out into the countryside to hunt for the elusive lights. The following day, you will be able to explore Tromsø and the surrounding countryside before heading over to Camp Tamok.
What’s Included
- Flights between Svolvær and Tromsø
- Accommodations
- Breakfast Each Morning
- Some Meals
- Northern lights tour
- Dog Sledding Excursion
- Travel Guide
Why It’s Popular
Enjoy everything that Norway has to offer, as you spend your first day in Svolvær before flying to Tromsø for the remainder of your trip. The flight between the cities is included in the price. You will be able to enjoy breakfast every single morning, and there will be plenty of other excellent meals included on your trip. During the daytime, take a sledding excursion into the Norwegian countryside, and at night go on hunts for the elusive natural phenomena.
Northern Lights Stay at Lyngen Lodge
- Where: Lyngen Alps, Norway
- Tour Provider: 50 Degrees North https://www.fiftydegreesnorth.com/
- More Information: https://www.fiftydegreesnorth.com/eu/tour/northern-lights-stay-at-lyngen-lodge
- Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Price: Starting at $3,850
Why spend your time in Norway in the historic town of Tromsø, when you can spend your trip in the majestic Lyngen Alps?
A mere 100 miles outside of Tromsø, is a traditional Norwegian Lodge situated within the Lyngen Alps. The Lodge itself is located along the shores of a fjord that was carved out by centuries of glacial melt. It is the perfect destination for those who want a little bit of peace and quiet as they relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Norwegian countryside. See the elusive Northern lights in style, as you relax in this beautiful timber lodge.
Itinerary Overview
The moment you arrive in Tromsø, you will be transferred straight to the majestic Lyngen Lodge, which is nestled comfortably in a forest clearing along the shorelines of the ancient fjord. With the towering Lyngen Alps in the background, you will find that this destination is truly unique. After your arrival, you can spend the afternoon checking out the local sites, and even sign up for a number of different excursions. Don’t forget that dinner will be served at 7:30, after which there will be a northern lights presentation.
After enjoying your breakfast each morning, you can head out into the Norwegian countryside for any number of excellent activities. One of the most popular activities is to go dog sledding. You will be driven to the beautiful Reisa Valley, where you will meet up with a dogsledder, who will outfit you and prepare you for the exciting adventure. On the following day, head out onto a frozen lake on a snowmobile, or visit one of the many excellent vantage points in the Lygen Alps. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can even go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing into the wilderness.
What’s Included
- 3-4 nights in a wilderness lodge
- Room and board in the Lyngen Alps
- Breakfast lunch and dinner included
- Shuttles to and from the airport
- Northern lights excursions
- Many countryside excursions
- Sauna and Jacuzzi
- Arctic gear
Why It’s Popular
A week in the Lygen Alps will provide anyone with ample opportunity to rest and relax along the shores of a majestic fjord, as they wait for nightfall. After the sun has set, and the stars begin to shine, stare up at the Arctic sky as you begin your hunt for the elusive lights. Situated far enough outside of Tromsø, there is very little light pollution that could interfere with such a memorable experience. Here, nestled along the edges of the majestic Lygen Alps, one can truly get closer to nature.
Final Thoughts on Norway Tour Northern Lights
This wraps up our list of the most popular tours to Norway northern lights, taking bookings in 2022-2023 and beyond. This is not a comprehensive list, but should give you a few ideas for great northern lights tours in Norway that you can explore further.
Tours are a great option for travelling if you don’t like spending the time to organize your own vacation, or feel apprehensive about booking an international trip in a foreign country. Tours also offer you the expertise of a professional guide and access to local ‘secret’ viewing spots, that you would not otherwise experience on a self-planned or self-drive holiday. For solo travellers, they also give you the opportunity to meet other like-minded travellers.
Another reason that you might like to join a tour is if you are worried about not speaking the local language. Throughout Norway this isn’t something you should be concerned about however. Learning English in school is mandatory for Norwegians, so most locals can speak English fluently. This includes workers in shops, restaurants, buses, taxis, hotels, attractions, and anyone walking down the street. So, if this is the main thing steering you towards booking a tour rather than doing a self-planned vacation, then it’s a fear that you can happily drop.
Having said that, there are many reasons apart from language for why you might want to book a tour as we’ve just discussed. So, whether you are looking for a fun one-evening aurora-spotting tour, or a longer luxury trip, then a northern lights in Norway tour is certainly something to consider. Now that you’ve seen these tour options, you might want to take a look at these Norway northern lights cruises as well.
Happy travels!
This article was first published 14 August 2022, and updated 18 January 2024.
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