Northern Lights Train in Norway: What to Know Before Booking in Narvik
Winter in Norway · 7 min read
Yes — there is a northern lights train excursion in Norway, and it starts in Narvik. Arctic Train runs a guided evening trip on the Ofoten Railway that takes you out of town and up into the mountains, with a stop outdoors at Katterat before returning. It is an excursion you can book, and if you are staying in Narvik through the winter, it is one of the more structured ways to spend an aurora evening without driving yourself into the dark.
This guide covers what the trip actually involves, what happens at the stop, what to wear, how to check tickets and prices, and — honestly — how realistic it is to expect to see the northern lights. It sits alongside our broader guide to the Northern Lights in Norway, which covers season, destinations and planning; this one focuses only on the train.
At a glance
Before getting into the details, here is the short version of what the Northern Lights Train involves. Meeting times, departures, availability and prices all change, so treat this as an overview and check the operator’s page for your chosen date.
- Departure point: Narvik Railway Station, Stasjonsveien 1, Narvik.
- Route: the Ofoten Railway, with a short stop at Bjørnfjell before continuing to Katterat.
- At Katterat: passengers go outdoors with a guide, a bonfire, a warm drink and a snack.
- Duration: approximately three hours, including the outdoor stop.
- Aurora: seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed.
The experience is run by Arctic Train as an evening excursion. It is separate from their daytime sightseeing trip on the same railway, which is a different product if you are comparing options.
Where the train goes, and what happens at Katterat
The trip runs on the Ofoten Railway, the line that connects Narvik to the Swedish border and on toward Kiruna. It is a genuinely scenic piece of railway, climbing out of Narvik and into the mountains, and in winter the landscape is snow-covered and dark in a way that feels properly Arctic.
After leaving Narvik, the train makes a short stop at Bjørnfjell before continuing to Katterat. The main part of the experience happens at Katterat, where passengers leave the train and go outdoors. A guide is with the group, and the stop includes a bonfire, a warm drink and a snack before the train returns to Narvik.
The outdoor portion is the point of the trip. The train gets you up into a darker, more open area away from town lights, and the bonfire and warm drink give you a reason to stand outside and watch the sky rather than just peering through a window. After the stop, the train brings you back to Narvik.
Can you actually see the northern lights from the train?
This is the question worth being honest about. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, and nobody — no tour, no train, no guide — can guarantee that they will appear on the evening you book. Cloud cover and solar activity decide whether anything is visible, and those are outside anyone’s control.
The design of the trip reflects that reality. The outdoor stop at Katterat is the main planned opportunity to watch the sky. You might also glimpse the aurora through the train window on a clear night. At Katterat, you can spend time outside with the guide while you wait, with a bonfire and warm drink nearby. But a cloudy sky over Katterat means you may spend the evening by the fire without seeing the lights, and that is a normal outcome rather than a fault of the trip.
A practical way to think about it: book the train because you want the evening out — the railway, the mountain setting, the bonfire, the company of a guide — and treat any aurora as a bonus. If seeing the lights is the only thing that would make the evening feel worthwhile, give yourself several nights in the area rather than counting on a single three-hour excursion. For a fuller look at season, forecasts and realistic expectations, our Northern Lights in Norway guide goes into more detail.
What to wear and bring for an Arctic evening outdoors
You will be standing outside in the mountains in winter, possibly for a while, and that is the part of the trip that catches people out. Narvik can feel manageable in town and then turn genuinely cold once you are up at Katterat with the wind and the dark.
Bring warm winter clothing and dress in layers: a thermal base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof, waterproof outer layer. Warm boots, a hat, gloves and a thick scarf or neck gaiter matter more than people expect, because you will be standing still rather than moving around. The bonfire and warm drink help, but they do not replace proper clothing.
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If you are shopping for a winter jacket, you can browse a women's jacket or men's jacket as optional examples. Check each product page for its current features and specifications to decide whether it fits your needs.
A camera and tripod are optional. If you want to try photographing the aurora, a tripod makes a real difference for a stable long exposure, and a phone in night mode can work if you keep it steady. If photography is not your priority, you can simply enjoy the evening and leave the gear behind. For a broader packing list that covers winter clothing in Norway, see our guide to what to pack for Norway.
A few items worth considering if you are putting a kit together: warm, waterproof insulated gloves for standing outside in the cold, rechargeable heated gloves if you run cold and want extra warmth, and a phone tripod with a wireless remote to keep your phone steady for aurora photos. These are examples to look at, not items I have personally tested, and availability can change.
How to check tickets, schedules and prices
Meeting times, departure times, availability and prices are all things to check for your specific date rather than relying on a summary. The operator’s live booking page is the place to confirm what is running and what it costs on the evening you want.
You can check current departures, availability and prices on the Arctic Train — Northern Lights Train product page. The Visit Narvik — Northern Lights Train page and the Visit Norway — The Northern Lights Train listing also describe the experience. Use them together, and book through whichever channel you are comfortable with.
A couple of practical notes: check the meeting time carefully so you arrive at Narvik Railway Station with time to spare, and read the cancellation and refund terms before you pay. Winter weather can affect travel plans, and knowing the terms in advance saves an unpleasant surprise if your trip to Narvik itself is delayed.
Is this experience right for you?
The Northern Lights Train is a good fit if you are staying in or near Narvik and want a guided evening out in the mountains without renting a car or chasing clear skies on your own. The railway journey, the bonfire and the guide give the evening a shape, and the outdoor stop is a comfortable way to spend time under a dark sky. For travelers who prefer not to drive winter roads at night, that is a genuine point in its favor. If you have mobility concerns, confirm the walking requirements at Katterat with Arctic Train before booking.
It may be less suitable if you are determined to maximize your chances of seeing the aurora on a single night. A fixed-location experience depends on the sky overhead, and a mobile chasing tour that drives to clearer weather can offer more flexibility on a difficult night — though it still cannot guarantee anything. If you have several nights in the area, the train works well as one of them rather than your only plan.
It is also worth weighing the three-hour commitment and the outdoor standing time. If anyone in your group is not comfortable standing outside in the cold, or if you are hoping to watch the sky entirely from a warm seat, this is not that kind of trip. Read what is included, look at the official descriptions, and decide whether the format suits you before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Northern Lights Train the same as Arctic Train’s daytime trip?
No. Arctic Train runs a separate daytime sightseeing trip on the Ofoten Railway. The Northern Lights Train is an evening excursion with an outdoor stop at Katterat, a guide, a bonfire and a warm drink. They are different products, so check that you are booking the evening excursion if that is what you want.
Does the Northern Lights Train depart from Tromsø?
No. The excursion departs from Narvik Railway Station, Stasjonsveien 1, Narvik. Tromsø is a separate destination some distance away, and the train does not run from there. If you are based in Tromsø, you would need to travel to Narvik first.
Are the northern lights guaranteed on the train?
No. Seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed on any tour or excursion. Cloud cover and solar activity determine whether the aurora is visible, and a cloudy night at Katterat means a pleasant evening by the bonfire with no lights. Book for the experience itself and treat any aurora as a bonus.
What should I wear on the Northern Lights Train?
Bring warm winter clothing and dress in layers — a thermal base layer, an insulating mid-layer and a windproof outer layer — plus warm boots, a hat and gloves. You will be standing outdoors at Katterat, so dress for being still in the cold rather than for walking. A camera and tripod are optional.
Meeting times, departures, availability, prices and the details of the Northern Lights Train excursion can change. Always check the current information on the Arctic Train, Visit Narvik and Visit Norway pages for your chosen date before booking. Seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed. Last reviewed: September 2026.