Is Iceland or Norway better to see northern lights?

Norway is often ranked as the best destination to see the Northern Lights; and so it is only appropriate that we begin this list with the Aurora Borealis capital that is Tromsø. The gateway to the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is a whimsical city surrounded by the white peaks of Northern Norway.



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They're usually visible above a latitude of 60 degrees north and below 60 degrees south, with the 'southern lights' being called the aurora australis. Iceland sits at a latitude of approximately 64 degrees north, making it the perfect place to see the northern lights.

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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND? The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the winter, between September and April, when dark and long nights have taken over from the bright summernights in Iceland.

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So what I always tell people is this: if you want to experience the most beautiful landscape and are willing to pay for Northern Lights tours (or are comfortable driving in the snow), definitely head to Northern Norway.

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Fortunately, they occur frequently. The northern lights are happening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, said photographer Chad Blakely, owner of the northern lights tour company Lights Over Lapland. But that doesn't mean they're easy to spot; you need to be at the right place at the right time.

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However if you want to see a totally different country and take a bit more of a chance with the Northern Lights then Iceland is for you. The scenery is totally different to anywhere else and there is a lot to see by day. Weather is more unpredictable.

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So although you can save money by choosing to chase the lights yourself (although, to be honest, car rental prices often end up being more expensive than tour costs), going on a northern lights tour is an expense that's well worth it to guarantee you have the best experience and chance to see the Auroras.

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Any traveler could spend weeks getting to know Iceland, but given the reality of limited vacation days, 5-7 days are recommended for a satisfying trip. In this length of time, you can make a northern road trip from Reykjavík to Akureyri or drive the south coast via Vík to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

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The cheapest time to visit Iceland The off-season begins in early Autumn and goes into late Spring (from September to May). There are far fewer tourists and crowds from January through May, which means flights, car rentals, and accommodation are at their cheapest.

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Best Times to Visit Iceland for Smaller Crowds The off-season between November and April is ideal for those looking to escape the hordes of tourists, as long as you don't mind the dark (by mid-winter, expect only five or six hours of daylight).

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