Abisko: Aurora Car Chasing Tour with Photographer

Abisko’s best Northern Lights tours do not simply park beside the road and hope for a show. This three-hour car chase keeps moving toward clearer skies and darker viewing points, with a photographer handling the camera while you watch the sky.

I especially like two things: the small group limit of eight, which keeps the outing personal, and the included digital photos. Jeff has also added astronomy, Arctic wildlife, and stargazing to the evening, giving you more to do when the aurora is faint.

The main drawback is simple: the Northern Lights cannot be promised. Clouds, wind, daylight, and aurora activity all matter. You also need to dress for a very cold night, and this tour does not pick you up in Kiruna.

Key points at a glance

• A real car chase, not one fixed viewpoint: Your guide can adjust the route for cloud cover and light pollution.
• Photographs are included: You receive all photos taken during the tour in digital format.
• Jeff is a strong choice for astronomy fans: He has explained aurora forecasts, stars, wildlife, and night photography during the drive.
• Warm drinks matter in Arctic conditions: Hot lingonberry drinks, biscuits, cookies, and hand warmers have helped make long waits more comfortable.
• Four Abisko pickup points: Choose from STF Abisko Turiststation, Abisko Mountain Lodge, Abisko Guesthouse, or Hotell Fjället.
• Best for photo-minded adults: Children under three are not accepted, and the cold may be tough for anyone unprepared.

Why the moving route matters in Abisko

The Northern Lights are not a scheduled stage performance. A cloud bank can cover one valley while the sky a short drive away is clear. That is why I like the idea behind this tour: instead of committing the whole evening to one viewing point, you travel by car and let the guide respond to conditions.

The guide decides the pickup timing on the day, based partly on weather, daylight, and other practical conditions. That means your exact departure time may shift by a few minutes. Keep your evening flexible and be ready slightly before the stated pickup time.

The route may include Abisko National Park and a more remote, darker location. Those two settings offer different rewards. A national park setting gives the night a stronger sense of place, while a remote roadside stop can reduce light pollution and give you a broader, darker sky.

You should keep expectations realistic. The guide can improve your odds by choosing a good location, but no driver can control clouds or aurora strength. Some outings have found clear skies after a cloudy start. Others have produced only a faint display when conditions were poor. That uncertainty is part of Northern Lights tourism, not a flaw unique to this tour.

Meeting your guide in Abisko

Pickup is available at four local points:

• STF Abisko Turiststation
• Abisko Mountain Lodge
• Abisko Guesthouse
• Hotell Fjället

The tour is designed for people staying in Abisko itself. There is no pickup from Kiruna, so you need to arrange your own way to Abisko before booking.

Once everyone is collected, the evening combines driving, sightseeing, guided explanation, and photo stops. The group size is limited to eight participants, which is useful in a small vehicle. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the photographer has a better chance of giving each person attention.

Pickup times can be adjusted on the day. This is practical in a place where the amount of daylight changes with the season, but it also means you should watch for updates and avoid making a tight dinner reservation immediately before the tour.

Chasing clear skies for three hours

The three-hour duration is long enough to search beyond the first stop, but short enough to fit into a busy Abisko visit. You will spend part of the time in the car, part at viewing points, and part posing for photographs or simply watching the sky.

The guide’s role is more important here than it would be on a stationary photo stop. Jeff, who has led many of the outings, has used aurora forecasts and local conditions to choose where to drive. He has also explained astronomy, stars, Arctic wildlife, reindeer, and the Northern Lights along the way.

That extra commentary gives the drive a purpose. If the aurora is slow to appear, you are not just sitting in the cold with nothing to do. You can learn how the sky works and get a better sense of the Arctic setting around Abisko.

The exact number of stops is not fixed. One successful evening used a stop in Abisko National Park before continuing to a remote, very dark location. On another night, the first spot was good enough for a strong display. This flexibility is useful, but it means you should not expect a printed route with guaranteed landmarks.

The photo stop and the value of a real camera

The included photography is the strongest reason to choose this outing over a basic aurora transfer. Photographing the Northern Lights with a phone is difficult. You need a steady camera, the right exposure, and patience. You also need to keep your hands out in the cold while adjusting settings.

Here, the photographer handles that work. You can look up instead of staring at a screen, then step into position when it is time for a portrait. Several outings produced multiple rounds of images, and guides have taken photos of solo visitors as well as couples and groups.

Jeff’s background in astronomy and night photography has been especially useful. He has taken portraits under the aurora, photographed the stars, and helped people get images suitable for sharing. Other guides, including Karolina, Lena, and Linda, have also been praised for taking professional-looking photographs during difficult weather.

The photos are sent in digital format, and some participants received them the next morning. Delivery timing can vary, though one outing experienced a delay. If you are booking mainly for the pictures, remember that the digital files are an important part of the package, but not an instant guarantee during the drive home.

What waiting in the cold is really like

The Arctic night is the part many people underestimate. You may stand outside while the guide checks the sky, frames a portrait, or waits for the aurora to strengthen. Warm clothing is not optional.

Wear insulated layers, a proper winter coat, warm boots, gloves, and a hat. The supplied information specifically asks you to bring warm clothing, and the experiences described by participants make clear why. Hand warmers have been shared on some outings, but you should not depend on the guide to supply your cold-weather kit.

Warm drinks are included. Hot lingonberry drink, biscuits, and cookies have been served during breaks. These are small touches, but they make a real difference when you are standing still in freezing conditions.

The photographer may ask you to hold a pose more than once. That is normal for night photography. The guide needs enough time to expose the sky and the person correctly. A little patience can produce a much better image than a quick snapshot.

The guides: Jeff and the wider guiding team

Jeff is the guide most closely associated with the recent outings described here. He has been praised for his humor, astronomy knowledge, aurora forecasting, safe driving, and determination to keep searching when the first location is cloudy.

I like that combination. A guide who knows the science can explain why the lights appear, while a guide with photography skills can turn the sight into a useful keepsake. Jeff has also kept spirits up with conversation and, on one evening, a well-received playlist.

The guiding team has not been limited to one person. Karolina, also identified as Lina in one account, has been described as patient and persistent in strong wind, cold, and cloud. Lena has prepared hot drinks and cookies while taking photos, and Linda has helped frame professional-looking portraits.

Names and guide assignments may change, so you should not book on the assumption that one specific person is guaranteed unless the provider confirms it. The consistent strengths are the local driving, the photo service, and the effort to find a workable viewing point.

Is $165 a fair price?

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. You are paying for more than transport. The price includes a professional photographer guide, a small group, warm drinks, the vehicle, and all digital photos taken during the tour.

That package can be good value if you want a portrait beneath the lights. Hiring a photographer separately would add cost, and trying to create the same images yourself can mean buying or carrying suitable camera equipment. The tour also saves you from driving unfamiliar Arctic roads at night.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to reach a dark place and watch the sky. A cheaper transfer or self-guided outing may suit you better, assuming you already have transport and camera skills. This tour earns its higher price through the combination of active searching and included photography.

Weather remains the great financial risk. You could pay $165 and see only a weak aurora or nothing at all. That is true of every Northern Lights tour, so I would judge the purchase by the guide’s effort, the photographic service, and the overall Arctic evening, not by a promise of green curtains in the sky.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Abisko, want strong personal photos, and prefer a guide to handle the driving and camera work. Solo visitors can fit in well, especially because the group is small and the photographer can take individual portraits.

It also suits couples and families with older children. Children under three are not accepted, and the cold may make the outing difficult for very young children even beyond that rule.

You should also enjoy astronomy, local nature, or simply being outside at night. The guide may discuss stars, wildlife, reindeer, and the aurora during the drive, so the evening has value even during a quiet spell.

I would hesitate if you need a fixed schedule, dislike cold-weather waiting, or are staying in Kiruna and want a simple pickup. This is an Abisko-based activity, not a Kiruna excursion.

Practical details before you book

The tour lasts three hours and is conducted in English. Pickup and return are available at the four listed Abisko accommodations, with the return going to Abisko Mountain Lodge, Hotell Fjället, Abisko Guesthouse, or STF Abisko Turiststation.

The provider allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if the weather forecast looks uncertain several days ahead, though they do not remove the risk of a disappointing sky on the actual night.

Plan to arrive ready for the cold, and keep your phone available for pickup updates. Since the exact timing can shift according to weather and daylight, flexibility is part of the deal.

The digital photos are included, not an optional extra. Ask how and when they will be delivered if you have a tight departure schedule after the tour. Most photo files have been transferred quickly, but at least one outing had delayed delivery.

Should you book the Abisko aurora car chase?

I would book it if you want the best chance of combining an aurora search with attractive photos of yourself beneath the sky. The small group, mobile route, warm drinks, and strong photography service make the $165 easier to justify than a basic ride to one viewpoint.

I would not book it expecting certainty. Clouds can win, the lights can stay faint, and the night can be bitterly cold. But if you accept those limits, this is a thoughtful choice for an Abisko stay, especially on a final night when you want a serious attempt rather than a quick look outside your hotel.

FAQ

How long does the aurora car chasing tour last?

The tour lasts three hours.

Where can I be picked up in Abisko?

Pickup is available at STF Abisko Turiststation, Abisko Mountain Lodge, Abisko Guesthouse, and Hotell Fjället.

Does the tour pick up from Kiruna?

No. Pickups from Kiruna are not included.

Are photographs included in the price?

Yes. A professional photographer guide takes photos during the tour, and all photos taken are provided in digital format.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Are warm drinks included?

Yes. Warm drinks are included. Some outings have also included hot lingonberry drinks with biscuits or cookies.

Can children under three join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under three.