Chasing the Northern Lights: travel tips for bucket list adventures

September 01, 2023

The Northern Lights is one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena in the world. There are so many destinations that allow you to experience the truly magical spectacle of seeing the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, and it is a top bucket list vacation for many. Thinking of planning a trip to see the Northern Lights? Read on to learn how to put together the experience of a lifetime, including creating a backup plan for your experience with trip protection such as a SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus Plan.

Where to see the Northern Lights

Different cultures throughout history have given mystical origins to the aurora borealis, from being restless spirits to being reflections glinting off the shields and armor of the fearless  Valkyrie, to sparks off the tails of arctic foxes. Scientifically, the Northern Lights happen when fast-moving particles from the sun smash into molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. And while the Northern Lights have been spied in low latitudes (such as 1859, when they appeared over Honolulu, Hawaii), you can increase your chances of seeing those glorious streaks of emerald green, fuchsia and indigo by heading to one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.

The best places to immerse yourself in the aurora borealis is in in high-latitude areas with clear skies. The closer you are to the North Pole, the better your chances of seeing the lights; the challenge in this is that temperatures in these areas can be very cold. Fortunately, layers of warm clothes can keep you perfectly cozy during viewings, plus many tourist destinations around the world have developed other ingenious solutions including glass-topped heated igloos in Finland and sleeper train cars in Canada.

See the Northern Lights in Europe

Travelers wanting to see the Northern Lights typically look for destinations within the auroral oval, a circular area of atmosphere where the Northern Lights are most likely to appear. In Europe, three countries have areas that fall within this oval:

Iceland Northern Lights

Being one of the most popular travel destinations to see the Northern Lights, Iceland tends to have clear skies during its long winter nights, plus it’s easy to get away from light pollution by using Reykjavik as a home base but heading to ultra-dark areas such as the Seltjarnarnes Nature Reserve to increase your chances of catching the show.

Finland Northern Lights

In northern Lapland of Finland, clear nights offer a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights between September and March. Locals recommend getting away from bright lights and buildings, directing tourists to hilltops and lakeshores for the best view. The country has even set up a helpful website that offers updates on the best opportunities. 

Norway Northern Lights

The northern part of Norway is one of the best places in the world to see the Lights, with Tromsø’s Fjellheisen mountain offering a viewing platform that offers a panoramic vista of the city and surrounding islands as well as an unobstructed view of the brilliantly colored sky. A ride in the mountain’s cable car adds to the excitement.

See the Northern Lights in North America

Both the U.S. and Canada have regions that offer the chance to spy the aurora borealis:

The Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories, Canada

With smaller communities (less light pollution) and closer proximity to the North Pole, the northern regions of Canada offer an excellent chance to see the Lights, particularly from December to March. In the Yukon, local activities such as dog mushing and ice fishing add to the adventure, plus natural hot springs take the sting out of the bitter cold weather. The Northwest Territories brag that Canada Northern Lights can be spotted up to 240 nights a year, with teepee villages and warmed viewing capsules giving visitors unique ways to enjoy the late nights.

Alaska, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, United States

Wondering where to see the Northern Lights in the U.S.? In Alaska, it’s recommended to move inland from the coasts to see the Northern Lights, simply to avoid the cloud cover that often appears in coastal regions. Fairbanks, Coldfoot, Wiseman and Utqiagvik are just some of the recommended destinations, with local tour guides offering advice on the best spots (check out their helpful local online Lights forecast).

In Minnesota, the northernmost areas along the Canadian border offer viewing opportunities thanks to vast, dark skies. A local driving map offers directions to do an overnight tour of the area, inviting visitors to hit the most-likely viewing points at strategic elevations. Pennsylvania’s Cherry Springs State Park is the second international Dark Sky Park in the U.S., offering an East Coast destination for experiencing the aurora borealis. 

The best time to see the Northern Lights

From a practical perspective, the best time to see the Northern Lights is during winter months, due to the length of night and depth of darkness at that time of year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers an aurora forecast that is updated every 30 minutes, and is a great source to monitor in the weeks and months before your trip as you anticipate seeing this phenomenon in person.

What to do before you go

The unpredictable nature of seeing the Northern Lights means that wherever you go, you’ll want to stay several nights — there are no guarantees the aurora borealis will cooperate with your itinerary. Do your research and choose a destination known for its optimal viewing conditions during your time of travel. And consider buying trip protection: for instance, SafeTrip travel protection plans can give you that extra support you need in case of a trip cancellation or change in your plans.

Pro tips from seasoned travelers include:

• Plan your trip for the darkest winter months
• Choose destinations with low light pollution and clear inland skies
• Stay up late - the lights may not appear until well after midnight
• Check the forecasts, both weather and aurora
• Consider working with a tour company that specializes in Northern Lights travel
• Pack a camera! You’ll want to capture the moment 

Once you arrive at your destination

• Bundle up — winter temps drop dramatically at night, and you won’t want to miss a moment because of frigid northern temps
• Seek out the dark-sky locations, avoiding cities and towns and finding areas with minimal trees and buildings to block your view
• Be patient, as experts recommend staying up well past midnight to maximize your viewing

Protect your travel investment*

With the distance and time required for a successful Northern Lights viewing trip, you’ll be investing quite a bit into this particular bucket-list experience. Check out travel protection plans that keep your trip covered, both if traveling in the U.S. or abroad. Within U.S. borders, the SafeTrip Travel Protection plan covers unforeseen costs of delays, cancellations and lost baggage, so unexpected complications don’t keep you from making the most of your trip.

Overseas, SafeTrip International Travel Medical covers you for any medical emergency including medical evacuations or repatriations, even from the remote areas that many Northern Lights tours take you. Want even more comfort? SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus adds on travel protection so that any canceled or delayed plans — transportation, tours, accommodations or otherwise — don’t derail your once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list adventure. 

*Plan availability varies

Sources:

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast
https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/nature-travel/best-places-to-see-the-northern-lights
https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/whats-the-furthest-south-the-northern-lights-have-been-seen/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/auroras-northern-lights-photography
https://www.theaurorazone.com/about-the-aurora/aurora-legends
https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/in/destinations/best-places-to-see-the-northern-lights/
https://guidetoiceland.is/the-northern-lights/the-northern-lights-aurora-borealis-in-iceland
https://www.visitfinland.com/en/articles/how-to-see-the-northern-lights/
https://www.norwegian.travel/magazine/best-place-to-see-northern-lights-in-norway#:~:text=If%20want%20to%20see%20the,decent%20chance%20of%20seeing%20them
https://travel.destinationcanada.com/en-us/things-to-do/where-see-northern-lights-canada
https://www.visitcookcounty.com/outdoors/northern-lights/