More than half of Brits (57%) dream of aurora chasing this year, eclipsing other bucket list experiences

Canada, Norway and Finland boast the most popular destinations for aurora hunters, with Expedia searches historically up triple-digits

April and November revealed as the most affordable months to visit the Northern Lights

Tor-Ivar Næss, award-winning Northern Lights photographer, shares top tips for capturing the aurora

With experts predicting extraordinary aurora visibility in 2024, Expedia’s Northern Lights Insider Guide helps travellers plan their trip

Today, Expedia® released its comprehensive Northern Lights Insider Guide. With 2024 promising more frequent sightings of this natural wonder, Expedia shares travel data insights, saving hacks, photography tips and ideal itineraries to help travellers plan for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the magical auroras.

According to a survey commissioned by Expedia, more than half of Brits (57%) aspire to witness the Northern Lights as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Following closely behind are wishes to visit the Pyramids (31%) and walk along the Great Wall of China (28%)[1].

“Planning your Northern Lights adventure might feel like navigating uncharted territory, but we’ve made it easy for travellers to make this trip a reality,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “From Churchill to Tromsø, the free guide shows where to stay for under £148 a night or how to bundle a whole trip together for under £1,500. There’s even a photography guide to make sure you know how to capture the memory.”

Expedia Northern Lights Insider Guide

Destination Trends: To help travellers discover popular and lesser-known destinations to experience the Northern Lights, Expedia has pulled together these exclusive insights on destination trends.

Norway Remains Ultimate Northern Lights Hotspot:

• Searches for Tromsø increased by 40%[2] in 2023, following a notable rise in 2022, highlighting its popularity among travellers seeking the Northern Lights.
• Additionally, there was a 360%[3] increase in hotel searches compared to 2021, further highlighting the growing interest in visiting Tromsø for the aurora display.
• April stays in Tromsø offer the most budget-friendly travel option with daily hotel rates historically averaging £116[4], which is £63 less per night compared to January.
• Looking forward to Autumn/Winter, September stands out as the most affordable month in Tromsø, historically seeing an average daily rate of £113[5] over the past two years.
• Other emerging Norwegian destinations included Alta, Narvik, and Kirkenes, each seeing an increase of over 60%[6].
• For further information and tips on booking your trip to Tromsø, visit – https://www.expedia.com/magazine/northern-lights/northern-lights-tromso-norway/
  

Canada’s Top Northern Lights Destinations:

• Churchill was the top Canadian destination for Northern Lights viewing, boasting a remarkable 140%[7] increase in hotel searches last year.
• Other trending locations included Yellowknife and Yukon, which both saw increases of around 20% year-on-year, continuing its momentum from 2022 which saw demand for both destinations spike over 105%[8].

The U.S. Continues to Be Popular:

• Michigan, Minnesota and Alaska were predicted to be the most popular     areas to catch the lights in the U.S., all experiencing a 20%[9] increase year-on-year.

Top Ten Trending[10] Northern Lights Destinations Worldwide: As a result of searches for these destinations increasing by over 40% year-on-year, we predict they will continue to be popular among tourists this 2024: 

1. Lapland, Finland
2. Churchill, Canada
3. Rovaniemi, Finland
4. Narvik, Norway
5. Kirkenes, Norway
6. Kálfafell, Iceland
7. Inari, Finland
8. Abisko, Sweden
9. Isle of Skye, Scotland
10. Tromsø, Norway

The Best Times and Places for Budget-Friendly Trips: Based on average daily rates, these offer the most cost-effective destinations[11] for viewing the Northern Lights: 

• February: Faroe Islands, rates at £96, a £60 contrast from the most expensive month, September.
• March: Aberdeen, priced at £68, £9 cheaper than April.
• April: Tromsø, marked at £117, an £63 difference compared to January.
• September: Finland, with rates at £108, £71 cheaper than December.
• October: Lapland, priced at £83, nearly half the cost of December, January, and February.
• November: Yellowknife, priced at £109, 10% cheaper than January and February.
• December: Greenland, rates at £86, a £79 difference compared to February and March.

Expedia Smart Savings Hacks: According to Expedia, 56%[12] of travellers have not travelled to the Northern Lights due to financial reasons. By following these savvy tips on how to save money when booking your Northern Lights trip, travellers can cut costs without compromising on the experience.

• Expedia’s Price Tracking[13] feature on the app eliminates the uncertainty involved in choosing the right time to book a Northern Lights trip by notifying travellers when flight prices change and using exclusive data to pinpoint the best time to book.
• Bundle and Save[14]: With flights, car rentals and hotels, Expedia offers a wide selection of customisable packages, allowing travellers to save more when booking multiple items.
• Whether booking items together in the same transaction or in steps, travellers also have their Northern Lights itinerary all in one place, making it easier to keep track of their journey.
• Expedia’s annual Air Travel Hacks Report, providing the latest tips to save travellers time and money on their flights, reveals that those contemplating their ideal travel dates could save up to 26% by departing on a Friday. Travellers who book their Northern Lights travel on a Sunday could also bag themselves a saving of 23%.[15]

Ideal Itineraries:

• Tromsø, Norway: With an Expedia package, you can experience a week at The Clarion Hotel The Edge, Tromsø, for a total of £1,233, including flights from Gatwick between 14th-21st October 2024. Add a husky experience and dog sleigh driving adventure for £131 per person.
• Fairbanks, Alaska: As a prime Northern Lights destination, Fairbanks has seen a 125%[16] surge in hotel searches. Book a seven-night package trip to Chena Hot Springs Resort with flights from Heathrow for £3,055. Add an Aurora Ice Museum experience for £25 per person.
• Isle of Skye, UK: For those hoping to witness the Northern Lights a bit closer to home, such as venturing to destinations like the Isle of Skye — experiencing anincrease of up to 60%[17] in hotel searches year-on-year — booking flights on a Sunday instead of Friday could save, on average, 21%[18] on their domestic flights.
• For more itineraries and Northern Lights inspiration, visit: expedia.com/magazine/northern-lights.  

Photography Perfection: 34%[19] of travellers would be disappointed if they never see the Northern Lights in their lifetime, so to help learn the secrets of capturing the perfect Northern Lights shot on your smartphone, award-winning aurora photographer, Tor-Ivar Næss, has shared his top five invaluable tips to enhance your Northern Lights photography experience.

1. Use a Tripod: Or place your phone on a sturdy surface, like a backpack. Stability is key for long exposure photography. A tripod will keep your phone steady, which is crucial for capturing the slow-moving lights of the aurora without blur.
2. Manual Mode: If your smartphone camera allows manual settings, use them. Adjust the ISO (try starting around 800-1600), lower the shutter speed (several seconds), and set the aperture as wide as possible to let in as much light as you can.
3. Focus to Infinity: Ensure your camera’s focus is set to infinity. This is important because autofocus might have trouble in the dark, and you want the stars and lights to be sharp. You know you are in focus when the stars are at their smallest.
4. Use a Remote Shutter or Timer: To avoid camera shake when you press the shutter button, use a remote control or the built-in timer function on your smartphone.
5. Experiment With Composition: The aurora is unpredictable, so try different compositions and include interesting foregrounds for a sense of scale and place. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives. And if the aurora is above you, try to shoot straight up.

“This year the Northern Lights promise an unforgettable display and photo moment, making it an ideal year for travel enthusiasts to experience this once in a lifetime experience. Consider heading on your journey between mid-September and early April when the darker, clearer nights enhance your chances of witnessing this photo phenomenon,”Tor-Ivar Næss said. 

“From the beautiful landscapes of Iceland to the majestic fjords of Tromsø in Norway, this year offers an excellent opportunity for photographers to capture the beauty of the lights. By using my recommended tips for photography fanatics, you can increase your chances of capturing remarkable shots. Remember, capturing the Northern Lights is often about patience and experimenting with settings, so don’t get discouraged if your first few shots don’t turn out as expected. Keep trying!”

For more information on how to make the most out of your Northern Lights trip this 2024, visit expedia.com/magazine/northern-lights.

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[1] The survey about once-in-a-life-time experiences was conducted online among 2,000 UK adults who intend to travel for leisure in 2024, by OnePoll on behalf of Expedia.  

[2] Data results based off global hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[3] Data results based off hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2022 in comparison to 2021.

[4]ADR data based off YOY global Expedia hotel rates in 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[5]ADR data based off YOY global Expedia hotel rates in 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[6] Data results based off global hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[7] Data results based off global hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[8] Data results based off global hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[9]Data results based off global hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[10] Data results based off global hotel searches rankings on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[11] ADR data based off global Expedia hotel rates in 2023.

[12] The survey about once-in-a-life-time experiences was conducted online among 2,000 UK adults who intend to travel for leisure in 2024, by OnePoll on behalf of Expedia.  

[13] Price predictions are not a guarantee. Available to members on select routes.

[14] Savings based on package bookings as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and travel suppliers. Savings not available on all packages. Flight inclusive packages are ATOL protected.

[15] Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for flights originating in the UK for January through August for 2023, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.

[16] Data results based off global hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[17] Data results based off global hotel searches on Expedia.com made throughout 2023 in comparison to 2022.

[18]  Best day of the week to book recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for flights originating in the UK for January through August 2023, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.

[19] The survey about once-in-a-life-time experiences was conducted online among 2,000 UK adults who intend to travel for leisure in 2024, by OnePoll on behalf of Expedia.