Soon you can catch an Uber to see the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

For many of us, calling an Uber is firmly embedded in our lifestyles – perhaps you’re on your way to the airport, or heading home in the wee hours of the morning after a night out. Running late for that dinner with friends across town? Catch an Uber. Whatever the occasion might be, the app has become a trusted sidekick for getting from point A to B quickly and smoothly, all at the touch of a button.

But summoning an Uber to chase the Northern Lights? Well, that’s a first – and soon it will be possible. This March, the platform launches a unique experience in Finnish Lapland. Dubbed Uber Aurora, the activation brings Northern Lights-viewing rides to the Uber app for the very first time.

The trips take place during the spring equinox – one of the best times of the year for spotting Aurora Borealis – which falls on March 20 and 21. They’re carried out in collaboration with local experience provider Arctic GM, whose seasoned experts lead the expeditions. Each booking includes pick-up and drop-off around Rovaniemi, the guided Aurora viewing ride (which takes approximately six to eight hours), plus snacks and hot beverages to keep you fueled and warm throughout the journey. The best part? All of this is free of charge (these tours can fetch high prices, especially during peak season), with bookings opening in the Uber app on March 5 at 13:00 CET (go to ‘account’, click ‘messages’ and follow the link). There are only a limited number of bookings available, so we recommend snagging your spot early.

“The Northern Lights are one of the world’s most iconic bucket-list experiences, drawing travellers to Lapland from across the globe,” muses Sanni Nummi, country manager for Uber in Finland. “With Uber Aurora, we’re proud to help more visitors and locals witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon and experience the Arctic at its most magical.”

​Indeed, seeing the Northern Lights is one of those must-do experiences for many – including this writer. Coming from Finland, the promised land of the Auroras, it’s a common assumption that we Finns have encountered the skyborne phenomenon. But I had yet to witness the famously fickle celestial spectacle, and luckily, I got to be one of the first ones to try to chase them with Uber Aurora. Excited would be an understatement as a group of international journalists and content creators arrived in the frosty, snow-blanketed landscapes of Rovaniemi and bundled into the roomy Uber Aurora vans, ready to spend the evening on the road in search of the Northern Lights.

It had been a cloudy day in Rovaniemi, which naturally decreased visibility, but we and our Arctic GM guide were up for the challenge. “We always check the forecast first, because even if you have the most beautiful activity, but you have vast clouds, it’s hard to see anything,” our guide, Umut, explained. “So it’s really important to see the stars, and after that, we’ll wait for solar activity. It works differently than a regular weather forecast, as with solar activity, we can only see what’s going to happen in the next 50 minutes. This makes the Northern Lights even more precious. But we’re constantly checking for updates from the satellites, and we always need to be under a clear sky.”

And so the hunt for starry skies began, our eager guide noting that he’d be prepared for driving all the way up to Norway, if needed (some Aurora viewing rides can take up to 17 hours!), though the route is always guided by what guests are comfortable with. “I have to let you know, it’s going to be a bit challenging,” he said, “but it’s going to be an adventure – are you ready?”, sparking a resounding ‘yes’ from the passenger seats.

If there ever was a cushy way to traverse through Lapland’s breathtaking landscapes, it’s certainly Uber Aurora. While Umut was securely cruising along the snow-clad, winding, tree-lined roads, we sat snugly on the plush seats, revelling in long conversations, steaming berry juice and delicious snacks. Along the way, he shared fascinating insights on the Auroras, answering all our burning questions (Northern Lights are formed when electric particles from the Sun, carried by solar winds, collide with the Earth’s magnetic field, in case you were wondering).

A couple of hours flew by. Then, Umut let us know that they had found a potential spot, ushering us to a sprawling field where a striking, star-speckled sky opened up. On the horizon, subtle splashes of emerald green unfolded, my very first time seeing Northern Lights with my own eyes, rather than through an Instagram post.

​Like trying to catch a glimpse of your favourite celebrity leaving a hotel, there’s always a touch of luck involved with the Auroras – sometimes you won’t see them at all, sometimes they might be in disguise (the Northern Lights can occasionally be more visible through a camera lens), and then other times, you’ll be treated to the full show.

While our conditions weren’t perfect, the sense of magic was palpable, a taste of what so many people across the world flock to Lapland for. Through Uber Aurora, the sought-after experience becomes even more accessible and fuss-free, and with the spring equinox, the stars are set to align so you can experience the natural wonder, too.