Wondering where to fly to see the northern lights? If you’re planning a trip to see the aurora from the UK, you can fly to northern lights destinations from a wide range of regional airports. This guide highlights northern lights flights from the UK to Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland — four of the best places to see the aurora.
While flights aren’t included in Aurora Nights holiday packages, our team of travel experts can help you find the most convenient options for your trip.
Want to travel to the Arctic as quickly and directly as possible? Keen to incorporate a Nordic city break? Or looking to embark on a multi-destination holiday? Whatever your plans, we can turn your holiday dreams into a reality.
The information below was correct as of September 2025.
Iceland northern lights flights
If you’re planning a northern lights trip to Iceland, there are lots of regular, direct flights to choose from, leaving from airports across the UK. British Airways, Jet2, EasyJet and Icelandair fly direct to the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik. There are also some flights that take you straight to Akureyri, in north Iceland.
From Heathrow
Flights from Heathrow to Reykjavik leave three times a day. These flights are operated by British Airways and Icelandair.
From Gatwick
Flights from Gatwick to Reykjavik leave every day of the week. These flights are provided by easyJet and Icelandair. EasyJet also provides direct flights from Gatwick to Akureyri, three days a week, during most of the northern lights season.
From Luton
There are direct easyJet flights from Luton airport to Reykjavik twice a week.
From Manchester
Both Icelandair and easyJet fly from Manchester to Reykjavik. Between them, these airlines provide northern lights flights every day of the week.
EasyJet also flies to Akureyri in the north of Iceland on Saturdays and Tuesdays, from November to March.
From Bristol
EasyJet flies direct from Bristol to Reykjavik from October to April, with around three flights per week.
From Birmingham
Northern lights flights from Birmingham to Iceland are provided by easyJet and Jet2. These airlines fly direct from Birmingham to Reykjavik, with two to four flights per week from October to April.
From Newcastle
You can fly direct from Newcastle to Reykjavik on Wednesdays and Sundays during October, November, February and March. These flights are run by Jet2.
From Edinburgh
Throughout the northern lights season, there are multiple flights per week between Edinburgh and Reykjavik. You can fly with either easyJet or Icelandair, departing on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
From Glasgow
Northern lights flights from Glasgow to Finland, Norway and Sweden are limited. But there are lots of direct routes between Glasgow and Iceland. You can fly direct from Glasgow to Reykjavik on Icelandair with flights available up to six days per week.
From Belfast
When planning an Iceland northern lights holiday from Belfast, you usually have to stop over in England or Scotland before flying to Reykjavik. Jet2 occasionally runs direct flights between Belfast and Reykjavik.
Norway northern lights flights
On a northern lights trip to Norway, you can fly from UK airports into Tromsø. This beautiful city acts as a gateway to the Arctic north — and travelling to this region of Norway gives you the best chance of seeing the northern lights.
The cities of Oslo and Bergen are further south and don’t tend to get good aurora displays. However, they make for an unforgettable city break — or a useful stopover if your regional airport doesn’t offer direct flights to Tromsø.
Here are all the direct aurora borealis flights from the UK to Norway as of 2025.
From Heathrow
Want to fly London to Norway? Then, British Airways flies direct from Heathrow to Tromsø, three to five times a week, from December to February. The airline flies this route twice a week in March and April.
British Airways and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) fly direct from Heathrow to Oslo. There are multiple daily flights, so you can fly straight on to Tromsø in search of the aurora or spend a few days exploring the city first.
From Gatwick
There are direct flights to Tromsø from Gatwick provided by Norwegian Airlines. These flights run a couple of times a week, from November to March.
Norwegian Airlines also provides daily direct flights to both Oslo and Bergen from Gatwick.
From Luton
Wizz Air offers a direct seasonal flight from Luton to Tromsø, from October to the end of March. This northern lights flight runs five times per week.
From Manchester
Northern lights flights from Manchester to Norway are operated by Norwegian Air and easyJet. You can fly direct to Tromsø from Manchester twice a week.
If you’re happy to stop over in one of the cities, Norwegian Air also flies direct from Manchester to Bergen twice a week — and SAS, easyJet and Norwegian Air fly direct from Manchester to Oslo.
From Bristol
On a northern lights holiday from Bristol, you’ll fly with easyJet. There are direct flights to see the aurora borealis from September to March. These go from Bristol to Tromsø, with two flights per week.
From Edinburgh
There are direct flights from Edinburgh to Oslo and Bergen. Flights to Oslo depart daily and can be booked with Norwegian Air. You can also fly direct with Loganair to Bergen during some months of the year.
Sweden aurora borealis flights
Most trips to see the northern lights in Sweden start with a stopover in Stockholm Arlanda. This is Stockholm’s main international airport.
You can then fly to see the northern lights by jumping on a connecting flight to Kiruna (close to the Ice Hotel and around an hour’s drive from Abisko) or Luleå (close to the Tree Hotel). There’s usually a very quick turnaround so you don’t spend long on the ground waiting to board your second flight.
Of course, you also have the option to enjoy a Stockholm city break before continuing your journey north.
From Heathrow
SAS and British Airways offer flights from Heathrow to Stockholm every day of the week. SAS flights are timed to connect with your onward flight.
From Gatwick
Norwegian Airlines offers multiple daily flights from Gatwick to Stockholm, with onward flights generally provided by SAS.
From Manchester
If you’re planning a northern lights trip from Manchester, you can travel on SAS or Norwegian Air. These airlines run regular, direct flights from Manchester to Stockholm. Between these two airlines, you can fly most days of the week.
From Birmingham
Ryanair flies direct from Birmingham to Stockholm twice a week during September and October — perfect if you want to book an autumn aurora holiday.
From Edinburgh
You can fly direct from Edinburgh to Stockholm on either SAS or Norwegian Air. There are up to eight flights per week.
Flights to Finland to see the northern lights
When planning an aurora holiday to Finland, you have a couple of options.
Some airlines offer seasonal aurora borealis flights to the north of Finland, known as Finnish Lapland. Destinations include Rovaniemi, Ivalo and Kittilä. These are all great places to see the northern lights.
Alternatively, you can fly direct from the UK to Helsinki, Finland’s capital city, before flying north to the Arctic.
From Heathrow
From Heathrow, you can fly direct to Helsinki on Finnair. There are multiple flights every day of the week.
From Gatwick
From Gatwick, you can fly direct to Helsinki on Norwegian Air. There are around five flights per week.
Alternatively, you can fly straight to Finnish Lapland. From December until March, you can travel to Ivalo on British Airways. These flights run twice per week. There’s also a direct seasonal service to Kittilä, provided by easyJet.
From Luton
EasyJet provides direct flights from Luton to Rovaniemi, two to three times a week from the end of November until the end of February.
From Manchester
Finnair flies from Manchester to Helsinki most days of the week. EasyJet flies direct to Rovaniemi around four times every week. There are direct easyJet flights to Kittilä in Finnish Lapland across November and December.
From Bristol
Northern lights flights from Bristol to Rovaniemi are run by easyJet and Ryanair. There are up to five flights a week from November to March.
From Edinburgh
Direct flights from Edinburgh to Helsinki are available all year round. Flights, provided by Finnair and British Airways, are available every day except Saturday.
During the winter season, usually from November to January, you can also fly direct from Edinburgh to Rovaniemi with easyJet. These flights are available twice a week.
The best northern lights airports: a summary
Here’s where you should fly to see the northern lights:
- Iceland: Reykjavik in the south or Akureyri in the north.
- Norway: Tromsø in the north, either direct or via a stopover in Oslo.
- Sweden: Kiruna or Luleå in Swedish Lapland, usually via a stopover at Stockholm Arlanda.
- Finland: Rovaniemi, Kittilä or Ivalo in Finnish Lapland, either direct or via a stopover in Helsinki.
These northern lights airports are accessible on direct flights from most UK airports, particularly during winter aurora season, from November to March. However, if you can’t find direct flights to a destination from your local airport, rest assured that stopovers are often speedy.
Planning a northern lights tour from the UK
As you can see, flying to see the northern lights from the UK is easier than ever, with lots of regional airports offering regular, direct flights, straight to the Arctic north.
When you book with Aurora Nights, we’ll help you find the best northern lights flights from your local airport. Flights aren’t included in our aurora holiday packages, so you have flexibility to choose the airlines, dates and times best suited to your trip.
Beyond flights, our team will work with you to create the tailor-made northern lights holiday you’ve been dreaming of. You can count on:
- A choice of unique accommodation — from boutique hotels to glass igloos to cosy log cabins.
- Expert northern lights guides who can read the aurora forecast and know the best local viewing spots.
- Carefully crafted itineraries that balance aurora hunting with unforgettable adventures — think husky sledding, snowmobiling, wilderness dinners and whale watching tours.
- Local knowledge and insider tips from our Arctic travel specialists, who have personally tried and tested the experiences we recommend.
- Relaxation and reassurance — whether you book a short break, an escorted tour, a self-drive trip or a luxury northern lights holiday, we plan logistics and provide support every step of the way.
Ready to start planning your aurora adventure? Explore our northern lights holidays.
