What months are the best to see the Northern Lights?
If you are considering a holiday to see the Northern Lights you have to consider two aspects;
- When is the best time to go? Most advice will suggest you are more likely to see the northern lights in winter, between the months of October and April. This is because the night sky is darker in winter and there are fewer daylight hours.
- What location is the best to see them? You can only see the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere. The best places to see the aurora borealis are the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which lie within or near the Arctic Circle.
So when you are considering what months to travel to see the Northern Lights the location is one deciding factor but you also have to have have three weather factors to also align which are;
- Really dark skies
- Solar activity
- Clear weather
This is why most travel agencies will suggest seeing the Northern Lights between October and April each year as the sky is the darkest and the days are longer. It also means you can visit during the Christmas period for a snow filled holiday.
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display in the Earth’s sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. The Vikings believed the shimmering aurora were reflections of the shining shields and armour of the gods.
Who could blame them when the sky looks like this right?
They occur when charged particles from the Sun, primarily electrons and protons, collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen.
These collisions cause the gases to emit light, which can appear in various colours, including green, pink, red, yellow, blue, and violet. The most common colour is a pale green, which occurs when oxygen molecules about 60 miles above the Earth are hit by solar particles.
The Northern Lights are best observed during the winter months in locations like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and parts of Canada and Alaska. Their southern counterpart is called the Aurora Australis, or the Southern Lights, and occurs in the southern hemisphere.
It is one of the most popular tourist attractions that people enjoy seeing every year. It’s estimated that between 1 and 2 million people travel each year to see the Northern Lights. This figure can vary depending on factors such as the solar cycle, travel restrictions, and the popularity of Northern Lights tourism in various countries.
Destinations like Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Sweden are particularly popular for Northern Lights tourism, with countries such as Canada and Alaska also attracting significant numbers of visitors. The exact number of tourists can fluctuate, but interest in seeing this natural phenomenon has grown over recent years, especially with the rise of social media and better travel accessibility to remote locations.
It is one of those unique holiday ideas that takes a bit more effort to get to from Australia but is one of those visual experiences that leaves you breathless.
How do you get to the Northern Lights
Travelling from Australia to see the Northern Lights involves a multi-leg journey, as the lights are visible in regions on the other side of the world, so generally speaking you would book travel to visit these locations;
1. Choose the country
Norway (Tromsø, Svalbard): Popular for Northern Lights sightings.
Iceland (Reykjavik, Akureyri): Another favourite, with direct flights from Europe.
Finland (Lapland): Known for its scenic beauty and high probability of seeing the lights.
Sweden (Kiruna): A less crowded option with great viewing opportunities.
2. Book a Flight from Australia
Fly from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane to a European hub with popular routes including;
Sydney/Melbourne to London: Via airlines like Qantas, British Airways, or Singapore Airlines.
Sydney/Melbourne to Helsinki: Via Finnair, Qatar Airways, or other major carriers.
Sydney/Melbourne to Reykjavik: Usually involves a stopover in cities like London or Copenhagen.
3. Connect to Your Final Destination
After arriving in Europe, you’ll need a connecting flight to your chosen Northern Lights destination:
Tromsø or Svalbard (Norway): Direct flights from Oslo or other European cities.
Reykjavik (Iceland): Direct flights from various European hubs.
Rovaniemi or Ivalo (Finland): Fly from Helsinki.
Kiruna (Sweden): Fly from Stockholm.
4. Holiday tour options
Depending on your destination, you then have a choice of holiday tour options which can include;
The journey from Australia can take between 24 and 40 hours of travel time depending on your final destination, choice of flights and any stop overs along the way.
During peak season you have to book early to ensure you have a good choice of flights, tours or accomodation choices.
The best months to see the Northern Lights?
As we mentioned earlier, you are more likely to see the northern lights in winter, between the months of October and April. This is when our travel agency in Sydney books most of the tours for people travelling from Australia to see the Northern Lights.
The main reason for this time period is because the night sky is darker in winter and there are fewer daylight hours. Of course you need darkness to be able to spot the colours of the aurora borealis as they are near impossible to see in daylight.
Winter in Northern Europe brings long, dark nights, particularly between December and February. In fact, in some regions in the far north, the sun doesn’t rise at all – a phenomenon called the “polar night”. The more hours of darkness then the more chances you have of seeing the aurora borealis.
Winter in the Nordics is a magical time of year for so many other reasons. As well as getting the opportunity to hunt for the lights, you can also enjoy activities in the snow like dog sledding, snowmobiling, staying in a Nordic ice hotel or even visiting Santa Claus. In Iceland you can walk through natural ice caves or see dramatic landscapes glittering with frost.
Some people ask our travel agents about what year is best to see the Northern Lights. There are certain periods of the 11-year solar cycle that provide a better chance of seeing the aurora light up the sky. When the sun experiences its solar maximum, that means that solar activity is high and more charged particles are released. This most recently took place in 2014.
That said, geomagnetic storms can occur at any time, so you can still see the northern lights during the solar minimum stage. The aurora borealis is unpredictable so even if you search for them during the solar maximum, sightings are not guaranteed as much depends on the weather, including cloud cover.
Where is the best location to see the Northern Lights?
The best places to see the aurora borealis are the locations we mentioned earlier which are the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which lie within or near the Arctic Circle.
These places are located in the “aurora zone” or “northern lights belt” that is a latitudinal oval between 65-72°N. This band is where the most auroral frequency and intensity occurs, so your best bet is to visit this area for any northern lights tour.
Iceland and the northern regions of Norway, Sweden and Finland are located within the aurora zone. However, every now and then the belt extends further south when geomagnetic activity is strong. That means you could even see the northern lights from Scotland if you’re really lucky.
- ICELAND – This beautiful country is situated at 65°N, which means it lies within the northern lights belt. Not only does Iceland’s location make it ideal for aurora viewing, but so too do the wide, open landscapes. With little light pollution, the dark skies of Iceland make aurora sightings more vivid. So although you could actually see them from Reykjavík, we recommend heading out of the city on a dedicated tour because some of the best places to see the northern lights in Iceland include the remote Westfjords, North Iceland, and the black sand beaches around Vík.
- NORWAY – is another stunning Nordic country where you can see the aurora borealis in winter. Northern Norway, in particular, is prime aurora-spotting territory. Journey to this secluded slither of land north of the Arctic Circle to look for the lights dancing in the skies above. You could travel to Tromsø – the “Gateway to the Arctic” and “Paris of the North”. Venture into the countryside on an aurora safari, or opt for a cruise to see the magical light show from the sea. Tromsø is one of the places where you can experience the polar night in deep winter, whereby the sun doesn’t rise for weeks. The polar night also occurs in Svalbard, Kirkenes, the Lofoten islands and Nordkapp (North Cape) – all fantastic aurora hunting locations.
SWEDEN & FINLAND – the northern parts of Sweden and Finland are located in the Arctic Circle and northern lights belt, which makes them prime aurora viewing territory. This region is called Lapland, and it spreads across both Sweden and Finland. Some of the best places for you to see the aurora borealis in Lapland are Rovaniemi and Kemi (Finland), and Abisko National Park near Kiruna (Sweden).
An igloo is a unique accomodation idea to see the Northern Lights accomodation
Did you know you can stay in an Igloo to see The Northern Lights? Yes, you can stay in an igloo to see the Northern Lights, there we said it again!
There are several unique accommodation options designed specifically for viewing the Aurora Borealis, and staying in an igloo is one of the most memorable experiences. These igloos are typically made of glass or other transparent materials, allowing you to watch the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed and can include places such as
1. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
Located in Finnish Lapland, this resort is famous for its glass igloos that offer a 360-degree view of the night sky. The resort also has traditional log cabins and snow igloos if you want a more traditional experience.
2. Levin Iglut, Finland
Another excellent option in Finnish Lapland, these glass igloos are located in Levi and offer stunning views of the Northern Lights. The igloos are equipped with modern amenities and are positioned to maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora.
3. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle, Finland
Located near Rovaniemi, these glass-roofed igloos offer a luxurious experience with panoramic views of the sky. The resort also provides easy access to other winter activities.
4. Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos, Finland
Situated near Rovaniemi, this hotel offers both snow rooms and glass igloos. The glass igloos are heated and have thermal glass, ensuring comfort while you gaze at the Northern Lights.
5. Northern Lights Village, Finland
Located in Saariselkä, these cabins have glass-roofed sections for viewing the Northern Lights directly from your bed. The village offers various winter activities, such as husky safaris and snowmobile tours.
6. Igloo Village in Kakslauttanen, Finland
This village offers both glass igloos and traditional snow igloos. The glass igloos are ideal for seeing the Northern Lights, while the snow igloos provide an authentic Arctic experience.
7. Hotel Arctic, Greenland
Located in Ilulissat, this hotel offers igloo cabins with views over the Icefjord and the Northern Lights. The igloos are more like small cabins, providing comfort while being close to nature.
8. Golden Crown Levin Iglut, Finland
This resort offers glass igloos with heated windows to prevent fogging and ensure clear views of the Northern Lights. The igloos are located on a hill, providing unobstructed views of the sky.
These igloos are typically equipped with modern comforts such as heating, comfortable bedding, and private bathrooms, so you can enjoy the Arctic wilderness without sacrificing comfort. Booking well in advance is recommended, especially during peak Northern Lights season.
How much does a Northern Lights Tour cost?
Northern Lights tour pricing obviously varies depending the time of year you travel, the standard of accomodation and the type of holiday you choose.
A self drive tour could cost from as little as $1,230 per person while a luxury cruise will cost up to $8,900 per person. So there are lots of choices that can suit different budgets, locations or lengths of time.
Our travel agency in Sydney can help you create an itinerary that is customised for you whether that is a couple travelling, family or small group.
Here are three examples of holiday options that include self drive, escorted tour and luxury cruise to see the Northern Lights
Iceland 5 Day Northern Lights Tour
Experience this short tour that offers insight into Iceland’s nature and cultural life. Spend 4 nights in both Iceland’s capital and Southern region, an ideal location for Northern Lights hunting
The Northern Lights 16 Day Cruise
Cruise through the magnificent lands of Finland and Norway, hunting the Northern lights along the way. Starting in the magnetic Capital Helsinki, travel up into the Northen circle
The Northern Lights Self Drive Holiday
A self-drive tour that focuses on the beautiful South Island of Iceland in the Nordic region
