Take To The Rails To Experience The Northern Lights In Europe
See the Northern Lights in Europe this winter
Trainline recently shared information with TravelPulse about the destinations that are reachable by rail and offer the best chances of viewing the Northern Lights. Among the destinations are the following, located above the Arctic Circle to spot the incredible skies at Christmas and beyond.
Kiruna, Sweden
Rovaniemi, Finland
Abisko, Sweden
Visitors can jump off at Abisko to visit the breathtaking Abisko National Park, which features beautifully clear skies for the Northern Lights. Meanwhile, the national park is worth visiting all year round.
Tromsø, Norway
While Tromsø doesn’t currently offer a rail connection, the town is located above the Arctic Circle. Moreover, it nestles at the center of the famous Northern Lights Oval and is worth visiting for the phenomenon even when activity is low. Meanwhile, the town hosts the Arctic Cathedral, which is a definite must-see for travelers. Currently, travelers can take the train as far as Narvik in the north and then catch a coach to head to Tromsø.
View the Northern Lights in the UK
- Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
- Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
- The Lake District, England
Meanwhile, Scottish islands such as Skye and Coll feature dark skies and the chance of the Aurora Borealis and can be reached by train and ferry.
Plan your trip to see the Aurora Borealis
– Find A Forecast
The Northern Lights are hard to predict, as they are caused by sporadic solar activity. However, there are a number of websites and apps that help to predict the current conditions.
– Take a longer trip
If you have time to spare, Trainline suggests you take a longer trip as this gives higher odds of spotting the Northern Lights. Meanwhile, spending a week or more in the Arctic Circle in winter is beautiful with or without the Aurora Borealis.
– Dress warmly
Dressing in warm clothing is a no-brainer when visiting the Arctic Circle, as Northern Europe is freezing in winter. It’s best to wear several layers to keep you toasty and warm and take along some warming drinks and flashlights when spending time in the dark in winter.
Experience the Northern Lights in Europe this winter for an amazing experience make sure to take plenty of photos of the iconic phenomenon. Read more information on Trainline’s website here.