From Narvik: The Northern Lights Arctic Train Guided Tour

The best part of this evening is the setting: you leave Narvik by train and reach Katterat, a remote station 373 meters above sea level, where the only plan is to wait beneath the Arctic sky. The railway carries you well away from much of the city glow, and that gives the Aurora a fairer chance.

I like the campfire stop, where a warm drink and fresh pastry make the cold easier to handle. I also like the blend of transport and scenery: you are not sitting in one heated room all night, but moving through the Ofoten railway to two unusual mountain stations. The main drawback is simple: the northern lights remain weather-dependent, and the first stop can feel too bright for good viewing or photographs.

Key points at a glance

• Katterat at 373 meters: Spend about an hour at a remote mountain station with a fire, snacks, a museum visit, and a guided look at the old village.
• A moving Aurora hunt: The train gives you views along the historic Ofoten railway while carrying you beyond Narvik’s city lights.
• Bjørnfjell on the Swedish border: Stop for about 15 minutes for photographs before continuing to Katterat.
• Warmth built into the evening: Hot drinks, pastries, a bonfire, and marshmallow toasting make the wait more comfortable.
• Useful photography help: Bring a camera and tripod, and expect practical photo tips from the guide.
• Three hours from Narvik station: The tour includes the return train, with an English-speaking guide throughout.

Riding the Ofoten railway into the Arctic night

You begin at Narvik station and board the Northern Lights Train for the first one-hour section of the evening. This is not just a transfer to a viewing point. The railway itself is part of the experience, taking you through the historic Ofoten line toward the high country near the Swedish border.

I like this format for an Aurora outing because it gives the evening a clear sense of movement. You are not simply parked beside a road, hoping the sky changes. The train carries you away from Narvik and its artificial light, then lets you step outside at remote stations where the surroundings feel much quieter.

The train is decorated with subtle lighting, which matters when you are trying to look through the windows at a dark sky. Bright interior lights can spoil night views and make it harder for your eyes to adjust. Still, choose your seat with care. One passenger found that changing sides meant missing some of the first Aurora views, so keep checking both sides before settling in.

The journey also provides a useful buffer if the clouds are unhelpful when you leave Narvik. Conditions can change as the train gains height, and the second stop may offer a clearer sky than the first. That does not guarantee the lights, but it gives the evening more than one chance.

Bjørnfjell, a short border-country photo stop

After roughly an hour on the train, you stop at Bjørnfjell for about 15 minutes. This is a brief pause, so think of it as a chance to step out, take a few photographs, and get your bearings before the longer stop at Katterat.

Bjørnfjell is described as a Swedish border town, giving this part of the ride a distinct northern setting. The stop also breaks up the train journey at a useful point. You can stretch your legs, test your camera settings, and see how the cold affects your equipment before the main campfire visit.

Do not judge the whole evening by this first stop. Platform lighting can make Aurora photography difficult, and a bright station is not the same as a dark mountain location. One person found the first stop frustrating because the lights were not visible in photographs, only to have a far better experience at Katterat later.

That is good advice for your expectations. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole evening staring at its screen. Look up first. The Northern Lights may be visible to your eyes before your camera settings are ready, and the guide can offer photo tips as the night develops.

Katterat brings the evening outdoors

From Bjørnfjell, the train continues for about 10 minutes to Katterat. Here you have about an hour for a guided visit, photographs, and time around the fire.

Katterat is the main reason to choose this tour over a standard city-based Aurora outing. At 373 meters above sea level, the station gives you a remote Arctic setting without requiring a long hike or a separate road journey. You step off the train, walk into the cold, and wait beneath the open sky.

The stop includes a visit to the old mountain village and the Katterat museum. These details give the evening some substance even if the Aurora does not appear. You are not relying on one natural event to carry the entire three hours. The guide can explain the location, show you parts of its past, and lead the group through the station area.

The experience is still weather-led. Clouds, snowfall, and changing conditions can affect what you see. One account described clouds over Narvik at departure, followed by clear stars and dancing Aurora at the second stop. That possibility is worth keeping in mind, but it is not a promise. You should book this as an Arctic night journey with a chance to see the lights, not as a guaranteed show.

A campfire, pastry, and hot drink at 373 meters

The practical heart of the Katterat stop is the bonfire. Your guide serves something warm to drink and a pastry, and the group gathers around the flames while waiting for the sky to cooperate.

I like this part because it solves a real problem. Standing outside in winter for an hour can become unpleasant quickly, especially when you are trying to remain still for photographs. A hot drink, food, and a fire make the wait manageable and add a social touch to what could otherwise be a cold period of watching and waiting.

Marshmallow toasting is also part of the fire stop. It is a small detail, but it gives the pause a relaxed feel rather than making it seem like a formal astronomy session. You can warm your hands, listen to the guide, and step away from the fire when the sky becomes interesting.

Bring your own thermal clothing. Thermal suits are not included, so the provided fire is comfort rather than a replacement for proper winter gear. Pack a hat, scarf, warm socks, and weather-appropriate clothing. The supplied information also recommends thermal clothing and a tripod, and I would take both seriously.

Food and drinks may be served in sequence, so if you are near the end of the line, do not assume you can wait indefinitely. One issue reported during the boarding and refreshment process was that supplies ran short for some people at the back. This is a minor point, but arriving ready for the cold is still wiser than depending entirely on the snack.

The guide and the learning side of the tour

The tour is conducted in English by a live guide. The evening includes a Northern Lights documentary, explanations about the Aurora, photo tips, and a guided visit at Katterat.

Anajolie received especially strong praise for her presentations and lively manner. Guides can vary, but her example shows what this tour does well when the guiding is at its best: the evening is not only about waiting for a natural display. You get context, help with photography, and a person keeping the group engaged during the quiet stretches.

This matters if you are new to Aurora photography. A tripod is recommended, and the guide may help you think about how to use it, where to look, and when to stop checking the screen. Even simple advice can save you from returning with a collection of black photographs and no idea what went wrong.

The documentary is useful during the train ride or as part of the evening’s presentation, especially if you want more background than a quick explanation outdoors. I would not choose this trip only for the educational material, but it adds value when clouds block the view.

Returning to Narvik after the fire

After the Katterat visit, you board the train for the return journey to Narvik. The final train section lasts about 45 minutes, bringing the total activity time to roughly three hours.

The return ride gives you a chance to warm up and review photographs before arriving at Narvik station. If the Aurora appears on the way back, keep watching the windows, but remember that interior reflections and train lighting can affect photographs. The decorated carriage uses subtle lighting, which helps, but outdoor viewing at Katterat is likely to be the better setting for clear images.

The schedule is compact enough to fit into an evening in Narvik. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The activity begins and ends at Narvik station, and the round-trip train ticket is included.

What $142 buys you

At $142 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the Northern Lights. You are paying for more than a train ticket, though. The price covers the return journey, a live English guide, the campfire, a snack and drink, photo guidance, the documentary, and visits connected with Katterat.

The value depends on what you want from an Aurora evening. If your only goal is the lowest-cost chance to see green light in the sky, a simpler viewing trip may cost less. If you want a distinctive setting, historic rail travel, a remote station, and a warm gathering built into the wait, the price is easier to justify.

I see the strongest value in the fact that the activity still has shape when the weather refuses to help. The railway, Bjørnfjell, Katterat, the museum, the old village, the guide, and the campfire all remain part of the evening. You may not see the Aurora, but you are not left with only a failed viewing attempt.

That said, the tour cannot control the clouds or solar activity. Do not pay $142 expecting a guaranteed photograph. Pay it if the train journey and Arctic setting sound worthwhile even when the sky stays dark.

Clothing, cameras, and the small details that matter

Dress for standing outdoors in winter, not just for sitting on a train. Bring a hat, scarf, warm socks, thermal layers, and clothing suited to the weather. Thermal suits are not included.

A tripod is specifically recommended, and it can make a major difference for night photography. Keep your camera easy to reach rather than buried in a bag. You may have only a short window at Bjørnfjell, and conditions can change by the time you reach Katterat.

A camera is optional if you mainly want the experience, but it is useful for recording the station, fire, snow, and sky. Just remember that the Aurora may look stronger in a long-exposure photograph than it does to your eyes, while platform lights can create glare and reflections.

Children under three cannot join, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. The evening involves getting off at remote stations and spending time outdoors, so anyone with limited mobility should check suitability before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your plans depend on weather, though they do not improve the forecast.

Who should book the Northern Lights Arctic Train

I would choose this tour if you want your Aurora hunt to feel like a proper Arctic outing rather than a quick drive to a viewing field. It suits photographers who want guidance, couples and friends who like a campfire, and first-time visitors who want a guide to explain what they are seeing.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy railways, remote stations, and small historical stops. The museum and old mountain village give the evening a local sense of place, while the train removes the need to arrange separate transport into the high country.

You may want to think twice if you dislike cold-weather waiting, need guaranteed accessibility, or care only about maximum time under the sky. The 15-minute Bjørnfjell stop is short, and some of the evening is spent aboard the train or listening to presentations rather than standing outside.

Should you book this train tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized three-hour evening with a real sense of place, a remote Katterat stop, and a campfire that makes the wait pleasant. The strongest moments are likely to be the move from cloudy Narvik to the darker mountain station, the fire and warm drink, and any sudden Aurora display above the snow.

Skip it if $142 feels too high for an activity with no guarantee of Northern Lights. The sensible choice is to see the Aurora as a bonus and the train, mountain stations, museum, guide, and fire as the evening itself. With that attitude, this is a memorable way to leave Narvik after dark.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights Arctic Train tour last?

The activity lasts about three hours, including the outward train ride, stops at Bjørnfjell and Katterat, 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 Katterat visit.

Is the Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. The Aurora depends on weather and natural conditions, so sightings are not guaranteed. The tour continues with the train journey, guided information, the museum, old mountain village, and campfire even if the lights do not appear.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the round-trip train ticket, guide, snack, beverages, bonfire, photo tips, a Northern Lights documentary, and visits to the old mountain village and Katterat museum.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, camera, warm socks, scarf, weather-appropriate clothing, thermal clothing, and a tripod if you plan to take night photographs.

Is the activity suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

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