Tromsø
Norway
Northern Lights tours by bus from Prostneset in Tromsø: choose a tour to see the details and book your seat.
Tromsø is a city in Troms, Northern Norway, well north of the Arctic Circle, with its centre on the island of Tromsøya. It is known for the Northern Lights, which can be seen from late August to early April, and for the polar night in winter and the midnight sun in summer.
The Northern Lights Chase leaves in the evening from the Bus Station at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, in the town centre. On cloudy nights the chase can continue all the way into Finland, so bring your passport.
Tromsø at a glance
- Region
- Troms, Northern Norway
- Cruise port
- Prostneset (Kai 8) in the centre, or Breivika
- From the pier to the centre
- Prostneset: in the centre. Breivika: about 4 km
- Northern Lights season
- Late August to early April
- Population
- 79,932 (municipality, 2026)
- Nearest airport
- Tromsø Airport, about 5 km from the centre
- Currency
- Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), summer UTC+2
Weather and seasons in Tromsø
Tromsø has two very different seasons for visitors. From late August to early April the nights are dark enough for the Northern Lights, and from late November to mid January the sun does not rise at all. From mid May to late July the sun does not set.
The local tourist board counts September to April as winter when it comes to clothing. Early summer, especially May and June, can be wet and cold.
- Northern Lights season
- Late August to early April, whenever the sky is dark and clear. The lights are often most active between about 20:00 and 02:00.
- Polar night
- From about 28 November to 14 January the sun stays below the horizon, which gives many dark hours for the Northern Lights.
- Midnight sun
- From about 19 May to 25 July the sun does not set. There are no Northern Lights to see, but it is light around the clock.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | -1.0 | -1.2 | 0.6 | 4.1 | 8.8 | 13.0 | 16.3 | 15.0 | 10.9 | 5.2 | 2.1 | 0.3 |
| Average low (°C) | -5.3 | -5.6 | -4.4 | -1.6 | 2.4 | 6.2 | 9.0 | 8.3 | 5.3 | 0.9 | -1.9 | -3.9 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 108 | 97 | 97 | 71 | 57 | 58 | 73 | 88 | 111 | 127 | 94 | 110 |
| Daylight (hours) | 0.8 | 7.5 | 11.6 | 16.1 | 22.1 | 24 | 24 | 18.1 | 13.4 | 9.1 | 4.1 | 0 |
Getting to Tromsø
Cruise ships berth either at Kai 8 at Prostneset, in the town centre, or at Breivika, about 4 km north of the centre. From Breivika, city bus 42 runs into the centre, and some cruise lines run their own shuttle. City buses do not take cash: buy a ticket in the Svipper app, from a ticket machine or with a bank card on board.
Tromsø Airport is about 5 km from the centre, around ten minutes by taxi and about 20 minutes by airport bus. Flights from Oslo take about 1 hour 50 minutes.
There is no railway to Tromsø. Long-distance buses run all year to Narvik, Alta and Fauske, and the coastal ships between Bergen and Kirkenes call twice a day.
Where to stay in Tromsø
A few places to stay in different price ranges, from hotels by the harbour to cabins across the bridge.
- Scandic IshavshotelCity centre, by the harbourHotel on the quayside, about 50 metres from where the coastal ships berth.
- Clarion Hotel The EdgeCity centre, on the waterfrontLarge hotel on the waterfront in central Tromsø.
- Smarthotel TromsøCity centreBudget hotel in Vestregata, about 10 minutes from the airport by bus or taxi.
- Ami HotelCity centreSmall hotel in Skolegata, run by the same family for over 30 years.
- The Tromsø HostelCity centreHostel in Storgata with a shared kitchen, laundry and luggage storage.
- Tromsø Lodge & CampingTromsdalen, across the bridgeCabins and pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans, open all year, about 5 minutes' drive from the centre.
Good to know before you visit Tromsø
- Dress in layers: wool next to the skin, then warm, dry jumpers and a jacket. Bring a hat, gloves and a scarf, and shoes with room for an extra pair of wool socks.
- Pavements are often icy in winter. Ice grips for your shoes are sold in shoe and sports shops and at the tourist information.
- The Northern Lights need a clear, dark sky, and the weather decides where that is on a given night. A tour by bus can drive to where the sky is clearer.
- The Fjellheisen cable car runs from Tromsdalen, on the mainland side, up to Storsteinen at 421 metres above sea level. The lower station is about 15 minutes' walk from the Arctic Cathedral.
- Prostneset is also the main bus terminal in the centre, where regional buses and express boats leave from.
Frequently asked questions about Tromsø
What is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Tromsø?
From late August to early April, when the sky is dark enough. The lights are often most active between about 20:00 and 02:00, and you need a clear sky to see them, so the weather on the night matters as much as the date.
Can you see the Northern Lights from Tromsø city centre?
On clear nights they can be visible from the city, best from darker spots such as the lake Prestvannet. Away from the city lights you see them better, which is why the tours on this page drive out of town.
When is the polar night in Tromsø?
The sun does not rise from about 28 November to 14 January.
When can you see the midnight sun in Tromsø?
From about 19 May to 25 July the sun stays above the horizon all night.
How far is the cruise port from Tromsø city centre?
Ships at Prostneset (Kai 8) berth in the centre itself. Breivika, the other cruise quay, is about 4 km north of the centre, with city bus 42 and, on some cruise lines, a shuttle.
How cold is Tromsø in winter?
In January the average daily high is -1.0 °C and the average low -5.3 °C (1991-2020). Dress in warm layers.