Destination Comparison
Svalbard vs Tromsø
The ultimate Arctic upgrade — is Svalbard worth the extra cost and effort versus the more accessible Tromsø?
✓✦10/10
Aurora Score
✦9/10
$280/day
Daily Budget
✓$180/day
Moderate 🛤️
Accessibility
✓Easy ✈️
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Months
Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
✓Polar night (24h)
Dark Hours (Winter)
Polar night (24h)
Arctic
Region
Arctic
19 types
Activities
✓21 types
Our Verdict
Svalbard wins on aurora intensity and Arctic wilderness; Tromsø wins on value, activities, and overall accessibility
Choose Svalbard if:
Bucket-list polar adventurers who want polar bears, extreme wilderness, and maximum aurora intensity
Choose Tromsø if:
Most aurora chasers who want an outstanding experience without the extreme cost and remoteness
Norway
Svalbard
Bucket-list adventurers wanting the ultimate Arctic experience with maximum aurora intensity
Norway
Tromsø
First-time aurora hunters wanting easy access, city comforts, and world-class guiding