The best Tromsø northern lights tours for most visitors are small-group minibus chases. They drive to wherever the sky is clear, sometimes into Finland, and cost from about NOK 1,759 per adult. A big-bus chase starts at NOK 950. Book a boat, reindeer or husky evening if you want an activity with the aurora as a bonus. Plan at least three nights, as no one can promise the lights.
This guide is for visitors from abroad. Norwegians can read our Norwegian version.
When to go
The season
Visit Tromsø says the northern lights may be seen from late August to early April, when the sky is dark and clear. Most tours do not start until early September. Activity is often strongest between about 20:00 and 02:00.
The polar night
In Tromsø the sun stays below the horizon from about 26 November to 17 January. The days are still not completely dark, and the sky often turns pastel at midday.
Autumn is milderAutumn is less cold than midwinter, and Visit Tromsø suggests it for a milder aurora trip. You can also combine the lights with autumn colours on the mountains.
Hunt or experience?
Two types of tour
Visit Tromsø splits tours into two groups. A northern lights hunt goes by car, minibus or bus, and the goal is to find the lights. A northern lights experience pairs the hunt with something else, such as a Sámi tent, dog sledding or a boat. There, the activity comes first.
How to choose
Pick a hunt if seeing the aurora is the whole point of your trip. Pick an experience if you want a good evening even under cloud.
The tours we looked at
Minibus chase: Polar Adventures
Polar Adventures runs a small-group minibus chase for 3 to 17 people. Adults pay NOK 1,759, youth aged 13 to 17 pay NOK 1,750 and children aged 5 to 12 pay NOK 1,299. The tour lasts about 5 to 7 hours.
From 1 October 2026 to 15 March 2027 it leaves at 18:30 from Fr. Nansens plass. A thermal suit, hot drinks, snacks and two photos are included, and extra photos cost NOK 40 each. A warm meal is not included, so eat first.
Minibus chase: Arctic Explorers
Arctic Explorers drives more than 200 km on some nights, and crosses into Finland if needed. Its minibus tour for 2 to 15 people includes a thermal suit, boots, a hot meal and photos. It lasts 7 to 9 hours and meets at Scandic Ishavshotel.
The company’s own page says from NOK 1,950. The Visit Tromsø listing says from NOK 2,200, and notes that prices vary through the season.
Big bus chase
Arctic Explorers also runs a big-bus chase from NOK 950, from 15 September to 31 March. It is the cheapest guided chase we found.
Electric boat cruise
Brim Explorer’s cruise leaves the pier at Kaigata 6 at 19:00 and returns at 22:00. Adults pay NOK 1,290, and NOK 1,419 from 11 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. Soup and focaccia are included, and the lounges are heated. Under normal conditions, about 75% of the trip runs on electric power.
Reindeer and Sámi dinner
Tromsø Arctic Reindeer leaves Prostneset at 18:00 for a camp about 25 minutes away. You feed the reindeer, take a 15 to 20 minute sled ride and eat a three-course dinner in a gamme. Adults pay from NOK 2,090, and children aged 3 to 12 from NOK 1,045. The evening lasts about 4.5 hours.
Huskies and a lavvu
Tromsø Villmarkssenter runs an Aurora Husky Visit from the Radisson Blu at 18:45. You meet the dogs and puppies, eat dinner and wait by the fire in a lavvu. It does not include dog sledding. Adults pay NOK 1,790 to 1,990, depending on season.
Do it yourself
Fjellheisen cable car
The cable car climbs to Storsteinen, 421 m above sea level, in about four minutes. It runs daily from 09:00 to 00:00. An adult return costs NOK 645, and a family ticket for two adults and two children costs NOK 1,360.
Parking at the lower station is closed during building work. Free parking is about five minutes’ walk away, at Solstrandvegen 30. Bus 26 from Torgsenteret stops at Fjellheisen.
Watch the forecast
The Yr app has a northern lights forecast up to three days ahead. Its short-term forecast covers the next 30 to 90 minutes and can send a push alert. In Yr’s table, places between 66 and 74 degrees have a Kp threshold of 0, so even a quiet night can work.
Get away from the lights
You can sometimes see the aurora from the city centre. Visit Tromsø still recommends getting out of town, away from street lights.
Tips before you book
Book early
Visit Tromsø says aurora tours and hotels are often fully booked. Book both as soon as your dates are fixed.
Read the cancellation terms
Arctic Explorers refunds its own tours in full if you cancel 24 hours or more ahead.
Dress for waiting
You will stand still in the cold for long periods. Many tours lend thermal suits, but bring wool layers, a hat, mittens and winter boots.
Getting there
Flights
Norwegian, SAS and Widerøe flew 313 direct departures from Oslo to Tromsø in October 2026, about 81 a week. The first left at 07:30 and the last at 21:55.
Where to stay
Many tours meet in the centre, so a central hotel saves taxi money. See our best hotels in Tromsø.
Our verdict
Book one minibus chase early in your stay. If you see the lights, use the next night for a boat or a reindeer dinner. If you miss them, book another chase.
More aurora guides are in our northern lights section. Next, read where else to go in our best places to see the northern lights in Norway.
A minibus chase with Polar Adventures cost NOK 1,759 per adult for the 2026–27 season.