How to chase
There are mainly two ways to chase northern lights –
on foot or with a local northern lights tour agency.
Roll down for detailed guides
1. On foot
If the weather is good (i.e. no cloud, no snow and no rain), we highly recommend you to see the northern lights on foot, which can save you much money of joining aurora tour groups.
1) Where to stay
Since you are on foot mobile at night, you will not be able to reach out too far away from your accommodation. Thus, to maximize your chance of seeing northern lights, the location of your accommodation should be in an open area with vast visible sky where light pollution is little.
Accordingly, we recommend you to stay:
(1) near fjord areas, e.g., Kaldfjord & Kvaloysletta (see pink area)
(2) away from the city center where light pollution is severe and can affect the visibility of
northern lights (see yellow area)
Tips:
1) There are little hotels in fjord areas but plenty of Airbnb accommodation. Most of them are
popular due to the beautiful scenery just outside the houses. If you choose to stay there,
book ASAP!
2) Kaldfjord and Kvaloysletta are both within 30-min bus ride (Bus No. 42) from city center.
2) What to do
Step 1: Explore around your accommodation during daytime
This is to make sure that you know where you can go and where cannot. There may be dangerous areas covered by very thick snow or are extremely slippery which cannot be detected at night.
You can also find some good and safe spots for your night adventure beforehand.
Step 2: Check your gear
Check whether you wear enough clothes to prevent you from freezing to death and whether you bring the essential equipment, including flashlight (in case you go in very dark area), tripod, camera, etc.
Step 3: Inform your host
If you are staying in Airbnb, inform your host that you are going out for northern lights and the approximate time of your returning in case something happens to you and the host can contact for help. (do you think this is necessary?)
Step 4: Check live-forecasts
You don’t want to stay out all night and wait purposeless. Check aurora live-forecasts hourly and decide whether to go out or not.
Step 5: Enjoy the lights
Walk out to the spots you pick and enjoy the fantastic northern lights!
2. With local tour agency
If the weather is not ideal (i.e. cloudy but neither snow nor rain), we recommend you to see the northern lights with local aurora tour groups. The price range per night is between 800NOK – 1500NOK depending on the services provided.
1) Where to stay
City center is the best option since the rally points, pick-up & drop-off services of nearly all aurora tour agencies are only available in Tromsø city center.
2) What types of tours
Different aurora tour agencies will provide different services. Here is a checklist of the services/equipment you can check with aurora tour agencies based on your needs:
⬜ Available dates
⬜ Tour duration (varying from 4-8 hours)
⬜ Small group tour (by mini-van)/Large group tour (by bus)
⬜ Warm clothing (thermal suits, head-torches, high visibility vests & shoes)
⬜ Camera rental
⬜ Tripod rental
⬜ Light meal (hot or cold)
⬜ On-board Wifi
⬜ Photographing service
⬜ Pick-up/Drop-off services at your hotel
3) How to book tour group
A. Book Online in Advance
Cost more
Possible cancellation
There are many local aurora tour agencies open for online booking on TripAdvisor. However, there is a possibility of cancellation of the tour due to weather condition.
B. Book upon Arrival
Cost less
Cancellation only in extreme cases
You can go to the Information Center at Tromso city center, tell the stuff what type of tour you want to join and they will book one for you.
There are plenty of agencies so no need to book in advance. You can place the booking on the very day you want to go and you can even get a discount from that.
4) What to do
Usually the agency will pick you up at your hotel/ask you to rally at Information Center, they will then drive you to their offices for changing to warmer clothing. The guide will bring you to several spots to see the lights. All you need to do is to follow tour guide’s instructions.
However, there is no 100% guarantee that you can see the northern lights. There would be no refund for that but most of the agencies would offer you a discount if you want to join the tour again the next day.