The 7 Best Northern Lights Tours Around the World

Iceland is not only a bucket-list vacation destination, it’s also one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. This tour from Arctic Adventures takes travelers staying in Reykjavík into the wilderness, away from light pollution, via “super Jeeps” that are designed to go off-road across the region’s rugged terrain. But you won’t just be sitting in vehicles the whole time. Wear hiking shoes, as you might have to head out on foot to reach the perfect vantage point.

Guides escort a maximum of 16 guests on the four-hour journey, taking them to the best viewing spots and regaling them with the science and legends behind the northern lights. During the chilly adventure through the Icelandic countryside, they’ll also provide guests with hot chocolate and treats. And if the lights aren't visible, you can rebook for free.

Iceland can be rather expensive, so if you're on a budget, consider this bus tour for an affordable way to see the northern lights. The tour’s motor coaches take you away from the city lights — though not off-road like some other tours — providing a better viewing experience than you’d get in the city center. Plus, a guide will be on hand to share some context during the three- to four-hour journey. The buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi, so you can entertain yourself while you wait for the lights to appear, and you’ll be given hot chocolate to warm up with. If the lights end up being a no-show, you can rebook your tour for free.

If you want to take an active role in your northern lights tour, book this snowmobile safari, which lets you drive into the scenic forests and countryside of Finnish Lapland. Yes, it will be cold, but the tour operator can provide loaner thermal gear for those who aren’t sufficiently bundled up. Throughout the three-hour trip, guides will make photography stops not only for the lights but also for the natural scenery. They’ll grill some sausages over a campfire for a snack, too. The only downside to this trip is that you have to abide by speed limits, so it might not be quite the adrenaline rush you expect, but an appearance by the aurora borealis will more than make up for that.

Because the northern lights are fickle, a multiday tour is the best option to increase your chances of seeing them. This seven-day, small-group trip is one of the most luxurious northern lights adventures you can book. It takes place in Churchill, Canada, a town on the western shore of Hudson Bay that’s known for its polar bears, beluga whales, and aurora sightings. Guests stay in a range of accommodations, from glass Aurora Pods to a heated cabin. Activities are not limited to northern lights viewing, as guests go on snowshoe hikes, take “snow coach” driving tours to spot Arctic wildlife, and are immersed in indigenous traditions like dog sledding.

Northern lights tours aren’t limited to land. Norwegian ferry company and cruise line Hurtigruten operates cruises up and down the coast of Norway, which is one of the best places to see the northern lights. In fact, Hurtigruten offers a Northern Lights Promise on most winter departures, meaning that if you don’t see the northern lights at all during your trip, you’ll be given a free six- or seven-night cruise to try again. We recommend the 15-day North Cape Express (more days mean more chances to see the lights) onboard the MS Trollfjord, which will be completely refurbished in 2023.

If you’re going to make the trek into the wilderness to see the northern lights, why not pair the experience with another activity, like a soak in some hot springs? This full-day tour out of Fairbanks, Alaska, brings you to Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you can soak in natural mineral springs (or in man-made hot tubs or an indoor pool) before taking you on a nighttime quest through the forest to see the northern lights. The tour also includes a stop at the Aurora Ice Museum, which is made from more than 1,000 tons of ice and snow and is open year-round.

Photographing the northern lights is easier said than done, which is why it helps to have a photo instructor on hand to give you some guidance. That’s exactly what Alaska Photo Treks’ one-night tour out of Anchorage provides, and it even includes a free portrait of you in front of the lights taken by that instructor. This tour also stands out thanks to the fact that it has a four-day option, which maximizes your chances of seeing the northern lights. We also love that the company updates its website with aurora forecasts to advise guests about the likelihood of the tour running; it’ll be canceled (with a full refund) if the forecast isn’t looking good.