Northern lights tours compared – coach, small group or photo tour?

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In short: Aurora tours are worth it if you do not want to drive in winter yourself, do not know the area or only have a few nights. Small groups and photo tours are more flexible than big coaches but cost more. What matters is whether the tour drives far to escape clouds, whether warm clothing is provided and what happens if there is no aurora. Book early in your stay so you keep a second chance. As of October 2026.

Tour types compared

Prices are rough ranges without guarantee; Norway tends to be at the upper end, Finland and Iceland in the middle.

What is typical where

• Tromsø: a huge choice of operators. Small groups sometimes drive far inland to escape clouds, occasionally to the Finnish border – trips can last six to eight hours or more. More on the town: Tromsø in winter – polar night, northern lights, trips and practical tips.
• Lofoten: fewer tours than in Tromsø, but almost every guesthouse is dark enough. With a car it is usually easier to chase on your own. More: Lofoten in winter by car – route Svolvær, Henningsvær, Leknes, Reine, Å.
• Finnish Lapland: many programmes combine auroras with activities (snowshoeing, sledges, a fire in a kota). The terrain is flat to hilly and there are fewer escape routes, but inland weather is often more stable. More: Rovaniemi, Levi or Saariselkä? Lapland destinations compared.
• Iceland: plenty of coach and small-group tours leave from Reykjavík, often with a free retry if there is no aurora. Super-jeep tours also go off the main roads. More: Iceland in winter by rental car – planning, roads, insurance, auroras.

Questions to ask before booking

• How flexible is the route when it is cloudy? Does the tour head inland, and how far?
• How big is the group, and how many guides are there?
• What is included? Overalls, boots, tripods, hot drinks, snacks, photos?
• What if there is no aurora? Some operators offer a retry – read the terms carefully (does it apply only if nothing at all was seen, and on which dates?).
• How long does the tour last, and when will you be back? With children this matters a lot.
• Minimum age and children’s rates?
• Cancellation: free until when, and what happens with a storm warning?
• Pick-up: hotel, central meeting point or make your own way?

How a typical small-group tour runs

1. Afternoon: the operator checks cloud and activity forecasts and decides on a direction.
2. Evening departure: pick-up, then one to three hours’ drive to the first spot.
3. Waiting and watching: often with a campfire, tea and snacks. Activity comes in bursts; quiet spells of an hour are normal.
4. Changing spots: if clouds move in, on to the next gap.
5. Return: often after midnight, on long tours in the early hours.

Chasing the aurora on your own

With a rental car and good preparation you can go out yourself. The tools – cloud map, Kp index, solar wind, local magnetometers – are explained in Understanding the aurora forecast – Kp index, Bz and clouds. Safety first: never stop on the road, keep a hi-vis vest handy and only switch your lights off once parked.

Common mistakes

• Booking the tour for your last night: if it is cloudy, there is no second chance.
• Too few layers: standing for hours at −15 °C feels far colder than a stroll through town.
• Looking only at Kp: with clear skies, low activity is often enough in the far north.
• No spare battery: phones die quickly in the cold – right when the show starts.
• Taking young children on an eight-hour tour: for families, shorter programmes or dark accommodation are often better.

Which tour for whom?

• First aurora trip, short stay: a small group with a flexible route.
• Photography first: a small-group photo tour – tips in advance in Photographing the northern lights with phone and camera – settings that work.
• Family with small children: an early-evening activity tour or accommodation outside town plus an alert app.
• Experienced winter drivers: rental car and your own spots.

When in the year your chances are best: Best time for northern lights in Norway – month by month.

What to bring on the tour

• More layers than you think: even if overalls are provided, you need merino and fleece underneath.
• Warm boots and wool socks: cold feet end every aurora night first.
• Spare battery or power bank in an inside pocket.
• Head torch with red light – white light disturbs others and their photos.
• A small snack and, if not included, a thermos.
• Cash or card for tips or photo packages.

The full list: Packing list for −30 °C and the polar night – also with kids.

Frequently asked questions