Where to Go: the 15 Best Aurora Evening Trips Worldwide

1.Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 1,921 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $63Our pick

Leave Reykjavik after dark and ride into Iceland’s countryside to search for the aurora. Your guide explains the science and local myths, chooses the night’s viewing area, offers camera tips, and provides a free repeat tour if no lights appear. The trip lasts 3 to 5 hours and includes Wi-Fi and return transport.

“We booked the trip for our first night, we waited for 5 hours but the northern lights did not show. This happens. We watched the weather and rebooked for 3 days later for free and were rewarded. I was pleased that the operator checked the forecast and moved our destination inland. Very professional operation and would definitely recommend to anyone”

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2.Evening Aurora Cruise (dinner optional)

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,570 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $100

Sail from central Tromsø at 8pm with Polar Adventures, searching the dark sea and sky for the Aurora Borealis. Guides such as Ken, Holly, Thomas, and Hans Eric help with camera settings and explain the lights. Warm drinks, cookies, toilets, an indoor cabin, and deck access keep the night comfortable, though the Aurora is never guaranteed.

“Comfortable boat and entertaining crew. we went out on a night-time fjord cruise, with complementary hot drinks and cookies on board. We were shown how to rod fish, and I caught my first ever fish- an Atlantic cod! The chef on board even prepared it for us and some of the other guests to have a taste. Unfortunately the 'green lady' did not smile on us, as it was quite a cloudy night, but this was well worth going on anyway. 5*”

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3.Night Tour in Search of the Aurora with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 390 reviews · 4 hours · from $68

Join guides such as Daria and Anna for a four-hour Aurora hunt from Rovaniemi. You’ll visit three dark Arctic locations, pause for photos, and warm up beside a fire with sausages, Karelian pastries, berry juice, cookies, and marshmallows. Pickup begins at 19:30, and photos may be taken for you.

“Tour was amazing, great locations and nice guides. We saw the polar Lights in the middle of the snowy beautiful forest. I can highly recommend it!”

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4.Night Reindeer Sledding with Camp Dinner and Chance of Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $225

Meet up in central Tromsø at 6 pm for a short ride to a Sámi reindeer camp. Feed up to 300 reindeer, take a 15 to 20-minute sleigh ride, then eat a three-course dinner in a candlelit gamme. Sámi hosts share stories, joik, and cultural traditions. Warm clothing is essential, and the Northern Lights are never guaranteed.

“I gave this outing 4 points only because in the description additional info it stated what’s included it mentioned warm overalls and boots if required. Well that evening it was a very wet snow at our 6pm tour. Even though my husband and I were properly dressed, it was never mentioned nor was asked if anyone needed the items mentioned above. Other wise I would have given this tour a 5 star. Lecture, food was great.”

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5.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening Ice Museum visit, a soak in the outdoor rock lake or indoor pool, and time to watch for the aurora. Guides such as Ed, Jake, Paul, and Randy have helped with forecasts, photography, and extra viewing stops. The 10.5-hour outing runs late, with hotel pickup and small groups of up to 12.

“Our driver, Joseph, was so kind and knowledgeable about the area, and drove safe on the ich roads to the Chena resort! I deducted 1 point because the Chena resort was disappointing. The ice museum was great, the restaurant awesome, but the pool area was smaller than anticipated. The changing area was DISGUSTING! I never saw such an amount of hair and garbage on the floor of any public pool. There was no toilet paper. Unacceptable for a resort. What you should know about this tour is that your driver isn't a guide for the resort or the Northern Lights experience - you are discovering everything on your own.”

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6.Aurora Borealis Late Night Viewing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 78 reviews · 4h 30m · from $122

Meet at Whitehorse’s Sternwheeler Hotel for a 270-minute late-night outing to a custom-built Aurora viewing site. Ride in a warm minibus, use the cabin and restrooms, enjoy hot drinks and snacks, and get photography help from an English or Spanish-speaking guide. Bring proper winter clothing, since the tour runs in all weather.

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7.Arctic Day: Aurora Viewing Tour | late night

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 76 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Leave Whitehorse at 11:20 p.m. for a four-hour aurora hunt at Arctic Range Adventure’s AuroraCentre. A guide takes you beyond city lights, with warm cabins, tea, coffee, cocoa, snacks, fires, and camera help. Guides such as Jessica, Eli, Morgan, and Pascal have earned praise, but cloud and aurora sightings are never guaranteed.

“Our tour guide was excellent, unfortunately we couldn’t see the lights due to a cloud but nothing we could do to change that. Still a great experience and friendly staff.”

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8.Northern Lights Night Adventure By Snowmobile

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 4 hours · from $278

Meet Æventyr at Canyon Hotell in central Alta for a four-hour night ride toward Beskardes on Finnmarksvidda. You will learn to drive a snowmobile, follow a guide in convoy, change places with your passenger, and stop for coffee, tea, and snacks. Guides such as Roger and John are praised for patient instruction and careful checks in the cold.

“Fantastic experience. We were well looked after, guides always asking if we were warm enough and okay. No lights unfortunately but that did not detract from the experience! Would absolutely recommend!”

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9.Night Snowshoeing Adventure under the Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 3 hours · from $123

Join a professional English-speaking guide for a three-hour night snowshoe walk near Rovaniemi. You may cross snowy forests, frozen rivers, lakes, or a hilltop before warming by a fire with hot drinks and Finnish snacks. Groups stay small, with no more than eight people, and the route is adapted to your ability.

“Belle activité. Ciel magnifique. Guide génial. Bémol, l'activité raquette est un peu courte et assez simple : balade dans une forêt à peine 1h. Le temps de trajet vers le lieu d'activité est de 35'. Le temps de trajet est plus long que l'activité. Le réconfort près du feu est intéressant mais se fait à la fin dans un yourth sur le parking...”

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10.Evening dinner cruise with possible northern lights

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 45 reviews · 3 hours · from $103

Join MS Tromsø at 6 PM for a three-hour Arctic cruise with a captain’s welcome drink, dinner, polar stories, and wheelhouse access. The route follows the best available aurora conditions, though sightings are never guaranteed. Stay aboard after returning to Tromsø, where the dock can also offer good Northern Lights views.

“Very enthusiastic guides with clear management of expectations. A very pleasant evening with hot drinks, biscuits & a fire to keep warm by.”

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11.Evening Lava Tunnel and Northern Lights Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44 reviews · 4 hours · from $189

You’ll visit Raufarhólshellir with a certified caving guide, then ride into the countryside with an English-speaking aurora guide. Expect head torches, winter crampons, hot cocoa, blankets, free aurora photos, and a free retry if clouds hide the lights. The late-evening timing often means a smaller cave group.

“It’s mostly focused on the lava cave, which works because the caves were unforgettable. We had the most amazing experience guided by the cave guides, and our main guide was extremely helpful with hunting for the lights, providing so much knowledge and history and experience. We were never too cold or uncomfortable, and the host provided with so many beautiful pictures! I wouldn’t recommend missing the lava caves for anything else, it’s truly a wonderful experience. Our main guide introduced us to delicious lava biscuits which were so good we got some to go home with!”

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12.Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $195Top rated

Leave Reykjavík at 7:30 p.m. for a guided hour inside Raufarhólshellir, Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube. Then chase the Aurora by minibus with an English-speaking guide, hot cocoa, blankets, Wi-Fi, and free aurora photos. If the lights stay hidden, you receive a free retry for the Northern Lights portion.

“Interesting and beautiful lava cave. Good explanations and storytelling, and we got to see some Northern Lights. All around a fun excursion.”

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13.Evening Cruise with Northern Lights Opportunity

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $128

Meet Polar Adventures at Tromsø’s waterfront at 8 pm for a three-and-a-half-hour evening cruise in search of the Northern Lights. The crew, including guides such as Ken, Isabel, Christina, and Marlene, helps you watch the sky, adjust phone cameras, and stay warm with thermal suits, hot drinks, and biscuits. Aurora sightings depend on cloud and weather.

“We were lucky and happened to book the boat tour on a clear night and witnessed a dazzling Northern Lights display for hours. The staff were friendly and willing to adjust phone camera settings and take pictures for guests. Hot beverages and cookies were a nice touch. Icy conditions on the deck but that is to be expected in February in Tromso. Only thing I would adjust is to establish a more formal boarding process, it was a little chaotic scanning tickets and boarding the boat. Overall, a 5 star experience!”

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14.Evening Tour and Aurora Borealis Sightseeing in Norway by ATV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $257

From Alta, Finnmark Adventure takes you by vehicle to Kviby, then into the Arctic night by ATV. You share one ATV between two people, wear supplied thermal gear, and stop near fjords and open country to search for the aurora. Guides including Oscar and Marius are praised for patient safety briefings and extra time at viewing spots.

“Was a good tour, unfortunately we didnt get to see the northern lights with the naked eye. But still mansged to get photos. Despite the heavy clouds. The ATV's were great. Plenty of photo opportunities. Tour guide was friendly and informative. Overalls, boots, gloves and helmets were provided. Which were well needed on the evening we went.”

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15.3 Hours Snowmobiling under Auroras and Night Sky

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162

Drive a shared snowmobile through Levi’s dark forests for roughly 30 km, stopping at a Sami-style tipi to grill sausages and drink hot coffee or juice. Guides such as Antonin and Emme lead the group in English. Thermal clothing is included, and children aged 3 to 12 ride in a guide-pulled sleigh.

“Great fun for the whole family!! Got to do a longer ride back and we saw the northern lights. Emme was really great!”

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