More travelers have placed the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, at the top of their vacation wish lists than usual this year. A recent Expedia.com survey found that nearly half of American travelers (42%) want to make the trip to see this rare cosmic phenomenon in 2024 — more than any other bucket list activity.
The biggest reason for this interest is that solar flares that cause the aurora borealis have been peaking since late 2023, creating bigger and brighter displays across much of the Arctic Circle. The even more spectacular light show continues until October.
But there’s more to aurora borealis visibility than an increase in solar storms, as scientists predict several more years of above-average light shows. Meaning there’s still time to plan a trip to see this dazzling natural light show.
This Post-Peak Aurora Borealis Season Is Unique
The wispy neon lights of the aurora Borealis result from particles from the Sun colliding into Earth’s magnetic field. They intensify and calm in cycles that span approximately 10–12 years, but these ebbs and flows have their own, well, flair.
Unique solar flares occur in the cycle’s declining phase, which tends to be more magnetically complex and cause just as magnificent displays as during the crux.
As the peak subsides, travelers can still expect strong aurora borealis presentations to persist until about 2027 or 2028. Then, the Sun will return to a solar minimum before entering the next apex in the mid-2030s.
Where To Chase the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis is typically visible anywhere across the Arctic Circle (approx. 66 degrees north). But a few destinations have captured travelers’ imaginations for their access to the late-night lights and more.
Expedia reports triple-digit year-over-year increases to popular northern lights destinations. Expedia reports triple-digit year-over-year increases to popular northern lights destinations. Lapland, Finland, home to an amusement park dedicated to Santa Claus has seen a 370% increase in bookings. Churchill, Canada, also known for Polar Bear safaris; and Alta, Norway, with the world’s first permanent Northern Lights observatory and an ice hotel have both seen a double their usual visitors.
The global polar market, which relies on a significant number of northern lights travelers, has been growing as a whole.
Travelers looking for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure might want to consider Fairbanks, Alaska. This central Alaskan town with frequent appearances of the Northern Lights only saw a modest 15% spike in Expedia searches. “Living in Seattle, Fairbanks, Alaska, is relatively close. I jumped at the opportunity to book a trip,” says Alec Sills-Trausch at ExplorewithAlec.
Tromso, Norway, saw 60% fewer searches than Alta and offers the backdrop of jagged mountain peaks. “During the day, I explored the snowy landscapes, went dog-sledding, and learned about the local culture,” shares John Dealbreuin from Financial Freedom Countdown.
This peak cycle has also driven sightings farther south than usual. It is possible to catch a glimpse in places like Voyagers National Park in Minnesota, the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, and Northern Scotland. However, the aurora appears lower and more distant on the horizon in these places.
Northern Lights Viewing Tips
Every trip to see the northern lights involves some risk, as no sighting is guaranteed. But there are a few things you can do to increase your odds.
Book your lodging in the backcountry. There’s always a chance you’ll see the aurora borealis over big towns, but if you want to gaze up at the brightest and clearest expressions, set course for a stargazing resort. Not only are you closer to the darker skies, but there’s a chance you could even catch a show from the comfort of a warm bed.
Plan to go from early fall to late winter. Longer nights bring inkier skies, increasing the chance of a sighting. Most places experience the strongest shows in September and March, but every location is different.
Aurora borealis tours provide insight into the forecast and can take you to some of the best viewing locations outside big towns. Book them for the beginning of your vacation — they’ll cancel if the weather conditions aren’t clear, and you’ll want time to reschedule.
Plan at least four days to increase your chances in aurora borealis country; ideally aim for six or seven.
The later it gets, the darker the skies, the better the spectacle. So, brew a warm beverage and bring a thermos because there’s a good chance you’ll be sipping coffee and stargazing more than sleeping.
When standing stationary in sub-freezing temperatures, a warm jacket is obvious, but also use thermal touchscreen gloves for taking photos or pocket warmers. Warm boots and thermal socks protect toes from going numb. Long underwear, a hat that covers your ears, and a scarf or neck gator can make all the difference.
Download a northern lights forecasting app so you can track storm activity. Soft Serve News is a popular app that tracks storms globally in “Kp” values from 0 to 9. The higher the “Kp” value, the more magnificent the show. Anything lower than a Kp 3 will usually be hard to see.
Weather can be fickle in the Arctic Circle, so pay attention to the radar and the forecast. It won’t matter if a Kp 9-level storm is happening if clouds completely cover the sky.
Don’t Leave the Photography Behind
Practice taking photos of the night sky before you take off on your aurora borealis adventure. Most modern phones have advanced nighttime photography settings, automatically extending exposure time. Manually, try settings around 15 to 30 seconds.
Investing in a travel tripod will keep your camera steady for crisp shots and give you more framing options. To aim for distant objects, set the focus to infinity — the Aurora Borealis can be anywhere from 50 to 400 miles from Earth.
There’s Still Time
It may be difficult to book the hotels you want in the place you want at the price you want before the 2024 peak subsides. But if cramming in a once-in-a-lifetime activity at the last minute with everyone else isn’t on your bucket list, feel free to save space on your calendar for next year, as there will be more chances to spot this phenomenon next year.
