Vivid green aurora borealis above the boreal forest near Fairbanks, Alaska
🏔️Alaska (USA)

Fairbanks

✦9/10

Aurora chasers from North America and Asia wanting the continent's most reliable viewing with hot spring soaks

Aurora Score
9/10 ✦
Daily Budget
$160/day
Access
✈️ Easy access
Dark Hours (Winter)
20h

About Fairbanks

Fairbanks is Alaska's interior hub and America's finest northern lights destination. Sitting at 64.8°N inside the auroral oval, it benefits from the dry continental interior climate — far less cloud cover than coastal Anchorage — giving it exceptional aurora viewing statistics. The University of Alaska Fairbanks operates a world-class aurora forecasting service that locals and tour operators use daily. The Chena Hot Springs resort (60 miles out) is a beloved combination of soaking in geothermal pools and aurora watching from an outdoor pond. Aurora viewing domes — heated glass pods for night-long aurora watching — have become enormously popular with Japanese visitors. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins in Anchorage in March, with Fairbanks as a staging point. Temperatures of -40°C are possible in January — proper gear is absolutely essential.

Best Time to Visit

DecJanFebMar

Monthly Weather & Aurora

MonthAvg TempDark HoursAurora Chance
Jan★ Best-23°C20hHigh
Feb★ Best-20°C15hHigh
Mar★ Best-11°C9hHigh
Apr-1°C3hLow
May+10°CMidnight sun—
Jun+18°CMidnight sun—
Jul+20°CMidnight sun—
Aug+17°CMidnight sun—
Sep+7°C4hMed
Oct-4°C12hHigh
Nov-16°C17hHigh
Dec★ Best-22°C20hHigh

Activities

Northern Lights ToursDog SleddingSnowmobile SafariIce FishingAurora Viewing DomesIditarod WatchingHot Spring SoaksSnowshoe ToursNorthern Lights PhotographySnowshoeingAurora CampPhotography ToursCross Country SkiingHusky SleddingHot Spring BathingIndigenous Cultural ExperiencesMidnight Sun Viewing

Getting There

Direct flights from Anchorage (1h), Seattle, and seasonal direct from Japan. Fairbanks International Airport is well-served. Anchorage also accessible (5h drive).

Accommodation Highlights

  • ✓Aurora Viewing Domes
  • ✓Wilderness Lodges
  • ✓City Hotels

Location

Budget Estimator

3 nights21 nights
Budget
$840
Typical
$1,120
Comfort
$1,568

Based on avg $160/day in Fairbanks. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.

Quick Info

LanguageEnglish
Regionsubarctic
Coordinates64.84°N, -147.72°E

Compare Destinations

See how Fairbanks stacks up against other top aurora destinations.

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Plan by Month

DecJanFebMar

🏨Where to Stay(10)

View all on Google Maps →
Aurora Borealis Lodge

Aurora Borealis Lodge

⭐ 4.8

1906 Ridge Run Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA

lodging
Billie's Backpackers Hostel

Billie's Backpackers Hostel

⭐ 4.8

2895 Mack Blvd, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

hostel
Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks

Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks

⭐ 4.3

433 Harold Bentley Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

hotel
Comfort Inn Fairbanks

Comfort Inn Fairbanks

⭐ 4.2

1909 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport

⭐ 4.2

4920 Dale Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

hotel

Holiday Inn Express Northern Lights Inn

⭐ 4.0

Building, 3402 Santiago Ave, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703, USA

hotel

Aurora Villa

⭐ 4.0

1110 John Kalinas Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA

hotel

Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center

⭐ 3.8

813 Noble St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

hotel

Bridgewater Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

⭐ 3.7

723 First Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

hotel

7 Gables Inn & Suites

⭐ 3.6

4312 Birch Ln, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

hotel

🍽️Where to Eat(10)

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Aurora Mediterranean Restaurant

Aurora Mediterranean Restaurant

⭐ 4.8$$

1452 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

lebanese restaurant
The Crepery

The Crepery

⭐ 4.8$$

523 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

vegan restaurant
Soba

Soba

⭐ 4.7$$

535 2nd Ave # 106, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

eastern european restaurant
Blue Roof Bistro

Blue Roof Bistro

⭐ 4.6$$

13 Timberland Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

bistro
The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks

The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks

⭐ 4.4$$$

796 Chena Pump Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

seafood restaurant

Friar Tuck's Hoagie House

⭐ 4.4$$

427 Merhar Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

restaurant

The Cookie Jar Restaurant

⭐ 4.4$$

1006 Cadillac Ct, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

american restaurant

Chowder House

⭐ 4.4$$

206 Eagle Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

sandwich shop

Turtle Club

⭐ 4.4$$$

2098 Old Steese Hwy N, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA

fine dining restaurant

Pike's Landing

⭐ 4.0$$

4438 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

american restaurant

🎯Things to Do(10)

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Midnight Sun ATV/Snowmobile Tours

Midnight Sun ATV/Snowmobile Tours

⭐ 5.0

625 2 Rivers Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA

point of interest
Fairbanks Snowmobile Tours

Fairbanks Snowmobile Tours

⭐ 5.0

330 Golf Club Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA

point of interest
Arctic Night Tours

Arctic Night Tours

⭐ 5.0

2499 Baby Bell Dr, North Pole, AK 99705, USA

point of interest
Paws for Adventure

Paws for Adventure

⭐ 4.9

Herning Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA

tourist attraction
Aurora In Alaska, LLC™

Aurora In Alaska, LLC™

⭐ 4.9

4570 Elliott Ln, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

tourist attraction

Riverboat Discovery

⭐ 4.8

1975 Discovery Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

gift shop

Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center

⭐ 4.8

101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

visitor center

Northern Alaska Tour Company

⭐ 4.7

3820 University Ave S, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

tour agency

Fairbanks Aurora Tours

⭐ 4.6

1600 Washington Dr APT 11, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

point of interest

Explore Fairbanks

⭐ 4.5

101 Dunkel St #111, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

visitor center

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Fairbanks?+
The best months for aurora viewing in Fairbanks are 12, 1, 2, 3. Fairbanks has an aurora score of 9/10.
How much does a trip to Fairbanks cost?+
The average daily budget in Fairbanks is around $160 USD, covering accommodation, meals, and activities.
How do I get to Fairbanks?+
Direct flights from Anchorage (1h), Seattle, and seasonal direct from Japan. Fairbanks International Airport is well-served. Anchorage also accessible (5h drive).
What activities are available in Fairbanks?+
Popular activities in Fairbanks include Northern Lights Tours, Dog Sledding, Snowmobile Safari, Ice Fishing, Aurora Viewing Domes, Iditarod Watching, Hot Spring Soaks, Snowshoe Tours, Northern Lights Photography, Snowshoeing, Aurora Camp, Photography Tours, Cross Country Skiing, Husky Sledding, Hot Spring Bathing, Indigenous Cultural Experiences, Midnight Sun Viewing.