From Narvik: The Northern Lights Arctic Train Guided Tour

The best part of this evening is the setting: you leave Narvik by train and watch the Arctic night unfold far from much of the city glow. At Katterat, the railway gives way to snow, stars, and a campfire while you wait for the Aurora Borealis. The train ride itself is part of the show, not just a way to reach it.

I like the mix of rail travel and outdoor time, and I like the warm pastry and drink around the fire. The guides add useful photo tips and background on the northern lights, with Anajolie receiving special praise for her lively presentations. The main drawback is simple: nature makes no promise. Clouds, weak aurora activity, bright station lights, or a poor viewing angle can leave you without a clear sighting.

Key points to know before you book

• Katterat is the main event: You spend about an hour at this remote station, 373 meters above sea level, with a fire, snacks, and time outdoors.
• The train keeps you away from city glare: The route follows the historic Ofoten Railway toward Bjørnfjell and the Swedish border.
• Bjørnfjell is a short stop: Expect about 15 minutes for photos before the train continues to Katterat.
• Warm clothing matters: Thermal suits are not included, so bring a hat, scarf, warm socks, thermal layers, and weather-ready outerwear.
• Photography can be tricky: Bring a camera and tripod, and listen closely to the guide’s advice about where and when to shoot.
• The experience costs $142 per person: That price covers the return train, guide, campfire, snack, drinks, documentary, photo advice, village visit, and museum visit.

Why the train is a smart way to chase the aurora

A northern lights outing by train has one clear advantage over a simple roadside viewing stop: the journey feels like part of the evening. From Narvik, you follow the Ofoten Railway into a quieter Arctic setting, with the city lights gradually left behind.

I like this format because you are not sitting in one place for the full three hours. You get a scenic rail ride, two stops, outdoor time, a fire, and a little local history. That gives the evening a shape even if the sky refuses to cooperate.

The train also gives you shelter between outdoor sections. That matters in winter, especially when you are waiting for an aurora that may appear for only a few minutes, or not appear at all. You can warm up during the ride before stepping outside again.

The viewing conditions are still beyond anyone’s control. A train ride away from Narvik does not guarantee a clear sky. One person described seeing nothing at the first stop but later finding the second stop far better, with snow, stars, and dancing lights. That is a useful reminder to avoid judging the evening too soon.

Leaving Narvik for Bjørnfjell

The tour begins at Narvik stasjon. The first train section lasts about an hour, giving you time to settle in and listen to the guide. The train is decorated with subtle lighting, which helps create an evening mood without making the carriage too bright for looking outside.

The low lighting is useful, but your seat still matters. One participant found that the best views and first signs of the aurora were on the side they had left. I would pay attention to the guide’s advice and keep an eye on both sides when possible. If the train is busy, moving may not be easy once everyone is settled.

This opening section is also when the guide can set expectations. The northern lights are not a scheduled performance, so the most helpful guides explain the science, point out what to watch for, and help you stay patient. The tour includes a northern lights documentary, adding more context than you would get from simply stepping off a train and staring at the sky.

After roughly an hour, the train reaches Bjørnfjell, a border-area station near Sweden. The stop lasts about 15 minutes and is mainly for photographs. That is not enough time for a long walk, but it does give you your first chance to step into the cold Arctic air and take in the remote surroundings.

Bjørnfjell may also be the moment when you realize how different the viewing conditions can be from Narvik. The platform lighting can interfere with cameras, and a short stop leaves little room for trial and error. Take a quick look, follow the guide’s instructions, and save your main photography effort for Katterat.

Katterat at 373 meters above sea level

From Bjørnfjell, the train continues for about 10 minutes to Katterat. This is the key stop, with around an hour for a guided visit, photographs, and time around the fire.

Katterat sits 373 meters above sea level and feels more remote than a normal station stop. The tour includes a visit to an old mountain village and a museum, so you are not waiting in an empty clearing with nothing to do. The stop gives you a glimpse of the railway community and the mountain setting that made this line important.

The old village and museum add real value to the trip. If clouds cover the sky, these parts help keep the evening from becoming a pure gamble on weather. You still want the aurora, of course, but you also get a small dose of local history and railway culture.

The outdoor gathering is the most social part of the tour. Your guide prepares a bonfire, then serves a pastry and a warm drink while you wait. There are also snacks and beverages included, and marshmallows were available around the fire during one outing.

I like this pause because it turns the northern lights chase into a shared Arctic evening rather than a silent photography session. You can warm your hands, listen to the guide, and look up between conversations. The fire also gives you a practical reason to stay outside when the temperature drops.

There is one important catch: a campfire is not the same as a heated outdoor shelter. You need proper winter clothing from the start. Bring thermal clothing, a hat, scarf, warm socks, and other weather-appropriate layers. Thermal suits are not included, so you should not count on the tour to supply a full cold-weather outfit.

The return to Narvik

After the Katterat stop, you board the train for the ride back to Narvik. This final section lasts about 45 minutes. It gives you time to warm up, review photographs, and listen for any final comments from the guide.

The return ride can feel very different depending on the night. If the aurora appears, you may spend it comparing photographs and trying to catch another glimpse through the windows. If the sky stays cloudy, the train provides a comfortable end to an evening that still included the railway, museum, village, and campfire.

The total activity lasts about three hours, though the listed stop times add up to a little more than that when treated as exact figures. I would plan for the advertised three-hour duration and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

How good are the northern lights chances?

The tour takes sensible steps to improve your odds. It moves away from Narvik’s city light, travels toward remote stations, and includes outdoor time at Katterat. Those choices can help, but they cannot overcome heavy cloud or low aurora activity.

The strongest report from the supplied feedback described clear skies, deep snow, stars, and dancing aurora at the second stop, even though the sky had been cloudy in Narvik. That is exactly the sort of change that makes a train tour useful: you are not tied to the conditions at the departure point.

Still, I would book this as an Arctic evening with a chance to see the northern lights, not as a guaranteed aurora show. The overall rating is 3.9 from 58 reviews, and the comments reflect that mixed reality. The most enthusiastic experiences combine good guides, a pleasant campfire, and a successful sighting. Another highly positive evening did not produce northern lights at all, yet the guide, train lighting, snacks, and fire still made it worthwhile.

That distinction matters when you compare this with a dedicated chase by minibus. A road tour may have more freedom to change direction, while this train trip offers a fixed route, railway atmosphere, remote stations, and a campfire. Choose the train if the setting and journey appeal to you, not only the final sky conditions.

Guide quality and the small details that matter

The guide is central to the experience. The tour is conducted in English and includes explanations, photo tips, a documentary, and assistance during the outdoor stop.

Anajolie was singled out for excellent presentations and an engaging manner. If she is leading your departure, you can expect a guide who puts energy into the educational side of the night. Since guide assignments can vary, I would treat her name as a useful detail from the feedback, not a guarantee that she will lead every departure.

The guides also help with practical matters. They keep the fires going, explain the stops, take photographs, and offer advice on capturing the aurora. That help is valuable because night photography is not as simple as pointing a phone at the sky.

There was some criticism of the boarding process, described as disorganized, and refreshments ran short for people at the end of the line on one outing. I would arrive ready to board without assuming that every part of the start will run perfectly. If snacks and drinks matter to you, joining the refreshment line early is sensible.

Photography from a moving train and a dark station

Bring your camera and tripod, as the tour specifically recommends both. A tripod is especially useful at Katterat, where you may have time to set up for longer exposures.

Keep your expectations realistic. The first stop can have platform light that makes the aurora difficult to see and can confuse a camera’s exposure. The second stop appears to offer a darker setting, but the northern lights can still be faint or hard to photograph.

The guide’s photo tips are one of the more useful inclusions for beginners. I would listen before rushing to take pictures, then check your results rather than assuming the camera captured what your eyes saw. Keep spare warmth for your hands, too. Cold fingers make camera settings frustrating.

The subtle train lighting helps you look outside without sitting in total darkness. It also means the carriage is not a perfect photography space. You may need to manage reflections from the windows, and your view can depend on which side of the train you occupy.

Is $142 per person fair value?

At $142 per person, this is not a cheap evening ride. The value depends on what you want from the outing.

The price includes round-trip rail travel, an English-speaking guide, the campfire, snack, warm beverage, photo advice, a northern lights documentary, the old mountain village, and the Katterat museum. You are paying for a complete three-hour program rather than transport alone.

I think the price is easier to justify if you value the railway and the cultural elements as much as the aurora. The train takes you into a remote setting that would be difficult to recreate with a casual evening walk from Narvik. The fire and warm drink also make the wait more comfortable.

The value is weaker if your only goal is a guaranteed northern lights sighting. No provider can promise that, and the fixed train route cannot adapt as freely as a road-based chase. The right question is not simply how likely you are to see the aurora. Ask if you would still enjoy the railway journey, Katterat, the museum, the village, and the campfire on a cloudy night.

Who should choose this evening tour?

I would recommend it to adults and families with children aged three and older who want a guided, structured introduction to the Arctic at night. It suits you especially well if you like trains, small historical sites, photography, and a relaxed outdoor gathering.

It is also a good choice if you prefer not to drive or organize your own route after dark. The rail schedule handles the main transport, and the guide gives the evening a clear plan.

You should think twice if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Children under three are not permitted. You should also reconsider if you dislike cold-weather waiting or do not want to carry proper winter clothing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Check the available starting time before committing, since the tour operates at set times.

Should you book the Northern Lights Arctic Train?

Book it if you want more than a quick aurora stop. The old Ofoten Railway, remote Bjørnfjell and Katterat stations, museum visit, campfire, warm drink, and guide-led explanations make this a well-shaped Arctic evening.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed light show. Clouds and weak activity can still win, and the boarding process or refreshment supply may not be perfect. For me, the strongest reason to choose this tour is that it remains worthwhile on a night when the sky disappoints, provided you enjoy the train journey and Katterat setting.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights Arctic Train tour last?

The advertised duration is three hours. The route includes train travel from Narvik, a short photo stop at Bjørnfjell, about an hour at Katterat, and the return train to Narvik.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at Narvik stasjon.

What is included in the price?

The $142 price includes a round-trip train ticket, guide, snack, beverages, bonfire, photo tips, a northern lights documentary, a visit to the old mountain village, and a museum visit at Katterat.

Are thermal suits provided?

No. Thermal suits are not included. Bring thermal clothing along with a hat, scarf, warm socks, and other weather-appropriate clothing.

Is the tour suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

The activity is not suitable for children under three or for wheelchair users.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring a hat, scarf, warm socks, thermal clothing, weather-appropriate outerwear, a camera, and a tripod.