Northern lights: which tour to choose?

Types of Northern Lights Tours in Tromsø

Tromsø offers a wide variety of northern lights tours, catering to different preferences, group sizes, and levels of adventure. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options:

Northern Lights Van Tours (6-10 hours)

What to Expect:
Van tours are small-group adventures led by expert guides who track weather and aurora forecasts to find the clearest skies. These tours are highly flexible and often drive deep into the Arctic wilderness - or even into Finland - to maximize the chance of a spectacular aurora display. The intimate group size allows for personalized attention and advice, including help with aurora photography.

Who It’s For:
Travelers who prefer a private or small-group setting and a more tailored experience.

Northern Lights Minibus Tours (6-10 hours)

What to Expect:
Minibus tours are slightly larger group experiences (14-20 people), led by knowledgeable guides. While offering less intimacy than van tours, they provide a balance between flexibility and affordability. Guides carefully plan the route based on aurora activity and weather, often traveling significant distances to ensure clear skies - even to Finland.

Who It’s For:
Travelers who want an intimate experience in a moderately sized group with knowledgeable guides and are willing to cover some distance to find clear skies.

Big Bus Tours (6-8 hours)

What to Expect:
Big bus tours accommodate up to 50 people and take you to predetermined locations with high aurora visibility. While less flexible than minibus tours, they offer comfort, on-board facilities like toilets, and an affordable option for larger groups or families. The location of the evening is determined after a close look at the weather forecast close to departure to see which area has the best chance of clear sky each night.

Who It’s For:
Budget-conscious travelers or those who prefer a less physically demanding tour, and with a preference of access to toilet during the whole tour. This is also a nice option for families where children of 4+ years old can join.

Evening Northern Lights Cruises

What to Expect:
Set sail on a boat tour to escape the city lights and view the aurora from the water. These tours offer a unique perspective, with the shimmering northern lights reflected on the Arctic Ocean. Boats often feature heated indoor cabins, toilets, hot drinks, and snacks.

Who It’s For:
Those looking for a peaceful and scenic way to enjoy the northern lights.

Private and High-End Tours

What to Expect:
Private tours provide an exclusive experience tailored to your preferences. High-end options often include luxurious transportation, meals, and professional photography services.

Who It’s For:
Couples, families, or groups seeking privacy and a premium experience.

Combination Tours

What to Expect:
Combine northern lights with other Arctic adventures like husky visits, dog sledding, snowmobiling, arctic floating or Sami and reindeer experiences. These tours offer a diverse Arctic itinerary and maximize your time in Tromsø. This is not a aurora chase, but tours where you have a chance of northern lights if the weather at the camp provides some clear sky.

Who It’s For:
Travelers who want to experience multiple activities during their trip. The camp visits are also a good choice for families where young children are joining. These camp visits include husky camp visit, Sami and reindeer camp visit, and northern lights visit.

If you have any questions to guide you further, reach out and we will help you!