How Much Is A Trip To Alaska To See The Northern Lights?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most tour companies will pick up guests from any Fairbanks hotel or accommodation as part of the package price. Evening tours run from 9 p.m. to about 4 a.m. and average $75 to $85 per person , while more extensive tours like the Northern Alaska fly/drive Arctic Circle viewing tour begins at $269 per person.

Is 2022 a good year to see the northern lights in Alaska?

The 10 best places to see the Northern Lights in 2022. The best places to see the Northern Lights in 2022 are scattered on the most extreme latitudes of our planet: Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Norway, Finland ...

What’s the cheapest way to see the northern lights?

Finland (part of the euro) is the cheapest of those options . The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is the furthest north you can go on a commercial flight; during its winter months of 24-hour polar night, northern lights viewings are possible around the clock.

Is Alaska a good place to see the northern lights?

Out of all the North American hotspots for watching solar activity, Alaska is perhaps the finest . The state is vast, with dramatic panoramas and expansive dark skies that showcase the Northern Lights during aurora season—officially August 21 to April 21.

Can you drive to Alaska from America?

You can drive to Alaska from anywhere in the United States except Hawaii . From the majority of USA, you need to take the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek in British Columbia except California, Oregon and Washington State where the Dease Lake Highway is a better route to Yukon.

How cold is it in Alaska in February?

Daily high temperatures increase by 5°F, from 26°F to 31°F, rarely falling below 9°F or exceeding 41°F. Daily low temperatures increase by 2°F, from 14°F to 17°F, rarely falling below -6°F or exceeding 31°F .

How long do Northern Lights last?

The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 5:00 pm and 2:00 am. They don’t usually exhibit for long – they may only show for a few minutes, then glide away before returning. A good display may last for no longer than 15-30 minutes at a time, although if you’re really lucky, they could last for a few hours .

When can you see aurora in Alaska?

Fairbanks’ Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough. Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above year-round, but we can only see it during the Aurora Season when we have dark enough skies.

How often can you see the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are unpredictable.

They are visible from late August to early April anytime during dark hours , which in places like Abisko or Tromsø can be nearly 24 hours a day in winter.

Is seeing the northern lights expensive?

Although several of the most famous aurora-viewing destinations, such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, are expensive to visit , other places — such as Iceland — offer prime vantage points even to travelers on limited budgets.

Which is the best country to see northern lights?

  1. Tromso, Norway. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the world’s best places to see the Northern Lights. ...
  2. Swedish Lapland. ...
  3. Reykjavik, Iceland. ...
  4. Yukon, Canada. ...
  5. Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. ...
  6. Ilulissat, Greenland.

Can you see northern lights in United States?

While there are 50 states in the United States, you can’t see the northern lights in all of them . In fact, only a handful of states are far enough north to potentially see the aurora – and that only happens when the solar activity is particularly strong!

Can you see the Northern Lights in Alaska in the summer?

Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage – but not in the summer . The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Views are best from September to April.

What’s the best time to go to Alaska?

  • Peak season is June to August. By mid-June, it’s as warm as it’s going to get. ...
  • Cruise Season is also May through September. ...
  • Shoulder Season is May (early season) and September (late season), with 10-25% discounts on some hotels, tours, and cruises.

Is Iceland or Alaska better for Northern Lights?

If you’re wondering if Iceland or Alaska is better for viewing the Northern Lights. The answer is that both offer incredible opportunities . Ideally, you should be north of the 65 degrees latitude on a cloudless night, away from the light pollution of a major city.

Can I drive to Alaska without a passport?

U.S. citizens flying between another state and Alaska do not need a passport. However, those driving through Canada or traveling on a ferry or cruise ship with stops in Canada are required to carry one . All non U.S. citizens will need a passport and possibly other documents to enter.

Is it fun to drive to Alaska?

However, visitors can have a fun and safe drive along the Alaska Highway year-round with a little extra caution and advance planning . While roads are less busy in winter, conditions can be icy and snowy along the route, especially in the Yukon and Interior Alaska.

Can you see Russia from Alaska?

Yes. Russia and Alaska are divided by the Bering Strait, which is about 55 miles at its narrowest point . In the middle of the Bering Strait are two small, sparsely populated islands: Big Diomede, which sits in Russian territory, and Little Diomede, which is part of the United States.

What month is the coldest in Alaska?

The cold season lasts for 4.0 months, from November 6 to March 5, with an average daily high temperature below 32°F. The coldest month of the year in Anchorage is January , with an average low of 13°F and high of 24°F.

How much daylight does Alaska get in February?

Date Civil Twilight Begin Sunset February 19 7:42 AM 5:56 PM February 20 7:39 AM 5:59 PM February 21 7:36 AM 6:02 PM February 22 7:34 AM 6:04 PM

Can you see the northern lights in Alaska in February?

Yes! These two months are one of the best times to see the Northern Lights in Alaska , although temperatures through February are quite cold, often as low as -20 Fahrenheit, so make sure to wear insulated clothing from top to bottom.

Do the Northern Lights make noise?

What is clear is that the aurora does, on rare occasions, make sounds audible to the human ear . The eerie reports of crackling, whizzing and buzzing noises accompanying the lights describe an objective audible experience – not something illusory or imagined.

How cold does it have to be to see Northern Lights?

11. Does it have to be cold to see the northern lights? No! It is a myth that the northern lights happen only when it’s cold .

Can you see the Northern Lights with the naked eye?

You will never see an aurora with the naked eye that looks like the photographs taken on the same night . Cameras, using long exposures, are much more sensitive than the human eye. They capture colours and details that are impossible for the human eye to detect.

Can you see the northern lights from Denali National Park?

Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution.

Where are the northern lights visible?

The best places in the world are usually closer to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland . But don’t limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. Still, the northern lights are the star of the show.

How do the northern lights work?

Auroras occur when charged particles (electrons and protons) collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere . Those collisions produce tiny flashes that fill the sky with colourful light. As billions of flashes occur in sequence, the auroras appear to move or ” dance ” in the sky.

Rachel Ostrander
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Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.