It's too bad they aren't easier to plan around. I looked into going to Iceland once and it was like " there might be an aurora." As I recall, it's less of a seasonal thing and more sheer luck. (I know the weather is hard to predict in general.)
If you come to the North of Norway between the end of December and the start of February, you'll usually see it if you stick around for more than a week. The biggest problem up North is really the weather. It's often cloudy, and for that reason the months prior December, and after February, aren't really good for spotting the Aurora. Also you'll want to camp out somewhere away from light pollution. I mean, I saw it often enough within the city limits of Tromsø, but you'll get a completely different experience if you go into the mountains, say at some research station, or to some remote fishing village by the sea. Add to this that January and February are usually the coldest months up there, with temps that can stretch below -20° Celsius / -4 Fahrenheit so bring warm clothing and a thermos with hot chocolate!
Go to Iceland anyway you won't regret it from its community geothermal bathing culture (how each neighborhood socializes after work) to the many amazing outdoor wonders to its capital city, Reykjavík. If your American visiting there its eye opening!
I didn't see the lights but fell in love with Iceland. If you really want to see them you have to hunt and chase them! Like tonight Alaska is the place to be!
When were you there last? While I agree with everything else you say, Reykjavik has over the last decade or so unfortunately turned into a city of souvenir shops and tourist trap restaurants. Personally I wouldn't 'budget' more than 24 hours of an Iceland vacation to Reykjavik.
I'm American and it was my first trip to a European country. I was there for two weeks in January. It's a different and personally a better world there then here in the US due to its small population..little to no crime ..unable to carry a gun..their citizens are well taken care of. I went on a few dates with some locals while there and it was eye opening to hear their view of the US. With many saying they use to want to come to the US but do not want to cause of guns/school shootings. I was like nah it's not that bad your media is overselling you yet a week later I come home and have a crazy gunman in my woods/my backyard who just shot up police.
Unfortunately the US will never get to be the utopia that is Iceland in terms of safety and taking care of its citizens so crime doesn't need to be committed. It's too big with half the population just thinking like their parents and grandparents do or did vs. thinking hmm I'm open minded to see how other countries work.
Heck, I went in 2017, which is just about when the low cost airlines there started to pick up and tourists started flocking over. But even back then I wouldn't recommend spending more than 2 days in Reykjavik when you have such an amazing country to explore.
Yeah WoW Airlines was the Icelandic budget airline now it's Play Airlines. Which was solid for a little more then a few hundred dollars round trip. I just brought my luggage onboard with me as I hear they lose luggage.
> As I recall, it's less of a seasonal thing and more sheer luck. (I know the weather is hard to predict in general.)
I think it's largely due to "weather" on the Sun (although I believe you also need it to be a clear night on Earth in order to be able to see it properly)
It's too bad they aren't easier to plan around. I looked into going to Iceland once and it was like " there might be an aurora." As I recall, it's less of a seasonal thing and more sheer luck. (I know the weather is hard to predict in general.)