Tromso
Tromso Trip Planner
If you’re visiting the Capital of the Arctic for the first time or you want to plan the ultimate Northern Lights getaway, you need this Tromso trip planner. Below, you’ll find everything you need to plan a trip to Tromso, from the best activities and hotels, to what to pack and how to get around.
Planning a Tromso trip step-by-step
There are countless things to do in Tromso, from chasing the Northern Lights to reindeer sledding and scenic hikes. There are also lots of museums and attractions to discover, so check out the top activities in Tromso below!
Tromsø Northern Lights tours may be the most popular, but there are lots of other incredible excursions in Tromso. Whether you want a sporty adventure, a whale-watching cruise, or a chance to explore the natural landscapes, we’ve got you covered.
Northern Lights in Tromso - Fact Sheet
You’ll have the highest chances of seeing the aurora if you book one of the best Northern Lights tours from Tromso.
Check out our tips on how to see the Northern Lights in Norway, including when to go and where to see the most beautiful displays.
Plan your trip for the best time to see the Northern Lights, when the sky conditions and solar activity are optimal.
Find out what makes Tromso one of the top places to see the Northern Lights.
If you want to photograph the Northern Lights, read our tips to help you capture stunning images of the aurora borealis.
Check out our lineup of the best cameras for Northern Lights photography with the perfect settings and lenses to shoot the Green Lady.
Stay at one of the best Northern Lights hotels in Norway for an unforgettable adventure and a comfortable place to watch the show!
Don’t forget to check the Northern Lights forecast so you get the best light conditions possible!
The best time to visit Tromso depends on what you want to do. There are lots of things to do in Tromso in summer, thanks to the midnight sun and the nice weather. However, if you go during winter, you can see the Northern Lights and wild orcas, and of course, spend Christmas in Tromso!
Tromso weather by month
To help you plan your trip, below is a chart of Tromso temperature and weather by month:
Hours of daylight | 1-2 hrs | 7 hrs | 11-12 hrs | 16-17 hrs | 22-23 hrs | 24 hrs | 23-24 hrs | 17-18 hrs | 13 hrs | 9 hrs | 3-4 hrs | 0 hrs |
Hours of sunshine | 0 hrs | 1 hrs | 4 hrs | 6 hrs | 7 hrs | 8 hrs | 7 hrs | 6 hrs | 3 hrs | 2 hrs | 0 hrs | 0 hrs |
Average low temp. | 22°F | 21°F | 25°F | 29°F | 37°F | 42°F | 48°F | 46°F | 42°F | 35°F | 29°F | 26°F |
Average temp. | 26°F | 26°F | 29°F | 35°F | 43°F | 48°F | 54°F | 52°F | 47°F | 39°F | 33°F | 30°F |
Average high temp. | 29°F | 30°F | 34°F | 40°F | 50°F | 55°F | 61°F | 59°F | 53°F | 43°F | 36°F | 33°F |
Days with precipitation | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 |
Average precipitation (rain + snow) | 456 mm | 450 mm | 307 mm | 190 mm | 69 mm | 61 mm | 77 mm | 75 mm | 93 mm | 180 mm | 275 mm | 375 mm |
Northern Lights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Maybe | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Whales | Yes | Maybe | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
WEATHER IN TROMSO MONTH BY MONTH |
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How many days to spend in Tromso
3. How to get to Tromso, Norway
Once you decide on the dates for your Tromso trip, it’s time to book your flight.
The flights to Northern Norway are usually expensive and require a layover. Some of the most popular layover stops are Oslo, Copenhagen, and Frankfurt. I recommend checking Kiwi or Skyscanner for the best deals on flights.
As for ground transportation, there aren’t any direct trains to Tromso, so you’ll have to fly into Tromso Airport.
After booking your flight to Tromso, be sure to get travel insurance for Europe and a Schengen visa, if necessary.
Depending on the Tromso attractions and activities you’re interested in, you may want to stay in the heart of the city or closer to the great outdoors. We’ve got you covered with our guide on where to stay in Tromso.
Best hotels in Tromso
We've selected the top hotels in Tromso, so you can find great accommodation regardless of your budget. All of these hotels are centrally located near the most popular city attractions.
Read more
Cabins near Tromso
If you want to escape the city and stay somewhere in nature - perhaps by the Nordic fjords - discover the best cabins near Tromso. These rustic lodges are perfect for seeing the aurora.
Read More
Tromso campsites
Whether you want to sleep in a tent or a cabin, these beautiful Tromso campsites are the perfect place to stay. Spend some time in the great outdoors surrounded by glacial fjords, mountains, and hiking trails.
Read more5. How to get around Tromso
As for Tromso’s public transportation, the city has a very reliable bus system. You can even download the Troms Billet app to purchase tickets on your phone.
Renting a car in Tromso
Even with a great bus system, there are lots of remote locations around the city that are worth visiting, so renting a car in Tromso is a good idea.
Tromso airport to city
As a coastal city, Tromso serves up plenty of fresh fish and seafood, although you can find options for all dietary preferences.
Despite its small size, the city has lots of places to eat, and I recommend dining at one or two of the best restaurants in Tromso.
These Scandinavian and Norwegian restaurants focus on regional food with lots of fresh, local ingredients. So, check out our article and dig in!
Tromso's must-eat foods
The most popular foods in Tromso, Norway center around fish and seafood, but you can find vegetarian options and meat-based dishes, too. Of course, the national dish, Fårikål (mutton stew), is a must-eat in Tromso! Here are some other foods to try during your visit:
- Tørrfisk (dried cod)
- King crab
- Salt cod stew
- Smoked salmon
- Herring
- Seagull eggs
- Reindeer meat
- Brunost (brown goat cheese)
- Rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge)
- Raspeball (potato dumplings)
7. How much is a holiday to Tromso?
Everyone has different preferences, time constraints, and budgets, so calculating the cost of a trip to Tromso isn’t always easy. Here is a price breakdown to help you out, as well as some Tromso travel tips to help you make the most of your visit!
Accommodation
Meals
Attractions
Tours
Transportation
Total cost
Accommodation
There are plenty of Tromso lodging options for all budgets. If you’re not sure where to stay in Tromso, I recommend one of the best hotels in Tromso‘s city center:
- Radisson Blu
- Room rates: $153-$341/night
- Clarion Hotel The Edge
- Room rates: $141-$294/night
- Scandic Ishavshotel
- Room rates: $172-$321/night
Meals
Most of Tromso’s restaurants are in the city center, so you won’t have to go far for a delicious meal. To save money, you can book a hotel that serves complimentary breakfast, like the Radisson Blu, or pick up some groceries from a Tromso supermarket. Below are the prices you can expect to pay per day for meals:
- Breakfast: $0-$10/person
- Lunch: $13-$18/person
- Dinner (casual restaurant): $18-$40/person
- Dinner (fine restaurant): $52-$106/person
- Total: $31-$174/person per day
Attractions
Most of the top Tromso attractions are in the city center, so you can visit several places in a day. Below are the best ones to check out, as well as admission prices:
- Arctic Cathedral ($5.50)
- Polaria Aquarium ($21)
- Fjellheisen cable car ($21)
- Tromso Cathedral ($0)
- Polar Museum ($10)
- Tromso Museum ($10)
- Northern Norwegian Science Center ($13)
Tours
If you visit Tromso in the winter, you can take a whale-watching cruise or a Tromso Northern Lights tour, two of the most popular activities. However, even if you plan your Tromso trip during another time of year, there are plenty of great Tromso tours you can do.
- Northern Lights tour ($95)
- Whale-watching safari ($140)
- Husky dog sledding tour ($195)
- Reindeer sledding tour ($134)
- Ice domes tour ($98)
- Fjord cruise ($135)
- Sami culture tour ($119)
- Snowshoeing tour ($110)
Transportation
Tromso’s public transport is very dependable, so it’s a convenient way to get around:
- Airport Express Coach ($7-$10 one-way)
- Local Bus ($3.50-$6 from airport)
- Taxis ($15 from airport)
Another way to get from Tromso airport to the city is by rental car. Renting a car in Tromso is the easiest way to get to the more secluded areas and attractions, and we always find great deals with DiscoverCars. The price depends on the vehicle you choose, how many days you rent it for, and the insurance you purchase.
Total cost
Below is the total cost for one person spending four days and three nights in Tromso. However, the total cost of a trip to Tromso depends on where you stay, what you eat, how you get around, and what you do in the city, so use this only as a guide:
- 3-night accommodation: $459
- Meals: $240
- Northern Lights tour: $95
- Whale-watching safari: $140
- Rental car: $390
- Total: $1,234 per person for a 4-day/3-night trip
How to travel to Tromso on a budget
- The best time to visit Tromso depends on what you want to do during your trip, although if budget is a concern, January to March is the cheapest time to go.
- Many of the best things to do in Tromso (visiting the Arctic Cathedral, seeing museums, taking tours, etc.) are in the city center. Staying in a centrally-located Tromso hotel will help you cut down on transportation costs.
8. Tromso packing list - What to wear in Tromso
Warm clothing is a must if you’re visiting Tromso, Norway in the winter. You’ll want to pack woolly layers to keep you cozy in the cold Tromso climate. Even the summer temperatures in Tromso are on the cooler side, so layers are still a good choice. Think light, windproof jackets, a heavier jacket for when the temps dip, and a hat to shield you from the midnight sun.
Tromso winter packing list
- Hat, gloves, and scarf
- Long underwear & wool socks for layering
- Wool sweaters
- Parka
- Hiking boots
- Crampons for snowy or icy hiking trails
- Skiing/snowboarding gear
- Camera
Tromso summer packing list
9. Download a tourist map of Tromso
Tromso may be small, but it has lots to offer, so keep track of all the details with this map of Tromso:
10. Other tips for visiting Tromso
Here are some final tips to keep in mind while you’re doing your trip planning for Tromso:
- The supply voltage in Norway is 230V (50Hz), and they use Type C and Type F plugs with round prongs, so you’ll want to bring an adapter for your electronics if you’re visiting from a country that doesn’t use the Europlug.
- In Tromso, as in the rest of Norway, the local currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK). The current exchange rate is 0.10 USD for 1 NOK; 0.13 CAD for 1 NOK; and 0.081 GBP for 1 NOK. Bank cards are accepted just about everywhere; just be sure to notify your bank!
- The official language in Tromso is Norwegian, although you can get by with English, as most locals speak some level of it.
- The price of eating out in Tromso can really add up, so if you want to buy groceries during your trip, it might be a good idea. There are different supermarkets in Tromso‘s city center, including Rema 1000 and Kiwi. The price of groceries in Tromso is about the same as food prices in the U.S. Most grocery stores are closed on Sundays.
- There is free roaming in Norway if you use a SIMCard from Europe. However, if traveling from somewhere else, we recommend the Holafly eSIM card. You can keep your phone and get unlimited Internet access for as low as $19 for a 5-day trip.
- Don’t forget to get travel insurance with COVID coverage for your trip! We highly recommend Heymondo, which is the company we’ve been using for years.
- Tipping in Tromso isn’t common, but if you want to leave a tip for good service, 10% is sufficient.
Tromso travel guide FAQ
To finish up this Tromso trip planner, here are the answers to some common questions about the Capital of the Arctic:
Is Tromso worth visiting?
Absolutely! This beautiful city offers incredible scenery and unique experiences like the Northern Lights, whale tours, and majestic fjords.
How expensive is Tromso?
Tromso isn’t a cheap city but it’s a much cheaper alternative to Oslo.
How many days to spend in Tromso?
Plan your Tromso trip for at least four days, but ideally one week.
What is the best month to visit Tromso?
It’s worth visiting Tromso any time of year, so the best time to visit Tromso depends on what you want to do.
For the Northern Lights, visit Tromso between September and April. If you want to go whale-watching, visit between November and January. To see the midnights sun, plan your Tromso trip for late June or early July.
What is Tromso known for?
The Northern Lights in Tromso are a huge tourist attraction, although the city is also known for its whale tours, the midnight sun, and the polar night.
Where can I see Northern Lights in Tromso?
Tromso is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis, although you must plan accordingly to make sure you have the highest chances. The best way to ensure you see the most spectacular aurora display is by booking a Northern Lights tour in Tromso.
How far is Tromso from Oslo?
Tromso is about a two-hour flight from Oslo.
Is Tromso safe?
Yes. Tromso is a small city with friendly locals, so you shouldn’t have any problems during your trip.
Are Tromso summers cold?
The temperatures in Tromso in the summer aren’t cold, but they may be chillier than you’re used to. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 54°F.
Is Tromso in the Arctic Circle?
Tromso is 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
What should I wear in Tromso?
Regardless of when you visit Tromso, pack plenty of layers. You’ll want wool sweaters, socks, and long johns for the winter, and lighter jackets for the summer months. A hat, gloves, and a scarf are also essential.
Do people speak English in Tromso?
Most of the locals speak English in addition to their native Norwegian.
