From Narvik: The Northern Lights Arctic Train Guided Tour

The best part of this evening is the setting: you leave Narvik by train and head into a dark, snowy mountain world where city lights fade. At Katterat, you step into the Arctic night for a campfire, hot drink, pastry, and a chance to watch the Aurora Borealis overhead.

I like the historic Ofoten railway and the way the trip combines scenery with a real outing rather than a quick roadside stop. I also like the campfire at Katterat, where guides offer photo help, keep the fire going, and make the wait for the lights feel worthwhile even if the sky stays stubbornly dark.

The main drawback is simple: the Northern Lights cannot be promised. Boarding can also feel disorganized, and one review noted that refreshments ran short for people at the back of the line. Dress very warmly, arrive ready to move through snow, and try to sit on the side with the best outward views.

Key things to know before boarding

• Katterat is the evening’s main event: The remote station sits 373 meters above sea level and leads to a campfire, museum visit, old mountain village, and Northern Lights watch.
• Bjørnfjell is a short photo stop: You have about 15 minutes there before a brief train ride onward.
• Anajolie received special praise: Her presentations were described as engaging and enjoyable, a useful sign for anyone who values a guide-led outing.
• The train helps escape city light: The route takes you away from Narvik’s brighter streets and into a darker Arctic setting.
• Pack for standing outdoors: Bring a hat, scarf, warm socks, thermal clothing, weather-ready layers, camera, and tripod.
• The $142 price covers more than transport: Your fare includes the return train, guide, snack, drinks, bonfire, photo tips, documentary, museum visit, and old mountain village visit.

Leaving Narvik on the Ofoten railway

The tour begins at Narvik station, where you board the Northern Lights Train for an evening ride along the Ofoten railway. This is Norway’s northernmost railway, and the train gives the outing a sense of place that a standard bus chase cannot match.

You spend about an hour on the first train section. As Narvik falls behind, the route carries you toward the mountain stations of Bjørnfjell and Katterat. The value here is not only the hope of seeing the Aurora Borealis. You are riding a historic rail line into a quieter setting, with far less artificial light than you find in town.

The train has subtle lighting, which matters for this kind of trip. You need enough light to move around safely, but bright carriage lights can spoil your eyes’ adjustment to the dark and make window viewing harder. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole ride staring at its screen.

One practical tip came through clearly in the experience details: pay attention to which side of the train offers the better views. A passenger who moved seats missed early glimpses of the Northern Lights because the activity was visible from the side they had left. You may not know where the Aurora will appear, but switching sides casually can cost you a view.

Bjørnfjell, the first Arctic pause

The first stop is Bjørnfjell, a Swedish border town, with roughly 15 minutes for photographs. This is a short break, so think of it as a chance to step off, feel the cold, and take in the mountain setting rather than a full exploration.

The stop may also help you get your bearings before the longer visit at Katterat. You can test your camera, check your layers, and see how quickly the cold affects your hands. If the sky is clear, this may be a good time to look for stars or faint Aurora activity, but the platform lighting can interfere with photographs.

One useful lesson from the experience is not to judge the whole evening at Bjørnfjell. Platform light can wash out the sky, and cameras may fail to capture faint color even when your eyes detect something. The next stop is darker and more rewarding for outdoor viewing.

After Bjørnfjell, the train runs for about 10 minutes to Katterat. It is a short hop, but it shifts the outing from a brief photo stop to the main Arctic evening program.

Katterat at 373 meters above sea level

Katterat is where the tour earns its character. The station sits 373 meters above sea level, and you leave the train for about an hour. This is the part of the outing that feels far removed from an ordinary evening in Narvik.

Your guide leads a visit connected with the old mountain village and the Katterat museum. The information provided does not give a detailed museum collection, so expect a compact local-history element rather than a large indoor museum visit. It adds context to the railway and the remote settlement, giving you something to see while the sky does its own work.

The guide also presents a Northern Lights documentary and offers photo tips. Anajolie was singled out for excellent presentations, so a strong guide can make a real difference here. The Aurora may appear for only a few minutes, arrive in faint waves, or never show at all. Clear explanations and practical camera advice help keep the evening interesting during the waiting periods.

Then comes the campfire. You gather outside for a pastry, warm drink, and time around the open fire. This is one of the tour’s strongest features because it turns the Northern Lights chase into a shared Arctic evening, not just a hunt for a photograph.

The fire also solves a basic problem: standing still in winter is cold. A hot drink and warm snack provide a welcome break, while the fire gives you a natural place to gather between sky checks. Guides help keep the fire going, and the setting has enough atmosphere to remain worthwhile even if clouds hide the Aurora.

Do not expect a heated outdoor lounge. You are still in the Arctic night, and the tour does not include thermal suits. The fire helps, but it does not replace proper clothing. Wear warm socks, a hat, scarf, and thermal layers. Keep your camera batteries protected from the cold as best you can, and bring a tripod if you want sharper night photographs.

How good are the Northern Lights chances?

This tour improves your setting, but it cannot control the sky. By leaving Narvik’s city lights and traveling to remote stations, you get a better environment for viewing than you would from a bright urban street. That is a real advantage, especially when the Aurora is faint.

Still, cloud cover and Aurora activity can change quickly. One evening can begin under cloud in Narvik and open into stars and dancing lights at Katterat. Another can offer nothing visible. You should book this as an Arctic train and campfire experience with a Northern Lights opportunity, not as a guaranteed Aurora show.

The timing at Katterat gives you about an hour outside the train. That is long enough for the sky to change and for you to take photographs, warm yourself by the fire, and listen to the guide. It is also short enough that you are not committed to standing outside all night.

If the lights appear, your guide can help with photography and may take pictures. Bring your own camera and tripod if you want control over the final images. A phone may capture strong Aurora activity, but the provided details specifically recommend a camera and tripod, so serious photography calls for more equipment.

The return ride to Narvik

After the Katterat visit, you board the train for the return journey. The final ride lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to warm up, sort photographs, and talk through the evening with your group.

The return train is also part of the experience, not just a transfer. The subtle interior lighting keeps the carriage pleasant without making it too bright for night viewing. If the Aurora is active, continue checking the windows, but do not expect the same dark conditions inside the carriage as you had outdoors at Katterat.

The tour ends back at Narvik station. The full experience is advertised at three hours, though the listed travel and stop segments add up to roughly three hours and 10 minutes. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking and avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward.

What the $142 price really buys

At $142 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the Northern Lights. You are paying for a return rail journey, an English-speaking guide, the campfire, a snack, warm drinks, photo tips, a documentary, and visits connected with Katterat’s museum and old mountain village.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A simple train ticket would get you from Narvik toward the mountain stations, but it would not provide the guide, organized campfire, refreshments, or photo help. You also avoid having to work out the route and stops on your own in winter darkness.

The value is weaker if you judge the trip only by Aurora success. The lights are never guaranteed, and the price does not include a thermal suit. If you already have transport, winter gear, and a place away from city lights, you may prefer a less structured option.

For many visitors, though, the train makes the cost easier to justify. You get a distinctive ride, a remote station, local context, and a warm gathering around the fire. The experience still has substance on a cloudy night, which is important when natural conditions are beyond anyone’s control.

Boarding, refreshments, and comfort

The boarding process may not feel perfectly organized. One account noted confusion at boarding and a shortage of refreshments for people near the end of the line. I would arrive early, listen carefully for instructions, and collect your snack and drink as soon as the staff directs you to do so.

The supplied information does not give a group size, seating plan, or specific train-car arrangement. That means you should not assume every seat has the same view. If you care about photography, check the windows early and keep your gear easy to reach.

The tour is not suitable for children under three or wheelchair users. Thermal suits are not included, and you should bring your own thermal clothing rather than count on the campfire to keep you comfortable.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful for a weather-dependent outing, since cloud conditions can affect your expectations even though they do not determine the tour’s full value.

Who will enjoy this train tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a guided Arctic evening with several elements in one package. It suits people who like scenic rail travel, local history, simple outdoor activities, and the chance to see the Northern Lights without planning every detail themselves.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a social setting. The campfire, snack, and warm drink give the evening a friendly center, while the guide adds structure during the waiting time. Anajolie’s praised presentations suggest that the quality of the guide can add real value to the experience.

This is less suitable if your only goal is to photograph a powerful Aurora display. The tour may deliver that, but it may also deliver clouds, faint activity, or nothing visible. A dedicated photographer may want more time outdoors, greater control over location, and less reliance on a fixed train schedule.

You should also think carefully about the cold. The tour involves leaving the train at remote mountain stations and spending time outdoors. Warm socks, a hat, scarf, thermal layers, weather-ready clothing, and a tripod are not decorative packing suggestions. They directly affect how much you enjoy the evening.

Should you book the Northern Lights Arctic Train?

Book it if you want more than a gamble on the sky. The historic railway, Bjørnfjell stop, remote Katterat station, museum visit, campfire, pastries, warm drinks, and guide-led presentations give the evening a clear shape even when the Aurora stays hidden.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, cannot manage cold outdoor conditions, or want a long, flexible photography session. At $142, the tour makes the most sense for you when the full package matters: a train ride into Norway’s Arctic interior, a taste of remote railway life, and a comfortable base around the fire while you watch the sky.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Arctic Train tour start?

The tour starts at Narvik stasjon and returns to the same station at the end of the evening.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is three hours. The listed travel and stop times add up to roughly three hours and 10 minutes, so check the departure details and allow a little flexibility.

Which stations does the train visit?

The tour stops at Bjørnfjell, described as a Swedish border town, and Katterat, which sits 373 meters above sea level.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The tour takes you away from city light pollution to improve viewing conditions, but the Aurora depends on the weather and natural activity.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a roundtrip train ticket, guide, snack, beverages, bonfire, photo tips, Northern Lights documentary, old mountain village visit, and Katterat museum visit.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, camera, warm socks, scarf, weather-appropriate clothing, tripod, and thermal clothing. Thermal suits are not included.

Is the tour suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

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