A complete breakdown of northern lights trip costs by country — from budget backpacker to luxury aurora lodges. Real daily costs, flight prices, and money-saving tips for 2026.
How Much Does a Northern Lights Trip Cost in 2026?
Seeing the northern lights is a bucket-list experience, but the costs vary enormously depending on where you go. A budget trip to Finnish Lapland can cost as little as $100/day, while luxury glass igloos in Saariselkä or a Svalbard expedition will run $400+/day.
This guide breaks down the real costs for every major aurora destination — no fluff, just numbers.
Quick Answer: Daily Costs by Country
| Country | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|
| Norway | $150–180/day | $220–300/day | $400–800/day |
| Finland | $100–140/day | $170–250/day | $350–700/day |
| Sweden | $120–160/day | $180–260/day | $350–600/day |
| Iceland | $130–170/day | $200–300/day | $400–800/day |
| Canada | $120–150/day | $180–250/day | $300–500/day |
| Alaska | $110–140/day | $160–230/day | $300–500/day |
| Scotland | $80–120/day | $150–220/day | $300–500/day |
Cheapest Northern Lights Destinations Ranked
- Murmansk — $80/day (Aurora: 9/10)
- Arkhangelsk — $80/day (Aurora: 7/10)
- Gammelstad — $110/day (Aurora: 6/10)
- Oulu — $110/day (Aurora: 6/10)
- Jokkmokk — $110/day (Aurora: 7/10)
- Muonio — $115/day (Aurora: 8/10)
- Luleå — $120/day (Aurora: 6/10)
- Inari — $120/day (Aurora: 8/10)
- Sodankylä — $120/day (Aurora: 8/10)
- Kemi — $120/day (Aurora: 6/10)
- Rovaniemi — $130/day (Aurora: 7/10)
- Dawson City — $130/day (Aurora: 8/10)
- Egilsstaðir — $130/day (Aurora: 7/10)
- Enontekiö — $130/day (Aurora: 9/10)
- Luosto — $130/day (Aurora: 8/10)
Flight Costs
From the UK
- Norway (Tromsø): £150–400 return (direct with SAS/Norwegian, 3.5h)
- Finland (Rovaniemi): £150–350 return (via Helsinki, 5–6h total)
- Iceland (Reykjavik): £100–300 return (direct with easyJet/Icelandair, 3h)
- Sweden (Kiruna): £180–400 return (via Stockholm, 5h total)
- Canada (Yellowknife): £600–1,200 return (via Toronto/Calgary, 12–15h)
- Alaska (Fairbanks): £700–1,400 return (via Seattle, 14–18h)
From the US East Coast
- Iceland: $300–600 return (direct from NYC/Boston, 5h)
- Norway: $500–900 return (1 stop via Oslo, 10–12h)
- Finland: $500–900 return (1 stop via Helsinki, 10–12h)
- Alaska: $400–800 return (via Seattle, 8–10h)
- Canada (Yellowknife): $400–700 return (via Calgary, 6–8h)
Booking tip: Book 2–3 months ahead for best prices. January is cheapest (post-Christmas). Avoid school holidays.
Accommodation Costs
Budget ($40–80/night)
- Hostels — Available in Tromsø, Reykjavik, Rovaniemi. Dorm beds from $30–50.
- Guesthouses — Family-run B&Bs across Scandinavia, $60–100 for a double.
- Airbnb — Often cheaper than hotels, especially for groups. $50–120 for apartments.
- Wilderness huts — Free or cheap ($20–40) in Finland and Sweden. Basic but authentic.
Mid-Range ($100–200/night)
- Hotels — Standard 3-4 star hotels. Scandic, Thon, Nordic Choice chains.
- Aurora cabins — Self-catering cabins with glass roofs or large windows, $150–250/night.
- Boutique hotels — Design hotels in Tromsø, Reykjavik, Rovaniemi, $120–200.
Luxury ($250–800+/night)
- Glass igloos — Kakslauttanen, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, from $300–600/night.
- ICEHOTEL Sweden — Art suites from $350–700/night.
- Aurora lodges — Lyngen Lodge, Arctic Retreat Lapland, $250–500/night.
- Expedition ships — Antarctica from $8,000–30,000 for 10–14 day cruises.
Activity Costs
| Activity | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|
| Northern lights tour | $80–120 | $150–200 | $300–600 (private) |
| Husky sledding | $100–150 | $180–250 | $350+ (multi-day) |
| Snowmobile safari | $120–180 | $200–300 | $400+ (full day) |
| Whale watching | $80–120 | $150–200 | $300+ (small boat) |
| Reindeer sledding | $60–100 | $120–180 | $200+ (with Sámi dinner) |
| Glacier hiking | $80–130 | $150–200 | $250+ (ice climbing) |
| Ice cave tour | $100–150 | $180–250 | $300+ (private) |
| Aurora photography workshop | $150–200 | $250–350 | $500+ (multi-night) |
Food & Drink Costs
Scandinavia and Iceland are expensive for eating out:
- Self-catering: $20–35/day (supermarkets are reasonable)
- Casual dining: $15–25 per meal
- Restaurant dinner: $40–80 per person
- Fine dining: $100–200 per person
- Beer in a bar: $8–12 (Norway/Iceland), $6–8 (Finland/Sweden), $5–7 (Canada/Alaska)
Money-saving tip: Most accommodations have kitchens. Buy groceries and cook 1–2 meals per day. Eat your main restaurant meal at lunch when set menus are cheaper.
Sample Trip Budgets
Budget Trip: 5 Nights in Rovaniemi, Finland
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Flights (London) | £200 |
| Hostel/guesthouse (5 nights) | £300 |
| Food (self-catering + 2 dinners out) | £180 |
| Northern lights tour | £100 |
| Husky sledding | £130 |
| Local transport | £60 |
| Total | £970 (~$1,230) |
Mid-Range Trip: 5 Nights in Tromsø, Norway
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Flights (London) | £280 |
| Hotel (5 nights) | £700 |
| Food (mix of dining + self-catering) | £350 |
| Northern lights tour | £150 |
| Whale watching | £130 |
| Husky sledding | £180 |
| Local transport | £100 |
| Total | £1,890 (~$2,400) |
Luxury Trip: 5 Nights Split Tromsø + Lofoten
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Flights (London) | £350 |
| Boutique hotels + aurora cabin (5 nights) | £1,500 |
| Fine dining + restaurants | £600 |
| Private aurora tour | £400 |
| Whale watching + husky sledding | £350 |
| Car rental + fuel | £300 |
| Total | £3,500 (~$4,450) |
Money-Saving Tips
- Travel in January — post-Christmas prices drop 20–30%, aurora is at its best
- Book flights on Tuesday/Wednesday — consistently cheaper than weekends
- Consider Scottish alternatives — Orkney and Shetland from £50 return, aurora visible during strong storms
- Self-cater — Supermarkets are 40–60% cheaper than restaurants in Scandinavia
- Join group tours — Half the price of private tours, same aurora
- Use Norwegian domestic flights — Widerøe has cheap hops between northern cities
- Visit shoulder season (September/October) — Lower prices, milder weather, still good aurora
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest way to see the northern lights?
Scotland (Orkney/Shetland/Cairngorms) from the UK at ~$100/day total. For reliable sightings, Finnish Lapland offers the best value at ~$130/day with aurora scores of 7-9/10.
Is Iceland or Norway cheaper for northern lights?
Iceland is slightly cheaper for flights from the UK/US but similar for accommodation and food. Norway has more aurora viewing diversity. Overall costs are comparable — both around $200–300/day mid-range.
How many nights do I need?
Minimum 3, ideally 5–7. More nights = more chances for clear skies. On a 5-night trip in a good location, you have roughly 80–90% chance of seeing the aurora at least once.
When is the cheapest time to go?
January (post-Christmas) and early February offer the best combination of low prices and excellent aurora conditions. Avoid Christmas/New Year and February half-term.
Is it worth paying for a guided northern lights tour?
Yes, especially for your first trip. Guides drive to clear skies, provide warm clothing, and know the best spots. Self-guided viewing is possible but you're at the mercy of local cloud cover.
Browse all our destinations to compare aurora scores and daily budgets side by side.
