Budget-conscious Traveler's Guide to Witnessing the Stunning Aurora Borealis
In the enchanting world of the polar regions, the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, continues to captivate travelers worldwide. This year, experts predict an exceptionally strong display of this natural phenomenon. To help budget-conscious adventurers, we've compiled a guide based on the "Northern Lights Insider Guide" by travel platform Expedia.
Tromsø, Norway, and its average daily hotel rates around 136 euros in April, offer an affordable alternative for those wishing to witness the Northern Lights. In comparison, February in the Faroe Islands provides another budget-friendly option, with average prices of 112 euros.
For those seeking a more affordable adventure, Greenland offers an average price of 100 euros per night in December, saving 92 euros compared to February and March. Meanwhile, in November, an average overnight stay in Yellowknife, Canada, costs 127 euros, around 10% cheaper than in January and February.
Canada, Norway, and Finland are the preferred destinations to see the aurora, with search queries on Expedia for these three destinations having seen a triple-digit increase. The small town of Churchill on Hudson Bay in Canada is the most popular destination for aurora tours, while global search queries for Alta, Narvik, and Kirkenes in Norway have increased by more than sixty percent.
Yellowknife and Yukon in Canada, and the small town of Churchill, are also in high demand as aurora hotspots, with a twenty percent increase in search queries compared to last year. Finland offers a budget-friendly option with daily rates of 126 euros in September, while in Lapland, average daily rates in October are 97 euros, which is half the price of December, January, and February.
To capture the beauty of the Northern Lights, award-winning Northern Lights photographer Tor-Ivar Næss shares five tips for stunning smartphone shots: use a remote shutter or timer, test different compositions, set manual mode, use a tripod or stable surface, and focus on infinity.
Expedia's guide offers helpful money-saving tips, such as booking flights on a Sunday to save an average of 20%, booking flight and hotel together to save an average of 160 euros, and departing on a Friday to save an average of 18% compared to other days. The free price alert feature in the Expedia app notifies potential customers when flight prices change.
With over half of the German population desiring to witness the Northern Lights, and more than a quarter of German travelers planning a Northern Lights trip solely for photography opportunities, it seems that the allure of the Northern Lights is stronger than ever. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, the Northern Lights offer an unforgettable experience that is within reach for many.
