Finland, Sweden, Iceland, or Norway in October

[Anonymous]

We are hoping to catch the Northern Lights for a special anniversary. Getting to northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway is more effort than simply flying to Iceland, but it would also be wonderful to see Lapland. Has anyone made one of these trips? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We went to Iceland then and did not see the Northern Lights. But we loved Iceland anyway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went to Iceland then and did not see the Northern Lights. But we loved Iceland anyway

Same here!

[Anonymous]

I think especially if you can swing early October (or even late September), Norway/Sweden/Finland would be beautiful (and pretty affordable compared to winter). Also - while I get that the governments still use the Lapland term, Lapp is a derogatory term for the Sami people (think “Eskimo”) and the Sami don’t use the term.

[Anonymous]

If you are solely doing the trip for Northern Lights please research this ahead of time. Solar activity by month and location as well as average weather and cloud cover by location - there are websites and apps looking at this. Sections in travel guides are devoted to this as well. Read to maximize your chances. To my knowledge there is a much greater chance of seeing them in northern Norway (and specific towns in Scandinavia) vs. Iceland due to probability of cloud cover. That said, Iceland is a fantastic destination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think especially if you can swing early October (or even late September), Norway/Sweden/Finland would be beautiful (and pretty affordable compared to winter). Also - while I get that the governments still use the Lapland term, Lapp is a derogatory term for the Sami people (think “Eskimo”) and the Sami don’t use the term.

OP here. Yes, we're aware that "Lapp" is not used to describe the Sami people - my husband is a Sami descendant (one reason we'd like to visit). However, Lapland is still very much used to describe the geographic area in which the Sami live.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for everyone's input! I've been researching this for awhile so I'm aware of the best chances/times of seeing the Northern Lights, and the fact that there is no guarantee of seeing them at all. That would simply be a huge bonus to the trip, which we're planning on taking anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are solely doing the trip for Northern Lights please research this ahead of time. Solar activity by month and location as well as average weather and cloud cover by location - there are websites and apps looking at this. Sections in travel guides are devoted to this as well. Read to maximize your chances. To my knowledge there is a much greater chance of seeing them in northern Norway (and specific towns in Scandinavia) vs. Iceland due to probability of cloud cover. That said, Iceland is a fantastic destination.

DP.. good to know! We are thinking of going to see the lights in Oct, too, for our anniversary. Was going to Iceland, but now maybe we will look at Finland.

[Anonymous]

We visited Tromso, Norway and saw the Northern Lights there but in March. We went to Lapland in January and did not see them but it was cloudy the evening we were there and we didn't do a specific tour for the lights. Happy to answer any questions on either trip if you have them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We visited Tromso, Norway and saw the Northern Lights there but in March. We went to Lapland in January and did not see them but it was cloudy the evening we were there and we didn't do a specific tour for the lights. Happy to answer any questions on either trip if you have them.

Hi, OP here! Could you tell me how you got to both Tromso and Lapland? Did you fly first to Oslo/Helsinki and then take another plane up north, or did you rent a car, etc.? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Tromso, Norway and saw the Northern Lights there but in March. We went to Lapland in January and did not see them but it was cloudy the evening we were there and we didn't do a specific tour for the lights. Happy to answer any questions on either trip if you have them.

Hi, OP here! Could you tell me how you got to both Tromso and Lapland? Did you fly first to Oslo/Helsinki and then take another plane up north, or did you rent a car, etc.? Thank you!

Yes, we flew to Oslo and then Tromso and same for Finland, first Helsinki and then Rovaniemi (fly FinnAir - they have the best blueberry juice!)

[Anonymous]

Fly to Tromso. It would take forever to drive - once you are purified the big cities ion Norway, travel times slows given narrow, twisty roads. Speeding is met with huge fines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Iceland then and did not see the Northern Lights. But we loved Iceland anyway

Same here!

+1

[Anonymous]

Wondering if we should take the train from Helsinki up to Lapland? Seems like a shame to miss seeing that much of the country by flying - but the train is really long (8-9 hrs I think)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Tromso, Norway and saw the Northern Lights there but in March. We went to Lapland in January and did not see them but it was cloudy the evening we were there and we didn't do a specific tour for the lights. Happy to answer any questions on either trip if you have them.

Hi, OP here! Could you tell me how you got to both Tromso and Lapland? Did you fly first to Oslo/Helsinki and then take another plane up north, or did you rent a car, etc.? Thank you!

Yes, we flew to Oslo and then Tromso and same for Finland, first Helsinki and then Rovaniemi (fly FinnAir - they have the best blueberry juice!)

Thank you!