heyyemggg

Thinking about going to Iceland in January since it's apparently the best time to see the Northern Lights BUT I'm concerned that the days are shorter and it's dark most of the time, also the cold. But really, have any of you been to Iceland in January? What do you recommend to do? Can you still enjoy it if it's dark most of the day? Also would love info on where you stayed and what tours you booked!


ALSO has anyone ever flown with "WOW airlines" from the USA to Iceland? If so, do you recommend it? Pros and cons?

BritishCaicos

Are you going to Iceland to see Iceland or the Aurora?

BigRuss

<<ALSO has anyone ever flown with "WOW airlines" from the USA to Iceland?>>

Go to seatguru.com and you'll see various comments.

As for the rest of your post - go research what to do in Iceland and what's available.

heyyemggg

@BritishCaicos Ideally both but I really really want to see the northern lights.

Melnq8

If you want to see the Northern Lights, your best bet is to visit between Sept & mid-April.

The darker the skies the better your chances, but don't discount the high probability of clouds, snow and rain.

There's plenty to do in Reykjavik in the dark. For a few days anyway.

The days are more than short - the sun rises around 11 am and sets around 3:30.

It'd be a good opportunity to take advantage of a stopver, but
otherwise...there's a reason the high season in Iceland is May-Aug.

We were there for 10 days in late May - we got about four hours of dark, and it wasn't really dark, just less light. Took some getting used to.

StCirq

I don't think there is ever any guarantee you will see the northern lights.

Last two times we've been in Iceland were at the end of April and even then the cold was bitter and the dark/light issue took a couple of days to get used to. Get a hotel with good heat and dark curtains.

I haven't yet flown WOW, but I would in a heartbeat. We flew Icelandair both times and, knowing it was a spartan airline, weren't at all disappointed.

Melnq8

These folks flew WOW - good trip report too:

https://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2017...-and-more.html

yestravel

I was in Reykvanik for 5 nights in Dec and never saw the Northern Lights as there were clouds. The tours never even went out. The darkness didn't really bother me. It was a novelty I guess. We booked an apt thru Air BnB which was more reasonable than any if the hotels. We flew Icelandic and it was fine.

tom_mn

I'm always surprised at these posts. Don't people know that Northern Lights are often seen in the Upper Midwest? Winnipeg would be a prime location also and much clearer weather than Iceland,