From Narvik: The Northern Lights Arctic Train Guided Tour

The best part of this evening is the setting: you leave Narvik’s city lights behind by train, then step into the Arctic night at remote Katterat station. If the sky cooperates, the Northern Lights may appear above the snow and old mountain village.

I like the historic Ofoten railway and the simple campfire stop, where pastries and hot drinks give the evening a warm center. The main caution is the aurora itself. No train, guide, or forecast can promise a show, and the first stop may have platform light that makes photos difficult.

I also like that this is more than a ride out and back. You visit Bjørnfjell near the Swedish border, explore Katterat, hear a Northern Lights documentary, and receive photo advice. Boarding can feel a little disorganized, and refreshments may run short for people at the end of the line, so arrive ready to settle in once you find a seat.

Key points to know before you book

• A train-based aurora chase: Travel along the Ofoten railway, far from much of Narvik’s city light.
• Two Arctic stops: Pause at Bjørnfjell, then spend about an hour at Katterat station, 373 meters above sea level.
• Campfire comfort: Warm drinks, a pastry, a bonfire, and marshmallow toasting help make the wait pleasant.
• A real chance, not a promise: Cloud and aurora activity control the result, so book this for the whole evening, not only a photograph.
• Useful camera help: Guides offer photo tips, and a tripod is specifically recommended.
• Important clothing note: Thermal suits are not included. Bring your own thermal layers, hat, scarf, warm socks, and weather-ready clothing.

Riding the Ofoten railway into the Arctic night

From Narvik station, you board a train for the first hour of the outing. The route follows the historic Ofoten railway, Norway’s northernmost railway, taking you away from the glow of town and toward the mountain border.

That change matters for Northern Lights viewing. Darkness gives your eyes a better chance to catch faint color, and it gives cameras a cleaner sky. The train also gives you a warm base while you watch for breaks in the cloud.

The carriage is decorated with soft lighting. That is a small but useful touch. Bright interior lights can ruin your night vision and create reflections in the windows, while subtle lighting lets you keep looking outside. Still, your view depends on your seat and which side of the train has the better sightline at a given moment.

One person on the tour moved seats and later wished they had not. The first side had offered the better early views. I would pay attention from the start and avoid assuming that every window gives the same view. If you can see the sky clearly from your first seat, staying put may be wiser than chasing a better position.

The ride itself is not just dead time before the campfire. Your guide provides information about the aurora, the railway, and the places you are visiting. A Northern Lights documentary is also included, giving the evening some useful context instead of asking you to simply stare out the window and hope.

Bjørnfjell brings the first Arctic pause

After about an hour, the train reaches Bjørnfjell for a 15-minute photo stop. This is a Swedish border town, and its remote position gives you an early taste of the high Arctic setting.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick look and a few photographs, but not enough for an extended walk or a long photography session. Treat this as a first check of the sky. You may see stars or even the first hints of aurora, but the station lighting can interfere with both your eyes and your camera.

That detail matters because a weak camera screen can make a promising sky look empty. The Northern Lights may be visible to other people before your camera records anything useful, especially if you are using a phone. Use this stop to test your settings, check your tripod, and learn how your camera behaves in the cold.

The stop also breaks up the train journey. You get out, feel the Arctic air, and begin to understand the distance between Narvik and these quiet mountain stations. Keep your hat, scarf, and gloves close. Fifteen minutes outside can feel much longer when you are standing still.

Katterat station is the evening’s main event

The train continues for roughly 10 minutes from Bjørnfjell to Katterat. At 373 meters above sea level, Katterat feels more remote and more suited to the main wait for the aurora.

You spend about an hour here with a guided visit, a photo stop, and time to explore the old mountain village. A museum visit is included as part of the experience, adding a sense of place that you would miss on a simple train ride. The station is not just a dark platform chosen for sky watching. It connects the evening to the railway’s past and to the people who lived in this mountain setting.

The guides gather the group around an open fire. You receive a pastry and something warm to drink, and the fire becomes the social center of the stop. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a bare-bones Northern Lights transfer. If the sky stays cloudy, you still have a historic railway, a remote station, a museum visit, food, and conversation to fill the hour.

The campfire also solves a practical problem. Aurora chasing involves waiting, and waiting in winter is much easier when you can warm your hands and drink something hot. The experience includes snacks and beverages, with marshmallow toasting mentioned as part of the evening atmosphere.

There is one small service issue to keep in mind. Boarding and the refreshment line may not be perfectly organized, and supplies can run low for people who reach the serving area last. I would not treat the included pastry and drink as a full dinner. Eat beforehand if you need a proper meal, then enjoy the campfire food as a welcome snack.

How good are your Northern Lights chances?

The tour offers a sensible way to search for the aurora, but it cannot control the weather. Cloud may cover the sky, solar activity may be weak, or the lights may appear after your stop. You should book this as an Arctic night out with a chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, not as a guaranteed light show.

That said, the route has some good qualities. It moves you away from city light, places you at remote stations, and gives you time outside rather than keeping you in a vehicle all evening. One evening can begin under cloud in Narvik and improve by the time you reach Katterat. Clear skies at the start are not required for a worthwhile chance later.

The experience has also worked for people who did not see the lights. The guide’s explanations, the softly lit train, and the campfire stop can still make a pleasant evening. That balance is important. If your only goal is an aurora photograph, a clouded night may feel disappointing. If you want an unusual railway trip with a Northern Lights possibility, the value is stronger.

Your guide can offer photo tips and help with images during the outdoor stop. Anajolie has been singled out for excellent presentations, so you may find the guide-led part especially useful when she is working your departure. The guide language is English.

Photographing the aurora from train and snow

Bring a camera if you have one, but do not assume a phone will produce the same image your eyes see. The tour specifically recommends a tripod, and that advice is worth taking seriously. Night photography needs a steady camera, especially when the aurora is faint.

A tripod is most useful at Katterat, where you have time to set up by the fire and station area. At Bjørnfjell, the 15-minute stop is short, and platform lighting may make it harder to get clean photographs. Use the first stop to learn the conditions rather than judging the whole evening by the first few shots.

Keep spare warmth in mind for yourself and your equipment. Cold fingers make camera controls harder to use, and you may spend more time outside than expected if the sky suddenly clears. The official advice includes a hat, scarf, warm socks, thermal clothing, weather-appropriate clothes, and a camera.

Thermal suits are not included. This is an important cost and comfort detail. If you do not already own suitable winter clothing, hiring or buying extra gear will add to the $142 price. The train provides shelter, but the main viewing and campfire time takes place outdoors.

What the $142 price really covers

At $142 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Northern Lights. You are paying for more than transport, though. The price includes a round-trip train ticket, a live English-speaking guide, snacks and beverages, a bonfire, photo tips, a Northern Lights documentary, the old mountain village visit, and the Katterat museum visit.

That makes the value strongest for someone who wants a planned evening with several parts. You do not need to arrange separate transport to remote stations, find a dark viewing spot, or work out how to return to Narvik. The train handles the long movement, while the guide gives structure to the stops.

The value is weaker if you measure success only by the aurora. There is no guarantee of clear skies or visible lights, and the included food is a snack rather than a meal. You also need to supply your own thermal clothing and camera equipment.

At three hours, the tour fits neatly into a Narvik winter schedule. It begins and ends at Narvik station, with about one hour traveling out, 15 minutes at Bjørnfjell, 10 minutes to Katterat, about one hour at Katterat, and 45 minutes returning. Check the available departure time when booking, since the start time can vary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity is not suitable for children under three or for wheelchair users.

Who will enjoy this train tour most?

I would choose this for someone who wants a distinctive Arctic evening, not just a quick drive to a viewing field. Railway fans, photographers, couples, and people who like a little history with their natural spectacle will get the most from it.

It also suits you if you prefer a group setting. The campfire, documentary, guided village visit, and shared train ride give the evening a clear shape. You are not left to solve every practical detail yourself.

Families with very young children should look elsewhere because children under three are not accepted. People with limited mobility should also note that the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone who dislikes cold, darkness, or waiting should think carefully before booking, even though the train offers some indoor comfort.

If you are a serious photographer, take the tripod recommendation literally and plan to dress for time outside. If you are mainly interested in seeing the lights with your own eyes, leave your camera expectations modest and enjoy the fire, the stars, and the strange pleasure of standing beside a remote station at night.

Should you book the Northern Lights Arctic Train?

Book it if you want the Northern Lights search to feel like a proper northern excursion. The historic railway, Bjørnfjell border stop, Katterat museum and village visit, and campfire give you several reasons to enjoy the evening even if the sky stays blank.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed aurora sighting, a full dinner, or a fully accessible activity. The $142 cost is fair for the train, guide, remote access, warm refreshments, and cultural stops, but the trip still depends on weather and solar conditions.

For the best chance of feeling satisfied, dress warmer than you think you need, bring a tripod, watch the sky from both sides of the train, and judge the tour by the whole evening rather than one photograph. The aurora is the bonus. The train ride and Katterat campfire are what make the outing worth considering.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Arctic Train tour?

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

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Narvik station and returns to Narvik station after the evening journey.

Which places does the train visit?

The route includes Bjørnfjell, a Swedish border town, and Katterat station, which is 373 meters above sea level.

Is food or drink included?

Yes. The experience includes a snack, beverages, a pastry, and something warm to drink around the bonfire.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A live English-speaking guide leads the experience, provides photo tips, and presents information about the Northern Lights and the places along the route.

Is thermal clothing provided?

No. Thermal suits are not included. You should bring thermal clothing, weather-appropriate layers, a hat, scarf, and warm socks.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.