🌌 Tromsø Hotels 2025: Best Places for Northern Lights ❄️
Tromsø is known as the "capital of the Northern Lights": its latitude of 69°N, warm Atlantic currents and low light pollution give you a 70% chance of seeing the Aurora from September to April. The city is compact: it takes 10 minutes to get from the airport, which means that choosing a hotel is a matter of precise logistics: proximity to the pier for fjord excursions, bus No. 42, which goes to the dark suburbs, and the opportunity to see the aurora directly from your window. We studied over 80 properties on Booking and VisitTromsø in spring and summer 2025 to compile a list of the 10 most frequently asked questions from guests: where to stay on a budget of €85-100, which hotels offer an Aurora alarm, how much does a "stay & tour" package cost, are there any pet-friendly options, and how to avoid overpaying for the Flybussen transfer. Save this article — we update the figures every quarter.
❓ Which areas of Tromsø are best for hunting the Northern Lights? 🌠
- Sentrum / Storgata — a stone's throw from restaurants and tour offices; hotels include Clarion The Edge and Scandic Ishavshotel.
- Brensholmen (Nordsida) — away from the lights, loved by Aurora hunters; our favourite is Skaret Lodge (30-minute shuttle).
- Tromsdalen — across the bridge, closer to the Fjellheisen cable car; budget Comfort Hotel Express with views of the fjord. The last bus (No. 24) leaves at 1:05 a.m., which is convenient after the aurora.
💰 2025 Room Prices & How They’re Changing
| Season | Budget (2★) | Mid-range (3–4★) | Upper (4–5★) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept.–Nov. | €85–110 | €140–170 | €210–260 | ◼ Baseline (shoulder) |
| Dec–Mar (Aurora peak) | €90–135 | €160–200 | €230–290 | ▲ +10–15% vs autumn |
| Apr–Aug (summer) | €75–95 | €120–150 | €180–220 | ▼ −15–20% vs winter |
🏨 Top 10 Tromsø Hotels with Northern Lights Facilities ✨
📡 Which hotels offer Aurora alerts or viewing terraces? 🌌
Clarion The Edge and Scandic Ishavshotel send push notifications when KP ≥ 4 and the sky is clear. Radisson Blu has a covered terrace on the 10th floor, free for guests. Tromsø Activities Hostel takes guests to the roof of a neighbouring building (220 NOK, includes tripod).
🎁 Stay & Aurora Tour packages: are they worth it? 💫
- Clarion Edge "Aurora Hunt Pkg" — one night + 4-hour bus tour, thermos of cocoa, RAW photos, for 2 people. €295 (saving ≈ €40).
- Thon Polar "Lights & Late Checkout" — tour + , departure at 4 p.m., €210/person. Buy from the hotel — easier refunds in case of cancellation due to weather.
🚖 Airport transfer: what are the options and prices? ✈️
- Flybussen FB 42 — 15 minutes, 135 NOK, drops off at Clarion Edge.
- City bus #40 — 39 NOK (Tromskortet app), 20 min, less luggage space.
- Taxi — fixed price of 240 NOK during the day / 310 NOK at night, divide between 3-4 people — good value.
🐾 Pet-friendly and family-friendly: what to choose? 👨👩👧👦
Scandic Ishavshotel and Thon Polar accept dogs up to 20 kg (400 NOK, bowl). Clarion With offers family rooms and free dinner — a saving of ~€60/day for a family. Children under 12 eat breakfast for free at all Scandic hotels.
🍽 Where can you find the best breakfasts and dinners? 🥐
Scandic Ishavshotel — top Swedish buffet with 70+ items, gravlax salmon and brown cheese. Clarion Collection With — "Evening Meal" concept from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. included: soup, salads, hot dishes. Radisson Blu is famous for its live omelette station.
📶 Parking, Wi-Fi, laundry — hidden costs? 🅿️
Parking is limited: Radisson Blu and Scandic — 250 NOK/day, book in advance. Wi-Fi 100 Mbps is included in all rates. Self-service laundry at Smarthotel — 60 NOK/wash, 40 NOK/dry.
💡 Life hacks to save up to 20% 📉
- Book mid-week and during shoulder season (Sept./April).
- Sign up for Nordic Choice Strawberry — 5% cashback, free late checkout.
- The Stay & Tour package is 10-15% cheaper.
- Black Week gift voucher (-20%).
- Look for the promo code "AURORA10" on the Thon/Clarion websites.
Tromsø is a rare city where you can see the Northern Lights without leaving your hotel, but your chances increase if you choose the right area, room and package. Book rooms with a view and Aurora packages 4–6 months in advance, try to arrive in September or February, sign up for loyalty programmes and stick to mid-week rates to save money.
Want the Northern Lights to be the highlight of your trip? Book a hotel with a view of the sky today and share your impressions in the comments!
