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Northern lights safari Tromsø: prices and costs at a glance
The northern lights safari Tromsø price ranges from affordable bus tours to private hunts that cost a multiple more. Here you see the starting prices compared and what you get for your money.
Check availabilityfrom $61 · free cancellation
Editorial tromsonordlichter.deUpdated on October 2, 20266 min read1 sources
In short
- 01Cheapest entry
- The northern lights safari with expert guides starts from $61 per person.
- 02Small groups
- Small-group tours with photos start from $131 for example.
- 03Private
- A private hunt in a minivan starts from $1,574.
- 04Starting prices
- All amounts are starting prices; the exact price you see when booking for your date.
- 05Flexible
- With the tours compared here, you book now and pay later, free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
What a northern lights safari in Tromsø costs
If you're searching for northern lights tours in Tromsø for the first time, you'll be surprised by the price range. Between the cheapest bus tour and a private hunt there's a multiple difference. The good news: for a solid night with a guide, you don't need to spend much. The northern lights safari with expert guides and photos recommended on this page starts from $61 per person. That's the lowest starting price among the tours compared below.
All prices on this page are starting prices. They show where a tour begins, not what you pay on any given date. Depending on season, option and availability, the actual amount may be higher. The exact price for your night you'll only see when booking, once you select your date and number of travelers. Plan accordingly with a little buffer, especially in popular weeks. And always compare like with like: a bus tour with a bus tour, a cruise with a cruise. Otherwise some offers may look cheaper or more expensive than they really are for the experience.
What determines the price? Above all three things: group size, extras such as food, photos or equipment, and the type of vehicle or boat. Roughly speaking: the bigger the group, the lower the price per person. On top of that come specializations, such as tours with a pro photographer or with dinner. With this knowledge, the offers are easier to put into perspective.
Pay and cancel
When you pay what
-
When booking
Reserve now
You secure your spot and pay later.
-
Before the trip
Watch the weather
Northern lights need a dark, clear sky.1
-
Up to 24 hours before
Free cancellation
You receive a full refund up to 24 hours before the start.
-
The night
Experience the safari
The safari lasts 6 hours.
-
Without northern lights
Use Unlimited
No refund, but with the Unlimited option you get another trip during your stay.
The affordable tours: bus and large group
At the lower end stand large, well-organized tours. The northern lights safari with expert guides lasts 6 hours and starts from $61. With a 4.55 out of 8,349 ratings, it's simultaneously the highest-rated tour in the comparison. According to the offer, a professional photo, hot drinks and, weather permitting, a bonfire are included; you can rent a thermal suit for an extra fee.
Similar in price is an expedition tour by bus with professional photos. It also lasts 6 hours and is bookable from $66, with a 4.58 out of 2,064 ratings. A photo tour by bus starts from $96, lasts 7 hours and has a 4.29 out of 874 ratings. The differences are therefore less about price than about ratings and focus.
Who is the affordable tier worth it for? For anyone who wants to see the northern lights for the first time and values proven organization. You share the evening with more people, but get guides, transport and photos at a fair price. If you're in Tromsø for several nights, you can ride again with the Unlimited option of the safari until the lights appear.
Price and rating
More expensive does not mean better rated
out of 5
Prices compared
Northern Lights tours from Tromsø starting at
| Tour | Type | Duration | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern lights safari with experts | Bus, large group | 6 hrs | from $61 |
| Bus expedition with photos | Bus | 6 hrs | from $66 |
| Cruise with a second chance | Boat | 2.5 hours | from $115 |
| Hunt with snacks and suits | Bus | 7 hrs. | from $127 |
| Small group with photos | Small group | 6 hrs | from $131 |
| Hunt until you find them | Max. 15 persons | 5 to 8 hrs | from $144 |
| Reindeer sled with dinner | Combo tour | 4.5 hrs | from $219 |
| Photo tour in German | Max. 8 people | 7 hrs. | from $241 |
| Cross-border hunt, unlimited | Bus | 8 hrs. | from $309 |
| Private hunt in minivan | private | 6 hrs | from $1,574 |
Starting prices and duration according to the offers on GetYourGuide; the exact price depends on the date and option.
Price classes
Budget, mid-range or private
Budget
Mid-range
PrivateDecision helper
Which price class suits you?
Choose what matters most to you.
Northern lights safari
The lowest starting price in the comparison: from $61.
Small group with photos
from $131 for 6 hours.
Northern Lights Cruise
A cruise with a second chance starts at $115.
Combo tour with reindeer
Reindeer sled with dinner from $219.
Private hunt
from $1,574 for 6 hours in a minivan.
The mid-range: smaller groups and extras
In the middle of the price range you'll find tours that advertise with smaller groups or additional perks. A hunt with photos, snacks and thermal suits starts from $127 and lasts 7 hours. A small-group tour with photos starts from $131 for 6 hours. A photo tour with 6,770 reviews starts from $133.
A bit higher are tours that expressly stay small. A hunt limited to 15 participants starts from $137 and lasts 7 hours. Another small-group hunt, also with a maximum of 15 people, starts from $144 and has a 4.90 out of 5 rating. A minibus tour with a bonfire starts from $159 and lasts 8 hours.
Here you're paying mainly for calm and proximity. In a small group the guide has more time for you, photography is more relaxed, and waiting outside it's less crowded. Whether that's worth double the price of the big safari is a matter of taste. For couples and hobby photographers, the mid-range is often a good compromise between budget and experience.
Cost calculator
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Choose a tour and the number of people.
people
Total from$122
from per person $61
Check availabilityfree cancellationDeparture prices according to GetYourGuide, converted at the ECB reference rate. The exact price is shown when you book.
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Cruises and combo tours
Not every northern lights night happens on a bus. A northern lights cruise with a second chance starts from $115 and lasts 2.5 hours. An evening cruise with optional dinner is available from $126. A dinner cruise on a hybrid catamaran starts from $209. On the water the night is shorter, but you sit more comfortably.
If you want to combine the northern lights with another experience, go for a combo tour. A visit to huskies with a traditional dinner starts from $188 and lasts 4 hours. A reindeer sled ride with dinner and a chance to see the northern lights costs from $219. On tours like these, the northern lights are a possible highlight, not the sole focus.
Do the math carefully with combo tours. They may seem pricier, but they include a dinner and a second activity. If you wanted to do both anyway, a combo tour can be cheaper than separate excursions. If the northern lights are all that matter to you, you're better off with a pure hunt, since it's entirely focused on searching for clear skies.
Premium and private: when money is no object
At the top end stand specialized tours. A photo tour in a small group starts from $236, a northern lights hunt with a pro photographer in German from $241. A cross-border hunt with unlimited rides costs from $309 and lasts 8 hours. A luxury cruise with hot tub and dinner starts from $310.
Even further is an overnight stay in a crystal lavvo with a guided activity, from $460 and in a group of up to 12 people. At the very top are private tours: a private hunt in a minivan for 6 hours starts from $1,574. Check private offers carefully whether the price applies to the whole group or per person.
Is it worth it? Perhaps for special occasions. A private tour is tailored to you, and a night in a lavvo is an experience in itself. But to see the northern lights, none of these options is strictly necessary. The sky is the same for everyone, and a good affordable tour gets you under the aurora just as well. Spend that money instead on warm clothing and an extra evening if you're unsure.
What is included in the safari price
According to the listing, the northern lights safari includes a professional photo of your evening, a guide and photographer, transport by bus or minibus, hot drinks, chairs, and, weather permitting, a campfire. A winter suit is available to rent; with the small-group option, it is included in the price. However, there is no toilet on board.
One rule you should know before you book: if the northern lights do not appear, there is no refund. For that reason, the Unlimited option lets you join again during your stay until you see the lights. Anyone staying several nights in Tromsø should factor this into the price comparison, because it turns a single chance into several.
The value for money of the safari is rated 4.5, with guides and transport each receiving 4.8. Budget for extras that are not covered by the ticket: warm clothing if you do not rent a suit, a good dinner before departure, and perhaps a souvenir. Children under 5 are not allowed on the safari.
How to save on the northern lights tour
The simplest tip: do not book the most expensive tour assuming it offers better northern lights. The chance depends on the sky, not the price. In the Tromsø region, northern lights are possible from late August to early April, when it is dark enough and the sky is clear.1 An affordable tour on a clear night beats any expensive tour under cloudy skies.
Use flexible booking options. With this safari, you can reserve now and pay later, and cancel free of charge up to 24 hours beforehand. This secures your spot without requiring immediate payment and lets you react if the forecast looks poor. It protects you against buying a ticket on a cloudy night.
And calculate for groups. If you are traveling as a family or with friends, the difference between an affordable and a mid-range tour quickly adds up to a noticeable amount. The cost calculator on this page shows the starting prices for your group size. Spend what you save on an extra evening out: an additional chance under the sky often means more than an expensive tour.
Book safari
Tonight the sky could turn green.
Reserve now, pay later, and cancel free up to 24 hours before.
You ask,we answer.
How much does a northern lights safari in Tromsø cost?
From $61 per person. The northern lights safari with expert guides costs at least this much; the exact price depends on the date and the option you choose.
How much does a private northern lights tour cost?
From $1,574. This is the minimum cost for a private minivan hunt lasting 6 hours; check whether the price applies per group.
Are small-group tours significantly more expensive?
About twice as much. A small-group tour with photos starts from $131, the larger safari from $61.
Do I get my money back if no northern lights appear?
Not with the safari. The operator doesn't refund anything if the lights stay away. With the Unlimited option, you can join again during your stay.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes, up to 24 hours in advance. According to the listing, this applies to the compared tours, for example the safari with full refund.
What is included in the safari?
Photo, drinks, campfire. According to the listing, a professional photo, guide and photographer, transport, hot drinks, chairs, and, weather permitting, a campfire.
Do I have to pay right away?
No. You can reserve now and pay later.
Sources
What this guide is based on
- 1Visit Tromsø Region ASWhen and where to see the northern lights in Tromsø?↩
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