Is October a good month to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

As we said earlier, October is the best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, so taking a Northern Lights tour should be your absolute top priority. Of course, Northern Lights tours take place at night, so that leaves plenty of time to explore Iceland's winter wonders during the daylight hours.



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In theory, the Northern Lights appear from late August to mid April, but you are much more likely to see them from late September to late March, when there is less light.

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We actually recommend October as the perfect month to see the Northern Lights in Iceland because there isn't as much snow and ice over everything as November to February.

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You should know that jeans are completely useless in Iceland and even more so in winter. They'll get wet when it rains (it will rain!) and you'll be cold and wet the whole day. You can still pack a pair of jeans to wear in the hotel in the evening but don't wear them for exploring during the day.

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Hours of Daylight in Iceland in October September and October both tend to have roughly 12 hours of sunlight per day. On October 1, the sun rises at 7:37 a.m. and sets at 6:56 p.m. By the end of the month, daylight hours have reduced; on October 31, the sun rises at 9:08 a.m. and sets at 5:13 p.m.

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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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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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Iceland's blue glacier ice caves are accessible between mid-October and the end of March. Many operators do not start ice cave tours until November. Never try to access a natural glacier ice cave without a guide, as they're very dangerous.

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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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Yes, it's possible to see the northern lights from Reykjavik. As it's the most densely populated part of Iceland, light pollution is higher than elsewhere—making the aurora borealis appear a little less vivid than elsewhere. However, we frequently see the northern lights here too.

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The best place to see the northern lights in Iceland is the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, which lies by the Vatnajokull glacier. You can drive to the lagoon along the Ring Road from Vik or find one of the black sand beaches of South Iceland to enjoy the view of the lights dancing across the sky.

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While you're never guaranteed to see the northern lights in Iceland, a little planning and forethought can pay off. Read on to discover the best time of year to visit, the most scenic places to go, unique tour options and more.

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If you want the greatest odds of spotting they Aurora we recommend that you spend at least seven nights in the country. This is because the Auroras tend to be quite active for two to three nights in a row and then activity drops for four to five nights in ongoing cycles.

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If you're wondering if Iceland or Alaska is better for viewing the Northern Lights. The answer is that both offer incredible opportunities. The ideal position for viewing the Aurora Borealis is north of 65 degrees latitude. It will need to be a cloudless night and preferably away from city lights.

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Tipping isn't mandatory or customary in Iceland, but it is always appreciated. The standard rate of tax on Icelandic products is 24%, with some products and services, including books, food and accommodation, taxed at a reduced rate of 11%.

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