Arctic Circle Northern Lights Full-Day Trip
An Arctic Circle day with northern lights in the plan. The better-reviewed of the two; check the listing for where the aurora stop happens.
- 14 h
- 4.5★ (171 reviews)
A very long day on a remote northern road, to stand at the Arctic Circle sign. Do it for the road, not the aurora.
Key takeaways
- The Winter Drive leaves Fairbanks at 9:45am on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday and gets back between 1 and 2am, a 15-hour day.
- Northern Alaska Tour Company charges $299–$339 per person for 2026–27, depending on the date, and food is not included.
- The Arctic Circle Aurora Drive stays out later for the lights, costs $359 per person, $399 at peak, and returns between 3:30 and 4:30am.
- Fairbanks is already under the auroral oval, so going further north to the Arctic Circle does not improve your odds of seeing the aurora.
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What the day is like
North on the Dalton Highway
You spend most of the day in a van or coach on the Dalton Highway, which runs beside the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. You see the pipeline up close, stop at the Yukon River, and cross onto the Arctic tundra.
The sign in the snow
The high point is a sign by the road marking the Arctic Circle. You get out, take the photo, and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate.
The long drive back in the dark
If the aurora appears, the Winter Drive guide may stop at a safe pull-out, but the tour won't wait for it.
Bring money for food
There's a stop at the Arctic Circle Trading Post in Joy, and two stops at the Yukon River Camp for food, which you pay for yourself.
15 hA long dayDeparts 9:45am, returns 1–2am
$299–$339Per person, Winter Drive 2026–27
Sun · Tue · FriDeparture days
2026–27 Winter Drive prices
In short The Winter Drive costs $299 or $339 per person depending on the date, leaves at 9:45am Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, and food is not included.
| Dates | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 19 Sep – 7 Oct 2026 | $339 |
| 8 Oct – 20 Nov 2026 | $299 |
| 21 – 29 Nov 2026 | $339 |
| 30 Nov – 18 Dec 2026 | $299 |
| 19 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | $339 |
| 4 Jan – 5 Feb 2027 | $299 |
| 6 Feb – 31 Mar 2027 | $339 |
| 1 – 21 Apr 2027 | $299 |
If you want the aurora too
The same company sells an Arctic Circle Aurora Drive for 2026–27. It follows the same route but stays out later to watch for the lights.
Winter Drive
$299–$339 per person
- Returns 1–2am
- The guide may stop for the aurora, but won't wait for it
- Food not included
Aurora Drive
$359 per person, $399 at peak
- Returns between 3:30 and 4:30am
- Stays out later to watch for the lights
- Food again not included
Arctic Circle tours you can book
On GetYourGuide, two 14-hour Arctic Circle trips from Fairbanks include northern lights in their name. Read each listing for when and where the aurora stop happens. Details on this page are compiled from Northern Alaska Tour Company's published terms and prices and GetYourGuide's listings and review counts, as checked on 23 September 2026; we have not taken these tours ourselves.
Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour
The same idea from another listing. Compare what's included before you pick.
- 14 h
- 4.4★ (130 reviews)
Prices are GetYourGuide's 'from' prices for 15–20 Feb 2027, shown in INR and converted at 95.54 INR per US dollar, rounded to the nearest $5.
Coldfoot, further north
Beyond the Arctic Circle, the Dalton Highway reaches Coldfoot Camp at mile 175, in the Brooks Range. It has rooms at the Slate Creek Inn, the Trucker's Cafe, the Frozen Foot Saloon and fuel, and it markets itself for winter aurora viewing. It's a place to stay, not a day trip: plan it with the camp directly.
Should you drive it yourself?
We don't recommend it for a first winter trip. If you're set on it, check first that your rental agreement allows the Dalton Highway; we haven't verified any company's rules.
Is it worth it?
In short Yes if your trip is four nights or more and you want the road itself; no if you are short on nights and only here for the aurora.
Yes, if
- You want a real story: the pipeline, the Yukon in winter, the sign in the snow.
- Your trip is four nights or more. It fits; book the aurora nights first. See the best time to go.
No, if
- You're short on nights and only here for the aurora. Fairbanks is already under the auroral oval, so going further north doesn't improve your odds.
- You can't afford to lose a night: a 15-hour day leaves you tired for the next one.
Arctic Circle tours from Fairbanks: FAQs
How long is the Arctic Circle tour from Fairbanks?
About 15 to 16 hours. The Winter Drive leaves at 9:45am and returns between 1 and 2am.
How much is an Arctic Circle tour from Fairbanks?
Northern Alaska Tour Company's Winter Drive is $299–$339 per person for 2026–27. The Aurora Drive is $359, or $399 at peak.
Will I see the northern lights on the Arctic Circle tour?
Maybe, but the standard Winter Drive is not an aurora tour and won't wait for them. Choose the Aurora Drive if that matters.
Is food included?
No. The tour stops at the Yukon River Camp, where you buy your own.
More to do around Fairbanks
Sources (4)
- Northern Alaska Tour Company: Arctic Circle Winter Drive Adventure (checked 2026-09-23)
- Northern Alaska Tour Company: Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure (checked 2026-09-23)
- Coldfoot Camp (checked 2026-09-23)
- GetYourGuide Fairbanks listings, prices for 15–20 Feb 2027 (checked 2026-09-23)