The Arctic Northern Lights Train from Narvik – in search of the Northern Lights
The Arctic Northern Lights Train from Narvik
in search of the Northern Lights in Norway (Arctic Train)
Norway Northern Lights Train – Arctic Train
Seeing the Northern Lights in person is one of the greatest dreams of those traveling to northern Norway. The problem is that most tours look similar: night car rides, standing in the cold, searching for a “spot,” and counting on luck. In Narvik, however, there is a more comfortable alternative: the Arctic Train Northern Lights Train, i.e., the aurora train from Narvik, designed precisely to take you into the darkness – without a car, stress, or hassle.
If you’re typing phrases like “aurora train Narvik”, “Northern Lights Train Narvik”, “Arctic Train aurora”, “Ofoten Line aurora borealis” or “Katterat aurora” into Google – below are the specifics: what it looks like, where it starts, the route, duration, what’s included in the price, and how to dress for a pleasant evening.
Table of contents
What is the Northern Lights Train (Arctic Train)?
The Northern Lights Train is an organized nighttime railway expedition from Narvik, created with the observation of the night sky in a place with less light pollution in mind. It is not a regular train service, but a tourist attraction in the winter season: you travel with a group, have a guide, and the evening’s plan is set up for the aurora.
In the simplest terms? Instead of planning a route by car, looking for parking spots, and worrying about the return: you board in Narvik, travel along the historic Ofoten line, get off at Katterat, warm up by a bonfire, drink something warm, and look at the sky.
Where does the aurora train depart from in Narvik?
This is one of the most frequently searched questions. The answer is simple: the start and meeting point are at the railway station in Narvik (Narvik Train Station, Stasjonsveien 1). So: if you’re asking “where does the Northern Lights Train Narvik depart from?”, it’s not some tourist base or bus stop – just the regular city station.
Route: Narvik – Bjørnfjell – Katterat (Ofoten Line / Ofoten Railway)
The tour travels along the historic Ofoten Line (you’ll also often encounter the name Ofoten Railway). The typical itinerary looks like this:
- Narvik – departure from the city
- Bjørnfjell – a short stop near the Swedish border
- Katterat – the main point of the program and observation site
- Why Katterat? Because it’s a mountain station at an altitude of about 373–374 m above sea level, where true darkness is easier to find than in the city. This is usually where what you came for begins: stepping outside, a short walk, a bonfire, and calmly waiting for the aurora – without running from point to point.
Aurora Borealis: how it forms and the origin of this phenomenon
The Aurora Borealis can amaze, but where does this phenomenon actually come from? In my post, I explain in a simple (and specific) way how the solar wind, magnetosphere, and geomagnetic storms “paint” light in the sky — and what determines the colors and shapes of the aurora. Stop by if you want to understand the aurora from the inside out and better prepare for its observation.
Aurora Borealis and other phenomena in the night sky – Noctilucent Clouds, Haarp, Sprite Jellyfish
If you like spotting “cosmic” spectacles, this post is for you: I’ve gathered in one place the aurora borealis and other amazing night sky phenomena — from noctilucent clouds, through sprites (“red jellyfish”), to the HAARP topic without sensationalism, but with an explanation of facts and myths. You’ll also learn whether and when it’s realistically possible to see the aurora in Poland and what to pay attention to during observations.
What you’ll find at the stop in Katterat: bonfire + lavvu (tent) + warm drink
After arriving in Katterat, you get off the train and step out into the night. In practice, it doesn’t look like “standing in a field and freezing,” but like a small, Arctic-style camp: there’s a bonfire, the guide serves a hot drink and fresh baked goods, and a lavvu/lavvo is set up nearby – a large tent that provides additional shelter from the cold and wind.
Hours and duration: what time does it start and how long does it last?
Search engines love questions like “Northern Lights Train hours”, “Northern Lights Train schedule”, “how long is the aurora tour Narvik”. In practice, there are two variants (depending on the winter period)
October – mid-December
- meeting around 18:30
- departure around 19:00
- return around 22:15
(i.e., approx. 3 h 15 min)
Mid-December – March
- meeting around 19:15
- departure around 19:45
- return around 22:50
(i.e., approx. 3 h 05 min)
The most important rule: treat these hours as a framework, and always check the exact time for your reservation date.
Price: how much does the Arctic Northern Lights Train ride from Narvik cost?
The most common entry is “from 1495 NOK”. And that’s exactly what people are looking for when typing: “Northern Lights Train price”, “1495 NOK aurora Narvik” or “how much does Arctic Train Northern Lights Train cost”. In practice, “from” means the price may depend on the date.
What’s included in the price and why it’s a convenient solution
In the typical version of the tour, you get:
- round-trip train ticket,
- guide,
- bonfire at the stop,
- warm drinks and something sweet,
- photography tips (if you want to take aurora photos),
- and the whole “vibe of the spot” in Katterat – i.e., calmly waiting in the dark, instead of running from point to point.
The biggest convenience? You don’t need a car and you don’t worry about the nighttime return.
Is the Northern Lights guaranteed?
No. And that is the most honest sentence on this topic.
You can have the perfect plan, but if clouds come – the sky will be empty. What the Northern Lights Train does well is:
- taking you away from city lights,
- giving you time in a dark place,
- saving you logistics (no car, no searching for a spot, no stress).
If you care about real chances, the best strategy in Narvik is to have more than one evening “for the aurora” — and to check a real-time aurora forecast before you go out, even if one of them is this very train ride.
How to dress for observing the Northern Lights in Katterat
In descriptions, it’s usually brief: “warm clothes.” But in practice: you’re standing in the mountains at night, so dress as for a winter outing.
The minimum that works:
- thermal underwear + a warm layer (fleece/wool),
- a proper winter jacket,
- insulated/ski pants,
- winter boots + thick socks,
- hat + neck warmer/buff,
- gloves (preferably two pairs: thin and thick).
If you plan to take photos: a tripod really makes a difference. And it’s not a gadget “for professionals” – simply, night shots without stabilization often come out blurry.
Northern Lights Train FAQ – the most common questions before booking
Does the Northern Lights Train Narvik depart from Narvik Train Station?
Yes, the meeting point is at the railway station in Narvik.
What time is the meeting for the Northern Lights Train and do the times depend on the season?
Yes, times are given in seasonal variants, so always check the time for your date.
How long is the Northern Lights Train Narvik journey (tour duration)?
Most often approx. 3–3.5 hours (depending on the date/period).
Does the Northern Lights Train travel the Ofoten Line / Ofoten Railway route?
Yes, descriptions emphasize that the ride takes place on the historic Ofoten line, away from city lights.
Does the Northern Lights Train stop in Bjørnfjell?
Yes, the tour plan usually includes a short stop in Bjørnfjell.
Does the Northern Lights Train have its main stop in Katterat (aurora observation)?
Yes, Katterat is the main place for going outside and ‘hunting’ for the aurora.
How much time is spent outside during the Northern Lights Train in Katterat?
Sample plans mention approx. 1 hour in Katterat, but the plan may change.
Is there a bonfire and warm drinks during the Northern Lights Train in Katterat?
Yes, descriptions highlight the bonfire as well as hot drinks and a snack.
Does the Northern Lights Train offer a lavvu (tent) in Katterat to warm up?
Yes — descriptions clearly mention lavvu as shelter and additional warmth next to the bonfire.
Does the Northern Lights Train have a guide and are there ‘photo tips’ for aurora pictures?
Yes, the tour is guided and includes photography tips.
Does the Northern Lights Train guarantee seeing the Northern Lights?
There is no guarantee — it depends on the weather and aurora activity; the tour increases chances because it goes to a darker place.
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Read also / next
- Norway travel guide: routes, hikes and Northern Lights ideas
- Northern Lights Live: forecast and real-time radar
- Northern Lights Radar: pick a location (Norway, Iceland, Lofoten, Tromsø)
- Travel: all destinations on OndaTravel (English)
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