Nearly every aurora tour from Tromsø leaves in the evening, looks for a clear sky and includes hot drinks. The differences that decide your night are elsewhere: how far the guide can drive, what happens if the sky stays empty, how many people stand next to you and who provides the winter suit. Our verdict rests on these points, all taken from the listings.
Range when the coast is cloudy
Tromsø lies on the coast, and the coast often clouds over while the sky inland is clear. Arctic GM sets no limit on distance or time, and Spirit in the sky, Arctic Glow, Amazing Arctic Tours, Northern Horizon and the longer Snow-travels option also cross into Finland or Sweden when needed. Bring your passport on these tours. Chasing the lights into Finland.
The rule for a night without lights
Arctic GM refunds the ticket if the camera captures nothing during the tour. The Jeshua coach tour lets you come back free of charge until its camera captures a recognisable aurora, which only helps if you book it early in your stay. Spirit in the sky gives half price on the next trip. Other tours, Arctic Glow among them, state that a night without lights is not refunded. Every rule side by side.
Group size and vehicle
Big buses carry large groups, and the Chasing Lights big bus takes up to 50 guests. Minibus chases usually stop at 15 to 19, Arctic GM runs vans and minibuses for 8 to 20, and the premium tours take six (AdventuresGuide) or eight guests (Greenlander, which cannot be cancelled once booked). Big bus, minibus or small group.
Thermal suit and photos
Most minibus chases include a thermal suit and photos taken by the guide, often a portrait under the lights. The big bus tours include no suit (Northern Lights Safari and Jeshua rent them out), and AdventuresGuide asks you to come in your own winter clothing. What to wear and photographing the aurora.
A shorter evening on the fjord
The cruises start in Tromsø and last about three to four hours, with a heated cabin or saloon to warm up between spells on deck. They cannot follow a clear sky inland, so they suit a clear night near town, or travellers who do not want a chase until the early morning. Northern lights cruises compared.
