Whitehorse, Canada is one of the best (and cheapest) spots to catch the northern lights.
Aurora on a budget: where will the lights lead you?
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This year presents exceptional opportunities for aurora borealis enthusiasts! According to NASA, the sun has recently reached its maximum activity point within its
In late January, the vacation rental platform HomeToGo published its Affordable Aurora Report. To identify the most cost-effective destinations for viewing the northern lights, the company analyzed search data from its website and incorporated insights from travel experts.
"Last year's solar eclipse initiated an astrotourism trend among American travelers, a trend we observe continuing into 2025," stated Eleanor Moody, a HomeToGo travel expert. "As more travelers seek to experience extraordinary celestial displays, search volumes have surged for locations offering high probabilities of northern lights sightings. Nordic countries like Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and Finland have experienced notable increases in interest, with year-over-year search growth of 102%, 48%, 34%, and 23%, respectively."
Following a comprehensive analysis of the accumulated data, the HomeToGo team designated Whitehorse, Canada as the most affordable destination in North America for viewing the northern lights in 2025.
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"Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, serves as a gateway to some of Canada's premier northern lights viewing locations and offers excellent value, with a median nightly accommodation price of $160.68," HomeToGo reported. "Beyond the city limits, the dark skies of areas, such as Fish Lake and the Takhini region, provide ideal settings for observing the aurora borealis as it ripples across subarctic landscapes."
Whitehorse was closely followed by Churchill, Canada, which "is situated directly beneath the auroral oval, offering some of the world's most dependable northern lights displays and a median nightly price of $190.55 for vacation rentals."
Completing the top 3 North American destinations is another Canadian location: Yellowknife, also situated under the auroral oval, the region of Earth where northern lights activity is most intense. "Yellowknife is another of Canada's optimal northern lights viewing locations, with a median nightly accommodation price of $192.61," HomeToGo stated. "Located at higher elevations, popular observation points, such as Pilot's Monument and Tin Can Hill, offer unobstructed panoramic views of the night sky."
Regarding the most affordable international destinations for northern lights viewing, travelers should consider Kemi, Finland, which HomeToGo highlighted as having a median vacation rental price of just over $101 per night. Following Kemi, Lofoten, Norway and Luleå, Sweden offer the best opportunities to maximize value on a northern lights viewing trip.
ParkingNearAirports.io: budget-friendly parking for your Aurora journey!
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Traveling to see the northern lights doesn't have to break the bank, especially when you save on parking. If you're departing from Newark, New Jersey, USA, look for cheap parking by Newark Airport to cut down on costs. Our smart booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, helps you compare EWR parking rates and find the best deals for your trip. Use a Newark long-term parking coupon code to maximize your savings and make your journey even more affordable. Our service offers convenient off-site parking options, ensuring a stress-free start to your adventure. Consider valet services for added convenience and check for 24/7 shuttle availability. Pre-booking guarantees your spot, and many lots provide secure, fenced parking with surveillance. Electric vehicle charging and car wash services are also commonly available for added convenience and value. Whether you're heading to Whitehorse, Churchill, or Yellowknife, our user-friendly platform is here to make your trip smoother and more budget-friendly. Start planning today and get ready to witness the magic of the aurora borealis!
