From Narvik: The Northern Lights Arctic Train Guided Tour

The best aurora chase may be on rails. This three-hour evening trip leaves Narvik by train and heads into the snowbound Arctic wilderness, where the skies are darker and the air is quiet. I like the unusual setting and the fact that you are not simply standing in a car park waiting for the sky to change. I also like the warm campfire, lavvu, hot drinks, and local stories at Katterat. The main catch is simple: the northern lights are never guaranteed, and $156 is a serious price if clouds block the show.

You travel for 45 minutes from Narvik station to Katterat, a remote mountain stop 373 meters above sea level with no road access. I especially appreciate that the evening still has value without an aurora, thanks to the railway stories, old village and museum visit, documentary, snacks, and starry mountain setting. Bring proper thermal clothing, though. The tour does not include thermal suits, and Arctic waiting can feel much longer than three hours when you are cold.

Key things to know before booking

• Katterat sits beyond road access: The remote station is reached by the historic Ofoten Railway, giving the evening a rare sense of distance without a long hike.
• The whole outing lasts three hours: Plan on 45 minutes by train each way and about 90 minutes at Katterat.
• The campfire is part of the experience: You get hot drinks, a light snack, and warmth from a fire and nearby lavvu while waiting.
• The train offers more than transport: Your English-speaking guide shares railway and Arctic stories, and a Northern Lights documentary is included.
• Seat choice can matter: One report found the first aurora glimpses were visible from the original side of the train, so check the views before settling in.
• Cold-weather clothing is essential: Hats, scarves, warm socks, thermal layers, cameras, and a tripod are recommended. Thermal suits cost extra or must be arranged separately.

Why this train trip feels different from a standard aurora chase

Many Northern Lights outings involve driving to a forecast location and waiting beside a van. This one makes the journey part of the evening. You leave Narvik station by train and follow the Ofoten Railway into a quieter mountain area, away from much of the city light.

That matters because the sky is only half the experience. The railway gives you a moving view of the dark Arctic setting, while the guide provides context about the line, the mountains, and daily life in the far north. The journey also gives you a chance to warm up before stepping outside again.

The destination, Katterat, is 373 meters above sea level and has no road connection. That lack of easy access helps keep the area dark. If the aurora appears, you have a better setting for seeing it than you would near Narvik’s built-up areas. If the sky stays quiet, you still get silence, stars, snow, and a place that feels properly remote.

I like this balance. You are not buying only a promise of colored lights. You are paying for access to a remote railway stop, a hosted outdoor evening, and an introduction to one of Norway’s most important mountain rail routes.

Leaving Narvik station for the Ofoten Railway

The tour begins at Narvik station, where you board the train for the 45-minute ride to Katterat. Boarding may not feel perfectly polished. One report describes some confusion at the start, and refreshments reportedly ran short for people at the back of the line, so it is sensible to arrive ready and pay attention when boarding begins.

Once on board, look for a seat with a useful window view. One person found that moving to another side of the train meant missing the first glimpses of the aurora. The best side can depend on the direction and conditions, so I would avoid changing seats without first checking what you can see from your current window.

The train is decorated with subtle lighting rather than harsh bright lights. That is a small but important detail. Strong interior lighting can spoil your view of the night, while dimmer illumination lets you look outside more easily. You may see little during cloudy weather, but the train ride itself remains part of the appeal.

The guide uses the journey to explain the railway, the region, and the Northern Lights. An English-language documentary is included as well. This gives the evening some structure instead of leaving you to stare at a black window and guess whether a faint gray patch is a cloud or the aurora.

Katterat at 373 meters above sea level

After roughly 45 minutes, you arrive at Katterat. This is not a large resort or a busy viewing complex. It is a remote mountain station with no road access, and that isolation is the key reason it works as an aurora location.

You spend about an hour and a half here. The stop includes a guided visit, photo opportunities, the old mountain village, and a museum visit. Your guide also talks about the railway and local life. These details give you something to focus on while the sky makes up its mind.

The station area may have some artificial light, and that can affect photography. One account described difficulty capturing the aurora at an early stop because platform lights interfered with camera settings. A later area with snow, stars, and darker surroundings offered much better conditions. Use that as a practical lesson: do not decide the evening is a failure during the first few minutes outside.

The program may involve more than one viewing point around the stop. You might first gather near the station, then move to a darker area or a more sheltered place. Follow the guide rather than wandering off in search of a better angle. The mountain setting can be dark and unfamiliar, and the group needs to stay together.

Campfire, lavvu, snacks, and the waiting game

The outdoor stop is made more comfortable by a campfire and a traditional lavvu. The lavvu provides shelter and extra warmth, while the fire gives you a place to gather under the open sky. Hot drinks and a light snack are included.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. Aurora watching involves waiting, and waiting is easier when you can warm your hands, eat something, and listen to stories. In cold weather, that support can make the difference between staying outside long enough to see the lights and retreating to the train too soon.

The guides also help manage the viewing rhythm. One report describes guests waiting in a heated tent until the guide judged that it was worth going outside. That approach makes sense when the sky is cloudy or the aurora is faint. You are not forced to stand in the cold for the full stop with nothing happening.

The food is modest, not a meal. Think of it as a warm snack and drink that supports the evening. If you need a full dinner, eat beforehand. The trip lasts three hours, and the included refreshments are meant to keep you comfortable rather than replace a meal.

What you can realistically expect from the Northern Lights

The aurora is a natural event. It may appear brightly, faintly, briefly, or not at all. No guide can promise the timing or strength, and this tour does not pretend otherwise.

That uncertainty is the main risk at $156. Some evenings have produced spectacular lights, even when they were the only aurora of a full holiday. Other evenings have offered clear skies, stars, and a good railway outing without any Northern Lights at all.

Cloud cover can change the mood quickly. One account describes leaving Narvik under a completely cloudy sky, then seeing dancing aurora later among the snow and stars. That is encouraging, but it also shows why you should wait for the full experience before judging the conditions.

Your guide can offer photo tips and help with camera setup. Bring a camera and tripod if you have them. A phone may capture strong aurora, but the supplied information specifically recommends a tripod, and that is useful for longer exposures in dark conditions.

Keep your expectations flexible. If you need a guaranteed light display, no Northern Lights tour can meet that standard. If you value the railway, remote station, campfire, stories, and Arctic night even when nature does not cooperate, this trip makes more sense.

The guide makes the difference

The guide is central to the quality of the evening. The tour is not simply a train ticket with a campfire added. Your host explains the railway, the area, and the Northern Lights, then helps you decide when to go outside and where to look.

Anajolie received especially strong praise for her presentations and guiding. Other comments describe the team as enthusiastic and helpful, including assistance with photos and keeping the fires going while people toasted marshmallows.

That personal attention matters in a short tour. You have limited time at Katterat, and a good guide keeps the group moving without making the evening feel rushed. The guide also adds meaning to the old village and museum visit, which could otherwise feel like a quick stop in the dark.

The tour is offered in English. If you want detailed explanations and practical help with photography, that is a plus. If you prefer a private, quiet aurora outing with no group structure, this may feel more organized than you want.

The return journey to Narvik

After the Katterat stop, you return to the train for another 45 minutes back to Narvik station. This gives you a final chance to look out at the dark mountain setting, compare photos, and warm up indoors.

The return leg is also useful after time outside. Even with a fire and lavvu, you can get cold while taking pictures or waiting for the sky. A warm train makes the journey back more comfortable.

The three-hour length is well judged for a single evening. You get enough time to reach a darker location without committing an entire night to a long road chase. The tradeoff is that the schedule is fixed. If the aurora appears just as the group is preparing to leave, you cannot simply stay until dawn.

Is $156 a fair price?

At $156 per person, this is not a budget train ride. The value comes from the combined package:

• Round-trip rail transport from Narvik
• An English-speaking guide
• Guided time at Katterat
• Campfire and lavvu access
• Hot drinks and a snack
• Photo advice
• A Northern Lights documentary
• A visit to the old mountain village
• A museum visit

A simple train ticket would not provide the same hosted evening or cultural explanation. You are also paying for the chance to reach a location without road access, which would be difficult to arrange independently.

The price feels strongest when the aurora appears and the guide adds useful support. It feels less attractive if the weather is poor and you mainly sit inside waiting. Still, the railway and Katterat visit give the outing more substance than a basic forecast-driven chase.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve without paying immediately make it easier to fit into a changeable Norway schedule. Children under seven cannot join, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

How to dress and what to carry

Do not treat the train as a substitute for winter clothing. You will spend time outside at Katterat, possibly standing still while looking at the sky. Bring:

• Thermal base layers
• A warm hat
• Scarf
• Thick socks
• Weatherproof outer clothing
• Gloves, as part of sensible cold-weather dress
• Camera
• Tripod

Thermal suits are not included. If you do not own suitable winter clothing, check your options before booking rather than assuming the lavvu will keep everyone warm all evening.

A tripod is especially useful for aurora photography. Keep spare camera batteries warm if possible, since cold can reduce battery life. That last point is general photography advice, not a promised service from the tour, but it can save a good night from ending with a dead camera.

Who should book this Arctic Train evening?

I would recommend it to you if you want an aurora outing with a strong sense of place. It suits people who enjoy rail journeys, local stories, photography, and a little outdoor waiting. It is also a good choice if you prefer not to spend the evening in a road vehicle.

You will likely enjoy it most if you can accept that the Northern Lights may not appear. The campfire, railway, museum, village visit, documentary, and mountain station provide several other reasons to go.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is to see a guaranteed aurora. I would also think twice if you dislike cold weather, group schedules, or standing outdoors. The lack of thermal suits in the package makes personal preparation especially important.

Should you book the Northern Lights Arctic Train?

Book it if you want the journey to matter as much as the destination. The ride to Katterat, the dark station, the campfire, and the railway stories create a memorable Arctic evening even when the sky stays empty. When the aurora appears, the setting can be superb, with snow, stars, and little city light.

Skip it if $156 feels too high for an experience with no guaranteed light display, or if you need complete flexibility to chase changing conditions. For everyone else, this is one of the more distinctive ways to look for the Northern Lights from Narvik, provided you bring serious winter clothing and keep your expectations realistic.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Arctic Train tour begin?

The tour begins at Narvik station in Nordland County, Norway.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts three hours. The train ride to Katterat takes about 45 minutes, the guided stop lasts about one and a half hours, and the return train ride takes another 45 minutes.

How far does the train travel before reaching the viewing area?

The train takes you to Katterat, a remote mountain station 373 meters above sea level.

Is Katterat accessible by road?

No. Katterat has no road access, which helps keep the area dark and suitable for Northern Lights viewing.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Hot drinks and a light snack are included, along with the campfire and lavvu experience.

Are thermal suits provided?

No. Thermal suits are not included. You should bring thermal clothing and other weather-appropriate layers.

Is the Northern Lights display guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so the tour cannot guarantee if they will appear, when they will appear, or how strong they will be.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

Children under seven cannot join the tour. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.