So confused! Iceland and Norway or Scandinavia

I would take in: Helsinki (Finland), Stockholm and Oslo (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark), Estonia (Briefly), Bergen (Norway), Reykjavik and Golden Circle (Iceland). But it's too far north for most travelers in October. Weather gets colder and wetter around the middle of September.

We were scheduled to go back to another Baltic cruise 6/2022--including St. Petersburg. But we were cancelled and we went to the Eastern Mediterranean for a cruise out of Athens. We were disappointed, but not suffering. We've been to both regions on cruises in past years.

Scandinavia is so expensive on the ground, and cruises are a very economical way to go there. But you need to go at the right time of the year.

If avoiding big, capital cities is paramount, then go with the Iceland option. Iceland’s biggest city, Reykjavik, is less than half the population of Bergen, Norway. Look for puffins in the Westman Islands in Iceland. Elding Whale Watching departs from the old harbor in Reykjavík. It’s all pretty much a wild, natural place.

We’re planning a Scandinavia trip ourselves for this late summer, but at this point limiting it to Denmark and Norway. I note your original list of destinations says Stockholm and Oslo (Sweden), but while Stockholm is in Sweden, Oslo is the capital of Norway.

I'd definitely choose Option 1. The days will be noticeably shorter in October; check Wikipedia's entry from Stockholm, where you'll find a climate-summary chart showing the very dramatic difference. In addition, the second tour moves way faster than I would like. You'd have only one or two full days in those wonderful cities.

Option 1 fits your interests much better. Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki all large bustling cities, with world-class museums and other attractions, but they are not charming villages. Bergen, on the other hand, while still a city, has a lovely charming area (Bryggen) down by the harbor.

https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/fjord-norway/bergen/behind-bryggen/

As far as seeing the northern lights, there is as much chance of seeing them in September as there is in October—-both months offer enough hours of darkness. And you will not see them at all from a big city, because of all the city lights—you need a dark sky, out in the countryside away from city lights. Even a full moon will wash them out.

We have seen them even in late August in Alaska ( I used to live in Fairbanks). I suspect the guides on the Iceland tour will know if the aurora is active during your visit, and will advise you on how best to see them.

This is a tough one as these are some of my favorite areas. In fact, I'm spending much of this spring back in Scandinavia.

I never felt any of the cities listed were crazy crowded like Paris or Rome. However, 17 days to visit all those places seems very rushed. How would you be traveling between those cities? If this is an organized tour, and mostly by coach, that's a lot of time traveling between places.

And what about points in between? Will you do "Norway in a Nutshell" between Oslo and Bergen?

I spent three years visiting Iceland in October and November chasing the Northern Lights. No luck. This past September I was back in Reykjavik and there they were. You never know.

We did a short stopover in Iceland once before we headed to Denmark and then to Oslo/Bergen for the Norway in a Nutshell. That trip was mid October and we loved it. That said, we have been back to Iceland 4 times, including doing the ring road. If this were my trip, I would opt for the first option. The ring road is stunning and there is just so much to see and do. As you know, the northern lights are a hit or miss thing, but both of our trips in the fall the lights were amazing. This past October when we were there, the odds were not in our favor, yet right in Reykjavik the lights put on the most amazing show, very easily seen by the naked eye. All right in town, up at the church, so lots of light pollution. So you just never know. The puffins though will be gone, as they tend to leave by the end of August.

These replies are SO helpful and I’m very grateful! Both would be organized tours. Travel between Scandinavian countries is either by plane or boat. This helps me make up my mind so well! Based on all responses I’m going for Option #1!
Very grateful for the help from people who really know! Thank you SO much!

If you've already decided for option one, there probably is not much need to add comments. But in the end it depends on what you are looking for, and if those are premade tours, I assume there is not much room for changes.

But, don't expect option one to offer slightly warmer weather, September weather in Reykjavík is pretty similar to October weather in Stockholm. As for the Northern lights, the odds of you seeing them on either trip are not in your favour.

The days will be noticeably shorter in October; check Wikipedia's
entry from Stockholm, where you'll find a climate-summary chart
showing the very dramatic difference.

The chart shows hours of sunshine, not hours of daylight.

Yes, but shorter days are a considerable part of the difference. I've taken trips that spanned September and part of October, and the shortening of the days was obvious. It bugs some of us. Others don't care, or even prefer shorter days because cities are lit up.

To answer the question posed, I am not 100% set on option #1, though a couple of the responses were very compelling and really sway me in that direction. Mostly likely that is what we'll do. Yes, they are tours, so I can't just mix and match. Actually the Scandinavia tour does do all of them as it goes to Iceland and Norway as well as the four other countries, it just doesn't offer much time in any country. You get about two days in each so you end up staying in the big cities. I'm not opposed to cities. I adore Rome and Florence, I loved Vienna and Munich, and I look forward to Paris. It's just that my preference is nature or small villages and antiquity. I grew up in NYC, I'm kinda tired of that life. I yearn for beauty and old world charm.

I very much appreciate the continued ideas, suggestions, and opinions. I've asked so many people but they offer opinions without ever having been to all of these countries. I value your suggestions because you have actually been to these wonderful countries and can speak directly to it. Thank you again! I continue to read and reflect. I have a little time to choose before the money is set in stone. As of now, I'm booked on option #1 with the opportunity to change for a short time.

Last August/September I spent three weeks in Iceland doing the things that you mentioned. It was an excellent trip with a total dive all around the perimeter cites of the country. It was primarily nature once we left Reykjavik. The experience was awesome. The sights were beautiful. The people throughout the country were phenomenal. But, I would suggest that the overwhelming nature component may not fit what you desire. Yes, I would definitely return.

We added a fourth week and spent it in Denmark.

Thank you Everyone for all your comments and suggestions. I am dumbfounded to report that my tour was cancelled! It was the September tour to Iceland and Norway. I have to find a new tour or lose a cancellation fee. So not cool considering I did not cancel! I guess for now there is no point to continuing the discussion, though I will hold on to your suggestions for the future. Thanks so much again!

Why do you lose a cancellation fee when you didn’t cancel the tour?

Unsure as of yet. I'm trying to get an appointment to speak with someone. Hopefully I'll know soon. The soonest appointment I could book so far isn't until April 5th. Trying to find someone sooner. Thanks for asking.

Have you considered the Rick Steves Scandinavia tour? It combines a mix of cities and wonderful natural scenery in 3 amazing countries, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The culture is very interesting and different enough from US culture and history that I was amazed every day with new facts. I took it last May-early June and loved it.

Best of Scandinavia in 14 Days Tour 2023

What tour company did you book with? They should not charge a cancellation fee when they are the ones who canceled the tour.

Hi, thanks for your concern! It turned out it was a mistake. While the tour is cancelled, there is no cancellation fee. Also, for the person who asked if I've considered the Rick Steves tour, I would love to do that and have checked into it. The problem is that they don't do the same tours I really wanted that I can find. Norway, Denmark and Sweden is not enticing to me. Norway, that includes Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Iceland is more compelling. In the end, that may be the tour I take since the Iceland deep dive plus Norway trip was cancelled.