Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights here means chasing the sky, not parking beside Tromsø and waiting. Chasing Lights may drive for hours, sometimes into Finland, searching for breaks in the cloud before stopping for photos, hot drinks, and a campfire. Guides such as Soraia, Alex, Marius, Owen, and Bailey are praised for their energy, astronomy talks, and strong night photography.

I like two things right away: the free professional photos mean you can put your phone away, and the guides keep trying when Tromsø is cloudy. The bus also gives you a warm base during a long night. The main catch is the big-group format, with up to 50 people, long driving hours, and a return that may come between 10:30 pm and 3 am.

Key points to know before you book

• The route changes every night: Your guides choose the direction based on cloud cover and aurora conditions, with some trips reaching Finland.
• Free photos are included: Guides take portraits and aurora shots, then send the professional files to you.
• Expect a long night: The advertised duration is five to nine hours, but some outings have lasted about 11 hours.
• You get warm drinks, not a meal: Hot beverages and hot water are included, while food, proper outdoor clothing, and tripods are not.
• A large bus is useful but limiting: You have shelter and, on some buses, charging ports and a toilet, but a 50-person group can feel crowded.
• No lights means no automatic refund: The aurora is never promised. A separate weather cancellation by the operator can bring a new date or full refund.

Why this is a real aurora chase

Many Tromsø aurora outings stay close to town. This one is built around movement. The guides check the night’s conditions and drive toward the best available combination of clear sky, darkness, and aurora activity.

That matters because cloud can cover Tromsø while the sky is clear a short distance away. It also means you should think of this as a night expedition rather than a simple sightseeing stop. You may spend much of the evening on the road, with several stops while the guides reassess the sky.

On some nights, the bus has gone south and across the Finnish border. That can produce a better view, but it also adds hours of driving. One trip returned close to 4 am after a long run into Finland. If you have a morning flight, a dog-sled outing, or a full sightseeing plan the next day, this late finish matters.

The chase can pay off handsomely. One especially strong outing reached a snowy field after about two hours, where the aurora appeared in waves for roughly 90 minutes to two hours. Other nights bring only a brief display, or none at all. The guides can improve your odds, but they cannot control cloud, solar activity, or the timing of the lights.

Leaving Tromsø at 5:20 pm

The meeting point is at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, beside Tromsø Havn Prostneset bus terminal. Pickup and drop-off take place there, not at your hotel. The activity begins at 5:20 pm, so allow time to find the correct bus area.

The pickup instructions are easy to misunderstand. The useful detail is that you should look outside at bus parking spot number 5. Arriving early is smart, especially if you do not know the terminal. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Once aboard, the guides explain the plan and begin watching the weather. Names change from one departure to another, but Soraia, Alex, Marius, Owen, Bailey, Taylor, Meda, Jefta, Nick, and others have led different outings. The strongest part of the guiding is not just pointing out the lights. It is the mix of practical coordination, astronomy, local culture, and enthusiasm that keeps a long drive from feeling like dead time.

Some guides explain the science behind the aurora. Others add Sámi and Norwegian cultural background, or point out stars and planets while the group waits. Alex has been singled out for animated explanations, while Meda and Brian were praised for moving the group between three viewing sites and keeping everyone involved.

The big bus advantage, and its limits

The maximum group size is 50 people. That gives you a stable base, protection from wind, and a better chance of staying comfortable during long stretches between stops. Families and anyone traveling with a child may appreciate having a warm bus nearby, especially when the night stretches late.

The bus experience is not perfect. It can become very warm on the return trip, to the point that you may want to remove several layers. Bring layers you can adjust easily rather than one heavy outfit that is hard to manage.

Some buses have USB and USB-C charging ports. One bus also had a toilet, though it could be used only while the vehicle was stopped. Do not assume every vehicle has the same setup, particularly if the operator changes to a minibus for a smaller departure.

The size also affects the viewing experience. A group of 50 can crowd the best photo spots, and guides may have many people asking for individual pictures at once. A large bus cannot reach every narrow or rough viewing area that a small vehicle can. On some dates, the company switches to a minibus when numbers are lower, which can create a friendlier and more flexible outing.

If you want a quiet, private night with quick decisions and plenty of room around your camera, this is not the ideal format. If you prefer a warm base, a lower price than a private chase, and the reassurance of an organized team, the bus is a sensible tradeoff.

Stops are chosen for the sky, not the scenery

There is no fixed sightseeing route. The only listed stop is Tromsø, and the rest of the night depends on cloud and aurora conditions. You may stop in a snowy field, beside a lake, or at another dark location away from city lights.

That flexibility is the whole point. A fixed itinerary would be easier to describe, but it would be less useful on a night when clouds cover the planned area. The guides may make several stops, wait for a while, then move again if the sky closes in.

The dark conditions require care. One outing involved walking down a snowy hill toward a lake. The path had ruts, ice patches, and slippery sections, and climbing back up in the dark was difficult for anyone who was not agile. This is important: bring sturdy footwear and use extra caution, even though special equipment is not supplied.

You may be standing in deep snow. One outing took place in snow about two feet deep. A flat field is possible, but it is not guaranteed. The place that produces the best view may be less comfortable to reach.

Fireside drinks and the waiting game

Once the group settles at a good viewing spot, the evening becomes much less hurried. Guides may light a fire, serve a hot drink, and talk through what is happening overhead. Warm blackcurrant or lingonberry juice, hot water, and cookies have been served on some outings, though you should count on hot drinks rather than a full snack service.

The fire is more than a pleasant extra. Aurora chasing involves waiting. The sky may show a faint green arc, fade, and then brighten later. A drink and a fire give you something to do while the guides watch the clouds and solar conditions.

The talks can cover the science of the Northern Lights, astronomy, Sámi culture, and Norwegian culture. On one outing, the guide paired a physics explanation with stories from old mythology. That mix works well because it gives the night a sense of place instead of turning it into a simple photo stop.

Still, do not expect a campfire at every location or on every departure. Conditions, time, and the chosen site affect what the team can arrange. The included offering is a hot beverage and hot water.

Photography is one of the strongest reasons to choose it

The tour includes professional pictures at no extra charge. Guides with photography skills take individual portraits beneath the aurora, group images, and shots of the sky itself. The files are sent to you after the outing.

This has real value. Aurora photography is difficult without a tripod, manual camera settings, and practice. The tour does not include tripods, but you can still enjoy the night without spending the whole time adjusting your phone. Put your device away when the lights appear, then rely on the guides for images that show both you and the sky.

The free photos also help justify the price. At $151.15 per person, this is not a cheap evening bus ride. You are paying for a professional photography team, transport over a wide area, guiding, weather decisions, hot drinks, and the chance to continue the search for up to nine hours. If you were planning to hire a photographer separately, the included images improve the value.

The group setting has a downside. With many people requesting photos, you may need to wait your turn. The guides do their best, but a private tour would offer more time and control. Bring your own camera only if you enjoy the process, not because you need it to get a good keepsake.

Dress for the Arctic, not the bus

Clothing is not included. The bus may be warm, but the viewing sites can be bitterly cold, especially during long waits. Wear several adjustable layers, warm gloves, thick socks, and shoes with good grip.

A face covering and extra socks are worthwhile. One family found that doubling up on socks and bringing more protection for the face and hands would have helped. The contrast between a hot bus and a freezing viewing site means you should be ready to add and remove layers often.

Meals are also not included. Eat before departure and carry anything else you need, since the tour can run far past midnight. Hot drinks help, but they do not replace dinner.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the outdoor portions may involve snow, ice, uneven ground, and a walk away from the vehicle. If you have limited mobility, ask the operator about the likely setup before booking, because the exact viewing place changes each night.

Is $151.15 good value?

I see this as a fair price for an organized group chase, provided you understand what you are buying. You are not paying for a guaranteed show. You are paying for transport, experienced guides, photography, the ability to follow better conditions, and a warm vehicle during a long search.

The free photo package is the biggest value point. Professional images can cost a lot on a separate photography outing, and the guides also provide the practical advantage of knowing how to frame people under a moving aurora.

The price may feel high if the sky stays cloudy or the group spends most of the night driving. That disappointment is unavoidable with any aurora tour, but it feels sharper when the outing lasts nine to 11 hours. You should book early in your Tromsø stay if possible, leaving another night available in case the first attempt produces little.

One useful price note: the operator’s own website has been listed at 1,200 NOK, while third-party booking sites have been around 1,500 NOK. Check the direct price before paying, but confirm that the date, cancellation terms, and exact tour are the same.

Cancellation and the no-show risk

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The company operates in all weather conditions because poor weather in Tromsø can sometimes mean clearer skies elsewhere. If the operator cancels because conditions are unsuitable or the minimum number is not reached, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

That is different from simply failing to see the aurora. If the tour runs and the lights do not appear, there is no free replacement trip or automatic refund. If you miss the meeting point, there is also no refund. Plan to be at bus spot number 5 early.

Who should book this chase?

I would choose it if seeing the aurora is a top priority and you want the team to make the weather decisions for you. It suits first-time visitors, families who want a bus as a base, photographers who appreciate help with portraits, and anyone willing to trade a late night for a better chance at clear skies.

I would be cautious if you dislike long drives, need a guaranteed return time, have an early departure the next morning, or want a small private group. A large bus can feel crowded, and the route may take you far from Tromsø.

Book it with realistic expectations. The guides can chase clear weather, find darker locations, explain what you are seeing, and take excellent photos. They cannot manufacture the aurora. If you accept that bargain, this is one of the stronger group options for making the most of a cloudy or uncertain Tromsø night.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase begin?

It begins at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, at the Tromsø Havn Prostneset bus terminal in Tromsø.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 5:20 pm.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes back at the original meeting point in Tromsø.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is about five to nine hours. The return to Tromsø may be between 10:30 pm and 3 am, and some outings have lasted about 11 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the meeting point at the bus terminal.

Can the tour travel outside Norway?

Yes. The route can include long drives, and some outings travel into Finland while searching for clearer skies.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. Professional photos taken during the tour are sent to you free of charge.

Are meals and outdoor clothes included?

No. Meals, clothing, and tripods are not included. Hot drinks and hot water are included.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

Some buses have a toilet, but it can be used only when the bus is stopped. If the group is moved to a minibus, facilities may differ.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The aurora is not guaranteed, and there is no refund or free trip simply because the lights do not appear. If the operator cancels the tour because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you can be offered another date or a full refund.