For the first time in rail history, Norway has introduced a panoramic night train created for watching the northern lights. The journey runs along a historic Nordic train line and is designed to take passengers away from city lights and pollution, increasing the chances of witnessing one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena during periods of high geomagnetic activity.
The train’s design is central to the experience. Its cars feature fully glassed walls and ceilings, allowing an unobstructed view of the night sky. Seats recline upward so passengers can comfortably look above, while interior lighting is kept dim to avoid interfering with aurora observation. The focus throughout the journey remains on watching the shifting colours of the Aurora Borealis as the train moves through darker stretches of the route.
Promoted by Vy, Norway’s state-owned railway company, the project aims to establish the country as a global leader in aurora tourism while prioritising sustainability. The train runs on renewable energy. Passengers also receive real-time scientific data on solar activity and space weather conditions, made possible through specialised sensors and satellite connectivity onboard.
The journey begins in Oslo and ends in Bergen, covering a distance of 460 kilometres in approximately seven hours and 35 minutes. Vy’s night service operates along the Bergensbanen, one of Norway’s most well-known railway routes. For overnight travel, Vy offers “PlusNight”, an airline-style business-class seat designed specifically for sleeping on trains.
Passengers can also opt for rest compartments, which include overnight packs with sheets, pillows and blankets, with travellers making up the bunks themselves. Each berth is equipped with a reading light, a wall-mounted storage net and a USB port, along with two power sockets positioned below the window. The middle and upper berths have fixed bedrails, and ladders are provided for access.
Pet owners can bring their dogs along on the journey. According to Vy, dogs are allowed in rest compartments. Any dog taller than 40 centimetres is counted as a passenger in the compartment, and up to three dogs are permitted per compartment. Passengers are advised that dogs must remain on the floor, keeping in mind that floor space is limited and that the compartments do not have room for dog crates.
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