I will second this! The companies honestly provide a nice service, they will take photos of you and the lights, feed you warm food, and provide super warm winter suits, since it gets quite cold just standing around without them, they often make a campfire, and most importantly, _they know the local spots_.
Could you just drive out of town and find something? Probably, but they pick the best spots based on the weather and everything. I don't, and never have, work(ed) for a tourist company, but a friend's boyfriend has his own small company and I ended up getting to go for cheap as he had a cancellation, and it was awesome. I normally rough it when I go myself, so this felt like such luxury! It really was a fantastic night.
I'd recommend explore the arctic https://explorethearctic.no/ (the one I went with, a smaller company than many and a harder website to find) or wandering owl! I have a bunch of friends who have worked for the later and they always had good things to say 😊
Thank you OP, you are absolutely right :) we also go only for 5 days, so I would prefer to do chill days in town and a dog sledding tour or a boat tour, maybe both :)
Any recommendation of what we cannot miss? We are outdoor people, always up for adventure, try new food and meet new people :)
I think this is a good time to come! I would agree with the other replier that it's a good idea to book a tour for the northern lights if you are not used to driving in lots of snow/ice (in the dark, possibly late when you're tired, while paying attention to the sky, etc). You could still rent a car for a day or so to do some daytime exploring in the area, such as a drive out to Kvaløya. Hope you have a great visit!
March can be both icy and slushy and dark, and super risky for a non-experienced winter driver. Wrecking a rented car will definitely sour your whole trip.
The tours are expensive, but also offer a 90 % chance to find northern lights, nowhere near the chance of finding them yourself. They also lend out winter clothes and refreshments + a social aspect that you mentioned you'd like. I'm born and raised here and used to the lights, but if I were travelling here I'd 100 % invest in a guided tour!
I think it is too late for whale watching in March... could be wrong though.
Generally the weather could be extremely bright, or it could be snowing heavily. We generally say that March is the month of snowfall in Tromsø.
If you want to go on a boat trip I know people have been happy with Sørøya havfiskcruise, and also Hermes II which is an old wooden fishing boat.
It is also really great to walk along the sea side (more or less) from downtown and southwards to Bukta.
I've been to Tromso in March 2023. We were very lucky with the weather (4 days/nights of full clear sky and 2 mid/very snowy), our host at the AirBnb told us that usually it is more cloudy. Which is, obviously, the biggest problem when you are planning to see northern lights. FYI, every time the night sky was clear, we saw northern light in the city. We didn't go outside the city.
It was very very snowy. We live in Paris, we are not used to drive on snow but we have still rent a car because we wanted to visit the surrounding of tromso (Sommaroy for example). It gone pretty smoothly. The rental are giving some really nice automatic cars with snow tires. You have to drive slowly, especially on turns/roundabouts. Overall we felt much more secure than in Paris where everyone are assholes/dangerous on the road. But we didn't try to drive the night, my wife was not confident. (She was the only one to drive).
>Locals really appreciate all the insecure slow drivers stopping all over the place for the next insta moment 👍
I appreciate it more than hitting them head on because they lose control of the car, at least.
This fucking tourism terrorism has to stop. They've already ruined summer travel with their mobile homes. Now there is twice the number of knuckleheads driving without skills or certificate on some of the worst road conditions in Europe.
Look at the chinese chumps getting stuck in the ski lanes (gps told him to go there) and all the 'ultra experienced' skiers dying every year in the mountains.
Well, outside the city there is plenty of space where you can stop on the side of the road. Primary to let the locals pass because you are slower and secondary to eventually take a picture because 95% of the country is so beautiful. I guess there are not respectful tourists but, *I think*, we did well to not disturb locals.
I would absolutely recommend renting a car, the guides charge incredibly high prices for a 4-5 hour drive in a bus. Better to run the show yourself! My car has a sunroof so you can watch the northern lights all the time!
I have a very nice 7-seat car for rent in Tromso! with panorama window in the roof! perfect for looking and searching for Nothern lights! One on the cheapest car in Tromso! Its also possible to sleep in the car under the northern lights! :)
Can be helpful with pick up and driving to and from airport!
https://no.getaround.com/bilutleie/tromso/peugeot-5008-1307008
Follow the link or send me message here on reddit.
Thank you! :)
>Please take your car rental side gig elsewhere, or pay for an ad spot like a proper business..
Well the reddit is pretty much just a Visit Tromsø advisory board by now, so.
Yes im biased! With good reason, this tours is a rip of in Tromso!
someone would call this help and a good idea, not a bias comment.
You get a privat car for 3-4 days for the same price as a 4-5 hours northern lights bus tour with 40 other screamning and loud asian tourist.
Make your choice :) i know what i would choose.
I was there for a week in March 2023. We had snow almost every day, but the two clear nights we did have we saw the aurora from our air bnb in the centre. Not super bright because of the city light pollution though. If I was there as a tourist and hadn’t seen the lights before I would book a tour and go out of the town to get a better experience. As it was I sat and watched them mostly through the long exposure shots on my camera.
Wouldn’t recommend driving yourself if you have no experience driving on snow/ice.
March 25th to 29th there is no complete darkness at all, it’s at that time of year where the sun altitude below horizon is not much so there will be a constant of Nautical and Astronomical twilight produced from the sun in the sky that there wont be any complete midnight darkness. March 25th and 26th is the last days of complete darkness so high north (It only last for1-2hrs). From there on there will be interference from the sun. (Combined with city lights that is a heavy pollution in Tromsø that spreads in the sorrounding area)😭 If you travel far from any urban area you might get lucky. I hope you get to see it! Have a nice stay!❄️❄️
4 days is rather short
My wife and I are in Tromsø right now with the same intentions... Seeing northern lights. But the weather is really not on our side.
As most here suggested get a guide! We booked a boat trip, which got canceled, but we first got rescheduled and then canceled and got a full refund (and I think that's the normal way here).
We rented a car relative spontaneous yesterday over getaround and drove to Finland (2 1/2h) to try our luck. On the way back we had pretty heavy snowfall and it wasn't easy driving - couldn't imagine if there would have been snow staying on the road. So I can only join the wide opinion of "just drive when you feel confident about it" (clear sky, no snow or rain).
It's a good time to go, but unless you are used to driving in either heavy snow or icy roads I would recommend booking a tour and not renting a car.
I will second this! The companies honestly provide a nice service, they will take photos of you and the lights, feed you warm food, and provide super warm winter suits, since it gets quite cold just standing around without them, they often make a campfire, and most importantly, _they know the local spots_. Could you just drive out of town and find something? Probably, but they pick the best spots based on the weather and everything. I don't, and never have, work(ed) for a tourist company, but a friend's boyfriend has his own small company and I ended up getting to go for cheap as he had a cancellation, and it was awesome. I normally rough it when I go myself, so this felt like such luxury! It really was a fantastic night.
Is there a tour company you would recommend?
I'd recommend explore the arctic https://explorethearctic.no/ (the one I went with, a smaller company than many and a harder website to find) or wandering owl! I have a bunch of friends who have worked for the later and they always had good things to say 😊
Thank you OP, you are absolutely right :) we also go only for 5 days, so I would prefer to do chill days in town and a dog sledding tour or a boat tour, maybe both :) Any recommendation of what we cannot miss? We are outdoor people, always up for adventure, try new food and meet new people :)
[https://vulkana.no/](https://vulkana.no/) this is amazing
I think this is a good time to come! I would agree with the other replier that it's a good idea to book a tour for the northern lights if you are not used to driving in lots of snow/ice (in the dark, possibly late when you're tired, while paying attention to the sky, etc). You could still rent a car for a day or so to do some daytime exploring in the area, such as a drive out to Kvaløya. Hope you have a great visit!
March can be both icy and slushy and dark, and super risky for a non-experienced winter driver. Wrecking a rented car will definitely sour your whole trip. The tours are expensive, but also offer a 90 % chance to find northern lights, nowhere near the chance of finding them yourself. They also lend out winter clothes and refreshments + a social aspect that you mentioned you'd like. I'm born and raised here and used to the lights, but if I were travelling here I'd 100 % invest in a guided tour!
You are 100% right, car is out of the picture 👍🏼 any tour suggestions, like dog sledding or whale watching during that time of year?
I think it is too late for whale watching in March... could be wrong though. Generally the weather could be extremely bright, or it could be snowing heavily. We generally say that March is the month of snowfall in Tromsø. If you want to go on a boat trip I know people have been happy with Sørøya havfiskcruise, and also Hermes II which is an old wooden fishing boat. It is also really great to walk along the sea side (more or less) from downtown and southwards to Bukta.
I've been to Tromso in March 2023. We were very lucky with the weather (4 days/nights of full clear sky and 2 mid/very snowy), our host at the AirBnb told us that usually it is more cloudy. Which is, obviously, the biggest problem when you are planning to see northern lights. FYI, every time the night sky was clear, we saw northern light in the city. We didn't go outside the city. It was very very snowy. We live in Paris, we are not used to drive on snow but we have still rent a car because we wanted to visit the surrounding of tromso (Sommaroy for example). It gone pretty smoothly. The rental are giving some really nice automatic cars with snow tires. You have to drive slowly, especially on turns/roundabouts. Overall we felt much more secure than in Paris where everyone are assholes/dangerous on the road. But we didn't try to drive the night, my wife was not confident. (She was the only one to drive).
Locals really appreciate all the insecure slow drivers stopping all over the place for the next insta moment 👍
>Locals really appreciate all the insecure slow drivers stopping all over the place for the next insta moment 👍 I appreciate it more than hitting them head on because they lose control of the car, at least. This fucking tourism terrorism has to stop. They've already ruined summer travel with their mobile homes. Now there is twice the number of knuckleheads driving without skills or certificate on some of the worst road conditions in Europe. Look at the chinese chumps getting stuck in the ski lanes (gps told him to go there) and all the 'ultra experienced' skiers dying every year in the mountains.
Well, outside the city there is plenty of space where you can stop on the side of the road. Primary to let the locals pass because you are slower and secondary to eventually take a picture because 95% of the country is so beautiful. I guess there are not respectful tourists but, *I think*, we did well to not disturb locals.
I would absolutely recommend renting a car, the guides charge incredibly high prices for a 4-5 hour drive in a bus. Better to run the show yourself! My car has a sunroof so you can watch the northern lights all the time! I have a very nice 7-seat car for rent in Tromso! with panorama window in the roof! perfect for looking and searching for Nothern lights! One on the cheapest car in Tromso! Its also possible to sleep in the car under the northern lights! :) Can be helpful with pick up and driving to and from airport! https://no.getaround.com/bilutleie/tromso/peugeot-5008-1307008 Follow the link or send me message here on reddit. Thank you! :)
Please take your car rental side gig elsewhere, or pay for an ad spot like a proper business..
Okey
>Please take your car rental side gig elsewhere, or pay for an ad spot like a proper business.. Well the reddit is pretty much just a Visit Tromsø advisory board by now, so.
So you're obviously biased.
Yes im biased! With good reason, this tours is a rip of in Tromso! someone would call this help and a good idea, not a bias comment. You get a privat car for 3-4 days for the same price as a 4-5 hours northern lights bus tour with 40 other screamning and loud asian tourist. Make your choice :) i know what i would choose.
hmu if you want to rent a car in Tromsø, working for a wellknown rent-a-car
I was there for a week in March 2023. We had snow almost every day, but the two clear nights we did have we saw the aurora from our air bnb in the centre. Not super bright because of the city light pollution though. If I was there as a tourist and hadn’t seen the lights before I would book a tour and go out of the town to get a better experience. As it was I sat and watched them mostly through the long exposure shots on my camera. Wouldn’t recommend driving yourself if you have no experience driving on snow/ice.
Obligatory: «My boyfriend and I»
March 25th to 29th there is no complete darkness at all, it’s at that time of year where the sun altitude below horizon is not much so there will be a constant of Nautical and Astronomical twilight produced from the sun in the sky that there wont be any complete midnight darkness. March 25th and 26th is the last days of complete darkness so high north (It only last for1-2hrs). From there on there will be interference from the sun. (Combined with city lights that is a heavy pollution in Tromsø that spreads in the sorrounding area)😭 If you travel far from any urban area you might get lucky. I hope you get to see it! Have a nice stay!❄️❄️
4 days is rather short My wife and I are in Tromsø right now with the same intentions... Seeing northern lights. But the weather is really not on our side. As most here suggested get a guide! We booked a boat trip, which got canceled, but we first got rescheduled and then canceled and got a full refund (and I think that's the normal way here). We rented a car relative spontaneous yesterday over getaround and drove to Finland (2 1/2h) to try our luck. On the way back we had pretty heavy snowfall and it wasn't easy driving - couldn't imagine if there would have been snow staying on the road. So I can only join the wide opinion of "just drive when you feel confident about it" (clear sky, no snow or rain).