Aiming high: where Russians will go for the northern lights
The cost of accommodation in the northern lights areas in 2024 has increased by 20%, reported "Izvestia" in booking services. One can go to Yamal, Yakutia, Komi, Karelia, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Leningrad and Vologda regions, as well as Krasnoyarsk Krai for the phenomenon. Most often tourists go to regions where the northern lights can be seen from September to April, but the best months are January and February, experts say. On how much the price of travel has risen and in what other cities you can see the natural phenomenon - in the material "Izvestia".
Where began to travel more often
Russians began to actively hunt for the northern lights - the demand for booking hotels and apartments in regions with this phenomenon increased by 57% over the year, reported "Izvestia" in services. The price has also increased - to see the northern lights during the New Year vacations has become almost 20% more expensive.
In pursuit of the natural phenomenon you can go to Yamal, Yakutia, Komi, Karelia, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Leningrad and Vologda regions, as well as the Krasnoyarsk region.
According to Yandex Travel, in 2024 the demand for booking accommodation in Komi increased by 112%, and for the Nenets Autonomous District - by 505%. Interest in Karelia for the Northern Lights period increased by 85%, Murmansk by 37%, and the Arkhangelsk region by 20%.
Themost popular destination for observing the northern lights, according to the national tour operator "Alean", was the Murmansk region.
- Demand for tours to the Murmansk region, including a night excursion with a photo hunt for the northern lights, increased by 10% compared to last year,- reported there. - Prices have increased within 10-15%.
The increase in tourist flow was confirmed to "Izvestia" and in the press service of the government of the Murmansk region. More than 93 thousand tourists have rested during the New Year holidays for two years. The growth amounted to 6%.
- During the New Year vacations of 2024-2025, the expected number of guests will increase by 10%, - indicated in the press service.
And in "Tutu", on the contrary, noted the decline in popularity of the route Moscow - Murmansk. If last year this direction occupied the sixth place, this year - 12th, the share of passengers fell from 1.8 to 1.3%. According to the service, demand fell for Petrozavodsk and for Arkhangelsk, and on the contrary, the demand for the routes Moscow - Syktyvkar (Komi) increased.
Arkhangelsk region in 2024 doubled its tour offers compared to 2023, the same growth was recorded in Karelia, said Vice President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST) Dmitry Gorin.
- This is due to the increased interest in regions with unique nature and less tourist congestion," he said.
In the Arkhangelsk region, the northern lights are best observed in the village of Malye Karely, as well as in the north of the region - in Severodvinsk and its surroundings, MTS Travel noted. The average check for accommodation in hotels in the region for the New Year vacations amounted to 5.4 thousand rubles per day.
How much tickets went up in price
The cost of "hunting" for the Northern Lights in 2024 has increased significantly. The hotels in the Nenets Autonomous District added the most - by 68%. The average price for one night in a hotel reached almost 9 thousand rubles.
The cost of a New Year's tour to Murmansk region for two people for three or four days with the opportunity to observe a unique natural phenomenon costs on average from Br77 thousand, and the price of a trip with a photo hunt - from Br125 thousand, said Dmitry Gorin.
- Excursion tours, as a rule, include a review of the sights of Murmansk and a trip to Teriberka, - adds Vice-President of PCT.
In Karelia tourists go to see the northern lights in the mountain park "Ruskeala" and the national park "Paanayarvi", noted in MTS Travel. On average, accommodation for New Year holidays in the region costs Br8.2 thousand per day.
The average cost of accommodation in the Murmansk region amounted to Br7.8 thousand for one night. The most popular tourist place in this region is the village of Teriberka, located on the coast of the Barents Sea.
According to YouTravel.Me, a marketplace of author's tours, in 2024 there was a redistribution of tourist demand. Some regions, such as Karelia and the Arkhangelsk region, have significantly reduced the average cost of tours - by 69.1% and 66.4% respectively.
- In Karelia, prices fell from Br139 thousand to Br42.9 thousand, and in Arkhangelsk region - from Br149.3 thousand to Br50.2 thousand. This makes these destinations more attractive for tourists who seek budget vacation options, - said the press service of the aggregator.
The government of the Murmansk region stressed that organized tourism prevails in the region, but it does not prevent travelers from building independent routes.
The rise in price also affected air tickets, experts of the travel service "Tutu" added.
- The average cost of an air ticket from Moscow to Murmansk has increased from Br12.5 thousand to Br15.6 thousand. One can get to Arkhangelsk by plane for Br9.7 thousand instead of Br7.9 thousand, while in Komi one can't find tickets for less than Br18 thousand," said the service.
Why are prices rising
One of the reasons for the increase in the cost of tours and air tickets to catch the northern lights is associated with the growing demand for domestic tourism in Russia - the infrastructure is expanding and logistics are becoming more comfortable. Inna Ryndina, commercial director of the Russian Seasons hotel group, told Izvestia.
- If earlier the main flow of hunters for a rare natural phenomenon went to Finland, now thanks to the emergence of new hotels, glamping and an increase in the number of flights, travelers are very happy to explore new destinations that allow you to organize an off-site night excursion with a photo hunt for the northern lights, - she explained.
According to the expert, the increased demand has triggered an increase in the number of specialized tours from concierge agencies, but do not expect low prices for tour packages.
- Personalized travel has always been expensive, and combined with the growing trend, the cost of not only accommodation but also flights is rising," says Inna Ryndina.
In Russia, the northern lights can be seen from the end of August to March, but the highest probability of catching them is from ten o'clock in theevening to three o'clock at night, recalled in "Yandex.Travel". Sometimes it does not last long, and sometimes it lasts for several hours.
Going to the Far North, indicated in the service, it is necessary to choose outerwear from waterproof and not blowing materials, as well as a hat, boots, warm gloves and thermal underwear. In addition to clothing, it is worth taking care of the skin of the face - it can get weathered due to the frosty air, so you need to take with you a greasy cream, hygienic lipstick and protective glasses.
- Not all settlements have stable access to the Internet, so before the trip it is worth downloading an application with offline navigation on your phone and stock up on cash, as maps may not work, - said there.
Batteries of devices quickly discharge in the cold, so you should always put extra batteries and a portable charger in your backpack, experts advised the service.
