Oslo

If you chose to FLY to/from another town in Norway the distance does not really matter. With time to get to/from airports, check-in time, security etc. one hour longer or shortes flying time does not matter.

It is alway a (slim) chance to travel for Northern Light - but the chances are a LOT higher in the norther third - and esecially if getting away from a west facing coast (clouds) and to a northfacing coast or better: inland - up north.

Remember that Oslo is south relative to Shetland Islands (if you are from UK) - would you go to Shetland Islands for NL?

If you decide to stay in Oslo, try the Anker Hostel, more or less in the city centre. If you decide to go to Tromsø there's no hostel up there, but a good place to stay is the ABC Nord Hotel, good value for money, friendly atmosphere, AND beeing a southener on can rent warm winter suits!

Oslo is expensive, but there's ways to cut costs. Buy food from supermarkets and cook yourself rather than using 7/11 or similar shops for lunch. For public transport go to 'Trafikanten' and buy the bus pass that the locals use, don't bother about the Oslo pass for tourists. Some museums have free entrance, some all week and others on certain weekdays. 'Holmenkollen' is a classic sight, take the T-bana and just walk around the area. A nice restaurant that won't use up all your money is Bella Napoli in Storgata. Vigelandsparken is moe or less an open air museum, lots of statues and people and in winter ski-school;)

Enjoy!

Oslo - Tromsø is about 3 hrs of flying each way. While there are chances (albeit slim) of catching northern lights further south, the considerable light pollution makes it far harder to catch it.

If your maim purpose with the trip is trying to catch some northern lights, I'd recommend the going the extra trek up above the polar circle.

Oslo-Tromsø is a 2 hr flight

Living in Canada, i have seen the Northern Lights as low as the 49th Parallel. Although the show is not nearly as bright. The issue with Oslo is more a matter of light "pollution". the brighter the lights, the less brilliant the show.

The issue with Tromso will be accommodation, there is nothing budget up there. As such, your free ticket will cost you a couple hundred dollars. As for the flight, Norwegian does it pretty cheaply.

It you want a chance at an amazing show, you could hop on the Hurtigruten for a Bodo to Tromso leg.

Bitten the bullet and booked a flight to tromso. Will be there for three days. any recommendations on things to do? for accommodation I can't afford the $100 hotels so couchsurfing for me!

For activities in Tromsø, check out Tromsø's winter program with about 80 daily activities, all departing from the city center from November 1 - March 31.

Edited by: visittromso

Seen the Northern Lights three times. The last was over one of the stave churches near Lillehammer.

The other sightings were at Aviemore in Scotland and above the motorway services station on the A1M near Washington, Tyne & Wear. The coincidence for these sighting was that they were both after gigs by the same artist at Aviemore and Newcastle-upon-Tyne...

ABC Nord Hotel, quite reasonable rates.