Hunting the Northern Lights: Tromso and Alta (Norway)

[JennyH]

I'm also following with interest. I have booked flights for Svalbard and Tromos for next February. I'd be happy with a single good viewing of the northern lights, given I was 0/5 from previous winter trips to northern Finland.
I couldn't get the SAS flights to link with the Singapore flights, so I am hoping that 90 minutes is enough time to transfer in Copenhagen.
@ADLhighflyer do you think Scandinavian business class was worth it for the short flights?

 

[jase05]

do you think Scandinavian business class was worth it for the short flights?

Had a few flights with SAS last year and obviously it depends on the price difference and what you want from it. They don’t have even Euro Business as such and instead call it SAS Plus. The middle seat isn’t blocked so it’s just like Economy and I felt really cramped on 2 of the flights. The meals mostly were pretty ordinary and basic but had a couple of beers so not all bad. Priority Boarding was in the second group after Star Golds back then and no extra luggage unless you go the top priced SAS Plus tickets.
I didn’t have any Star Alliance status so most of the tickets were only about an extra $40 for SAS Plus which also gives you lounge access.

 

[ADLhighflyer]

@ADLhighflyer do you think Scandinavian business class was worth it for the short flights?

@JennyH It would depend on the flight duration and extra cost. For me, the flights to/from Singapore Airlines were all in the same booking so was a continuation of the long haul flights. 90mins transfer in CPH is more than enough if on the same booking, but if on separate tickets it is hard to say as I didn't go landside.

For the Tromso-Alta via Olso flight, SAS Plus was only about 15-20 Euro's more so was worth it as it included food and lounge access. Of note though, Tromso doesn't have any SAS Lounge so nil additional perks there. On the flight Alta-Tromso which is about 40mins, I just bought the cheapo fare as it wasn't worth spending more.

As @jase05 mentioned, SAS Plus doesn't guarantee a spare seat next to you, but was hit and miss from the crew as to what you got - if they were proactive you were told, if not you got nothing. The lounges in OSL/CPH is ok, and an ok spot to spend a few hours. I was lucky to visit OSL on a Saturday afternoon when it was quiet.

 

[JennyH]

@JennyH It would depend on the flight duration and extra cost. For me, the flights to/from Singapore Airlines were all in the same booking so was a continuation of the long haul flights. 90mins transfer in CPH is more than enough if on the same booking, but if on separate tickets it is hard to say as I didn't go landside.

For the Tromso-Alta via Olso flight, SAS Plus was only about 15-20 Euro's more so was worth it as it included food and lounge access. Of note though, Tromso doesn't have any SAS Lounge so nil additional perks there. On the flight Alta-Tromso which is about 40mins, I just bought the cheapo fare as it wasn't worth spending more.

As @jase05 mentioned, SAS Plus doesn't guarantee a spare seat next to you, but was hit and miss from the crew as to what you got - if they were proactive you were told, if not you got nothing. The lounges in OSL/CPH is ok, and an ok spot to spend a few hours. I was lucky to visit OSL on a Saturday afternoon when it was quiet.

Thanks to both for the advice. It seems that SAS Plus is now called "business", but comes at a premium (around 80 -100 Euros extra for short flights). When I progressed to seat selection it shows the centre seat as blocked for flights between countries (e.g. Copenhagen - Tromso) but not for within a country flights (Tromso - Svalbard).
Anyway - I'm looking forward to the rest of your journey. NordKapp in the winter must be quite something.

 

[Drakecula]

You got a better light show than we did when we were in Tromso. We were there in December 2019, and we did see some lights, but nothing like what you saw. I'd love to go back one day, really enjoyed all the snow.

 

[ADLhighflyer]

Following on from yet another successful Northern Light Hunt, it was down to breakfast in the hotel early (The Scandic Alta puts on a very nice spread for all tastes) before being picked up promptly for today’s trip up to the North Cape, on what would be expected to be a 10-12hr round trip.

The first part of the journey was a bit bland on the scenery (our guide told us this would be for about 2 hours or so), before we eventually stopped by the edge of one of the local fjords.





The further north we went, the more the wind increased! We made regular stops for photo’s as we continued north to take in the fresh Nordic Air




Before stopping for morning tea just prior to the entrance to where the tunnel from the Norwegian Mainland connects with Nordkapp Municipality. The wind here was blowing an absolute gale, but made the made of the short stop with more photos!





Then it was on our way through the tunnel and beyond Honningsvag on our way to the North Cape – with photo stops of course!




And then the final stretch to the North Cape. The winds were horrendous, and trying to keep the beanie from flying off was becoming a real challenge!

 

[ADLhighflyer]

Arriving at the North Cape, we were told that this had only reopened 2 days prior because of all the snow that had fallen recently – and what we saw on the road up there showed this.

The winds here were the worst I’d ever experienced, but I was still determined to make the most of this stop. The North Cape is the northern most point of Norway and Europe and is 307m ASL and 300miles above the Arctic circle looking out over the Barents Sea.






Mum Trying to hold on with the huge Arctic Gales!







After what felt like an eternity due to the strong winds, and trying to take as many pictures of the Globe without other tourists, whilst also assisting with various requests to assist with a few photo’s for others (everyone came to me for their photos haha!), It was time to head back to the mini-bus to head back and grab some lunch. Everyone who was here that day had trouble staying upright, made all the more careful due to the large amount of ice on the ground.

The winds here were the worst I’ve ever experienced before, but I was super grateful to be able to see the North Cape on a sunny day given the extreme snow conditions that we have seen so far on the trip.

So the trip back commenced, but not before more photo stops! The first stop was at a local fishing village, where we could get out and climb a small hill to get some great views of the local scenery.







We stopped for a late lunch a bit later on the road home, and this was because trying to find a safe spot to stop without the huge winds was quite challenging for the driver. When we eventually stopped, a hearty soup was had along with a hot chocolate and biscuits.

The final stretch of the way home was uneventful, and arrived back at the hotel around 6pm after a very long, but awesome day.

Dinner was had in the hotel that night, with nil Northern Lights hunt planned. What an amazing day we just had!