Guided Northern Lights Tours By Rail

Why see the Northern Lights with us

Spectacular settings

From Norway's Lofoten Islands to Sweden's Arctic town of Kiruna, our Northern Lights tours are designed around destinations known for the most mesmerising displays. These remote locations offer crisp air, dark skies and minimal light pollution - ideal conditions for witnessing the Northern Lights in all their glory.

Prime time of year

Our itineraries are scheduled during the best times of year to see the Northern Lights, from the snow-dusted landscapes of November to the long, clear nights of January through to March. On a tour with us, you can travel when chances are at their highest and the surroundings at their most magical.

See the lights by land and sea

On one of our most unique itineraries Northern Lights on a winter Arctic cruise, you can enjoy a magical Northern Lights cruise through Norway's dramatic fjords and into the Arctic Circle. This special journey offers unforgettable ways to chase the Northern Lights, from standing beneath snow-lit skies to watching from the comfort of a modern cruise ship, you can experience this natural wonder from extraordinary vantage points.

Hassle free adventure

Our expert Tour Managers and thoughtfully planned itineraries mean you can enjoy the adventure without any worries. We handle all the details, from travel and accommodation to excursions and local insight, so you can focus on soaking up the Scandinavian culture and watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky.

Best time to see the Northern Lights

These wintry months are considered to be prime time to view the lights, clear skies and a fresh blanket of crisp white snow are perfect conditions for spotting this elusive wonder.

The arrival of summer signifies the coming of the 'Midnight Sun', making the Lights almost impossible to spot as the north of Scandinavia is in almost constant light.

It may be possible to catch a glimpse of the lights in the reflective waters of Scandinavia's icy lakes during the autumn.

With the landscape changing dramatically and the nights becoming longer it is a brilliant to view the Northern Lights, although some cloud cover can shield the display.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis to be precise, can appear in many different forms, from sporadic wisps of muted colour to shimmering ribbons of bright light. The shades visible also vary depending on the type of gas particles that collide, but the hues are most commonly an assortment of green, pink and violet. The subsequent kaleidoscopic light show can last anything from a few minutes to all night long, depending on the solar winds, which results in one of Scandinavia's most inspiring natural treasures in a region that is very much 'powered by nature'.

The Northern Lights can be elusive and unpredictable, and sightings are never guaranteed. The lights are best seen on clear, dark nights between late August to early April. With fewer daylight hours, winter brings greater opportunities to view the phenomenon, with darkness falling at 6pm and lasting until 6am. It is important to view the lights from an area with little to no light pollution, as although the lights can occur at any time throughout the day, the dashes of brilliant colour are often only visible with the naked eye against a pitch black sky.

Great Rail Journeys passengers on our Northern Lights tours are provided with the best possible conditions from which to view the magical light show. Those travelling on the The Northern Lights & Lapland tour journey to a quiet location in the Lofoten Islands. The minimum light pollution here results in fantastic conditions from which to hunt for the Northern Lights, which create a breathtaking scene as they dance over the winter landscapes. We also visit Bodø, a coastal city beneath the auroral oval which is known to provide stunning views of the magical aurora on clear nights. On the Northern Lights over Swedish Lapland tour, we enjoy an expedition into the wilderness of the snowy tundra, where we embark on a photography safari with an aurora photographer and expert. Our viewpoint in the heart of Abisko National Park is renowned as one of the best locations in the world from which to view the aurora.

Seeing the Northern Lights is a truly unique experience. A stunning spectacle that is never the same twice, those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the fantastic, surreal cascade of colours are guaranteed to remember the experience for a lifetime.

Enchanting Northern Lights Holidays

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