Not every aurora evening needs to be a five-hour expedition. Some of our favourite nights have been simple ones: a fire, a warm drink, a dark sky and good company. If you want the northern lights without a marathon, the campfire tour is the one we suggest first.

It is also the lowest-priced aurora option we link to, which makes it a natural choice for budget-conscious couples, families and groups. Below we explain what the Northern Lights Tour at the Campfire5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 includes, how it compares with the hunting tours and who should choose something else.

Why the campfire tour exists

Aurora tours come in different styles. Some chase the sky across long distances; others settle in one carefully chosen place and let you enjoy the evening around a fire. The campfire tour belongs to the second group, and it has a loyal following for good reason.

It is easy. You do not spend hours in a vehicle, you do not need to stay up until the early morning and you can bring children or less mobile family members without worrying about the length of the evening. It is also gentle on the budget, starting from €99 per adult.

The trade-off is flexibility. A tour that stays in one place cannot move far to find holes in the cloud. That is not a flaw, but it should shape your expectations and your choice.

A word on timing: the best months for aurora in Rovaniemi run from late autumn into March, with long dark evenings that suit a short outing. You do not need deep winter to enjoy a campfire evening, though snow adds to the atmosphere. If you are travelling soon, check the live calendar for open dates.

What the tour includes

The campfire tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 lasts about 3 hours and is rated easy. According to the product page you get a guide in English, with other languages available on request and limited availability, winter clothing including overalls, boots, gloves and socks, local snacks and drinks by the campfire, and information about the northern lights.

Booking cut-off is 3 hours before the start time. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the activity. The page also lists minimum numbers: at least 2 people on weekdays and Saturdays, and a higher minimum on some other days, so check your date in the live calendar.

Always read the live terms before you pay. They are the final word, not our summary.

Check campfire tour dates & prices →

Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

The snacks and drinks by the fire are simple local fare, and they matter more than you would think. A hot drink in cold hands is half the experience. If you have allergies or dietary needs, mention them when you book and confirm by message before the tour.

Campfire tour or bus hunt?

The bus hunt is the better choice if your main goal is to maximise the chance of seeing the aurora. The bus hunting tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 runs about 5 hours from €109 per adult and moves toward clearer sky. It also lists a 100% refund if no aurora photos are captured.

The campfire tour is the better choice if you want a shorter, cosier evening and you are happy to accept more dependence on local weather. The price difference is small, so decide on style, not cost.

If both are possible, our rule is simple. Cloudy forecast and flexible dates: choose the bus hunt. Clear forecast and a relaxed mood: the campfire is lovely. Not sure: read our cloudy forecast guide.

Compare with the bus hunt →

Another way to decide is to think about what you will regret. If you would regret not trying everything for a good sky, choose the bus. If you would regret a stressful evening with tired children, choose the fire. There is no wrong answer, only a match to your mood.

If you are travelling in a group with mixed ages, the campfire format is often easier to manage. Grandparents can sit by the fire, teenagers can wander to the edge of the light and everyone is within a few steps of the same warm spot.

Who the campfire tour suits best

Couples who want a romantic evening, families with children who can stay up for a few hours, small groups of friends on a budget, and anyone who dislikes long vehicle journeys will enjoy this tour. It also suits visitors who have already seen the aurora and simply want another evening under the sky.

It is also a very good second-night option. If you chase the lights with the bus hunt on night one and the sky is only partly kind, a short campfire evening on night two is an easy, inexpensive try.

We would not choose it as the only plan for a trip of one or two nights if seeing the aurora is the main reason you came. In that case, a hunting tour is safer.

Solo travellers also like it. A small group around a fire is a friendly way to meet people, and the guide tends to keep conversation easy. If you are travelling alone, mention it when you book so the team can advise on how the evening works.

Finally, it suits people who value atmosphere over statistics. The tour is about being outside at night in Lapland, not about collecting a specific number of photos. Guests who arrive with that mindset leave the happiest.

What the evening feels like

Think of a quiet forest clearing, a fire, a few benches, hot drinks and the sound of people talking softly. When the sky is clear, the aurora can appear as a pale green arc and slowly change shape. When it is cloudy, the evening still has value: the guide explains how the aurora works, you eat and talk, and the stars sometimes appear in gaps.

Children usually enjoy the fire more than the sky, and that is fine. Marshmallows and warm juice go a long way. Adults tend to relax within minutes.

We do not describe specific places or promise a particular view; the exact location and programme are shown in your booking confirmation.

If the aurora does show up, stay put and look up. It can fade and return several times in an hour. Many guests tell us the second appearance was better than the first, so do not rush back to the vehicle at the first sign of cloud.

What to wear and bring

Winter clothing is provided, but your own base layers and socks are important. Evening temperatures can be cold, and standing still by a fire is colder than moving around. Wool or synthetic layers, a hat, a neck gaiter and warm socks are the basics.

Bring a charged phone and a power bank. If you want photos of the aurora, a small tripod helps, though phone cameras on night mode are surprisingly capable now. Be patient: pictures need a steady hand and a few seconds.

Eat before you go. Snacks are included, but they are snacks, not dinner. Hungry guests get cold faster.

Cold feet are the most common complaint. Wiggle your toes, shift from foot to foot and use the vehicle or warm area when you need it. Nobody is keeping score.

Cost, booking and combining it

At €99 per adult, two people spend €198 before the discount. A family of four with two adults and two children should check the live page for child prices. It is among the cheapest ways to be out under the northern sky.

If you want to add something, the Northern Lights Tour in Atmospheric Cottage5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is a 3-hour tour from €109, and the Northern Lights Tour Sleigh Ride5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is a 4-hour tour from €109. Both add a different twist to the evening.

For a bigger plan, we collected ideas in our guide to activities in Rovaniemi.

Check cottage tour dates →

Lastly, book early if your dates are in the busy weeks around Christmas and New Year, and keep the weather in mind. Your confirmation email explains pickup and start time for your date.

A last budgeting note: do not forget transfers. Check whether pickup is included for your date, and if not, plan a taxi back to your hotel after a late evening. It is an easy detail to miss and a much nicer end to the night when sorted in advance.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the campfire tour?
About 3 hours according to the product page, with a guide, winter clothing, snacks and drinks by the campfire.

How much does it cost?
From €99 per adult. Live prices and child rates are shown in the booking calendar.

Is it better than the bus hunt?
Different, not better. The bus hunt moves toward clear skies and lists a refund if no aurora photos are captured; the campfire tour is shorter, cosier and cheaper.

Is there a minimum number of guests?
The listing shows minimum numbers, which differ by day of the week. Check your date in the live calendar.

Can children come?
The tour is easy and family-friendly, but check the live booking page for age details and make sure younger children can manage a late evening.

How do I get 5% off?
Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout. It is the only code we use and applies to every StayLapland tour.

Our final pick

Book the campfire tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 if you want a cosy, short and affordable aurora evening. It is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the northern night, particularly for families and couples.

Skip it if you only have one chance and want the best odds. In that case the bus hunt is the better pick. Either way, type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off and check the calendar below.

Check dates & book the campfire tour →