Poetry in nature, magic in the night sky: There is no way to fully describe the beauty of the Northern Lights without seeing them for yourself. This natural phenomenon paints dark expanses with brilliance, with shades of red, violet and green dancing across the sky. They are never the same, yet they always leave an impact, making them a must-see for travelers of all walks of life.
Next year, let us put you in prime position to experience the multi-hued wonders of the Aurora Borealis for yourself on our top Northern Lights tours for 2026. Our well-crafted itineraries put this marvelous spectacle at the forefront of your adventure, setting out for some of the world's best viewing locations at optimal times of the year. Whether you want to stay in the United States or travel above the Arctic Circle in Europe's northernmost nations, we make it easy to mark this highly coveted experience off your bucket list.
Our Best Alaska Northern Lights Tours
Did you know that you do not need a passport to visit some of the best the Northern Lights locations on Earth? That's right, Fairbanks in Alaska's Golden Heart frequently tops lists as one of the top Aurora-spotting locales. Its combination of accessibility, thanks to the Alaska Railroad, and stark, wild surroundings makes it a popular destination for U.S. travelers and international visitors alike. Under the shroud of winter - a time when the sun doesn't fully peek over the horizon for 65 or more days - the night sky becomes a canvas for this incredible show. Our Northern Lights rail vacations set out during this brief window, allowing you to chase the colors in unforgettable settings.
If you want to take the wheel of your adventure and follow an itinerary with plenty of inclusions but without the group atmosphere, consider an independent Northern Lights tour in Alaska like:
- Alaska Northern Lights & Aurora Train - Operating from January to March, this week-long Aurora adventure begins in the heart of nature in Fairbanks. Enjoy free days to explore the wilderness or the city at your leisure and evenings spent at Chena Hot Springs Resort and an Aurora Viewing Yurt - perfect places to hunt for the showy spectacle without any surrounding light pollution. The journey then takes to the Alaska Railroad's Aurora Winter Train, following a scenic route to Anchorage, where a dog sledding experience in Talkeetna and an excursion directly onto the face of Matanuska Glacier offer an incredible look at Alaska in the winter.
- Northern Lights & Alaska Highlights - Another journey in the heart of winter (January to March), this seven-day tour gives you the opportunity to hunt for the Northern Lights and get a taste of some of Alaska's best features. Embark on a train trip from coastal Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Aurora Winter Train, and then with four full days in Fairbanks, your are free to explore at your own pace. In the evenings, though, a selection of optional excursions allow you to see the Northern Lights in unique ways, such as an Aurora ice fishing adventure. An evening visit to Chena Hot Springs Resort and a dog-sledding excursion wrap up this unforgettable winter expedition.
Should you prefer the camaraderie and expert knowledge that come standard on our escorted Northern Lights tours, we have options for that, too. Join us for a shoulder-season vacation in March that captures the spirit of winter without the extremes on our Alaska Northern Lights & Winter Nights - An Escorted Journey.
This seven-day journey begins in Fairbanks with a curling lesson and Northern Lights viewing experience at Aurora Pointe before we delve further into the culture of the north by viewing ice sculptures at the World Ice Art Championships and exploring the Museum of the North. Leaving Fairbanks aboard the Aurora Winter Train, our route passes Denali National Park on its way to Talkeetna. Soak in stunning snow-clad scenery as we drive along the Parks Highway toward Anchorage, pausing at Happy Trails Kennel for a dogsledding excursion before arrival. The tour wraps up with even more incredible views and Alaskan wildlife as we drive along the scenic Seward Highway, ride the Alyeska Aerial Tramway to the summit of Mount Alyeska and spend an afternoon at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
Stunning Scandinavia and Norway Northern Lights Tours
Your hunt for the Northern Lights can also take you to some of Europe's most dramatic and remote landscapes. Scandinavia makes an idyllic setting for these getaways, with its rich cultural heritage and far-north locations that become true winter wonderlands during the coldest months. Norway and Swedish Lapland frequently find themselves on lists of the best places to experience Aurora Borealis, and as you travel north away from the cities and into untamed wilderness near (and above!) the Arctic Circle, you will quickly see why. Our escorted Northern Lights tours for 2026 open the doors to these scenic locations, allowing you to see Norway and Swedish Lapland at a time of year when darkness sets a magnificent backdrop.
- The Northern Lights & Lapland - With departures between December and March, this 11-day tour is a showcase of Norway and Sweden. Experience the capital of Norway, Oslo, and the former Viking capital of Trondheim before crossing the Arctic Circle on the Nordland Railway, traveling to Bodø on "the world's most beautiful coastline." From here, we head to the Lofoten Isles under the Auroral Oval and enjoy two nights of Northern Lights seeking before returning to the mainland and traveling into Swedish Lapland aboard the world's most northerly railway, the Ofoten Railway. Our journey wraps up with quintessential Lapland experiences and a three-night stay at Camp Ripan. Get to know Sámi traditions at a local village, visit the famous Ice Hotel, and enjoy a unique husky safari wrapped in pristine wilderness.
- Swedish Lapland, Icebreakers & Northern Lights - Come along for a nine-day tour for active adventurers featuring Sweden's most stunning snowy views. This journey has departures from January to March and begins in Stockholm. After flying to Luleå, a town just below the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland, enjoy an icebreaker cruise with an option to walk on the frozen sea or swim in the icy water and a Northern Lights spotting expedition. Crossing the Arctic Circle to Björkliden, we are greeted by vast expanses of Swedish wilderness and incredible adventures. Take a husky safari, delve into Sámi culture at a local village, visit the iconic Ice Hotel, and spend an evening looking for the Northern Lights at the Abisko Sky Station before returning to the Swedish capital.
- Northern Lights on a Winter Arctic Cruise - Experience Norway, Scandinavia and the Northern Lights like never before on this 12-day getaway featuring a six-night cruise aboard a Havila Cruise ship. Whether joining in January, February or March, the trip begins in Oslo before joining the Bergen Railway to Bergen in western Norway, where your cruise through Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle begins. Spectacular views unfold as we sail to ports of call like Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø, and Havøysund at the northernmost point of Europe. Enjoy optional excursions at each port, and because nights are long and our route has little light pollution, we have plenty of chances to see the Northern Lights. After docking for the final time in Kirkenes, a flight takes you back to Oslo, where there is time to explore before this unforgettable adventure concludes.
Regardless of the country you choose or route you take, all of our Northern Lights rail tours maximize your chances to witness nature at its finest. Our hand-selected itineraries venture to locations renowned for their scenery and lack of light pollution and put memorable experiences at your fingertips with every turn. Set out on the "hunt" of a lifetime in 2026 with Vacations By Rail.
