Northern Lights & Sweden's Arctic Circle

What to know before you look closer

• The package price excludes international flights to and from Sweden; you book those separately.
• Only 1 dinner is included across 8 nights; most meals are not provided, though all breakfasts are covered.
• The itinerary is independent, meaning you navigate between activities on your own; guidance is limited to the scheduled private tours and transfers.
• One recent reviewer reported that a train was late and passengers were discharged at an earlier stop with promised transportation to the hotel; confirm current service reliability with Vacations By Rail before booking.

The moments this trip is built around

• Day 2Day 2: a half-day private guided tour of Stockholm's City Hall, Gamla Stan, and the Vasa Museum, with an optional Archipelago Tour in the afternoon.
• Day 4Day 4: a six-hour train journey from Luleå to Abisko, followed by an evening chairlift ride up Mt. Nuolja to the Aurora Sky Station for dinner.
• Day 6Day 6: a train from Abisko to Kiruna, then an evening dog sledding excursion with huskies along the frozen Torne River and a stop at a traditional Sami lavvu.
• Day 7Day 7: a wilderness excursion learning Sami survival skills, with an optional evening snowmobile northern lights excursion and fireside dinner.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. The package includes all rail travel throughout the tour, including the six-hour Luleå-to-Abisko train and the Abisko-to-Kiruna rail leg, plus all coach and private sedan transfers. International flights to and from Sweden are not included.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

It is independent. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. Private guided sightseeing tours are arranged at each major stop (Stockholm, Luleå, and Kiruna), and private transfers to hotels and airports are included, but you explore at your own pace between scheduled activities.

What is included in the price?

The package includes 8 nights of hotel accommodation, all rail and coach travel throughout the tour, 8 breakfasts, and 1 dinner. International flights, travel insurance, and cancellation insurance are not included. Most lunches and dinners are your own expense.

How many chances do I have to see the northern lights?

The itinerary includes multiple opportunities: dinner at the Aurora Sky Station on Day 4 near Abisko, free exploration of Abisko on Day 5 where you may spot auroras, and optional evening snowmobile excursions with fireside dinner in Kiruna on Day 7.

What is involved in the dog sledding and Sami experiences?

On Day 6, you participate in evening dog sledding with huskies along the frozen Torne River, including a traditional Sami lavvu stop. On Day 7, a wilderness excursion teaches Sami survival skills.

How much free time is there?

Day 5 in Abisko is completely free; you can explore Abisko National Park at your own pace or join an optional guided snowshoe hike. Day 7 in Kiruna offers free time after the Sami survival experience, with an optional evening snowmobile excursion.