How to Choose the Right Northern Lights Tour in Lapland?
The number one question travellers ask when they arrive in Finnish Lapland is simple:
“Which Northern Lights tour should I choose?”
The truth is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer. Different travellers have different priorities, budgets and expectations. But after 13 years in the Lapland tourism industry and countless nights spent out under the Arctic sky, I can confidently say this:
The more committed you are to seeing the Northern Lights, the more carefully you should choose your tour — and yes, often the more you should be willing to invest.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the main types of Northern Lights tours, their pros and cons, and the realities most visitors never hear.
1. Budget Northern Lights Tours – Good for “Let’s Try Our Luck” Travellers
These are the cheapest options on the market. They typically:
- Drive to one fixed location
- Stay there for a while
- Do not include any kind of guarantee
- Often have large groups
- Offer limited personal guidance
- Sometimes offer photography, sometimes not
These tours can be fun, social and lively — when the lights appear, the “group energy” can feel like a small celebration. For many travellers who simply want to “try” Northern Lights once during their holiday, this is perfectly fine.
Who should choose this?
Travellers on a budget or those for whom the auroras are not the top priority on their activity list. Also families, cause these tours are taken less time.
Chance of seeing auroras:
You might get lucky — but your success heavily depends on the weather at that one chosen location
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2. Aurora Hunting Tours (No Money-Back Guarantee)
This is already a major step up.
These tours usually:
- Move between several locations
- Actively chase clearer skies
- Offer more expertise
- Usually take smaller groups
- Are led by more experienced guides
Still don’t offer a money-back guarantee
Despite the lack of guarantee, I personally recommend this type over the basic cheap tour — even more than some traditional “guarantee” tours.
Why?
Because many companies offering guaranteed tours cancel easily if the forecast looks poor. Yes, you get your money back — but your holiday schedule is ruined. And worst of all, I’ve seen countless nights where tours were cancelled… yet the Northern Lights still appeared later.
Meaning the guests were disappointed twice:
their tour got cancelled
the auroras actually showed up afterward
Who should choose this?
Travellers who want genuine aurora hunting and a higher chance of success — without paying premium pricing.
Chance of seeing auroras:
Significantly better, because the guide chases the weather instead of staying in one spot.
This is already a major step up.
These tours usually:
- Move between several locations
- Actively chase clearer skies
- Offer more expertise
- Usually take smaller groups
- Are led by more experienced guides
Still don’t offer a money-back guarantee
Despite the lack of guarantee, I personally recommend this type over the basic cheap tour — even more than some traditional “guarantee” tours.
Why?
Because many companies offering guaranteed tours cancel easily if the forecast looks poor. Yes, you get your money back — but your holiday schedule is ruined. And worst of all, I’ve seen countless nights where tours were cancelled… yet the Northern Lights still appeared later.
Meaning the guests were disappointed twice: 1. their tour got cancelled. 2. he auroras actually showed up afterward
Who should choose this?
Travellers who want genuine aurora hunting and a higher chance of success — without paying premium pricing.
Chance of seeing auroras:
Significantly better, because the guide chases the weather instead of staying in one spot.
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