Can you see the northern lights in Tromsø tonight?

Visit Tromsø says the northern lights may be visible in Tromsø from late August to early April whenever the sky is dark and clear enough. Northern weather changes quickly, so spending more nights in the region gives a greater chance that aurora activity and clear skies coincide. Coastal ships, long-distance buses and flights provide transport options to the area.

When to see the northern lights in Tromsø

Visit Tromsø states that the northern lights may be visible in the region from late August to early April, whenever the sky is dark and clear enough. On its northern lights FAQ, Visit Tromsø notes that organised northern lights tours usually run from September to early April. Visit Tromsø puts the region's aurora down to its position directly below the northern lights oval.

Visit Tromsø says the aurora can appear at any time of the night, though it is often most active between about 20:00 and 02:00. The chances are best under a cloudless sky, but the weather in the north changes quickly and a gap can suddenly open in the cloud. The more nights a visitor spends in Tromsø, the better the chance that aurora activity and the weather coincide; there is never a guarantee.

According to Visit Tromsø, the polar night lasts from late November to late January. The sun stays below the horizon, but it never gets completely dark during the day; you can read more about local light patterns under daylight and dark hours. Visit Tromsø gives an average winter temperature of -4 °C, and says anyone going out for the northern lights should be prepared for anything from -25 °C to 5 °C.

How to get to Tromsø

Tromsø Airport Langnes is about 5 km from the city centre. According to Visit Tromsø, there are several daily flights from Oslo to Tromsø, taking about 1 hour 50 minutes. Visit Tromsø notes that SAS, Widerøe and Norwegian fly direct from several Norwegian airports, and there are direct flights from several European destinations. Avinor lists 17 airlines at Tromsø Airport, among them British Airways, easyJet, SAS, Norwegian and Wizz Air.

The airport is linked to the city centre by the Airport Express Bus, by city bus routes 24, 26, 40 and 42, and by taxi, which usually takes around ten minutes. Cash is not accepted on the buses.

Visit Tromsø states that there is no train to Tromsø. The nearest stations are Narvik, on the Swedish line from Abisko, Kiruna and Stockholm, and Fauske, on the Norwegian line from Trondheim and Oslo. You can check viewing conditions across the border in the Abisko northern lights guide. Long-distance buses link Tromsø with Alta, Narvik and Fauske all year, and with Rovaniemi in Finland in summer and from December to March.

Hurtigruten and Havila sail between Bergen and Kirkenes all year and call at Tromsø twice a day. According to Visit Tromsø, the voyage takes about 24 hours from Bodø and 17 hours from Svolvær.

Where to stand to see the aurora

Visit Tromsø states that the best place is one with a clear view of the sky and as little artificial light as possible. On clear nights the aurora may be seen from Tromsø itself, including darker places such as Prestvannet. The northern lights can often be seen downtown, even from a hotel window, but Visit Tromsø recommends leaving the city lights for places with little or no artificial light. You can compare local conditions with other destinations in the guide to the best places to see the northern lights.

Guided tours leave the city and can look for clearer skies when local conditions are poor. Visit Tromsø distinguishes northern lights hunts, by car, minibus or bus with the aurora as the aim, from experiences that combine the hunt with dog sledding, snowmobiling or a night in a lavvu, where the aurora is a bonus. Visit Tromsø recommends booking a tour before arriving, particularly in the busiest winter months, because popular departures and small tours sell out.

Visit Tromsø advises visitors to dress warmly, because a night out for the aurora is mostly sitting still and waiting; activity providers often lend thermal suits and winter boots. Under Visit Tromsø guidelines, visitors must wear reflective clothing and never walk in the road, which is dark and twisting. Drivers should not stop on blind bends and should watch for reindeer and elk.