What time of the year is best?

Aurora season in Fairbanks runs from around mid-August to late-April. This is when it's dark enough to see the aurora. In the summer, the midnight Sun is too strong to see any northern lights. It needs to be clear (minimal cloud cover) to see the aurora. The clearest months are from February to April. The other months are not bad times, though especially if you book an aurora tour to increase your chances. Around the equinox months (Sep-Oct; Mar-Apr), auroral activity is slightly stronger.

Overall, February-April is the best time to see the aurora in Alaska.

Timing your trip around the aurora... can it be done?

  • The 27-day aurora forecast

    Coronal holes are parts of the Sun that blast fast solar wind into space. If these fast winds hit Earth, geomagnetic storms can occur sparking remarkable auroral displays at high-latitudes. These regions rotate with the Sun and can last months, reappearing every ~27 days. Check the NOAA 27-day Kp forecast for days of Kp 4-6 for anticipated coronal hole influences. These extended forecasts sometimes don't pan out, but you can improve your chances of particularly fantastic auroral displays.

  • The equinox effect

    There is aurora visible every clear and dark night from Fairbanks, Alaska, but not every night of aurora is created equal. Around the equinoxes from Sep-Oct and Mar-Apr, there are usually more bursts of auroral activity called "substorms." Substorms create the most dramatic auroral displays. An active night is never guaranteed, but planning your trip in the spring or fall can increase your chances of seeing an auroral substorm and bright, dancing northern lights.

  • Last-minute planning

    While there is no way to reliably predict auroral activity, what about cloud cover? Models are not too reliable for Fairbanks in the fall but improve in the winter when weather patterns become more stable. Any forecast beyond a few days will likely not pan out, but if you see an extended stretch of clear weather, it may signal a trend. As long as you can stomach a complete 180-degree shift in the prediction, booking a last-minute trip to capitalize on clear skies is not a bad idea. Take your chances and hope for the best!

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How many nights should you stay?

Ideally, you should book a minimum of three nights in Fairbanks.

The aurora can be seen every night in Fairbanks as long as it's dark and clear, but not all nights have clear skies. Three nights (more is better) is usually enough time to have at least one shot at clear skies and aurora viewing. Booking an aurora tour will give you higher chances of clear skies if Fairbanks is cloudy.

Book an aurora tour

Where are the best accommodations?

Staying at a lodge or bnb slightly out of town means you don't have to drive every night to a viewing area.

There are many hotels and lodging options in Fairbanks, but if your goal is aurora, then I would avoid any hotel in town. The light pollution from the city will make it hard to see the aurora from where you are staying, especially faint displays. If you are visiting Fairbanks during a full moon, light pollution will not be as much of a factor as during a new moon.

Fairbanks often is cloudy when surrounding areas are clear since it sits in a valley. If you have a tour, this is not an issue since you will be picked up/dropped off from your accommodations, but on clear-sky, non-tour nights, being a bit out of town means you can see the aurora clearly without having to drive anywhere.

I have worked with reputable lodging options in Fairbanks like Borealis Basecamp to provide exclusive discounts for my audience. Visit my dedicated webpage for these deals and a list of top lodging options.

Best lodging options

and deals on popular stays

Tips for booking your aurora tour

By now, it may seem obvious to book an aurora tour, but there are a few things you should do to get the most out of the experience:

  • Book the first full night after you arrive in Fairbanks. In case your tour is canceled due to cloudy conditions, this will give you more opportunities to be rescheduled to a future date.
  • Review the pick up/drop off criteria for your tour.
Join us on a tour!

Does moon phase matter?

The moon phase matters LESS than you think...

A new moon phase is good for many reasons including improving contrast in the sky and creating more dramatic conditions for professional photographers. But, full moon auroras are very beautiful, especially in the winter. The moonlight can even enhance aurora colors in many situations and makes smartphone photography and capturing real-time videos of the aurora easier.

If you have low mobility or are traveling with small children, full moon conditions are ideal. If you are nervous about driving at night, travel during a full moon so it's easier to see outside. Full moon conditions also improve the quality of satellite cloud cover maps and can make it easier to use these resources and chase auroras on your own.

While we can capture your special moment under any lighting conditions on a tour, if you are taking your own photos, full moon auroras offer more ambient light to make photography easier.

Make sure you are ready to chase the aurora

Fairbanks Aurora Trip Checklist

Travel Dates

  • Feb-Apr is the best time
  • Early Sep has warm weather
  • Dec-Jan ist he coldest time
  • Moon phase doesn't matter much
  • 3 nights minimum in Fairbanks
  • Cross your fingers for clear skies and good auroral activity

Flights

  • Nonstops year-round from SEA, ANC
  • More nonstop flights in the summer/fall
  • Book flights early
  • Late-night flights are common

Car Rental

  • Taxis always available, but pricey
  • Often can't get an Uber/Lyft
  • 4WD/AWD recommended

Lodging

  • Lodge/bnb a bit out of town
  • Know the limitations of a inner-city hotels and accommodations
  • Can still see aurora in town but not as contrast-y
  • Check my page for discounts

Staying Warm

  • Rent from an outfitter
  • Baggy/loose > tight/fitting
  • Don't underestimate the cold
  • Handwarmers
  • Extra food and water

Aurora Tour

  • Maximizes aurora viewing chances
  • Book Maia or Levi
  • First full night after you arrive
  • Many tour options available

Daytime activities

Winter Only:

  • Dogsledding
  • Skiing/Snowboarding
  • Snowmachining

Fall Only:

  • Denali National Park
  • Denali Highway

All Times of Year:

  • Chena Hot Springs
  • Denali Flightseeing
  • Castner Ice Cave
  • Arctic Circle Tour

For more information including contact details for businesses, hours of operation, and more, read my Visitor's Guide.

Should you rent a car?

I reccomend renting a car unless you are not at all confident driving on winter roads.

Fairbanks is not a walkable city. There is a city bus route, but there are not many buses to make it convenient, and it does not run all the time. Ubers and Lyfts are available but sometimes not late at night or on weekends. Taxis are available 24/7. A typical fare from the airport to a downtown hotel is $40 USD. If your accommodations are not in town, rideshares and taxis will end up costing more than renting a car. If you are traveling to Fairbanks from October to April, strongly consider renting a vehicle with 4WD/AWD.

If you have NEVER driven on snow or ice, most times in Fairbanks, the roads are not bad to drive on, but snowstorms can create challenging conditions. If you don't rent a car, you will need to book an aurora tour to have good chances of seeing the lights on cloudy nights. Renting a car allows you to remain mobile and chase the aurora on your own on nights when you don't have a tour.

How to survive Fairbanks-level cold weather

Do not underestimate the danger and severity of the cold weather.

The coldest months in Fairbanks see low temperatures frequently close to -30°F or -40°F. The coldest temperature I have aurora chased in was -68°F / -57°C. These temperatures are deadly without the proper gear.

Aurora chasing on a tour is the safest way to experience the northern lights during the cold months. I recommend renting winter weather gear from a company like Alaska Outdoor Gear Rental so you have the appropriate clothes. Bringing your own winter gear takes up luggage space, and buying new gear for the trip is a gamble.

If you are aurora chasing on your own in cold weather, it is especially important to stick to areas with good cell coverage, bring water and food, chemical handwarmers, and ideally a blanket and extra layers. In an emergency, you may have to wait up to an hour for help to arrive. Call 911 if you are in danger.

Even in September, below freezing temperatures are possible at night. Even temperatures as warm as 40°F / 10°C are dangerous if you aren't dressed appropriately and you are outside long enough. December and January are the coldest months in Fairbanks, but temperatures get a bit warmer after February.

Come to Fairbanks and enjoy nature's most electric light show!

Frequently Asked Questions about Fairbanks, Alaska

When is the best time to see aurora?

The best time of the year to see the aurora in Fairbanks is February-April. This is due to the clear weather and proximity to the equinox. Equinoxes occur in March and September and for the months surrounding (August-October and February-April), auroral activity is enhanced. March is the single best month for aurora chasing in Fairbanks. Early September is a close second place. The warm weather means skies are clear and roads are bare. If you don't like the cold, then come to Alaska to see the auroras in early September. Due to the midnight Sun, auroras can't be seen from the second week in April until the last weekend in August. In late September to early October, we get our first snow in Fairbanks and the weather usually turns cloudy until late November. This doesn't mean auroras can't be seen during this time of the year, it is just statistically more cloudy during October and November than in other months. By the second or third week of February, usually the snow has blown off the black spruce trees and the weather turns warmer and windier. If you want to photograph the aurora with snowy tres, come in December or January.

How many nights should I stay?

I recommend at least three nights in Fairbanks to see the aurora. There is no way to predict cloud cover or auroral activity reliably in Fairbanks. Remember that clear skies are necessary to see the aurora. Every night, there is some level of northern lights in Fairbanks, but on very low activity nights, this may only amount to a glow to the north. To maximize your chances of clear skies and a great display, of aurora, you need time, and the more. time the better!

How do you dress for the cold weather?

Temperatures in Fairbanks can reach down to -60°F (-51°C). These conditions can kill you if you are outside and not dressed properly. If you don't have the following items, you should either purchase the gear when you arrive in Fairbanks or ideally, rent from an outfitter like Alaska Outdoor Gear Rental.

For extreme cold weather, I always dress in layers.

Bottom half:

  • Wool baselayer (long johns/long underwear)
  • Sweat pants/lined jeans
  • Snowpants (ideally bibs)

Top half:

  • Wool baselayer
  • Long-sleeve shirt
  • Sweatshirt/hoodie
  • Parka

Extremities (feet, head, hands):

  • Wool socks
  • Winter boots (not shoes; I wear BAFFIN)
  • Balaclava
  • Hat
  • Glove liners
  • Mitten shells

It's very important you try to stick to wool fabrics as much as possible. Wool is breathable and does not get cold when wet. Even in extreme cold weather, you will sweat. Cotton will get wet and you will get cold. Also, buy a size up for any outside layers (e.g., parka). Layers only work at keeping you warm when there is warm air sandwiched between them. Tight-fitting layers will let the cold seep right through them.

Do I need a 4WD/AWD vehicle?

I always recommend renting a good off-road-capable or winterized car no matter the season, but if you only stick to paved roads, you don't need anything special if you are coming to Fairbanks in early-mid September. Once the first snow falls, you want an AWD/4WD car. You also want to check the tread of your tires. Most rental car companies will give you a new car with a fancy AWD/4WD system but with bald tires. Good winter tires are the make or break factor when driving on ice and snow - not even the best driving systems can compensate for bald tires.

If you notice your tires are bald on your assigned rental car, let the rental car company know, or try and find a different car in the same "class" as your original car.

Alaska4x4 Rentals is a popular option for renting a car capable of handling winter roads in Fairbanks.

This advice also applies for Anchorage, although, road conditions vary more in the winter there. In Fairbanks, the roads are packed ice/snow from October until April without much change.

Do I need to book an aurora tour?

You don't need to book an aurora tour, but it is recommended to maximize your chances of seeing the aurora.

Learn why this is in my blog article!

If you want to book an aurora tour, first check out Maia's Tours and Levi's Tours. Maia and Levi are two of my closest friends who I run tours with every season.

Also, check out the different packages I offer in partnership with Greatland Adventures and Face the Outdoors, two of the best aurora tour companies here in Alaska offering tours in both Fairbanks and Anchorage.

If you want to aurora chase on your own, consider buying my "My Top Aurora Chasing Locations near Fairbanks, Alaska" as well as my "A Beginner's Guide to Aurora Chasing" e-books.

What are the best things to do in Fairbanks?

While the aurora is definitely the primary attraction in Fairbanks during the winter months, there's so much more to do and see in the Golden Heart of Alaska. Here are my favorite attractions:

  1. Museum of the North
  2. Flightseeing tour to Denali
  3. Tour to the Arctic Circle
  4. Chena Hot Springs
  5. Dogsledding
  6. Castner Ice Cave
  7. Santa Claus House
  8. Winter sports at Ski Land or Moose Mountain

Read my Visitor's Guide for more recommendations of things to do.

What restaurants do you recommend in Fairbanks?

Even though Fairbanks is a small town, there is a wide variety of good food available! Here are my favorite spots:

Breakfast/Lunch:

  • Little Owl Cafe
  • Great Alaska Roasting Company
  • Lulu's Bagels
  • The Crepery
  • The Cookie Jar

Dinner:

  • Gallo's (Mexican)
  • East Ramp Pizza
  • Hungry Robot (Pizza)
  • Salty's on 2nd (American)
  • Brewsters (American)
  • Chicken Town (Korean)
  • Seoul Gate (Korean)
  • Lemongrass (Thai)
  • Noodle House (Thai)
  • Yes! Noodles (Thai)
  • 49th State Brewery (American; one hour away in Healy)

Bars/Breweries:

  • HooDoo
  • Black Spruce
  • Latitude 65
  • The Oasis
  • The Spur
  • Midnite Mine

How cold does it REALLY get in the winter?

Fairbanks can get cold.

During winter, the average low temperatures range from -15°F to -25°F, although it's common for temperatures to reach -40°F, or even -50°F.  The record cold temperature in Fairbanks, according to the National Weather Service, is -66°F.

Should I visit Fairbanks in the summer?

Fairbanks is beautiful every part of the year. If you are trying to see the aurora, you should be visiting in the winter, but the summer offers fantastic hiking, kayaking, fishing, and camping opportunities. Fairbanks is the gateway to many remote wilderness areas like the Gates of the Arctic National Park. In the summer, it is also easy to travel around the state and on roads that are normally closed during the winter (e.g., Top of the World Highway and Denali Highway). Every summer solstice, there is a huge festival in Fairbanks to celebrate the longest day of the year.

How do I get to Fairbanks?

There are direct flights from Anchorage and Seattle to Fairbanks all year. In the summer and fall months, there are direct flights from Minneapolis (MSP), Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), and sometimes other cities. These routes usually end by October. You can also drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks which takes 5-6 hours depending on road conditions. The Alaska Railroad also runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks but takes a full day to make the journey. This is a good scenic and relaxing way to make the journey from Anchorage, though.

Book air travel to Fairbanks as early as you can since last minute tickets, even simple round trip tickets from Seattle, can reach upwards of $1000 USD.

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If you have any questions about planning a trip: