This is The Cheapest Place to See the Northern Lights

When To Visit Murmansk?

In order to see the Northern Lights, there are two prerequisites that need to be met. First, you have to be there in winter, and secondly, you will need a clear, dark sky. Winter in Russia is from November to February.

If you choose to go in November, the weather can be quite unpredictable, but it is still above 0°C. If you choose to go in February, the weather can be freezing cold, but it is a little drier with fewer clouds.

Personally, I went in November, and even though it rained on me in other parts of Russia, when I was in Murmansk, the rain stopped, and there was a break in the clouds late at night. So, I was able to see the Northern Lights on my first day hunting them. It is actually more common than most people make it out to be in the Arctic Circle.

Getting the Russian Visa

Russian Visa policy varies from country to country, so this trip might be more expensive for some. For citizens of the countries listed here: Visa Policy in Russia, we are good to go. If your country is not listed, you will have to pay around 100 USD - 200 USD for the application fees.

For citizens of western countries who hold privileged passports, this may seem like a hassle, but it is not too bad. You just have to plan ahead of time, prepare the correct documentation for the embassy, and apply before you depart. Consider the amount you save by going to Russia instead of Finland or Iceland.

How to Get to Murmansk?

You can fly into Moscow via Aeroflot, and from there, you will be able to find at least 3 flights going to Murmansk per day. Make sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find the cheapest possible flight for your trip.

How Much Does It Cost to See the Northern Light in Murmansk?

This will vary from person to person because of Russia's strict visa policy. However, citizens from some Asian countries or citizens from South America do not need a visa for Russia (Hurray for once!). Here's a breakdown of my budget:

• Domestic Flight: Moscow - Murmansk (1 hour): $35.
• Accommodation: Economy Hotel Vector: 14 USD/Night/Dorm Bed.
• Northern Light Hunting Tour: 50 USD / 3-4 hour trip

Total spent: $113 USD (2 nights)

Book Northern Light Tour

What to prepare before witnessing the Northern Lights in Murmansk?

• Camera gear: You will need a tripod and a camera that has manual mode capabilities. You also need to learn a little bit about ISO and shutter speed before you go.
• Tours: You will need to book a Northern Lights tour to transport you into the wilderness away from city lights. You can book the Northern Lights Tour here before you arrive in Murmansk, which I recommend, or you can just go there and book the tour from Visit Murmansk Tour Agency office the day before.
• Warm Clothes: Winter in Russia is no joke, especially in the Arctic Circle, so prepare with layers. While hunting for the northern lights, you will be out in the cold for hours taking photos, so prepare accordingly. Anything made of wool (socks, gloves, scarf, etc.) is good for staying warm. Here are the jackets I recommend for the trip: a fleece jacket and the beautiful orange Columbia outer-shell jacket.

Camera Settings Tutorial

I can write an entire blog post about this, but for now, I will give you the settings that worked for me when I was in Murmansk. What you need is a tripod and a camera with manual mode, along with a lens capable of an aperture of f4 or less.

Camera Settings for Photos

Set your camera to manual mode and set it up on a tripod. Adjust the focus to manual and set it to infinity. Set the aperture (the f value) to the lowest your camera can go. Set the shutter speed to 6 - 13 seconds. Adjust the ISO between 1600 - 3200. Voila! Try experimenting with these values to see which works best for your environment.

Camera Settings for Videos

Shoot timelapse (a series of photos) for this and convert it to a video in post-processing. You can use similar settings as above or try something with a lower ISO (to reduce noise) and a higher shutter speed (to compensate for the lowered ISO). Then, shoot the timelapse at an interval of one second more than the shutter speed. For example, if your shutter speed is 8 seconds, try a shooting interval of 9 seconds.

The Northern Light Hunting Tour

The Northern Light Hunting Tour will drive you through the wilderness of Murmansk, with the guide tracking down the Northern Lights for you. They will drive for 3-4 hours until they find a break in the clouds, allowing you to experience what you came for.

Once you find the northern lights, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with them at your own leisure. We were out there for 4 hours, and I was able to capture many photos and a timelapse, so I am quite happy with the tour.

Book Northern Light Tour

Other Things to Do in Murmansk

Visit the first-ever atomic-powered icebreaker at the port of Murmansk. It has been decommissioned and converted into a museum for tourists to visit.

Walk up the Alyosha Monument to get a nice sunset view of the city. Be careful, as most of the paths are often covered in wet snow, and if you do not wish to show off your unintentional breakdance moves to the world, I highly recommend that you walk slowly and be patient.

You can also do the Northern Lights tour that I recommend for every single night you are in Murmansk to maximize your chances. Even if you have already seen it the first time, you might be able to see it with a better sky and scenery the next time.

Further Reading for Russia

I hope you found this Russia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Russia, I have a ton of additional articles you might like:

• I love Moscow. Not many people agree with me, but I think it has its own charm that, without any expectations, one could enjoy thoroughly. It also has a ton of awesome photo spots for Instagrammers and photographers alike. Here's 9 best photo spots in Moscow you should visit.
• Saint Petersburg has everything you would expect from a developed European city, but at half the price. Here's a complete travel guide on how to spend 3 days in Saint Petersburg.
• You can find more Russia travel guides on my Russia Travel Guide page.
• Or watch my award-winning Russia travel video here: "Russia Hour" travel video.
• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3 Months Itinerary for Europe.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Want to dive deeper into Northern Europe? You can find more about it on my Northern Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.