See the northern lights by train

We traveled all the way to Abisko, Sweden, one of the best places in the world to glimpse the northern lights, mostly by night train.

Keep reading to learn about our journey and how you can plan your own dream trip to see the auroras. 

• Timing is everything. The northern lights may illuminate the night sky in Abisko between September and early April. 
• To maximize your chances of seeing the auroras, it's helpful to stay for at least a few days in case of clouds or poor weather. 
• Make the most of your journey by stopping in famous cities like Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm, as well as lesser-visited gems, such as Umeå and Kiruna. 
• Once you plan your train route, make any seat reservations required for your trip

• Stroll around the Speicherstadt, a picturesque, UNESCO-recognized warehouse district with plenty of gems hiding behind its brick facades.   
• Cozy up with a coffee at the Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei or one of the other specialty coffee shops in Hamburg. 
• Visit Miniatur Wunderland, said to be the largest model railway system in the world. 

• Over 100 Stockholm metro stations double as art exhibitions. Our personal favorite? The Hallonbergen station, filled with art inspired by childhood imagination. 
• Catch a winter sunset from Monteliusvägen, a short walking path where you can admire part of Stockholm's skyline and the Riddarfjärden bay.
• If you visit in January or February, enjoy a semla bun or two while in Stockholm. The mouth-watering dessert can be found in bakeries across the city between Christmas and Easter.

Welcome to life above the Arctic Circle. Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, sits roughly 200 kilometers into the polar circle. Dress warmly during the late autumn and winter (it helps to wear three layers, plus gloves and a hat) and get exploring.

• Begin your visit with a walk around the streets off Matojärvigatan, dotted with brightly colored houses. 
• During polar night in Kiruna, which lasts for about a month in December, admire the unique beauty of "blue hour," when the sun comes close to rising and fills the landscape with dreamy light. 
• If you time your visit accordingly, you’ll get to experience the Kiruna Snow Festival, held annually each January. The ice sculpting competition – with competitors hailing from all over the world –  is the festival's crown jewel. 

Few places on earth are as well suited for aurora chasing as Abisko. The town, with its population of less than 100 residents, offers little light pollution. Plus, the region's unique microclimate keeps its skies clearer than in other parts of the Arctic Circle.

• To maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights, it’s helpful to book an organized aurora-chasing excursion and stay for multiple nights.
• There’s plenty to do during the day in Abisko, too. Take a walk past Abiskoeatnu Canyon to the shores of Lake Torneträsk and keep an eye out for wildlife. Keep your distance and enjoy the view!
• Feeling extra adventurous? Consider signing up for an ice climbing lesson on one of the many icefalls around Abisko. Beginners are welcome; no previous experience is necessary.

Rachel Schnalzer is a senior writer at Eurail, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Last winter, she traveled all the way to the Arctic Circle with four of her colleagues in search of the northern lights.