This guide is built from our own winters in the Arctic and from the live Legendary Adventure tour pages in Tromsø — prices, pickup times and what is included come straight from the operator, never invented.

Why March Is Underrated for the Aurora

Most first-timers think of December and January as aurora season, because that is when the nights are longest. But the aurora does not need the deepest polar night. It needs darkness, clear sky and solar activity, and Tromsø has all three in March.

By March the evenings are no longer pitch black at 15:00, which is a relief if you are travelling with older relatives or children who are not thrilled by an afternoon that feels like midnight. You can walk the town in daylight, take a morning tour, have lunch, and still be in the dark for a 19:00 pickup. That rhythm makes a trip feel less like endurance and more like a holiday.

The snow is typically still deep in March, which means the landscapes on the daytime tours are as wintry as in January. For many travellers it is the best of both worlds: real Arctic winter, with a gentler daily schedule.

The Equinox Effect: What Is True and What Is Hype

You will often read that the weeks around the March and September equinoxes bring stronger aurora. There is a basis for this: geomagnetic activity tends to be somewhat higher around the equinoxes, a pattern researchers have discussed for decades. But it is a tendency, not a guarantee, and no tour operator can promise a display on a given night.

What we say to friends is simple. Treat the equinox as a small bonus on top of the main factors, which are clear sky and enough darkness. A clear Tuesday in mid-March with modest activity will beat a cloudy equinox night every time. That is why a flexible chase, where the guide drives to where the sky is open, matters more than any date on the calendar.

Pickup Times and Daylight on a March Trip

The Northern Lights Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 departs from outside Clarion Hotel The Edge at 19:00 (18:30 from 25 October, according to the operator’s listing). In March it is dark enough by then for the chase to start with the drive, and the sky usually gets properly dark during the first leg. Check the live calendar for your date, because pickup times can differ by season.

The tour is listed at 5–8 hours, so the return time depends on the weather. A clear patch close to town can mean an earlier finish, and a long drive means a later one. With longer days in March, the daytime plan is easier: you can enjoy a 10:00 tour, rest in the afternoon, and still be in good shape for the evening.

How Many Nights Should You Book in March?

We always recommend at least three nights in Tromsø, with the chase booked on night one or two. A single attempt is a bet on one night’s weather. Two attempts roughly double your chances, and three gives you a comfortable margin. The cost of a second chase is real, at NOK 2,300 per person for the shared tour, but compared with flights and hotels it is the cheapest insurance on the trip.

If your budget is tight, book one chase early in the stay. If the first night is cloudy or quiet, you still have the option to rebook another night, subject to the 48-hour cancellation rule: cancel more than 48 hours before for a full refund, and inside 48 hours the full price is charged. Our guide on booking two northern lights tours or one walks through the maths.

Shared Chase or Private Van in March

The shared Northern Lights Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 takes 2–8 guests in a premium Mercedes-Benz vehicle with a local guide, a winter suit, a warm meal, snacks and hot drinks. It suits couples, friends and solo travellers.

The Private Northern Lights Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 costs NOK 15,000 per group and takes up to 8 guests of all ages. You choose the pickup location at checkout. For a family or a group of friends it can work out similar to the shared price per head, and you control the pace. March is also a popular time for families because of the lighter days and Easter timing, which is another reason to book early.

Pair It With a Daytime Tour

A March trip works best when you mix day and night. The Arctic Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 leaves at 10:00, takes 4 hours and starts from NOK 1,500 per person (ages 10+ recommended). The Sommarøy & Kvaløya Scenic Fjord Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is 5–6 hours with lunch, from NOK 2,100 per person. Both leave in the morning, leaving the afternoon free to rest before the 19:00 chase. Our summary of the classic winter day shows how it fits together.

If you would rather combine a night-time outing that includes snowshoeing, the Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 leaves at 18:30, runs 4 hours and includes snowshoe rental, snacks and a hot drink. It is a different format from the chase, so we would not treat it as a replacement if the aurora is your top priority.

What to Wear and Bring

Dress as you would for any Tromsø winter evening. The winter suit is included in the northern lights tour, so you need warm base layers, wool socks and boots with room for thick socks. Add a hat, gloves and a neck warmer. Bring a power bank and keep your phone inside a pocket until you need it. March can still be cold in the field, so do not assume the milder days in town carry over to a clearing in the hills.

For the full list, read our what to wear in Tromsø guide.

How to Book With the Hungrytravelfamily Discount

Pick your tour, choose your date in the booking calendar, and enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 in the promo-code field at checkout for 5% off. It works on tours booked online on Legendary Adventure’s own booking page. We are Legendary Adventure’s partner and may earn a commission, and it never changes your price.

For more ideas on how to fill your days, see our guide to activities in Tromsø.

FAQ

Our Honest Final Word

March is the sensible traveller’s aurora month. You get real winter, longer days, a gentler schedule and a good chance at a strong sky, as long as you give yourself more than one night. Book the chase early in your stay, add one daytime tour, and keep a spare evening for a second attempt.

Book the Northern Lights Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 or the Private Northern Lights Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 and use HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout.

5% off · code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5

Our Tromsø March picks

Tap a tour to see live dates and prices. Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 in the promo-code field at checkout for 5% off.

Small group · 5-8 HoursNorthern Lights TourFrom NOK 2 300 per personBook with 5% off →Private · 5-8 HoursPrivate Northern Lights TourFrom NOK 15 000 per group (private)Book with 5% off →Small group · 4 HoursArctic Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 1 500 per personBook with 5% off →Small group · 5-6 HoursSommarøy & Kvaløya Scenic Fjord TourFrom NOK 2 100 per personBook with 5% off →

Code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 works on every Legendary Adventure tour booked online. We are Legendary Adventure’s partner and may earn a small commission — it never changes your price.