How to experience Europe’s Northern Lights by rail
Despite popular belief, winter in Europe is still a dream come true. The continent shines brightly during the season of darkness, from the merriment of myriad Christmas markets to joyous carnival celebrations.
Nothing, however, dazzles quite like the Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights are a thrill for those lucky enough to witness them during the winter months, and the colorful display is about to enter a period of increased activity.
While finding them is an inexact science due to the lights’ notoriously fickle nature, many locations across the continent’s northern tier offer travelers increased odds all winter long.
And, since seeing Europe by train is always exciting, and trains can take you almost anywhere on the continent, why not combine the two experiences for a winter trip to remember?
Consider days spent gazing out the window at winter wonderlands and nights spent chasing the magical lights outside while staying warm indoors. To make it a well-rounded rail adventure, you should probably bookend your journey with a stop in a city such as Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg, Bergen, Helsinki, or even London or Edinburgh.
Best Aurora Borealis destinations
Trainline recently shared information with TravelPulse about rail-accessible destinations with good chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Above the Arctic Circle, this list includes the following locations:
Kiruna, Sweden: As Sweden’s northernmost city, Kiruna is an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights and exploring the stunning nature of Lapland. Kiruna is also the starting point for the first ICEHOTEL.
Rovaniemi, Finland: Long regarded as the capital of Finnish Lapland and the location of the legendary Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi is a prime location for viewing the Northern Lights.
Abisko, Sweden: The starting point for the breathtaking Abisko National Park, Abisko’s exceptionally clear skies produce some of the best Northern Lights views in Sweden.
Troms, Norge: Troms does not yet have a rail connection, but this town located above the Arctic Circle and in the center of the famed Northern Lights Oval is worth mentioning. Troms is home to the spectacular Arctic Cathedral and is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, which can be seen even when activity is low.
(You can take the train as far north as Narvik, which is itself a fine place to chase the lights) before switching to a coach for the last few hours of the journey).
You don’t have to travel all the way to the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights, as Britain has a sneaky-high latitude that, in the right conditions, can be a great place to see them. In addition, the country has excellent rail infrastructure.
The Lake District (England), Cairngorms National Park (Scotland), and Brecon Beacons National Park (Wales) are some of the best places in Britain to see the Northern Lights on a train trip. Dark skies can also be found on Scottish islands such as Skye and Coll, which can be reached by train and ferry.
Practicalities
There are a few things to think about before embarking on a Northern Lights-themed rail trip, according to Trainline:
Look for a forecast.
The Northern Lights are difficult to predict because they are caused by sporadic solar activity, but there are a few apps and websites that can help paint a picture of the current conditions. Make sure to look up one for the area you’re visiting. This is where a rail pass can come in handy, allowing you to move around as the Northern Lights forecast changes.
Longer journeys are more successful.
The longer your trip, the more likely it is that you will return home with memories of seeing the Northern Lights. A week or so in the Arctic Circle in the dead of winter gives you a very good chance of returning victorious.
Dress warmly.
You’ll want to layer up because this is winter in Northern Europe. And then layer some more. Pack warm drinks, as well as flashlights and other essentials for being outside in the dark in cold weather.
