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Best Tromsø Northern Lights Tours at a Glance
If you’ve been dreaming of seeing the Northern Lights, Tromsø is one of the best places in the world to make it happen. This Arctic city is nicknamed the “Gateway to the Aurora”, and after traveling here in winter, I can confirm: it lives up to the hype.
But with dozens of Tromsø Northern Lights tours advertised, from small groups to big buses, and even aurora cruises, it can feel overwhelming to choose. To help you out, I compared more than 30 different tours, narrowed them down to the best options, and grouped them so you can find the one that fits your style and budget.
If you’re short on time, check out the “at a glance” picks below. Otherwise, keep reading for my detailed reviews, honest tips, and what you should know before booking.
Best Small-Group Tromsø Northern Lights Tour: Borealis Tour
Borealis Tour has a high success rate thanks to flexible small groups, expert guide, and 50% discount on 2nd booking if you didn’t get the chance to see the aurora the first time.- Group size: max 8 people
- Price: 170€
- Includes: thermal suit, professional photos, campfire, hot drinks and snacks
- Score: 4.8/5 (30+ reviews)
Best Medium-Group Tromsø Northern Lights Tour: Flexitour
Flexitour offers highly praised minibus-sized Northern lights tour, with experienced guides (10+ years), thermal suits, high-resolution pictures, food and warm drinks included.- Group size: max 18 people
- Price: 160€
- Includes: thermal suit, professional photos, muffins, fruit, hot drinks
- Score: 4.9/5 (200+ reviews)
Best Big-Group Tromsø Northern Lights Tour: Arctic Explorers
Arctic Explorers is a well-established operator with the highest score amongst Northern Lights bus tours and 60000+ satisfied customers over 10+ years.- Group size: 50 people
- Price: 117€
- Includes: thermal suit, professional photos, hot drinks
- Score: 4.6/5 (250+ reviews)
Best Tromso Aurora Cruise: Polar Adventures
Polar Adventures proposes a comfortable fjord cruise with snacks included and a 50% discount if you don’t see the aurora on your first attempt.- Group size: large boat
- Price: 102€
- Includes: drinks and snacks
- Score: 4.3/5 (1400+ reviews)
Why Book a Tromsø Northern Light Tour?
Yes, you can try to see the Northern Lights on your own in Tromsø. But booking a tour makes the experience easier, warmer, and more magical. Here’s why:
Expert knowledge: Guides know where the clear skies are (clouds move fast up here!). Many will drive for hours into Finland if that’s what it takes.
Better chances: A good Tromsø Northern Lights tour means someone else is constantly checking forecasts and maps while you just enjoy the ride.
Comfort & safety: You don’t need to worry about icy roads, getting lost in the dark, or standing outside unprepared.
Photography help: Many tours provide tripods or even take professional photos of you with the aurora.
Warmth: Campfires, hot chocolate, thermal suits… Yes please!
For me, joining a tour turned what could have been a stressful night of guesswork into one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
Best Tromsø Northern Lights Tours (2025–2026) – Detailed review of 30+ operators
To put this guide together, I spent hours digging through more than 30 Tromsø Northern Lights tours on GetYourGuide. I didn’t just skim the reviews, I compared what’s actually included, especially during peak season (October to March) when demand is high.
Not all tours are the same, and what’s “best” really depends on your travel style. Here are the main criterion I focused on to write this article:
Group size: from intimate 6-8 person vans to 50-person coaches. Small groups involve a higher price tag, but feel intimate and flexible. Medium groups (15-20) balance comfort and price. Big buses (50+) are the cheapest, but less personal and obligated to stick to the biggest roads, which may result in fewer opportunities to spot the aurora.
What’s included: hotel pick-up and drop-off, thermal suits, hot drinks, snacks, and sometimes professional photography.
Tour style: only chasing tours made the cut. Static “camp” tours can be cozy, but they don’t give you the same flexibility to move towards clear skies.
Reputation: I filtered out tours with repeated complaints or low ratings. Both the average score and number of reviews were considered.
Unique touches: eco-friendly practices, experienced guides, or extras like storytelling and bonfires.
All prices and details were double-checked in September 2025, so the info is current.
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, happen when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles. These interactions release energy in the form of light, creating the dancing green, purple, and pink waves you see in the Arctic sky.
Best Small-Group Tromsø Northern Lights Tour (8 People Max): BOREALIS TOUR
All small-group Tromsø Northern Lights tours reviewed
| Operator | Price | Pick up | Drop off | Thermal suit | Photos | Food | Hot drinks | 2nd try Discount | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
170€ |
Skaret by Vander |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ (-50%) |
4.8 | ||
|
161€ |
Radisson Blu |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.5 | ||
|
242€ |
Scandic Ishavshotel |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
5.0 |
Best small-group Tromsø Northern Lights tour: Borealis Tour
Small groups are the gold standard if your priority is maximizing your chances. Fewer people mean more flexibility, and guides can adapt routes quickly to dodge clouds. Borealis Tour is my favourite pick in this category. They may be newer, but with a 4.8 score, a true small-group guarantee, and a pricing matching most of medium-sized group tours, they offer great value for money. Unlike Green Gold of Norway which runs several vehicles at the same time (up to 4), you stay with one guide and one group the whole night. They’re also the only ones giving 50% off if you don’t catch the aurora on your first try, which is a game-changer in my opinion!
Pros and Cons:
- ✅ True small-group guarantee (max 8)
- ✅ High rating (4.8) despite being newer
✅ 50% discount on 2nd booking if no aurora spotted
- ❌ Lesser established than other operators
- ❌ No hotel drop-off (but city center is compact)
Best Medium-Group Tromsø Northern Lights Tour (18 People Max):
Flexitour
All medium-group Tromsø Northern Lights tours reviewed
| Operator | Price | Pick up | Drop off | Thermal suit | Photos | Food | Hot drink | 2nd try Discount | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
157€ |
Kirkegata 2 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.5 | ||
|
186€ |
Scandic Hotel |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.8 | ||
|
177€ |
Ami Hotel |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.8 | ||
|
186€ |
Kirkegata 2 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.9 | ||
|
178€ |
Scandic Ishavshotel |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.8 | ||
|
203€ |
Scandic Ishavshotel |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.8 | ||
|
127€ |
Tromsø City Library |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.8 | ||
|
190€ |
Magic Ice Bar |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.7 | ||
|
160€ |
Magic Ice Bar |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.9 | ||
|
168€ |
Scandic Grand hotel |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ (-25%) |
4.8 | ||
|
184€ |
Kirkegata 2 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.7 | ||
|
203€ |
Magic Ice Bar |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.8 | ||
|
186€ |
Havn Prostneset |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.4 | ||
|
216€ |
Tourist Shop Tromsø |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.9 | ||
|
152€ |
Scandic Ishavshotel |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.7 | ||
|
216€ |
Scandic Ishavshotel |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.6 |
Best medium-group Tromsø Northern Lights tour: Flexitour
Medium groups strike a balance: more budget-friendly than small tours, but still far more personal than a bus. In my opinion, Flexitour stands out in this category. With an excellent 4.9 score and a competitive €160 price (below the ~€180 average), it consistently stands out for great guiding and guest satisfaction. Like all tours in this category, you’ll get thermal overalls, hot drinks, food, and professional photos included. Most operators run similar setups, but Flexitour’s reviews are especially strong, making it one of the most reliable choices in this crowded category.
If you’re a Spanish-speaking traveler, El Gigante could be a solid alternative, with an even lower price and excellent reviews from Iberic and Latino participants.
Pros and Cons:
- ✅ Excellent reviews (4.9 score)
- ✅ Guide with 10+ years of experience
-
✅ Includes thermal suits, food, drinks, and high-resolution photos
- ❌ No second-try discount (but only one operator in this category offers one)
Best Large-Group Tromsø Northern Lights Tour (Bus): Arctic Explorer
All big-group Tromsø Northern Lights tours reviewed
| Operator | Price | Pick up | Drop off | Thermal suit | Photos | Food | Hot drink | 2nd try Discount | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
117€ |
Fiskekompaniet |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.6 | ||
|
110€ |
Prostneset |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.3 | ||
|
126€ |
Vestregata 42 |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
4.5 | ||
|
118€ |
Norwegian Travel Shop |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ (-50%) |
4.3 |
Best big-group Tromsø Northern Lights tour: Arctic Explorers
For those who don’t mind larger groups, bus tours are the most budget-friendly way to chase the aurora. My top pick is Arctic Explorers: with a solid 4.6 rating, expert guides, and a high success rate similar to smaller group tours, they’ve been running since 2012 and welcomed over 60000 guests. A close second in my opinion is Northern Lights Safari, slightly pricier but with food included and equally experienced guides.
Pros and Cons:
- ✅ Best-rated bus operator (4.6/5 score)
- ✅ Well established: 10+ years of experience, 60000 customers
-
✅ 7 to 9 hours tour and extensive transport to maximize the chances to see Northern Lights
- ❌ No food included, only hot drinks
- ❌ No hotel drop-off (only central drop), like other operators in this category
Best Northern Lights Cruise: Polar Adventures
All Tromsø Aurora cruises reviewed
| Operator | Price | Duration | Food included | 2nd try Discount | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
101€ |
3.5 h |
Soup |
❌ |
4.1 | ||
|
160€ |
3.5 h |
3-Course meal |
❌ |
4.3 | ||
|
118€ |
4 h |
Coffee, tea, cookies |
❌ |
4.1 | ||
|
102€ |
3.5 h |
Drinks and snacks |
✅ (-50%) |
4.3 | ||
|
92€ |
2.5 h |
Coffee, tea |
✅ (Free) |
4.2 | ||
|
296€ |
4 h |
Soup and bread, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cookies |
❌ |
4.7 |
Best Tromsø Aurora cruise: Polar Adventures
If you’d rather stay on the water than drive for hours, aurora cruises are a comfortable alternative. My top pick is Polar Adventures, offering snacks (not just hot drinks) and a fair price at €102. They even give you a 50% discount if you don’t see the aurora on your first try. Be aware that all these “cruises” tend to stay close to Tromsø and aren’t as mobile as land tours, so chances of spotting the lights can be lower. Still, they’re a great way to combine an aurora hunt with a scenic fjord experience, especially for families or travelers with limited mobility.
Pros and Cons:
- ✅ Comfortable, family- and disability-friendly
- ✅ 50% discount if no aurora on first attempt
-
✅Complimentary hot drinks and cookies
- ❌ Lower success rate than land tours, because ships don’t sail far from Tromsø
- ❌ No professional pictures included
And that’s a wrap on my detailed review of 30+ Tromsø Northern Lights Tour! In conclusion, whether you’re chasing the lights from a minivan, coach, or even a boat, Tromsø offers a tour style for every traveler. If seeing the aurora is your top priority, I’d personally recommend going smaller. But if comfort, budget, or a more social atmosphere are your focus, larger groups or cruises are still a great way to experience the Arctic night sky.
What’s next? Maybe you want to plan your stay in Tromsø further? Then, this article may interest you:
✨ Winter Things to Do in Tromso in 2025: My Solo & Budget Guide (Without a Car)Where to stay in Tromsø?
Accommodation in Tromsø is limited and even hostels are not especially budget friendly, so it is best to book well in advance. The best areas to stay are the compact city center, where you’ll be within walking distance of restaurants, museums, and the harbor, and the waterfront, where many hotels offer sweeping views of the fjord and surrounding mountains.
🛏️ Check more available accommodation in Tromsø.
Please note that the prices mentioned above are indicated per night and based on the prices indicated in September 2025 for a stay during Winter 2025-2026. Prices are subject to fluctuation according to supply and demand, time of the year, and the will of the owners.
Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights in Tromsø – Q&A
When Is the Best Time to see the Northern lights in Tromsø?
The aurora season in Tromsø runs from late September to early April, when the nights are long and dark. The peak months are usually November through February, but I’d say January is ideal: the Polar Night creates long hours of darkness, yet there’s still beautiful blue daylight for activities.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Tromsø without a tour?
Yes, it is possible to spot the lights from Tromsø itself on clear nights. However, city lights often get in the way. Tours are valuable because guides can drive you away from light pollution and chase clearer skies if Tromsø is cloudy, which greatly increases your chances.
✨ In this article, I provide more information about spotting the Northern Lights in Tromsø independently (including a free map with easily accessible spots!).
How much does a Northern Light Tour in Tromsø cost?
Most Northern Lights tours cost between €100 and €160 per person, depending on the type. Minivan tours and small bus tours tend to be on the higher end due to smaller groups and more personalized service, while large bus tours and cruises are slightly cheaper.
How Long to Stay in Tromsø?
I personnally stayed 3 nights (2 full days) in Tromsø, but would recommend at least 4 nights if seeing the Northern Lights is crucial to you. The Arctic weather can be unpredictable:one night might be cloudy or snowy, while the next offers a perfect aurora display. I learned it the hard way! Giving yourself a few nights increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights without stress.
Three to four days also let you balance activities: a Northern Lights chase, an adventure tour (like a fjord cruise or snowshoeing), a fjord cruise, and a slower day to explore cafés, museums, or just wander the city. With a shorter stay, you risk feeling rushed or missing out if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
✨ Check 10 ideas of Winter Things to Do in TromsøWhat to Pack for a Northern Lights tour in Tromsø?
Packing for Tromsø in winter is all about layering and warmth. The temperatures may look manageable on paper (often between -5°C and -10°C), but the Arctic wind and long hours outdoors can make it feel much colder. I wore thermal base layers every day, plus a fleece and a down jacket. Waterproof pants and sturdy winter boots are essential, especially if you plan to snowshoe or take a fjord trip.
Don’t forget accessories: thick gloves, a warm hat that covers your ears, wool socks, and a neck warmer or buff (scarves tend to freeze when they get damp). Many tours provide thermal suits, which is a lifesaver, but you’ll still want good basics underneath.
Is Tromsø Safe for Solo Travel?
Yes, Tromsø is one of the safest destinations I’ve visited, even as a solo traveler in the middle of winter. The city is small, walkable, and very welcoming to visitors. I often walked back to my hostel in the evening after tours or aurora chasing and never felt unsafe, even in the middle of the night. The streets are well-lit in the center, and locals are used to tourists being out and about.
Of course, the main safety concerns are not crime but nature, especially icy sidewalks and sudden weather changes. As long as you dress properly and stick to marked paths or guided activities, Tromsø is a very comfortable place for solo travelers, including solo female travelers.
How to get to Tromsø?
Reaching Tromsø can feel intimidating (after all, it’s well above the Arctic Circle!) but it’s surprisingly straightforward. I flew from Oslo, which is the most common route, and found that booking a few months in advance can save a lot. Budget carriers like Norwegian and SAS often offer one-way fares between 60-120€, depending on season and how early you book.
Direct flights from other European cities exist but tend to be pricier, so for most travelers, flying into Oslo first and connecting onward is the most cost-effective approach.
Once you arrive at Tromsø Airport, the city center is only about 5 km away. The airport express bus (Flybussen) is the easiest budget option, taking roughly 15–20 minutes to reach the main bus terminal. A one-way ticket costs around 125 NOK (~12€), which is significantly cheaper than a taxi. There are also public buses, which are easy to navigate if you follow the information on Svipper’s website. A single trip ticket costs 48 NOK (~4€). If you’re carrying luggage or prefer more comfort, a taxi is convenient, but expect to pay 250-350 NOK (~25–35€).
How to get around Tromsø?
The good news: you don’t need a car in Tromsø. The city is compact, and most highlights are within walking distance. For anything further, Tromsø has a reliable bus network that connects the airport, city center, cable car (Fjellheisen), and even spots like Tromsø University. All the information (routes, timetable, fares) can be found on Svipper’s website. Tickets can be bought via the Svipper app or onboard (a little more expensive).
As I’ve stated throughout this article, for Northern Lights or fjord trips, it’s easiest to join a tour. Outside of tours, if you want extra freedom without renting a car, taxis and airport transfers are easy to book, but may be costly.
I hope this extensive review of Northern Lights tours in Tromsø has been helpful and informative!
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