a blurry picture of a waterfall in the mountains

Norway, Canada, Iceland, Greenland…if you’re thinking about taking a trip to witness the Northern Lights phenomenon, you’ve come to the optimal location. I hope that within the time frame of 15 minutes that it takes to read this article covering the best Northern Lights excursions planned for 2024, you will already have decided on your destination to make your dreams a reality.

But first, allow me to explain why it is so crucial for us to assist you in planning your Northern Lights holidays. Each year we lead an Iceland Photo Tour and a Lofoten Photo Tour, and so many travelers hoping to see the Aurora Borealis ask us if they can join these tours.

a blurry picture of some water and mountains

Our photography excursions aim to benefit photography fans who want to discover methods for photographing the aurora borealis. If you register without being a photographer, it’s probable that you may not enjoy the tour as much as you could with one of the superior Northern Lights holiday packages, such as the ones I will recommend below.

However, I’d be very happy to assist you in fulfilling your dream by helping you choose a good Northern Lights vacation package. Therefore, in this article, we’ll tell you how to pick a Northern Lights tour package in 2024.

Best trips to see the Northern Lights in 2024

Taking into account price, dates, visited attractions, and quality of the tour guides, here are the best Northern Lights vacations in 2024:

How much does it cost to see the Northern Lights?

The cost to see the Northern Lights varies depending on where you live, your chosen location, the dates, if you want to independently travel or book a Northern Lights tour, the length of the trip, etc.

a clock tower in front of a blue sky

Do not be worried. There are reasonably priced trips accessible to witness the Northern Lights. Now I will tell you how much a Northern Lights holiday package costs and how much you would spend if you traveled independently.

Cheap flights to see the northern lights

The optimum way to find low-cost flights to see the Northern Lights is through Kiwi.com, between 3 and 5 months before your trip.

a collage of street signs on a blue background

This provides an estimate for a roundtrip ticket cost to some Northern Lights destination areas:

Iceland

Norway

Canada

Finland

Alaska

Sweden

USA (NY)

500

450

430

490

500

456

Canada (Toronto)

CAD570

CAD900

CAD400

CAD800

CAD700

CAD900

United Kingdom

GBP52

GBP36

GBP600

GBP100

GBP630

GBP42

Australia

AUD1670

AUD1160

AUD1420

AUD1140

AUD1570

AUD970

Northern Lights travel expense

Vacations centered around viewing the Northern Lights

You may think that visiting the Northern Lights on your own could be less expensive than booking a guided tour. However, there are very affordable package tours available to see the Northern Lights.

While specifics will be expanded on later, a Northern Lights tour in Iceland costs approximately $153 daily, covering all lodging, tour guides, and transportation. Organizing it independently would undoubtedly be much more expensive.

a blurry picture of a body of water

In Canada, for example, there are opportunities to witness the natural light shows known as Northern Lights that are even more affordable, at a price of $130 per day. However, there are also some luxury tours designed to view the Northern Lights that include additional activities for $500 a day.

It all depends on what type of trip to see the Northern Lights you want to take.

If opting not to book a Northern Lights package vacation, keep the accompanying costs in perspective:

If you decide to independently take a trip to see the Northern Lights, you should consider the expense of lodging. While you can opt to stay at one of the finest hotels in the world for viewing the Northern Lights, in most Northern Lights locations you will also find reasonably priced alternatives.

Also, if you decide to travel alone, you should think about the cost of transportation. Renting a car will generally be the most affordable choice. We nearly always book through Rentalcars, as they offer various price reductions.

Of course, one could choose to take the aerial cable car ride, known as the Super Skyride, to reach the top of the mountain. A return ticket is covered by general admission to Grouse Mountain (from mid-May to September it also incorporates a shuttle from/to downtown Vancouver). However, if visiting in summer, I would opt for this combined tour that additionally takes you to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Our guide on planning inexpensive trips discusses recommendations for Northern Lights holiday packages by destination, as outlined below.

Trips to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

Iceland is the most popular place to take a Northern Lights trip this year. If you don’t have much time or want to travel on a budget, the Land of the Northern Lightsis your best choice. In just five days, you’ll see all the Iceland must-sees: Blue Lagoon, half of the South Coast, the Golden Circle, and Reykjavik.

an aerial view of a large body of water

A 100% gluten free bakery located a bit further out than the rest in the southwestern part of Berlin. They claim to be the oldest gluten free bakery in Berlin! You’ll find an assortment of baked goods – all gluten free – and they also offer ice cream! Definitely worth stopping by if you find yourself in the area, but its location makes it difficult to access, and likely not worth going out of your way for.

The expedition to view the northern lights in Iceland takes place every Tuesday and Thursday between September and April lasting 5 days. You can check availability for your dates here.

The journey lasting 8 days to observe the aurora borealis in Iceland occurs every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday from September through April. You can check for any open spots for your dates here.

The destination called the Land Where Northern Lights Abound costs $ 1045, though it is presently discounted so one can reserve it for $ 768. This represents $ 153 for every day. If you independently take a trip to see the Northern Lights, you will expend more on lodging and transportation.

On the flip side, the Northern Lights Exploration excursion costs $ 1916 ($ 240 each day). It may seem to you that it is much pricier than the previous one, but keep in mind that the chosen accommodations are superior and that it involves a cruise on the Breiðafjörður fjord and a farewell dinner party. If you have sufficient time, I assure you that it is very worthwhile to craft the itinerary of this Northern Lights trip.

In case you are not interested in a guided tour, I recommend you read our guide to know when and where to see Northern Lights in Iceland on your own. We have also written a guide on the best places to visit in Iceland.

Also, if you would like to have the help of a guide to increase your chances of seeing the aurora, you can always use an affordable one-day tour to see the northern lights. Most of them depart from Reykjavik.

NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS IN REYKJAVIK

Although you can read here our opinion on the best Northern Lights tours in Reykjavik, summing up, the ones we recommend:

Trips to see the Northern Lights in Canada

Canada is among the most magical places to see the Northern Lights globally.

The Most Affordable Aurora Viewing excursion is the most inexpensive tour to see the Northern Lights and takes place in Whitehorse. For 4 days, you’ll independently visit the capital city of the Yukon and then meet your guide in the afternoon to hunt the Northern Lights. You’ll go to the AuroraCentre, a camp where you can wait, away from light pollution and sheltered by the heat of a fire, for the Northern Lights to appear.

an aerial view of a lake with a sunset

Another option available is to undertake a Northern Lights holiday package in Yellowknife. Northern Lights at Aurora Village, which also spans 4 days, provides the best choice. Your guide will accompany you on different winter activities during the day, and at night, you’ll pursue the Northern Lights from the Aurora Village, where you can find shelter in a teepee or next to a bonfire.

an aerial view of a forest filled with trees

However, Winter in the Rockies & Northern Lights is my preferred Northern Lights vacation in Canada. It is a combination of a Northern Lights tour in Yellowstone and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The trip is quite similar to our 15-day Canadian Rockies adventure, aside from the tremendous opportunity of observing the Northern Lights in the Rockies. Logistically, you possess a higher probability of viewing them if you head to Yellowknife following your Rockies experience.

The Best Value Aurora Viewing excursion departs daily throughout the entire year with the sole exception of April, May, June, and July. However, if witnessing the northern lights is a priority, I suggest steering clear of booking in August or September for improved odds.

The Northern Lights at Aurora Village trip presently is available solely throughout the month of December 2021, so those with interest are encouraged to reserve promptly.

The Winter in the Rockies & Northern Lights departs once monthly in January, February, and March. Spots for January and February sold out immediately. For March, reserving remains viable, or planning ahead for 2022 vacations proves prudent. This excursion promises the most comprehensive aurora borealis experience of all as participants can admire northern lights alongside incredible winter landscapes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

In Canada, we provide Northern Lights tours with differing price points. The Most Reasonably Priced Aurora Viewing excursion incorporates lodging, transportation, and an auroras guide, for the cost of $ 525 ($ 131 per day). However, the Northern Lights at Aurora Village tour also features winter activities and daytime assistance for $ 1194 ($ 300 per day).

The Winter in the Rockies & Northern Lights may seem more costly, at a rate of $ 5608 ($ 560 per day), but keep in mind that lodging in the Rocky Mountains is much pricier. Additionally, this hotel package includes a resort and premium activities, such as a helicopter excursion for snowshoeing. Without question, it is the finest luxurious Northern Lights holidays in Canada.

If you opt to independently witness the Northern Lights in Canada, you could also hire some evening tours available to enjoy this spectacle.

Northern Lights tours in Whitehorse

Whitehorse offers the sole location in Canada presenting one-night Northern Lights tours. The expense of this excursion is $ 100. Additionally, they will educate you about capturing photos of the aurora borealis.

Trips to see the Northern Lights in Norway

Norway represents one of the most budget-friendly spots to witness the Northern Lights in Europe. Furthermore, tourism options span from lodging focused on viewing this spectacle to multi-day trips touring the northern region.

a large body of water surrounded by mountains

Nearly every excursion leaves from Tromso, the Arctic capital, and from there, either head to the Lofoten Islands, for example this seven-day Norway Winter & Northern Lights trip, or take you to Alta, epicenter of the Norwegian Lapland, where you’ll have a great opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis, as in this five-day Capitals of Northern Lightsexcursion.

a boat floating on top of a lush green field

In my evaluation, if you wish to not only take a guided trip to see the Northern Lights but also fall in love with Norway`s landscapes, I suggest opting for the Lofoten Islands tour. We visit these islands each year as part of our Lofoten Photo Tour, and they boast some of the most impressive scenery I have ever photographed. If you pick that tour, here is a list of the most remarkable places to see in the Lofoten Islands.

The Norway Winter & Northern Lights starts every two Sundays from November to March. However, I advise that you refrain from taking this tour in November, as historical data indicates that rainfall in Lofoten is more common that month, so you may have fewer possibilities to see the northern lights.

The Capitals of Northern Lights commences each Thursday from December to March. In this case, March would be the best month to take this Northern Lights Holiday Package.

The cost for a 7-day trip to witness the northern lights in Tromso and the Lofoten Islands naturally varies based on the date chosen. On average, the total expense is approximately $2,000 (equivalent to around $285 daily), though deals are frequently published for such northern lights vacation packages. You can check pricing and availability here.

Following your time in Central Park, head to Tavern on the Green for an enjoyable meal. This charming eatery is found near some of the .

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When wanting to independently view the Aurora Borealis in Norway, it is preferable to sign up for a single-evening guided excursion to ensure visiting one of the premium locations for observing the phenomenon subject to weather conditions. Though many of the Northern Lights night tours operate out of Tromso, the Lofoten Islands additionally feature some engaging options.

NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS IN TROMSO

We have discussed the best Northern Lights excursions in Tromso in that article. However, if you want a brief list of the trips we advise, check here:

Northern Lights tours in Lofoten

The offer of Northern Lights excursions in Lofoten is more limited. However, we can find some engaging Northern Lights in Svolvaer, like this one.

Trips to see the Northern Lights in Alaska

While Alaska isn’t the lone place in the United States where you can observe this phenomenon, it is the best location to plan a trip to view the Northern Lights. However, the options are somewhat scarcer than in the rest of the nations stated. The only multi-day excursion we identified leaves from Fairbanks. On it, you’ll spend five days chasing the Northern Lights in the Borealis Basecamp and engaging in winter activities, for example snowmobiling or sledding.

a red fire hydrant in the middle of a forest

This tour is available throughout the year with exceptions in May, June, and July. However, if observers desire the chance to witness the auroras, I propose they book it from October through April, the time frame most likely to experience the Northern Lights in Alaska.

The monetary value of this Northern Lights holiday allotment in Alaska is $1123 ($225 for each day).

Should one wish to witness the northern lights in Alaska, another highly convenient choice is to hire a single-day Northern Lights excursion. The options are more varied. These are some of the best Northern Lights tours available in Alaska:

Trips to see the Northern Lights in Finland

Finland is one of the most visited places for Northern Lights packages and Christmas tours. Meeting Santa Claus, staying in an igloo, or seeing the Aurora Borealis in Lapland are the main attractions. If there is a country focused on Northern Lights tourism above others, it would be Finland. Here you can find some of the best Northern Lights accommodations worldwide.

a fire hydrant in the middle of a lush green forest

Signs are prominently displayed across the region cautioning visitors about bears that inhabit the landscape. Be sure to follow bear safety practices – travel as a unit, make noise periodically, and carry bear deterrents like spray while understanding correct usage procedures.

The most cost effective 8-day vacations is the Finnish Lapland winter escapade. This tour travels by train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi hoping to glimpse the Northern Lights. Another good choice is the four-day Finland Aurora excursionwhich visits Harriniva while searching for the spectacular Northern Lights display.

a person standing on top of a snow covered slope

If you prefer an exclusive guided tour that includes visits to Oulu, Kemi, Rauna, Rovaniemi, Kemijarvi, Kuusamo, and Syöte over 8 days, I suggest taking the Northern Lights: A Lapland Winter tour.

December through March provide the finest opportunities for a Northern Lights trip to Finland. Nevertheless, if you travel with children and wish to visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, his hometown, I advise taking your trip in December.

Procure your rental car from the airport terminal, and take the short drive to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to catch the ferry to Salt Spring Island. If you have spare time before boarding, drive to Sidney, BC for a meal at Fish on Fifth (gluten free fryers!) and a stroll down Beacon Avenue along the waterfront prior to the ferry departure.

Taking the high-end Northern Lights tour: A Lapland Winter, the cost would be $5673 or $709 daily.

In case you want to independently take a one-night tour to see northern lights, the best choices are in Rovaniemi. These would be the most popular tours:

Trips to see northern lights in Sweden

Finally, if you had opted for Sweden as your Northern Lights destination, the Northern Lights & wildlife in Swedish Lapland experience, spanning 6 days and beginning in Lulea, would have been your best choice. With the Northern Lights and Wildlife holiday package, you’ll undertake an authentic adventure, camping in Sami dwellings and photographing moose and wild reindeer found in that region of Sweden.

a fire hydrant in the middle of a forest

Winter constitutes the prime season to view the Northern Lights in Sweden. The excursions operate in December, January, and February. Spots commonly sell out rapidly, so check here if any openings still exist.

The best place to hire Northern Lights one-day excursions is in Kiruna. This would be the best option.

Northern Lights travel deals

If finding budget-friendly trips to view the Northern Lights is a goal, check the TourRadar deals section. Significant discounts are posted there, and one can select the destination country of interest to see if any good deals are available.

If budget Northern Lights vacations interest you, note that opting for a guided group trip means avoiding costs for lodging, vehicle rental, etc. Sometimes, signing up for an inclusive Northern Lights vacation package proves more affordable than independent planning. However, always compare pricing for all Northern Lights tours to identify the best option.

two people standing in front of a large body of water

Have you already decided where to spend your next Northern Lights holiday? Remember that it is vital to travel during the optimal time to view the Northern Lights. If not, you will not see them, no matter which tour you hire.

Feel free to leave me a comment if you need assistance with anything. Nothing would make me happier than aiding you in fulfilling your dream of seeing the Northern Lights.