Take To The Rails To Experience The Northern Lights In Europe

As we head towards the Christmas holidays many travelers are making plans to visit Europe for its markets and cheer. However, there is another great reason to visit certain European countries and that is the amazing sight of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. Meanwhile, one way to visit and see the glorious colors in the sky is by rail. Winter is the time to experience the phenomenon as countries enter a period of darker skies and increased activity.

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

Located in the north of Sweden, Kiruna is an excellent location to see the Northern Lights. Meanwhile, visitors can also experience Lapland’s beautiful nature, while it is also the jumping-off point for the ICEHOTEL.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi has long been considered the capital of Finnish Lapland and enjoys an excellent viewing point for the Northern Lights. Meanwhile, for families, it is also the home of the popular Santa Claus Village.

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

Surprisingly, under the right conditions, Britain can offer a chance to see the Aurora Borealis.  Even better, the UK offers excellent rail connections. Take a train to any of the following:

• 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

According to Trainline, the following should be considered before setting off on the rail journey:

– 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.