From Narvik: The Northern Lights Arctic Train Guided Tour

The Arctic night begins on rails. This three-hour train tour from Narvik follows the historic Ofoten railway into dark mountain country, where you leave city lights behind and wait for the aurora beside a campfire. I like the remote Katterat stop and the simple pleasure of hot drinks, pastries, and firelight in the snow. The main drawback is clear: northern lights are never guaranteed, and the first stop can feel bright and brief for photography.

You travel as far as Bjørnfjell near the Swedish border, then continue to Katterat, an old mountain settlement 373 meters above sea level. The train gives you warmth between stops, while the outdoor gathering adds the Arctic feel that a standard lights chase often lacks.

Bring serious winter clothing. A hat, scarf, warm socks, thermal layers, and a tripod matter here. One guide named Anajolie has received especially warm praise for lively presentations and helpful guiding, though the guide on your departure may differ.

Key points to know before you book

• Katterat is the main event: Expect about an hour at this remote station for a guided visit, photographs, a museum stop, and time around the fire.
• The train escapes Narvik’s glow: The route heads through darker country on Norway’s northernmost railway, improving your chances of seeing the aurora.
• Bjørnfjell is a short first stop: You get roughly 15 minutes for photographs before continuing to Katterat.
• Warmth comes in stages: You have a heated train ride, then hot drinks, a pastry, and a bonfire outdoors.
• Photography needs planning: Platform light at Bjørnfjell may wash out the sky, while Katterat offers darker conditions and better chances for pictures.
• The $142 price buys more than transport: You are paying for a guide, round-trip rail ticket, refreshments, a documentary, a museum visit, and a structured northern lights outing.

Why this train tour feels different from a road chase

Most northern lights outings from Narvik focus on moving by road until the sky cooperates. This one uses the railway itself as part of the experience. You are not simply waiting in a parking area. You ride the historic Ofoten line, stop at remote stations, hear about the region, and spend part of the evening outside with a fire burning nearby.

That change of pace is the chief appeal. I like that the tour does not treat the aurora as the only thing worth seeing. The old railway, the mountain stations, the Katterat museum, and the Arctic night all contribute to the evening.

The train also gives you a useful refuge from the cold. You can watch the darkness from inside, then step outdoors when the sky looks promising. That is easier than spending three hours standing in one exposed place.

Still, manage your expectations. Clouds, timing, and solar activity control the northern lights, not the tour operator. You may see a faint glow, a full display, or nothing at all. The trip can remain worthwhile without an aurora, but you should book it for the complete railway and campfire experience, not as a guaranteed light show.

Leaving Narvik on the Ofoten railway

The tour begins at Narvik stasjon. Boarding can be a little untidy, so I would arrive early and pay attention to where the group is gathering. A small logistical wrinkle matters here because one piece of practical advice comes up repeatedly: your side of the train can affect your view.

The train is decorated with subtle lighting rather than harsh interior glare. That helps you look through the windows during the ride and gives the carriage a pleasant evening mood. If you want to photograph the sky from inside, avoid sitting where bright reflections cover the glass.

The first train section lasts about an hour. Use it to settle in, listen to the guide, and watch the changing darkness outside. The guide also provides a northern lights documentary, which gives useful context while the train carries you away from Narvik’s city glow.

The English-language guiding is a good fit for international visitors. Anajolie, one named guide, has been praised for strong presentations and an engaging manner. The quality of the evening depends partly on the person leading your departure, since the guide manages the explanations, photographs, fire, and timing.

Bjørnfjell: a short border-country pause

After about an hour, the train reaches Bjørnfjell, a mountain settlement near the Swedish border. You have around 15 minutes here for a photo stop.

Treat Bjørnfjell as a quick introduction, not the main northern lights viewing point. The stop is short, and platform lighting can make the sky harder to photograph. A camera may show less than your eyes see, especially if you are still learning night photography.

I would use this pause to get your bearings, take a few wide photographs, and avoid spending the whole time adjusting camera settings. If the aurora is already visible, ask the guide which direction to watch. The group then returns to the train for the short ride onward to Katterat.

The brief stop has one practical lesson: do not decide that the evening is a failure if Bjørnfjell looks too bright or the clouds are thick. Conditions can change quickly along the route. The stronger outdoor portion comes later.

Katterat at 373 meters above sea level

Katterat is the heart of the excursion. The train continues for about 10 minutes from Bjørnfjell, then stops at this remote station, 373 meters above sea level. You spend roughly an hour here with the guide.

The station’s appeal comes from its isolation and its connection to the old mountain railway community. You visit the old mountain village and the Katterat museum, adding a human story to what could otherwise be just a dark stop beside the tracks.

You also have time for photographs. Katterat may offer better conditions than Bjørnfjell because the setting feels darker and less affected by platform lighting. One particularly useful experience is to remain patient here. A cloudy sky at departure can clear later, and an initially disappointing first stop does not predict the rest of the night.

The guide helps make the stop work. Look for photo tips, directions about where to face, and updates on the sky. Some guides also take photographs, which is useful if you want a picture of yourself beneath the aurora rather than another image of an empty sky.

A campfire, pastry, and warm drink in the snow

The campfire is more than a snack break. It gives the evening a social center and makes the cold easier to tolerate. You gather outside with something warm to drink and a fresh pastry while the guide keeps the fire going and watches for signs of the aurora.

Marshmallows have also been part of the fire-side experience, giving the stop a relaxed, informal feel. This is the kind of small detail that makes the tour memorable even if the sky stays stubbornly dark.

Do not assume the refreshments are unlimited. Boarding and serving can be slightly disorganized, and supplies may run low for people at the end of the line. I would move with the group when refreshments are offered rather than waiting until later.

The outdoor hour also requires the right clothing. Thermal suits are not included, and the operator specifically advises thermal clothing, a hat, scarf, socks, and weather-appropriate layers. A warm drink helps, but it cannot replace proper gear. You should be comfortable standing in Arctic conditions while waiting for a natural event that may take time.

Chasing the aurora with a camera

This is a northern lights chase, but it is a fairly gentle one. The train takes you to darker stations rather than repeatedly driving through the night. That makes the trip appealing if you prefer a fixed plan and a warm carriage between outdoor periods.

Bring a camera and tripod if you have them. A tripod is especially useful for long exposures, and the guide offers photo tips. Keep your setup simple before leaving Narvik so you are not trying to learn every camera control beside the fire.

A few practical habits will help:

• Charge your battery fully before departure.
• Keep spare batteries warm if you have them.
• Use the tripod at Katterat, where you have more time.
• Check both the sky and your camera screen, since a display may be faint in person but stronger in a long exposure.
• Ask the guide where the best viewing direction is before settling into one position.

The train windows can also offer views, but interior lighting and reflections make photography harder. One useful seating lesson is not to change sides casually. The side that looks less promising at first may later offer the better view as the train moves.

The strongest aurora sightings can happen after you have already lost hope. One account describes clouds near Narvik, disappointing photographs at the first stop, and a much better display at Katterat, with stars, snow, and dancing light. That is exactly why patience matters on this tour.

Returning to Narvik after the fire

After the Katterat visit and campfire, you board the train for the return journey. The final ride takes about 45 minutes, bringing you back to Narvik stasjon.

This return section gives you time to warm up, review photographs, and let the evening settle. If you saw the aurora, the train ride becomes a quiet finish to the display. If you did not, the documentary, railway journey, museum visit, and fire still give you something to remember.

The advertised duration is three hours, while the listed segments add up to a little more when counted separately. Treat the schedule as an approximate three-hour evening rather than a tightly timed minute-by-minute program. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Is $142 a fair price?

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

The price includes a round-trip ticket, an English-speaking guide, snacks, beverages, a bonfire, photo tips, a northern lights documentary, a visit to the old mountain village, and the Katterat museum. You are paying for a planned Arctic outing with transport and guiding, not just a seat on a public train.

I think the price is easier to justify if you value structure. You do not need to arrange transport to remote stations, decide where to wait, or organize a fire and refreshments yourself. The railway setting also gives the trip a character that a basic viewing stop may lack.

The value is weaker if your only goal is a guaranteed aurora photograph. No operator can promise that, and the tour does not include thermal suits. You may need to spend more on proper cold-weather clothing before you go.

The overall rating of 3.9 from 58 ratings suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The praise focuses on the guides, the attractive train atmosphere, the campfire snacks, and the magic of a successful sighting. The complaints are practical: boarding can feel disorganized, refreshments may run short, and viewing conditions vary.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an easy introduction to Arctic railway travel and do not mind sharing the experience with a group. It suits visitors who like scenery, history, photography, and a warm drink as much as they like the northern lights.

It is also a good choice if you prefer not to spend a full evening in a vehicle. The train ride itself becomes part of the night, and Katterat offers more than a roadside viewing area.

You should think twice if you need wheelchair access, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for children under three. Anyone who dislikes cold outdoor waits should bring especially strong layers or choose an indoor-focused activity instead.

The tour is less ideal for people who want a private photography session. You will have guidance and photo advice, but the experience includes a group, fixed stops, a set return journey, and shared access to the fire and viewing areas.

What to pack for the three-hour journey

Pack for standing outdoors, not just sitting on a train. Your basic kit should include:

• Thermal clothing
• A weatherproof outer layer
• Hat and scarf
• Warm socks
• Camera
• Tripod
• Fully charged batteries

Thermal suits are not included, so do not assume the operator will provide them. The supplied information specifically advises thermal clothing, and that is sound advice for Katterat.

Wear footwear that works in winter conditions. The exact footwear requirement is not specified, but warm socks and weather-appropriate clothing are clearly important. Keep your camera ready before the first stop, since Bjørnfjell allows only about 15 minutes.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Narvik plans are still changing.

Should you book the Northern Lights Arctic Train?

Book it if you want the journey to matter as much as the aurora. The Ofoten railway, Bjørnfjell, remote Katterat, a museum visit, a campfire, and warm refreshments create a fuller evening than a simple lights lookout.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed display, private guiding, wheelchair access, or a heated outdoor experience. The sky decides the headline attraction, and you will spend real time in the cold.

For most visitors who accept those limits, this is a thoughtful way to chase the northern lights from Narvik. Pack properly, arrive early, keep your camera ready, and save your patience for Katterat. That is where the evening has its best chance to turn from an ordinary train ride into something special.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Arctic Train tour begin?

The tour begins at Narvik stasjon in Narvik, Norway.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is three hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Which railway does the tour use?

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

Does the tour visit Bjørnfjell?

Yes. Bjørnfjell is the first stop after the initial train ride, with about 15 minutes for photographs.

How long does the train take to reach the first stop?

The first train section lasts about one hour before reaching Bjørnfjell.

What happens at Katterat?

At Katterat, you take part in a guided visit, photograph the area, visit the old mountain village and museum, and gather around a bonfire with a pastry and a warm drink.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. A snack, beverages, a pastry, and the bonfire are included.

Is a thermal suit included?

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

Is the tour suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

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

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.