Iceland vs Alaska for northern lights in July?

4 years 9 months ago #646677 by Paul Velasco
I'm going to do a photography trip in July and can't decide between Iceland and Alaska.  Those that have been to either of these, can you comment on how the northern lights would be for that time of the year.  

Which location would you head to?  From what I can see airfare will be much cheaper going to Alaska and I don't need to fuse with customs.  Iceland however will cost more to travel too, I will have to deal with customs, but SOOOO beautiful.  

Tough decision.  


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4 years 9 months ago - 4 years 9 months ago #646678 by Nikon Shooter

Paul Velasco wrote:  Iceland however will cost more to travel too, I will have to deal with customs, but SOOOO beautiful. 


Iceland all the way, Paul — specially the north american part in
terms of plate tectonic — if you are still in good physical shape.

Custom? Really? I had not problem of any kind. :P

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 9 months ago #646682 by MM Images
+1 especially now, customs is all electronic, with a quick inspection of your passport by a human


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4 years 9 months ago #646683 by Paul Velasco
It's been a little bit, but all the times going through customs, I swear I get the reject customs officers that want to be a PITA with me.  And for the record, I don't have 'a-hole' stamped to my forehead either!  


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4 years 9 months ago #646718 by MM Images
If you want Northern Lights, you should consider Norway also.  Less tourist, should be cheaper to travel too.  


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4 years 9 months ago #646795 by garyrhook
You do understand that July may very well be the worst time of year to see them?

www.theaurorazone.com/about-the-aurora/t...-the-northern-lights

That said, you say Alaska, but you don't mention where in Alaska, Iceland is farther north than most of the inhabited locations in Alaska, and is likely the better choice.

N.B. As an American, I can't go into Canada without them practically accusing me of trying to steal someone's job. But you don't specify which customs/country.... or do you mean coming back to the US?


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4 years 9 months ago #646834 by Pete Franko
+1 agree, you'll want to get there towards September for Northern Lights.  And BTW, another vote for Iceland from me.  


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4 years 9 months ago #646868 by TGonzo
Man, I would go Iceland all the way.  Just too bad it's getting over crowded with tourist.  Alaska may be right there with coolness, but come on it's Iceland, your in another country, and IMO you have much more interesting landscapes to find there, which will make interesting segments for foreground interest when you find the Northern Lights. 


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4 years 9 months ago #646944 by Nikon Shooter

garyrhook wrote: N.B. As an American, I can't go into Canada without them practically accusing me of trying to steal someone's job.


I just can't understand why… but you're the
first american I hear this comment from.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 9 months ago #647010 by David Hutnik
Iceland has become so overrun with tourist, normally I would say yes all the way there.  However I would even suggest Finland as a nice alternative.  


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4 years 9 months ago #647040 by donmammoser
You need to go Iceland as this country gives you the best experience to explore its natural beauty in July month. Also, here you can not only enjoy more discounts of hotels and ticket prices but also encounter the rare view of northern light.


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4 years 9 months ago #647156 by Alex

MM Images wrote: If you want Northern Lights, you should consider Norway also.  Less tourist, should be cheaper to travel too.  


Agree!  I was just in Norway in Lofoten Islands in March... great spot for Northern Lights

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