The Prices of Northern Lights Tours to Europe
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For travelers seeking a truly magical experience, northern lights tours in Europe offer the chance to witness one of nature's most spectacular phenomena. The shimmering auroras, with their vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple, illuminate the night skies in remote, pristine destinations. Whether you're gazing up from a cozy glass igloo, standing in the vast Arctic wilderness, or exploring the local villages, northern lights tours provide a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring natural wonder. In this article, we'll explore the costs of northern lights tours around Europe, highlight some of the best options, and share the top destinations for catching this unforgettable light display.
To help you find the perfect northern lights adventure, we've carefully researched a wide variety of tours. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, viewing conditions, and included experiences, we've identified the best guided tour options in Europe for those eager to chase the auroras. Whether you're traveling with a guide to maximize your chances of seeing the lights or combining the experience with other winter activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling, these tours offer an extraordinary way to connect with the wonders of the natural world. So, bundle up, look to the skies, and prepare for a breathtaking journey under the northern lights.
Why does Europe appeal to winter travelers?
Europe's Arctic regions are among the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Activities like dog sledding and ice hotels enhance the winter experience. Europe's accessibility and pristine environment make it a prime destination for aurora enthusiasts.
How much do northern lights tours in Europe cost?
The average price per day for northern lights tours in Europe is $474, based on our analysis of 45 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $106 to $2,824 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $266 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $751 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in Europe
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable northern lights tours in Europe average $266 per day, with daily prices from $106 to $345. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Iceland Northern Lights & Golden Circle here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical northern lights tours in Europe that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $405 per day. Daily prices range from $354 to $452. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is 5 Days New Year's Northern Lights Adventure.
Luxury Tours
Luxury northern lights tours in Europe average around $405 per day, with daily costs ranging from $453 to $2,824. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Northern Lights Quest of Iceland - 6 Days/5 Nights (9 destinations).
Which tour companies offer these trips?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer northern lights tours in Europe. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
On The Go Tours
On The Go Tours is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Many of their tours visit Europe and Africa. Some of their most popular destinations include Egypt, Great Britain, Morocco, and India. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, wine tasting, whale watching, island hopping, snorkelling, camel riding, dolphin watching, kayaking, diving, white water rafting, quad biking, horse riding, and cooking classes.
See All Tours from On The Go Tours
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
See All Tours from G Adventures
CIE Tours
CIE Tours is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 5 countries, including Ireland, Great Britain, Iceland, and Italy. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
Departure Destinations in Europe
Wondering where tours launch from in Europe? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It makes a good starting point for exploring the country, but many people head quickly into Iceland's countryside, as that is what the region is known for. In town you'll find the National and Saga Museums, which offer a fascinating overview on the country's Viking past. Just outside of town is the world famous Blue Lagoon Spa, which is in the town of Grindavik. The city has a thriving nightlife scene that is centered around its many festivals.
The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.
Helsinki
Helsinki is a beautiful city that is filled with cultural landmarks and museums. Mannerheimintie is the main avenue through the city where you'll find many museums and architectural sights. The city has a lively music scene and an innovative art scene as well.
The city's location on the tip of a peninsula means that the water has a huge influence over daily life. There are more than 300 islands in the area and plenty of nature and parkland. The city is filled with striking color and tons of beauty.
Tromso
Tromsø is a city in Northern Norway, within the Arctic Circle. Many visitors come to see the Northern Lights or experience and Arctic adventure such as dogsledding or exploring the fjords. There are also museums related to the Arctic environment and other outdoor adventures.
It's surrounding Arctic landscape includes fjords and snow-topped mountains.
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. It's a unique city in that it's spread out over 14 islands that are connected by many bridges. The are many quaint streets and a beautiful and colorful old town that you can explore. The city has many ferries and sightseeing boats that will take you by some of the most significant landmarks.
This is among the cleanest and most beautiful cities in Europe.
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Other popular destinations for northern lights tours through Europe include Vik, Rovaniemi, Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Hella, and Keflavik.
Northern Lights Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're debating whether to plan your trip solo or join a guided tour, take some time to reflect on the pros and cons of both options.
Organized Tours
Pros- Guides take you to the best viewing locations based on real-time weather and aurora activity.
- A guided tour eliminates the stress of navigating remote areas in unfamiliar terrain.
- Experts provide insights about the science and folklore behind the Northern Lights.
- Tours often include specialized photography guidance for capturing the aurora.
- You’ll have access to equipment like warm gear, tripods, or heated shelters.
- Transportation is provided, ensuring safety on icy or unlit roads.
- Groups often create a shared sense of excitement during the experience.
- Tour operators handle permits and regulations for protected areas.
- You may not have flexibility to spend extra time at a promising viewing spot.
- There’s less control over the choice of locations or activities.
- Weather conditions can cause cancellations, and rescheduling isn’t always possible.
- Large groups can make it harder to enjoy the solitude of nature.
Independent Travel
Pros- You can choose your own viewing spots and stay as long as you like.
- Traveling independently allows for a quieter and more personal experience.
- You can design your itinerary to include other nearby attractions or activities.
- You have complete control over the pace and style of your trip.
- Finding the best viewing locations requires extensive research.
- Driving on icy roads in remote areas can be dangerous without experience.
- You need to monitor aurora activity and weather conditions yourself.
- Packing proper gear for cold weather and photography can be overwhelming.
- Viewing locations can be hard to access without local knowledge.
- The lack of a guide may result in missed opportunities or suboptimal spots.
- Travel delays or unpredictable weather may disrupt your plans.
- It can be challenging to photograph the aurora without professional guidance.
Which is cheaper?
Can you save money by traveling independently instead of joining guided northern lights tours? It's not a simple yes or no. Tours usually include key expenses such as lodging, transportation, meals, entry fees, guides, and activities, which you'd need to manage and pay for individually on your own trip. To figure out the difference, compare the total tour price with the cost of making your own arrangements. Depending on your choices—like opting for budget hotels or premium dining—the cost of a tour might be higher or lower. Be sure to examine the tour inclusions carefully when comparing.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
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