Fairbanks Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

The Fairbanks Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs tour combines an evening at one of Alaska's best-known resorts, about 60 miles from Fairbanks, with a chance to watch the aurora from beneath the stars, from EUR 237 per person. Rather than a pure driving-and-waiting format, the trip bundles a guided Aurora Ice Museum tour and an outdoor mineral hot springs soak into the same night.

How does the Fairbanks Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs tour work?

The evening begins with pickup from hotels within the Fairbanks or North Pole city limits, followed by a scenic drive through Alaska's interior where moose, foxes or beavers are sometimes spotted along the way. On arrival at Chena Hot Springs Resort, a guide leads the group through the Aurora Ice Museum, home to elaborate ice sculptures and a fully functional ice bar where guests 21 and older can order an Appletini served in a hand-carved ice glass.

What does the Chena Hot Springs aurora tour include?

After the Ice Museum tour, the resort restaurant is available for dinner or drinks, though the meal cost itself isn't included in the ticket price. The main event follows: soaking in the resort's natural outdoor mineral hot springs under the open Arctic sky, a rare chance to stay warm in freezing air while watching for the aurora directly overhead. Your guide points out the best vantage spots around the resort grounds and shares tips for improving your photos before the group heads back toward Fairbanks, with a final chance to spot the lights along the return drive shortly after midnight.

Is the Fairbanks Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs tour worth the higher price?

If you want an evening that delivers real value even on a cloudy night, yes. The Ice Museum and the hot springs soak are both memorable on their own, so the tour isn't a total loss if the aurora doesn't cooperate the way a plain viewing drive can feel. It's a weaker fit for a tight budget, since it costs noticeably more than a standard lodge or chase tour, and food at the resort adds further to the total.

Hot springs combo or a dedicated lodge: which fits your Fairbanks night better?

If aurora viewing alone is your priority and you'd rather keep the evening focused and lower cost, the Fairbanks Northern Lights Lodge tour skips the extras for a simpler, cheaper night. This combo tour is the better pick if you want the evening to feel complete regardless of what the sky does, thanks to the Ice Museum and the hot springs soak.

Fairbanks Chena Hot Springs tour price and how to book

Tickets start from EUR 237 per person, covering transportation, Ice Museum admission and hot springs access. Food and drinks at the resort, towels (available for a small rental fee) and locker access are billed separately, so factor those into your total budget before the trip.

What to pack for the Chena Hot Springs soak

Bring a swimsuit under your winter layers, since changing facilities are available but you'll want to be ready to move quickly between the cold air and the warm water. A towel can be rented on-site for a small fee if you'd rather not pack a wet one for the drive back, and consider bringing a small dry bag to keep your phone protected near the water.

Insider tips for the Fairbanks Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs tour

Eat something substantial before departure or budget for the resort restaurant, since the drive and Ice Museum tour take up a real chunk of the evening before you reach the springs. Keep your camera in an inside pocket until you're ready to use it near the water, since the temperature swing between the hot springs and the cold Alaskan air can fog a lens quickly.

Planning your Fairbanks aurora trip

For more on Interior Alaska's aurora season and other ways to see the lights around Fairbanks, see the Fairbanks northern lights homepage guide, and check current road conditions on the Fairbanks region's official tourism site, explorefairbanks.com, before a winter evening drive out to Chena Hot Springs.