The best time to see northern lights this year is upon us and this year’s hotspots are looking a whole lot cooler with the rise of Northern Lights tourism, spurred by reports that the astronomical phenomenon will be extraordinarily visible in 2024. Travelling to see the Aurora Borealis is more in-demand than going on an African Safari, exploring Japan during cherry blossom season, or visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, according to recent numbers from Expedia. Northern lights searches are skyrocketing for winter trips to sky show “capitals” like Lapland in Finland, Churchill in Manitoba, and Alta in Norway.
The following is Northern Lights Insider Guide packed with insights on trending destinations, booking hacks, photography tips, and ideal itineraries to complement the best time to see northern lights this year – which is now.
“Planning a Northern Lights adventure might feel like navigating uncharted territory, but these tips make it easy for travelers to make this trip a reality,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “From Canada to Norway, the guide shows where to stay for under $200 a night or how to bundle a whole trip together for under $2000.”
Destination Insights
Due to an auspicious solar cycle, 2024 is expected to bring increased opportunities for travelers to glimpse the Northern Lights. Here are the most popular places to chase the aurora borealis this year, based on Expedia traveler data:
Finland: For aurora hunters, Finland is an extremely popular destination with hotel searches increasing 197% in 2023 versus 2022. The Finnish Lapland region is most popular, home to popular Northern Lights locales Rovaniemi and Levi, among others.
Canada: Top Canadian destinations for Northern Lights tourism included Churchill, Manitoba boasting a 173% increase in hotel searches in 2023 compared to 2022. Whitehorse, Yukon, and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories also saw increases.
Norway: Norway’s Northern Lights season stretches from fall to spring, but statistically the best times to see the lights are in March/April and September/October. Top destinations included Kirkenes, Tromsø, and Alta, the second northern-most city in the world.
U.S.A.: America’s largest state, Alaska, saw an increase of 104% with Fairbanks being the most popular destination. Visit in late August through mid-April for the best chance of spotting the Northern Lights.
Photo by Dave Sanford
Top Ten Trending Northern Lights Locations Worldwide
Based on year-over-year search growth, these are the destinations expected to be popular among tourists in 2024.
1. Lapland, Finland
2. Churchill, Canada
3. Alta, Norway
4. Narvik, Norway
5. Banff, Canada
6. Kalfafell, Iceland
7. Jasper, Canada
8. Isle of Skye, UK
9. Abisko, Sweden
10. Kiruna, Sweden
Best Time to See Northern Lights in 2024
Based on average daily hotel rates (ADRs) in 2023, these are the anticipated most cost-effective destinations for Northern Lights trips in the coming year:
+ February: Faroe Island, with ADRs around $162, more than $100 cheaper per night compared to the most expensive month, September.
+ March: Aberdeen, Scotland (ADRs $114), nearly 15% cheaper than ADRs in September.
+ April: Tromsø, Norway, with ADRs around $201, a $107 difference compared to February.
+ September: Finland (ADRs around $181), roughly $121 cheaper than December.
+ October: Lapland, Finland (ADRs around $141), less than half the cost of December, January, and February.
+ November: Yellowknife, Canada (ADRs around $188), around 10% cheaper than January.
+ December: Greenland, ADRs at $148, less than half the cost during March.
Best Time to See Northern Lights: Money-Saving Hacks
These tips help travelers save without compromising on experience:
+ Book airfare on a Sunday to save up to 24%: According to Expedia, travelers who book on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save, on average, around 17% on domestic flights and 24% on international flights.
+ Use a Price Tracking feature or app to eliminate the uncertainty involved in choosing the right time to book a Northern Lights trip. These apps notify travelers when flight prices change and using exclusive data to pinpoint the best time to book.
Best Time to See Northern Lights: Top Itineraries
+ Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: One of the country’s best places to catch the Northern Lights, locals recommend a minimum three-to-four-night stay to increase the odds of glimpsing the Aurora. Stay at the Explorer Hotel and schedule an intimate Aurora viewing experience with transportation and a midnight snack through Bucketlist Tours.
+ Tromsø, Norway: Indulge in a week-long retreat at the Radisson Blu Hotel Tromsø, and combine your flight and hotel into an Expedia package. Make the most of your days by adding a reindeer sledding adventure.
+ Fairbanks, Alaska: Book a package to this popular Northern Lights destination, including a stay at Chena Hot Springs Resort and a visit to the Aurora Ice Museum.
Capturing the Northern Lights:
Even when shooting with a smartphone camera, it’s possible to bring home the magic of the Northern Lights with these photography tips from award-winning wildlife and nature photographer, Dave Sandford:
1. Get remote: Heading to areas with little to no light pollution will provide the best opportunities when shooting the night sky, so venturing far away from urban centers is recommended.
2. Planning and preparation are key: Rely on local guides or join a group excursion to ensure being at the right place at the right time for Northern Lights hunting. Downloading aurora tracking apps and carrying spare batteries or charging your smartphone ahead of time are essential. Cold temperatures can drain battery life faster than usual.
3. Use a tripod: Shooting the night sky requires a slower camera shutter speed, and using a tripod will help prevent camera shake and produce crisp, sharp images regardless of the type of camera used. Utilizing a cable release trigger or setting the camera or smartphone to self-timer mode can further reduce blurry images caused by camera shake.
4. Composition: Depending on the location, including foreground subjects such as mountains, tree lines, lighted tents, building structures, or reflections of the Northern Lights on a lake or pond can enhance the breathtaking aspect of the images and provide a sense of scale.
5. Dress for success: Proper preparation for sub-zero aurora viewing and photography is crucial. Layering clothing is key to staying warm and comfortable. Renting cold-weather gear is an option for those who don’t own suitable attire. Being warm allows for a more enjoyable experience and the ability to fully embrace the cold temperatures while immersing oneself in the magic of the Northern Lights.
Conclusion
“Patience is key and experimenting with your camera settings is the secret sauce to capturing the Northern Lights,” said Sandford. “That said, don’t forget to savor the moment. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been fortunate to see them in person, I always make a point to put the camera down and lose myself in the extraordinary experience of the Northern Lights.”
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