People ask whether a private northern lights hunt is "worth it". It is a fair question at €1,990, and the answer is clearer when you do the sums. We will do them honestly here, including the awkward part: for a normal group, the private tour is more expensive per person.

See {HUB} for the full range of tours.

The arithmetic

The bus hunt is from €109 per adult, the small group hunt from €199, and the private hunt €1,990 for the tour. Divide €1,990 by €109 and you get about 18 people; divide it by €199 and you get 10. The small group hunt is capped at eight, so even a full small group costs €1,592 before the discount, less than the private tour. For a private tour to cost less per head than the bus, you would need more than 18 guests, and you should check the maximum group size in the booking window.

So price alone does not justify the private tour.

Prices here are the starting prices shown on the product pages. Child prices and any supplements appear in the live calendar, so use the arithmetic as a guide rather than a quote. The point stands, though: private tours are priced for the privilege of having the evening to yourselves.

What the extra money buys

The product details describe a private tour for your party only, with a professional guide and photographer, winter clothing for adults and children, and information about the northern lights. The value is control: you choose pace, stop length and mood, and you are not waiting for other people. It suits proposals, anniversaries, families with a very young child, and anyone who dislikes groups.

Check dates and prices for the private hunt →

Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

Think about the things a group cannot give you. You can ask the guide to stay longer at a spot where the sky is brightening, you can take photos at your own pace, and you do not have to wait for strangers to return to the vehicle. A private tour can also be easier for a family with a baby or a child who falls asleep early, because you can adapt around them. Whether that matters to you is personal, and it is the honest reason to pay more.

Language is another plus: the listing mentions that other languages are available on request with limited availability, so message the operator after booking if you need one.

The small group alternative

The small group hunt5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 keeps numbers between two and eight, includes a guide and photographer and clothing, and can be booked up to one hour before the start. For most couples and families, it delivers 90% of the private experience at a tenth of the price.

Check the small group hunt →

The small group cap of eight keeps the evening personal. In practice that means a guide who knows everyone's name and a photographer who can spend a few minutes on each person. If you are two or four people, this is the format we would choose for a special night without the private price.

The bus hunt

The bus hunt5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is from €109, about five hours, with weather-based routing and professional photos included, and a stated 100% refund if no aurora photos are captured. It is the best value, and the weather-based routing is the same idea.

The bus is a larger group, so it feels more like an organised outing, but the professional photos are a real bonus and the refund condition is strong. For a solo traveller or a budget trip, nothing else beats it.

Who should book private

If you are proposing, celebrating a milestone, travelling with a very anxious child, or need accessibility flexibility, private is the sensible choice. We covered the scenarios in private aurora hunt for honeymoon or proposal and private versus small group for a family of five.

Consider also the size of your party. If you are six people, the small group tour would cost around €1,194 at starting prices, still well below the private price. If you are eight, about €1,592. The private tour only starts to make sense on cost if the party is large enough, and you should check the maximum number allowed.

Cancellation and risk

The private tour lists free cancellation up to seven days before. Because the price is high, read the full terms and think about weather and flexibility before booking, since you cannot control the sky. See is the guarantee actually guaranteed.

Do not forget the weather: no tour can control cloud. A seven-day cancellation window on a €1,990 booking means you should plan your dates carefully, and buy travel insurance that covers cancellation if you can.

Splitting the cost between friends

If you travel with friends and no one minds a late night, the cost per person depends on group size and the maximum allowed. For many groups the small group tour remains cheaper. We covered the maths in four friends splitting the cost.

A final thought on splitting: also factor in the late night. Six friends who are all happy to be out until the small hours will have a great time on a private tour. A mixed group with a sleepy child may prefer a shorter format such as the cottage tour.

Frequently asked questions

Is the private tour ever cheaper per person?
Only for very large parties; check the maximum group size in the booking window.

What is included?
A private tour for your party, a professional guide and photographer, winter clothing, and aurora information, according to the listing.

What is the cancellation policy?
The listing states free cancellation up to seven days before the activity; read the conditions in the booking window.

Is the aurora guaranteed?
No one controls the sky. The operator describes a guaranteed attempt; check the conditions.

Which tour is best value?
The bus hunt from €109 is the best value, and the small group hunt from €199 offers a smaller group.

Is there a discount?
Yes. Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off any StayLapland tour booked through our links.

Our pick

If you value control and privacy, book the private hunt5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5. Otherwise take the small group tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5. Use HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off. See our Rovaniemi activities hub.