Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks
Fairbanks, United States

Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs

Outty Ranking 48 4.0 · 4 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $200

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$200
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Outty Ranking

48/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.0/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs worth booking?

Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs is a 7-hour experience in Fairbanks, United States, from $200 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4/5 rating across 4 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
48 / 100
Rating
4/5 (4)
Duration
7 hours
From
$200 per person

Head out on an adventure to the majestic Chena Hot Springs Resort for a night soak and a northern lights display. Enjoy the winter wonderland on the way and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife (Moose, Caribou, Fox, Lynx o

What you get

    About this experience

    Head out on an adventure to the majestic Chena Hot Springs Resort for a night soak and a northern lights display. Enjoy the winter wonderland on the way and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife (Moose, Caribou, Fox, Lynx or Beaver) but also trust your guide to point it out and stop for a quick photo. Once you arrive at the resort you will have time to enjoy a hot meal at the Chena Hot Springs restaurant or go straight to the hot springs for a night of relaxation. On the way back if active Aurora displays occur your guide will make sure to stop at the best locations for you to save that lifetime memory with your camera. Please note the Aurora is a natural occurrence. We cannot guarantee that guests will see the aurora. This tour Doesn’t include Aurora Ice Museum Visit!

    What's included

    Included

    • Hot Springs Pass
    • Tea and coffee

    Not included

    • Ice Museum Fee

    What you'll see and do

    1. Chena Hot Springs

      We will pick you up from your chosen location. The trip to Chena Hot Springs Resort takes about 1 hour and 20 min. Upon drop off the guide will set a location where you will be picked up and you will have 4 hours to enjoy the natural hot springs. Please, be aware that there is no cell service at the resort, so you need to be at the pick up spot at the time, set by the driver (we have a courtesy waiting time of 25 min). Note: The remaining time is for the round tour and time spent sightseeing or explorations.

      240 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Vip Northern Lights Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks, photo 2Relax in the Hot Springs while the Aurora is dancingMoose are often seen on the wayNorthern Lights at Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks, photo 5On the way to Chena Hot SpringsNorthern Lights at Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    1 mention

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    3
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    brendan s · March 2025

    Great trip

    The trips was amazing the the guide Kristen was friendly and knowledgeable. The hot springs were great and got some awesome photos on the way home

    via Tripadvisor

    Ronnie_T · March 2024

    Bad experience

    We paid alot of money basically for a ride to cheana hot springs.I thought we booked a tour to see northern lights but all the tour guide did was drop us off at a resort.

    Response from the operator: Hello,unfortunately the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings are not guaranteed as stated in our booking info.Its not up to the tour guide whether or not the Aurora Borealis is going to be active.As far as pricing we have one of the lowest prices for this tour on the Viator platform.As the majority of our ratings show our customers had great experience with this tour. Thank you for your review and feedback

    via Viator

    Hugh_G · March 2024

    Amazing all around

    Tony with VIP Northern Lights Tours is a amazing, responsive, personal, and professional. We really appreciate his willingness to offer suggestions for local area insights, acumen, and deft handling of logistics. Would give 10 stars if we could.

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much for the kind words and thank you for choosing Vip Northern Lights Tours.

    via Viator

    David_A · December 2023

    A unique experience

    The ice museum had an ice bar. It was romantic with the background. An experience that probably will never see it again.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the review we loved having you on our tour

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 48

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)73
    Review evidence (18% weight)22
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)79
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)34
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Fairbanks.

    How much does Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs cost?

    +

    Prices start at $200 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Fairbanks usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs take?

    +

    Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Fairbanks is not rushed.

    Is Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Fairbanks, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs?

    +

    Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Fairbanks can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Fairbanks and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Fairbanks within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Fairbanks?

    +

    Fairbanks is the aurora capital of interior Alaska: heated viewing lodges, late-night chase tours, Arctic Circle day drives up the Dalton Highway, dog sledding and summer riverboat cruises. On Outty we rank every Fairbanks experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Northern Lights - Aurora with FREE Photos - Arctic Night Tours, Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole, Fairbanks Ice Fishing Expedition in a Heated Cabin with Fish Cookout. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Fairbanks?

    +

    Late August to April for aurora, June to August for midnight-sun river trips. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Fairbanks?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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