Serious question, is it better to fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks for a northern lights trip?

I planned a trip for next March and got stuck on this choice. Anchorage flights are cheaper, about $150 less round trip from Seattle, but it's a four hour drive to good dark sky spots. Fairbanks is right in the aurora zone, so you can see them from town sometimes. The trade off is a higher flight cost and maybe less to do during the day. I booked into Anchorage to save money, but now I'm thinking the extra drive might eat up that savings in rental car fees and time. Has anyone done both and found one way clearly better?

3 comments

3 Comments

emma7681mo ago

Save your money and just drive, winter road trips build character and back pain.

walker.jana2mo ago

You mentioned the rental car fees and time eating up your savings, and that's the real kicker. I did the Anchorage drive to Talkeetna for aurora viewing last year. The extra gas and adding a rental car for more days totally wiped out my flight savings, plus I was exhausted from driving at night. Fairbanks might have less going on, but being able to just step outside your hotel some nights is a huge win. That four hour drive each way in winter conditions is no joke either.

tara7002mo ago

Yeah that's a good point from @walker.jana about the drive. I think the bigger thing is just the chance to see them, since Fairbanks gets way more clear nights than Anchorage. The drive from Anchorage only works if the weather plays nice.