Tromso in December makes for a great seasonal getaway. Of course, it’s cold, but there’s nothing more like reindeer’s and snow to bring home the feeling of Christmas.
If you visit tromsø Norway in December, you’re likely to experience both and it’s a fantastic destination for northern lights holidays.
This article may contain compensated links. Please read my Disclaimer & Privacy policy for more info.
Where is Tromsø?
Tromso is the largest city in Northern Norway. Most of the city is on the island of Tromsøya which is connected to the mainland by the Tromso bridge.
Tromso Norway Weather
Given that Tromso sits 217 miles north of the arctic circle, you would imagine Tromso weather to be too challenging for a winter visit.
However, the climate in Tromso winter is not nearly as harsh as you would expect. Yes, Norway weather in December is cold. Still, if you pack the right clothes, you’ll find the Tromso temperature easy enough to handle.
Being in the artic circle does mean that the sun doesn’t rise. December time in Tromso is part of the polar night season, which begins on the November 27th and ends on January 15th.
While there won’t be any daylight or Tromso sunset, it’s not pitch black. There are twilight hours between 9 am and 2 pm, which is the best time to go Tromso sightseeing.
Things to do in Tromso in December
Tromso Norway is the largest city in the north of the country, but it’s still small enough that you can get around it in one day.
Tromso things to do are mostly on the perimeters of the city, and Tromso tours make it easy to experience the best of what’s on offer.
While you can arrange Tromso activities yourself, snow on the ground can make it challenging to get around if you’re not used to such conditions.
Below you find my guide of what to in Tromso in winter.
Tromso Norway Northern Lights
From Mid November to early March it’s possible to see Tromso northern lights.
While you can’t be guaranteed to see the Tromso aurora borealis, it is renowned for being one of the best destinations to view the spectacular display.
What do you need to see the northern lights tromsø?
Dark, clear skies – If the night is cloudy or there’s snowfall, its unlikely that you’ll see them
No light Pollution – If the night sky is clear the best spot to see the northern lights in Tromso is up mt Tromso which can be reached by the cable car. However, you stand a far better chance of seeing them if you travel outside of the city.
Local knowledge – You can’t beat the expertise of the locals. They know which are the best places to visit and those that organise Tromso northern lights tours regularly follow the weather patterns.
For the reasons given above, chasing the northern lights yourself is not recommended. While a Tromso aurora tour doesn’t come cheap, you stand a much higher chance of seeing them if you join a northern lights tour.
If witnessing the aurora borealis is the main reason for visiting Tromso in December, I recommend the following northern lights packages.
Best Northern Lights tours in Tromso in December
On our visit to Tromso, we participated in several Northern Lights tours with two different companies, Chasing Lights and Wandering Owl.
You can further information about Northern Lights tours by clicking here.
We also used both of these companies to book most of our Tromso day trips and can highly recommend them.
Whichever company you use, book tickets at least one month in advance as any Tromso Norway Northern Lights Tour is likely to sell out.
Chasing Lights
Chasing Lights organise several adventures to see the northern lights. The two most popular are the chase by bus and chase by minibus. If you’re considering going more than once, get a multi-trip ticket as its cheaper.
Chase by Bus
The Northern Lights chase by bus tour takes up to 50 enthusiastic tourists on a spacious and modern coach.
It’s worth noting that on any Aurora Borealis hunt you’ll spend several hours transiting from one place to another in search of the lights. Some trips even go as far as Finland in search of the best weather conditions.
The tour lasts between 6 to 10 hours and it can be as late, as 4 am when you return to Tromso. These trips are cheaper than many due to the large number of participants. However, the guides still seem to get around everyone to help you with your camera settings.
They will also take professional photographs of you and the northern lights which they’ll forward to you for free after the tour.
Chasing lights provide hot drinks, and hot water if you want to bring along a noodle pot or something similar. The coach has a restroom on board and heating so you can warm up after you aurora hunt stints outside.
It’s worth noting that this trip doesn’t provide you with additional clothing so make sure you wrap up warm.
Check out the what to wear section at the bottom of this post.
The company don’t provide you with a tripod, so you will have to bring your own. I have [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D7YWNDM” locale=”US” tag=”passportand0e-20″ cart=”n”]Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod [/easyazon_link] a which I highly recommend.
Its lightweight but sturdy and folds down small so it’s easy to carry. A tripod is essential if you want to get good photographs of the Northern Lights.
The bus tour gets fantastic reviews on Tripadvisor. Although no one can guarantee that you’ll see the lights the company has a 90% success rate, so the odds are in your favour.
Chase the Lights by Minibus
The Chase the northern Lights Minibus tour is a much more intimate experience.
The maximum group size is 12 people, and a professional photographer is on hand throughout the trip to help capture those unforgettable photos on your camera.
The tour departs at 5.30 pm and can last for up to 10 hours. A snowsuit and a pair of snow boots are provided to ensure that you stay warm and you’ll receive a hot meal and beverages.
Dietary requirements are catered for if you let them know in advance. The ticket price also includes the hire of a Manfrotto tripod, and there’s free wifi on board the minibus.
The company are excellent at finding clear skies, and the tour has an incredibly high success rate. You also get a portrait of yourself in the package.
Chasing Lights are a fantastic company that offers expert knowledge, great hospitality and an unforgettable experience.
I can’t praise them enough for the amazing time we had with them.
Wandering Owl
Wandering Owl specialises in small group tours with an emphasis on photography.
The Aurora Northern Lights tour takes a maximum of 15 people and travels into Finland if the conditions are not suitable in Norway.
The company plan your destination according to the weather forecasts, and they have an outstanding reputation for seeking out the best locations.
Once they find an ideal spot in the arctic wilderness, the guide builds a campfire, and they give you a cup of soup to enjoy while you wait for the light show to commence.
Your guide will provide you with all the advice you need on photographing the lights, and they’ll take some professional ones to keep as souvenirs.
Included in the price is thermal suits, boots, hats and mittens to ensure you stay warm.
The company can cater for dietary requirements if you let them know in advance and pick up from hotels and Air BnB’s in the Tromsøya area is free. It’s a fantastic trip which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend it.
While I highly recommend the companies above, below are a few other options that you might like to check out.
Alternative Northern Lights Chase Tromso Tours.
Northern Horizon offers the smallest group tours led by a knowledgeable guide and photographer.
Group sizes are between 1 and 8 people, and they provide thermal suits, boots and heat packs to ensure you stay warm. As with all the leading tour companies, Northern Horizon has the necessary equipment to seek out the best viewing locations on the day.
Once you arrive at your spot for the evening, the leader will light a campfire, and you can enjoy either lamb or veggie sausages with a hot drink.
Your guide will assist you with your photography, and you are welcome to use there tripod if you don’t have one. They’ll also take some professional photos which will be sent to you by email the next day.
Northern Lights Sailing Excursion
An alternative to land-based Aurora watching is a Northern Lights sailing tour onboard a yacht.
The trip takes up to 12 passengers on a three-hour cruise around the fjords of Tromso. The skippers are knowledgeable and will navigate to the best areas to see the lights.
Pukka travels who organise the journey will provide you with thermal suits, boots, hats and gloves. Still, the temperatures are colder out at sea, so make sure you wear proper winter clothing as well.
You can read more about what to wear at the end of this post.
The tour includes hot drinks and snacks and the use of a tripod.
Tromso 7 Day Unlimited Northern Lights Pass
To give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northen Lights you need to go on the chase for several nights. By booking a 7-day Aurora pass you’ll save heaps as it costs the same, or sometimes less than booking 2 trips.
Whale Watching Tromso
Humpback whales and orcas (killer whales) spend the winter months in the waters north of Tromso searching for the once plentiful herring.
Whale watching has received some bad press in recent years, as sustainable and eco-friendly tourism is on the increase.
If you do want to go whale watching, and I can highly recommend it consider opting for a tour that puts the welfare of the mammals first not the tourists.
The research by scientists shows that the engine noise from boats affects the whale’s song, which is their method of communication. The effect on this is enormous as it compromises them in finding food.
More vessels in the oceans of course also mean more pollution from the diesel- need I say more.
If you choose to go on a whale watching tour opt for a responsible tourist company such as Brim Explorer.
Their boat has a hybrid engine which allows them to get close to the whales using an electric motor that makes no noise. Hence the name of their tour Silent Whale watching.
The team on board are incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about whales. During the trip, they’ll give you an exciting insight into the whales seen within the fjords.
The boat has an underwater drone that they use to capture images and a hydrophone so that you can hear the whales sing. Their song is beautiful, and many would say hypnotic.
It’s a magical experience if the whales come up to the surface within viewing distance of the boat. While the team cannot guarantee it, they do their best to find them using their specialist onboard equipment.
The silent whale watching trip lasts between 6-7 hours, depending on how far the boat travels to find the whales. The crew are as excited as the passengers if a pod comes into sight and are happy to stay longer to watch and observe them.
Book a Silent Whale Watching Trip Here through TripAdvisor
OR Click here to book through Get your Guide.
Dog Sledding Tromso December
Husky Dogs are cute alright but let me tell you as soon as they are hooked up to their harnesses they love to run. Controlling the sleigh and the dogs is not easy, but its great fun if you don’t mind falling off.
It takes more skill than you think and at first the dogs will be the ones in charge, but once you learn how to control the break, being pulled along through the snow by husky dogs is incredible.
If you’re worried about animal cruelty, you’ll discover straight away that husky dogs love to run, it’s in there blood. There are no whips involved like horse riding as soon as you lift the break they’re off without any encouragement from yourself.
They absolutely love it and mushers will tell you if you don’t get to see for yourself that the dogs get excited as soon as the harnesses are attached.
Dog sledding is a way of life in the artic, and the dogs have been used for centuries to help indigenous pupil get around. Huskies are a special breed and a working dog just like a sheepdog.
They are not only cute and incredibly soft; they have a tremendous amount of energy. As soon as the sledges are ready, they can’t wait to get away.
While you might read elsewhere that riding a husking sledge is easy, trust me, it’s rather challenging. From my experiences in Patagonia and in Norway, it takes more energy than you think.
It’s colder than you can imagine and because you have to wear so many layers, your movements are more restricted.
It’s not uncommon to find yourself in the snow because the sledge didn’t quite go round the corner as the dogs did and the dogs don’t stop if you fall off, which of course means you end up running after them.
On well-organised tours you’ll find an experienced musher at the front of the group who will immediately help should you find your sledge disappearing into the distance.
For me, I’ve usually started to get the hang of things just in time to return to base. It’s only during the last few miles I enjoy the experience and finally get to appreciate the scenery.
If this all sounds too much of a challenge don’t be put off, take a tour which allows you to be a passenger and not a driver. That way you’ll get to enjoy the stunning mountain views and vistas along the way.
With an experienced musher, the chances of falling off are slim so you’ll stay much warmer and enjoy the experience far more.
If your still not sure opt for a reindeer sledge ride instead, these offer a more relaxing experience.
Reindeer and Sami Cultural Experience
Traditions are different throughout the world, and the Sami people rely on the reindeer to survive. They feed off the meat, make cloths from the skin and use the animals to travel through the snow.
Living in the arctic conditions is challenging, but they have developed a way of survival over the past 5000 years.
They hold a great deal of respect for the reindeer as you will discover on Tromso trips to the camp.
Tromso Arctic Reindeer run the experience regardless of who you book through. On a visit here you’ll learn all about the Sami culture and the history of reindeer sledging.
Want to know if this trip is worth the money? Check out my review here!
You can then feed the reindeers and go on on sledge ride. Afterwards, you can warm up and tuck into a delicious bowl of soup and then gather around the fire in a lavuu (Sami tent) to listen to stories and hear a traditional Sami song.
Reindeer Sledding
What better month to go on a reindeer sledge ride than December? We chose to take a trip on Christmas Day to give that extra magical touch to our Festive celebrations. Ropes attached to the reindeer’s harness, and unlike Rudolph who flies through the air, most reindeers trot along quite slowly.
It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds you, and of course, take some fantastic pictures.
It’s fun and dares I say it a romantic thing to do at Christmas. Reindeer rides are usually offered as part of Sami Culture trip if you’re keen to do one.
Snowshoeing – Hiking on Snow
The snow in Tromso makes hiking a challenge if not impossible during the winter months, but if walking is something you enjoy snowshoeing is lots of fun.
Snow Shoeing is hiking in snow, and it’s a great way to enjoy the magnificent vistas and the snow in a Tromso winter.
The weather can change quickly in the arctic circle, so its best to go on an organised trip. Tour companies that specialise in snowshoeing keep a watchful eye on the forecasts and can plan routes accordingly.
It’s usually mandatory for you to wear the unique clothing and boots that they provide to ensure that you stay warm enough during the adventure. Some companies include these in the price while others charge a rental fee.
However, snowshoes and poles usually are included for free.
Walking in snowshoes takes a little getting used to, and you do need a good level of fitness if you’re going to participate in some of the longer adventures.
Fishing in Tromso
The winter months are the best time to visit Tromso if you want to go fishing. Polar Adventures give you the opportunity to join local fishermen on a three and half hour fishing trip.
Out at sea, migrating cod fill the water off the coast of Tromso, and they bite best during the winter. All fishing equipment, thermal suits and boots are provided plus you’ll get angling tips to help you get the best catch of the day. Any fish caught can be cooked up and served for lunch before you return to Tromso.
Fjellheisen Cable Car Ride
To get the best view over Tromso you have to take a ride on the cable up Storsteinen. Two gondolas depart from Solliveien, which is approximately a 45-minute walk from the centre.
If you are visiting during the winter months and don’t have a car, you can catch the No 26 bus or take a tour from Tromso city centre.
The viewing point is 421 metres above sea level, and the cable car takes only 4 minutes to do the climb. In the winter ( Aug to May) the gondolas run every 30 minutes between 10 am and 11 pm.
At the top, the views are exquisite; however, to experience them at there most beautiful, make sure you take the trip on a clear day and before 11 am.
In winter the polar night means that its dark after 1 pm so it’s not worth making the trip in the afternoon. In the evening, however, it is possible to see the northern lights from the viewing platform, and it’s worth making the journey if the conditions are right.
You can download my aurora forecast app, which is not always accurate, but it can be useful as an indication.
Fjellstua Café
If the cold gets too much for you, head to the Fjellstua Café, which serves hot beverages and tasty snacks. It’s an excellent place to try a reindeer burger or stew. They also serve the traditional Tromso Christmas drink gløgg during December.
As its one of the popular things to do in Tromso, the viewing platform can feel congested. If you want to escape the crowds, you can hike to the very top of Mt. Fløya. It’s not an easy trek as the snow is often deep so you’ll need the correct gear which includes snow boots, crampons and walking poles.
Ticket Price
| Return Adult Ticket | 230 NOK |
| Return Family Ticket | 390 NOK |
| Ticket Price for Students return | 210 NOK |
Tromsø Museums to Visit
Tromso winter activities are not just about outdoor activities if the cold is too much for you; there are several excellent museums worth visiting.
Visiting the museum is also a great way of entertaining yourself during the afternoon when its dark.
Polar museum
Tromso’s polar museum takes you on a guided tour of life in the artic. The leading exhibition has information on sealing and exciting stories on artic trapping.
In the late 19th Century Tromso was the base for many arctic expeditions, and there are some fascinating artefacts on display. These include items which famous explorers Nansen and Amundsen used in their attempts to reach the ice fields of Greenland and the North Pole.
The Polarmuset is in Tromso city centre on Søndre Tollbodgate on the seafront close to the waterfront area.
The museum is in a traditional 1830’s warehouse, and its open between 11 am and 5 pm during the winter months.
Entrance Fee for the Polar Museum
| Adults | 70 NOK |
| Children | 35 NOK |
| Students and Seniors | 35 NOK |
Perspektivet Museum
One of the things that you must see on a visit here is the stunning array of photographs that give an invaluable historical insight into Tromso’s history from the mid-1800s to today.
Uniquely you can download much of the collection can be downloaded for free and visitors are encouraged to share the town’s history via these photographs on Flickr. There are also temporary exhibitions which change regularly.
The museum is open Tuesday- Friday 10 am till 4 pm and between 11 am and 5 pm at the weekends.
It is closed from the 24th till December 26th and on New Year’s eve and new years day.
The stunning neoclassical building is on Storgata 95 and its free to visit.
Tromso University Museum
Northern lights enthusiasts should visit here as you can learn all about the Aurora physics and the myths that people associate with them.
The museum offers a guided tour of their Northern Lights plasma chamber which includes watching an award-winning film and a free takeaway book on the Aurora Borealis.
Tours start at 2 pm and cost 270 NOK. You have to book in advance which you can do by emailing booking@tmu.uit.no
The museum itself is only small. Still, there’s some interesting information about the Sami culture which is worth reading if you aren’t able to take a Sami cultural tour.
The entrance fee is 70 NOK for adults and 140 NOK for a family ticket.
MS Polstjerna
Moens Båtbyggeri built MS Polstjerna and the seal-hunting vessel that made its maiden voyage in 1949. The ship was operational until 1981 and it’s on display near the harbour at Hjalmar Johansens gate 12.
It takes approximately 10 minutes to walk there from the centre of Tromso, and the glass building is easily visible as you approach. The exhibition closes during the winter months, but you can see the ship through the glass windows.
Arctic Cathedral
The contemporary building of Tromsdalen church is more often than not referred to as the Arctic cathedral.
It’s on the east side of the city about 1km from the town centre. You can take bus numbers 20 or 24 to get there. Architect Jan Inge Hovig designed the building which many refer to as the opera house of Norway.
The spectacular and stunningly beautiful glass window was a late addition in 1972 by Victor Sparre. Visitors stand in awe as they enter and see the image of gods hand with its three rays of light that point to Jesus, man and women.
The interior is stunning with chandeliers that glisten on the oak pews. There’s a magnificent organ which has 2940 pipes and 42 stops which you can hear if you attend one of the regular musical concerts.
To discover what’s on during your trip, visit their website.
During the winter months, the cathedral is open between 2 pm and 6 pm although it’s closed except for services on 24th,25th and 26th December.
| Entrance Fee | 50 NOK |
| Northern Lights Concert | 195 NOK |
| Organ Concert | 80 NOK |
| New Years Eve Concert | 350 NOK |
Tromso cathedral
The Tromso Domkirke church is the only cathedral made from wood in Norway. The architect Christian Heinrich Grosch designed the building in a gothic style in 1861, and it seats approximately 600 people.
It’s a quaint yellow building that’s worth a visit. If nothing else you can claim that you’ve been to the most northern protestant cathedral in the world.
The cathedral is open Monday-Friday from 11.30 am till 4 pm, and entrance costs 20 NOK for adults.
Children are free, and there are services in English every Sunday.
The Christmas service is on 26th at 5 pm, and the church is in the heart of the city on Storgata.
Mack Brewery at Ølhallen pub
The mack brewery has been making beers since 1877, and from Monday to Friday at 3.30 pm and Saturday at 2.30 pm, you can take a guided tour.
The tour lasts for 60 minutes and costs 180 NOK. It includes a generous tasting, an informative presentation on the ingredients they use in the brewing process and a tour around the microbrewer.
The brewery is the most northern one in the world and tours depart from the Ølhallen pub on Storgata 4. Fishermen and local people have been drinking here for decades, and this iconic landmark now serves 72 different taps of beer.
If you don’t fancy taking the tour of the microbrewery you good go for a tasting session. For 400 NOK you get a generous sampling of 5 different Mack beers.
You can check out their website for more information on bookings
Polaria Arctic Experience
Polaria is an Artic experience that allows you to see bearded seals up close. Feeding time is 12.30 pm or 3.30 pm, so make sure you head to the aquarium to watch these gorgeous mammals devour their fish.
They also have an aquarium full of fish, and a walkway with informative displays on how the ice fields in the world are shrinking.
There are also some exhibits which include interesting information about the Aurora Borealis.
If you’re not travelling with kids, the two films that you can watch are the best reason to visit.
One is one the spectacle of the Norwegian northern lights which hopefully you will witness yourself during your time in Tromso Norway.
The other is on Svalbard and the Arctic Wilderness. It shows the stunning scenery along the west coast of Spitsbergen at Svalbard.
Entrance Fee to Polaria
| Adults | 145 NOK |
| Families | 315 NOK |
| Children | 70 NOK |
| Students | 80 NOK |
| Seniors | 95 NOK |
Its open throughout the whole of December, including Christmas Day from 10 am till 6 pm. On December 24th it closes slightly earlier at 4 pm.
Polaria is near MS Polstjerna on Hjalmar Johansens gate near the harbour. It takes around 10 minutes to walk there from Tromso centre.
Skansen
The buildings at Skansen are the oldest in Tromso city and have had many uses over the centuries. The origin of Skansen is not fully known. Still, carbon dating shows that there has been human activity here since the 13th Century.
The main building at Skansen is the old custom’s station which was built in 1789 and smaller buildings surround it. You can also see remnants of the medieval fortifications.
Skansen is off on Søndre Tollbodgate on Skansegata opposite the Polar museum. While it’s not one of the main Tromso attractions, it’s worth a quick look if you’re visiting the museum and there’s a delightful cafe if you need a hot drink and a break from the cold weather.
Tromsø Kunstforening – The centre for Contemporary Art
Since 1877 Tromso has had an art association, and it regularly hosts exhibitions. You can check their website for the latest collections and if you’re visiting Polaria its worth the short walk to Kunstforening on Muségata 2 to admire the beautiful 19th-century building.
Tromso Ice Domes
Compared to the ice bar I visited in Ushuaia and the ice palace in Jungfraujoch, the ice domes in Tromso phenomenal.
Not only can you visit the ice cinema, have a drink in the ice bar, dine at the ice restaurant, but you can also even stay inside the hotel that’s made from, guess what? ICE.
The whole place is a magical winter wonderland. On the guided tour, you learn all about how the construction of the ice hotel and the northern wilderness that surrounds you.
From Tromso, it takes 75 minutes by car to reach the Tamok Valley and the ice hotel.
A tour to the Tromso Ice Domes includes transport from Tromso town centre and a non-alcoholic drink in the ice bar. You get time to purchase a meal in the restaurant and feed the reindeer before you leave.
If you get too cold, you can warm up in front of the fire inside the traditional Sami wooden hut next door.
Where to stay in Tromso, Norway
When it comes to accommodation, it’s no secret that the best hotels in Tromso Norway don’t come cheap. However, several Tromso hotels come with stunning scenic views.
If you want to be close to the main street Storgata, the Radisson Blu Hotel is an excellent choice. The hotel has a couple of restaurants including Yonas Pizzeria, which serves fantastic pizzas. There’s a fitness centre and sauna on-site, but parking is only available on the street.
If you would prefer to stay by the waterfront, the Clarion Hotel The Edge is a 4-star establishment which has a sky bar and rooftop terrace with magnificent views.
For self-catering places to stay in Tromso, Tromso city apartments are excellent and only 500 metres from the Arctic Cathedral. The Tromso cable car is also within easy walking distance. The kitchen has everything you need to prepare a meal, and there’s a dishwasher to make cleaning up that much easier.
If you’re on a budget the best place to stay in Tromso is the Comfort Hotel Express which is only a minutes walk from Storgata. The hotel offers simple guests rooms with Wifi, and there’s an onsite 24hour shop where you can purchase snacks and food for breakfast.
Where to stay in Tromso to see the northern lights
To give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights its best to hire a car and stay away from the city lights.
The Aurora Studio apartment is highly recommended and has ski to door access and free parking. The apartment is in a quiet and peaceful location that’s close to a lake and perfect for aurora watching.
The kitchen has everything you need to prepare a meal and, the interior is modern. There’s also underfloor heating ensures that it’s warm.
How to get to Tromso
There are a few ways to reach Tromso, these including flying, cruising or by train. The easiest and quickest way in December is to fly.
Flights to Tromso Norway
There are direct flights from some European cities, but often flights will go via Oslo. We originally booked with Norwegian Air, but the company cancelled our flights due to cutbacks.
Our money was refunded, and we were able to book with SAS air which has regular flights to Tromso.
Flight cancellations can ruin a holiday which is why travel insurance is essential to have even while you’re in the booking process.
To get the best flights, I also use Skyscanner or Momondo. You can enter your start and end destination in both websites, and it will bring you up the flight options either for your date of travel or you can use it to search the cheapest flights by month.
Hurtigruten Cruise
When we initially started planning our Tromso Christmas break the plan was to take a cruise through the Fjords with Hurtigruten.
While it’s not cheap, it sounded like the best way to see the Northern Lights. However, on further research through TripAdvisor and other review forums, it would seem that there a few downsides to consider if travelling in December.
The first is that the Polar Night means that its dark for most of the time, so those spectacular views of the fjords won’t be visible. If you look at the ships docking times at Port they are also at times when it will be dark so sightseeing around places would be less appealing.
Secondly, the sea can be quite rough at this time of year and its not uncommon for people to get seasick on this cruise in December. I didn’t want to take the risk.
I’ve heard good things about the Hurtigruten Cruise, but for me, that’s a summer adventure.
Travel by Train to Tromso
Reaching Tromso if you’re not flying is time-consuming as there is no direct Oslo to Tromso train. Tromso isn’t connected by train so you would need to take a bus for the last section of the journey.
From the Capital, Oslo it takes over 24 hours, and you have to change trains at Trondheim, to get to Fauske. From Fauske, you can catch a bus to Narvik and then from there a bus to Tromso.
Driving to Tromso
Of course, you can drive to Tromso with your car, but the winter weather can make roads hazardous. From Oslo, the quickest way to reach Tromso by car is via Sweden, but it’s a long journey that would take the best part of 24 hours.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, if you are visiting in winter you may wish to have a read of this article on what to wear in Norway to stay warm.
Passport and Piano is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Hi, I’m Fiona Berry- I live in Lancashire in the North of England, but my job as an instrumental music examiner takes me all over the world. Travel has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to experience different cultures, make new friends and see extraordinary sights. Through this blog, I share my knowledge and expertise so that my readers have all the resources they require to ensure their travels provide unique and unforgettable memories to destinations that are beyond the ordinary.
Find me on: Web
Thanks so much for all of this information! you’ve made my trip planning very easy!