Has anyone seen the Northern Lights in another country?

[TheAngryDog]

I've wanted to see them for years, and I am considering going to see them next year. Has anyone seen them? Is Iceland or Sweden the best place to go see them? When is the best time of year? I've been looking at various sites and they all sort of seem to contradict each other. Some say that the Abisko National Park is the pace to go, others say Iceland.

Thanks!

[HenryJM]

I've seen them three times, although one of those was only small. The other times were from a plane and from Churchill in Northern Canada.

To be honest neither did much for me, it's not that it wasn't what I expected it to be, it was which in a way was the problem.

But I've also been in Norway, Sweden and Finland at times that you might see them and didn't, I'd certainly say that where ever you go do it to see other things and treat them as a bonus if you do see them.

[TheAngryDog]

HenryJM said:

I've seen them three times, although one of those was only small. The other times were from a plane and from Churchill in Northern Canada.

To be honest neither did much for me, it's not that it wasn't what I expected it to be, it was which in a way was the problem.

But I've also been in Norway, Sweden and Finland at times that you might see them and didn't, I'd certainly say that where ever you go do it to see other things and treat them as a bonus if you do see them.

That is something that has crossed my mind, and it wouldnt be the only thing I would be going for, I'd definitely want to take in more of the country. I fancy Iceland as it is an interesting country, so its more than likely going to be the one I'd pick, as I dont know if Sweden as a tourist destination offers much, other than the chance to see the Northern Lights..

[HenryJM]

TheAngryDog said:

That is something that has crossed my mind, and it wouldnt be the only thing I would be going for, I'd definitely want to take in more of the country. I fancy Iceland as it is an interesting country, so its more than likely going to be the one I'd pick, as I dont know if Sweden as a tourist destination offers much, other than the chance to see the Northern Lights..

Yes, I'd agree with that, Iceland is a place I've not been to but keep thinking I should, it sounds interesting. I think it's broadly just luck as far as the northern lights are concerned so long as you are somewhere northern enough at the right sort of time.

[897sma]

I went on a trip to Northern Finland to see them , was there 4 days and saw nothing as it was too cloudy luckily there were other things to do like dog sledding, skidoo riding, etc

[anonymous-user]

If you get your timing right and the meterological conditions are good you can see them in Scotland.
I saw them in Scotland one February some years ago. Quite a surprise at first.

[Shaoxter]

Seen them in both Abisko and Iceland, it all depends on the weather and cloud cover at the time. In the 4 days we were in Iceland it was always cloudy and the lights were only faint.

Abisko is a good location to see the lights because of the lack of cloud cover (for some meteorological reason), if there are clouds just drive further inland towards Kiruna. A proper lights display is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. yr.no is a brilliant site for checking cloud cover and it updates hourly. Also check this site for aurora forecasts. Remember it needs to be dark, clear skies and strong auroral activity.

We drove from Tromso to Lofoten via Abisko, absolutely amazing drive. But Iceland is even better in terms of variety of scenery, go to both places if you can!

Lights in Iceland:


Lights in Abisko:

[TheAngryDog]

Crossflow Kid said:

If you get your timing right and the meterological conditions are good you can see them in Scotland.
I saw them in Scotland one February some years ago. Quite a surprise at first.

If I need a passport to get into Scotland, I'd rather go somewhere interesting

Shaoxter said:

Seen them in both Abisko and Iceland, it all depends on the weather and cloud cover at the time. In the 4 days we were in Iceland it was always cloudy and the lights were only faint.

Abisko is a good location to see the lights because of the lack of cloud cover (for some meteorological reason), if there are clouds just drive further inland towards Kiruna. A proper lights display is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. yr.no is a brilliant site for checking cloud cover and it updates hourly. Also check this site for aurora forecasts. Remember it needs to be dark, clear skies and strong auroral activity.

We drove from Tromso to Lofoten via Abisko, absolutely amazing drive. But Iceland is even better in terms of variety of scenery, go to both places if you can!

Cheers for your info. Yeah the cloud and rain can make it very difficult to see the lights I have read. This is the thing, I want to see the lights, but I want to do other things as well, and Iceland seems the best for that. For two of us to fly to Iceland is less than £300 return which without looking too much seems quite cheap, which is another reason why I am looking at this for next year, though I need to work out the best time of year to go. Its a hard decision! haha

[897sma]

Check out groupon, they often have northern lights trips which include other activities.

[blueheron]

I've seen them from Tromso, Norway in Dec 2012. We went with an organised group for the Northern Lights, didn't book til we arrived. Hotel and flights etc we organised ourselves.

The first night we went out was cloudy and rubbish. Second night was absolutely incredible. Lots of other activities to do in the area - we also went dog sledding which was great.

I'm no professional but this is one of my favourite photos that I took from the trip

[Blues]

We had a wonderful Northern Lights holiday in Jan 2013.
Flew to Tromso Norway. Boarded a cruise ship (not too big, and actually a working ferry) and sailed up the coast stopping off at various places along the route. Plenty to do during the day, with fantastic, ever changing scenery, and saw the lights every night. The cabin had an alarm system, and if you set it on, you would be told when the lights are visible - at any time during the night.
We had 4 nights on the boat, and stayed an extra night in Tromso at the end of our trip. Did the ice hotel. A snow mobi,e safari, and several trips ashore. I would strongly recommend it

[RobGT81]

Iceland in February. We got an hour or so where they were very bright. It's a great place that is well worth a visit. Currently planning another trip.

[uuf361]

Yes, have seen them, but not nearby - in Alaska (used to work there for a couple of weeks each year)........was amazing...

[Piersman2]

Iceland earlier this year. I wasn't expecting much to be honest, I'm usually underwhelmed by this kind of stuff on the basis it's usually over-hyped.

However, we did the trip in Iceland and were fortunate enough on the first night to see the most spectacular display that even the locals were impressed with it, they gave it a 9/10 type score. And I must grudgingly admit it was bloody superb, so lucky to have seen the display we did because not a single one of the photos or films I've seen of "the lights" are anything like what we saw that night.

[anonymous-user]

I've seen them loads of tomes, years living in Norway, wouldn't make a trip to see them was never that impressed, and of course you can not guarantee the weather that far north.

[RobM77]

What do they actually look like when you see them with your own eyes? Obviously photos can be misleading because of exposure times etc. I've never seen them and would love to.

[boobles]

Very good in Norway..........

[Shaoxter]

RobM77 said:

What do they actually look like when you see them with your own eyes? Obviously photos can be misleading because of exposure times etc. I've never seen them and would love to.

Fainter than the photos obviously, doesn't light up the night sky or anything. But still spectacular, especially when they move and dance around.

[RobM77]

Shaoxter said:

RobM77 said:

What do they actually look like when you see them with your own eyes? Obviously photos can be misleading because of exposure times etc. I've never seen them and would love to.

Fainter than the photos obviously, doesn't light up the night sky or anything. But still spectacular, especially when they move and dance around.

Thanks - can you see the colours?

[Shaoxter]

RobM77 said:

Shaoxter said:

RobM77 said:

What do they actually look like when you see them with your own eyes? Obviously photos can be misleading because of exposure times etc. I've never seen them and would love to.

Fainter than the photos obviously, doesn't light up the night sky or anything. But still spectacular, especially when they move and dance around.

Thanks - can you see the colours?

Yes, the colours in the pics I posted were not messed around in Lightroom or anything.