Northern Lights: 6 Honest Truths & Tips You Should Know Before You Go
Northern Lights Tips • travel guide post & photos by Jeanie A
I went to Tromso, Norway to watch the Northern Lights and I’m sharing 5 honest truths and tips that you should know before you go.
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Seeing the Northern Lights (aka Aurora Borealis) is a surreal yet natural phenomenon and should be on everyone’s bucket list. The years 2024 to 2026 also marks the solar maximum (the peak of the solar cycle) when the sun sends out the most energy. This is what fuels those big, colorful auroras. Luckily, 2026 is expected to be the last strong year before the solar activity starts dropping for nearly a decade. Less solar activity = weaker aurora (although still beautiful). So now’s your chance to book that Northern Lights tour you always dreamed of.
But first, here are my tips and tbh (to be honest) truths you should know before you go chase the Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights are actually hard to see with the naked eye. Only cameras are able to properly capture the range of colors and light. In reality, what you’ll actually see are faded light green or white waves bouncing above you. They’re faint but still incredible once you can make them out.
The Lights are Hard to See with the Naked Eye • photo by Jeanie A
2. Tip: Take a Northern Lights Chasing Tour
Going on a tour is the best way to maximize your chances of seeing them. The guides are keeping an eye on the weather, the cloud cover, and they know what weak vs. strong activity looks like. They’ll likely drive to the middle of nowhere away from the city lights and once they spot the lights, they’ll simply park on the side of the road.
Oh and some will take photos with their fancy camera so you don’t need to worry about it.
Tour Guide taking My Photo • photo by Jeanie A
3. Tbh: It Gets Cold
Since the best time to see the Northern Lights is in the winter months (and in the arctic circle), be prepared for the cold. Some people didn’t even bother to leave the transport until the lights could be seen more clearly.
So dress in warm layers, and bring hand warmers and heated insoles. Some tours also provide puffy thermal suits too. You’ll feel like a warm marshmallow.
Thermal Suits keep you Warm • photo by Jeanie A
4. Tbh: Expect to be Up Late
Expect to be out late since peak viewing times are usually in the middle of the night, like 1 AM to 3 AM (I didn’t get back to my hotel until 4 AM!). To prepare, sleep in a bit on the morning of, And coffee. Always coffee.
Milky Way crossing an Aurora • photo by Jeanie A
5. Tip: Acclimatize your Camera Afterwards
If you’re bringing a camera, the harsh cold can damage it, so be sure to not expose to to a warm/hot environment too fast after its been out in the cold for awhile. Once you get back to your hotel, just leave it in the case you brought it in to allow it to acclimate to the surrounding temperature. You can take it out in a couple hours or the next morning.
Rainbow Aurora • photo by Jeanie A
6. Tip: Allow at Least 2-3 Nights to See Them
Weather is unpredictable so it’s hard to know if your visit to the Arctic Circle will guarantee aurora sightings. So to be sure you’ll get to them at least one time, plan to stay a minimum of 2 nights, but ideally 3 if you can. I was limited on how long I could stay in Tromso but managed to fit in 2 nights, and I got lucky and got to see the lights both nights! Even if you see the lights the first night though, I still recommend going the remaining nights. No two aurora shows are the same!
The Northern Lights are a beautiful natural phenomenon that everyone needs to see at least once in their life. But to prepare, there are some honest truths and tips that need to be shared. I hope these Northern Lights tips help you prepare and sets expectations for your aurora chasing adventure
Have you seen the Northern Lights? What was your experience like – Let me know in the comments below!
Jeanie has traveled to over 50 countries and has a love for new experiences, visiting iconic attractions, and finding breathtaking views. Hoping to help plan unforgettable adventures, Jeanie aims to inspire others to visit new places through her travel stories and photography.
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