From Narvik: The Northern Lights Arctic Train Guided Tour

The best part of this outing is the setting: you leave Narvik by train and head into the dark Arctic mountains, far from city lights. At Katterat, 373 meters above sea level, you step into the snow for a campfire under the stars, with the Northern Lights as the hoped-for main event.

I like two things here. First, the railway gives you a warm, moving viewpoint instead of another van ride. Second, the stop at Katterat feels like a real Arctic evening, with pastries, hot drinks, marshmallows, and a remote old mountain village to explore. The main catch is simple: the aurora is never guaranteed, and the first stop can be too bright for good photos.

Key points to know

• Historic rail route: Follow the Ofoten railway from Narvik toward the Swedish border.
• Two Arctic stops: Pause at Bjørnfjell for 15 minutes, then spend about an hour at Katterat.
• Campfire treats: Warm drinks, a pastry, and marshmallows help take the edge off the cold.
• Aurora viewing: Katterat offers darker skies than Narvik, but clouds and solar activity remain beyond anyone’s control.
• Photo help: The guide offers camera advice, and a tripod is worth packing.
• Simple winter logistics: The tour lasts three hours, runs in English, and is not suitable for children under three or wheelchair users.

Riding the Northern Lights Train out of Narvik

This is not just a train ride with a quick look at the sky. It is an evening trip into a remote part of Nordland County, using Norway’s northernmost railway and the historic Ofoten line.

You meet at Narvik station and settle into the train for the first one-hour stretch. The train gives you time to get comfortable, hear about the route, and watch the town fade behind you. Subtle lighting inside the carriages helps preserve your view outside, which matters when your eyes need time to adjust to the dark.

The train itself is one of the reasons I find this experience appealing. You can stay warm while moving through the Arctic night, rather than spending the whole evening standing beside a road waiting for a clear patch of sky.

The train is decorated with gentle lighting, but you should still expect some movement and reflections through the windows. If you want photographs from inside, keep your camera close and use the guide’s advice. The best view can depend on which side of the carriage you choose, and one mistake is moving away from a side that happens to have the better early view. Ask about the likely viewing side before settling in.

Bjørnfjell: a short stop near the Swedish border

After about an hour, the train reaches Bjørnfjell, a Swedish border town. You have around 15 minutes here, mainly for a photo stop and a first look at the Arctic railway setting.

Keep your expectations in check. This is a brief pause, not a long walk or a full village visit. Platform lighting can make this stop less useful for aurora photography, especially if the Northern Lights are faint. Your camera may show little at Bjørnfjell even if your eyes catch a pale glow.

Still, the stop serves a purpose. It breaks up the train ride and gives you a chance to step outside, test your clothing, and see how your camera handles the cold and low light. Use the moment to adjust your settings before the longer stop at Katterat.

If the sky is cloudy when you leave Narvik, do not give up at Bjørnfjell. Conditions can change along the route. One evening can begin under cloud and later open into stars and moving aurora at the second stop.

Katterat at 373 meters: the evening’s main scene

The train continues for about 10 minutes from Bjørnfjell to Katterat. This is the main stop, lasting roughly one hour, and it is where the outing feels most distinct from a standard Northern Lights chase.

Katterat sits 373 meters above sea level and includes an old mountain village. You have time for a guided visit, a museum visit, and photographs around the station. The remote setting is the real draw. Away from Narvik’s streetlights, the snow, stars, railway buildings, and mountain darkness create a stronger Arctic mood.

Your guide gathers the group around an open fire. You receive something warm to drink and a fresh pastry, with marshmallows available for toasting. These small comforts matter. Cold-weather viewing can become tiring fast, and a warm cup plus a fire gives you a reason to enjoy the stop even during a quiet aurora forecast.

This is also where the guide provides photo tips. Bring a tripod, as the supplied information specifically recommends one, and carry a camera that lets you control low-light settings if possible. Keep your hands warm between photographs. A camera battery can struggle in cold conditions, so packing spare batteries is sensible, though the tour information does not promise charging facilities.

The fire creates one possible drawback: bright flames and station lights can affect photographs. For human comfort, the fire is welcome. For star and aurora images, you may need to step a little away from it and find a darker angle. Listen to the guide before wandering off, since this is a short stop in a remote place.

What the guide adds beyond the train ride

The live guiding is in English, and the experience includes a Northern Lights documentary. That gives the evening some structure even if the sky refuses to cooperate.

You may hear explanations during the train journey, at the stations, and around the campfire. Anajolie has received especially warm praise for her presentations and the way she handled the excursion. Her name is useful to know if you are comparing the feel of this tour with a silent rail transfer, although guide assignments can vary.

The guide also helps with practical matters: where to look, how to position a camera, and how to make the most of a short photo stop. That is valuable if you are new to aurora photography. You do not need to arrive as an expert, but you should bring a tripod and dress as if you will spend time standing outside.

The documentary and museum visit add context to the night. You are not simply waiting for a green ribbon to appear. You are visiting a railway station and old mountain village with a human story, then using the dark hours for a natural spectacle.

The return train to Narvik

After about an hour at Katterat, you board the train for the 45-minute return to Narvik station. This is the final chance to look through the windows for aurora activity along the line.

The return leg also gives you a chance to warm up, sort photographs, and talk with the guide. If the sky has been active, you may still see lights from the train. If nothing appeared, the ride back offers a comfortable end rather than another long outdoor wait.

The full experience lasts three hours. That is long enough to reach a darker setting without taking over your entire evening. It also means the outdoor time is limited, which helps if you are concerned about cold weather. On the other hand, the short schedule leaves little room for delays or extended aurora viewing. If the lights appear just after the group must board, the train timetable wins.

Northern Lights chances and realistic expectations

No Northern Lights tour can promise an aurora. You need darkness, clear enough skies, and suitable solar activity at the same time. This train improves your setting by moving away from Narvik’s light pollution, but it cannot control clouds or the sky.

That uncertainty shapes the value of the trip. If your only goal is to photograph a strong aurora for hours, a longer chase may offer more time and flexibility. If you want an evening with rail travel, remote stations, a campfire, and a reasonable chance of seeing the lights, this format is more appealing.

One useful lesson from the trip reports is not to judge the whole evening by Bjørnfjell. Platform light may wash out the sky, and cameras often fail to record a faint aurora that your eyes can detect. Katterat is the better place to assess the night.

You should also expect the possibility of seeing no Northern Lights at all. The tour still includes the train route, the old mountain village, museum visit, documentary, snacks, and campfire. That does not erase the disappointment, but it gives the evening more substance than a simple lights-or-nothing outing.

What to wear for the Arctic stop

Pack for standing outdoors in winter, not just sitting on a heated train. The recommended list includes a hat, scarf, warm socks, thermal clothing, weather-appropriate layers, and a camera.

Thermal suits are not included. That detail matters if you are visiting from a mild climate or do not already have proper winter gear. Layering lets you adjust between the train and the open-air stop. Warm feet and a covered neck can make the difference between enjoying the fire and counting the minutes until boarding.

Bring a tripod if photography matters. A camera is useful, but a stable support is more important for long exposures. You may also want to keep your equipment simple. The stop is short, the light is low, and fumbling with several lenses in the cold wastes time.

The activity is not suitable for children under three years old or wheelchair users. Those limits should guide your decision before booking, since the route includes remote stations and outdoor surfaces.

Is $142 a fair price?

At $142 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Narvik. The price covers round-trip rail travel, a live English-speaking guide, a snack, beverages, the bonfire, photo tips, a Northern Lights documentary, and visits connected with Katterat.

I see the value in the combination. You are paying for transport into a darker area, but also for an organized Arctic outing with food, warmth, interpretation, and a set return to Narvik. You do not have to arrange a separate railway ticket, find Katterat on your own, or plan how to return after the campfire.

The value is weaker if you already have transport, winter gear, and a strong aurora forecast, or if you want maximum time outside. The one-hour Katterat stop is appealing, but it is still limited. You are buying a polished three-hour experience, not an all-night photography workshop.

The free cancellation rule gives you some flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which may help if your Narvik plans are still shifting. Check the available start times because the tour schedule can vary.

Small issues worth knowing before you go

Boarding may feel a little untidy. Allow yourself time to find the correct place and get settled without assuming the process will be perfectly smooth.

Refreshments can be limited near the end of the serving line. If the snack and drink are important to you, join the queue promptly when the campfire service begins. This is a practical point, not a reason to reject the experience, but it can affect the evening.

The first stop may also feel underwhelming if platform lights are on and the sky is cloudy. Save your judgment for Katterat, where the snow, stars, fire, and darker surroundings create the stronger scene.

Finally, do not treat the train windows as guaranteed viewing platforms. Reflections, seating position, and the direction of the aurora all matter. Ask the guide where to sit, then stay alert rather than watching only one side.

Who should book this train tour?

I would choose this for you if you want a gentle Arctic evening with several parts: rail travel, a remote station, a campfire, warm food, a little local context, and a chance to see the aurora. It suits first-time Northern Lights seekers who value a guide and do not want to plan every detail themselves.

It also works well for photographers who are willing to accept a short shooting window and bring a tripod. The guide’s photo advice and the darker Katterat setting are useful, but this is not a dedicated long-exposure workshop.

I would look elsewhere if you need wheelchair access, are bringing a child under three, or want a long and highly flexible aurora chase. I would also think twice if you dislike cold outdoor stops or have no thermal clothing, since suits are not supplied.

Should you book the Northern Lights Arctic Train?

Book it if the full evening sounds good even without a guaranteed aurora. The railway journey and Katterat campfire give you a worthwhile plan, while the darker skies offer a real chance of seeing the lights.

Skip it if your main aim is to spend many hours chasing every possible gap in the clouds. For most people who want a manageable, atmospheric introduction to Arctic Norway, the $142 price is reasonable, provided you arrive warmly dressed and keep your expectations realistic.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights Arctic Train tour last?

The tour lasts three hours, including the train journey from Narvik, stops at Bjørnfjell and Katterat, and the return to Narvik station.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Narvik station and returns to Narvik station at the end of the evening.

Which railway does the tour use?

The train follows the historic Ofoten railway, described as Norway’s northernmost railway.

How long do you stop at Bjørnfjell?

The Bjørnfjell stop lasts about 15 minutes and is used mainly for photographs.

How long do you spend at Katterat?

You spend about one hour at Katterat for a guided visit, photographs, the campfire, and the museum and old mountain village visits.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes a snack, beverages, a pastry, and warm drinks served around the bonfire.

Is a thermal suit provided?

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

Can children under three or wheelchair users join?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under three years old or wheelchair users.