From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

The best part of this Northern Lights tour is the chase. You do not simply drive to one fixed viewing point and hope for luck. Your guide watches the weather and cloud cover, then chooses from several possible locations. On a good night, the reward can be an hour or more of moving light across the sky.

I like two things here: the free second attempt if the Aurora does not appear, and the guides’ practical help with cameras and phone settings. The main drawback is the large bus format and the long periods spent outdoors in severe cold, with no guarantee that the lights will show.

Key points at a glance

• A weather-led search: The evening route changes according to cloud cover, conditions, and the chance of seeing Aurora activity.
• A free retry: If the sky stays empty, you can book the tour again without paying another tour fee.
• Useful photography help: Guides such as Daisy and Freda have helped visitors set exposure and camera settings for night photography.
• A long, cold wait: You may spend much of the evening standing outside, sometimes in temperatures near minus 10 Celsius or colder.
• A simple city departure: The main meeting point is the departure side of the BSI bus terminal, with optional pickup available.
• A lively guide-led ride: Guides including Alex, Birta, Thor, and Kelli have been praised for keeping the bus ride informative and fun.

Chasing the Aurora from Reykjavik

Seeing the Northern Lights is never as simple as buying a ticket and arriving at a viewpoint. The Aurora depends on solar activity, darkness, cloud cover, and clear skies at the same time. This tour handles that uncertainty by sending you out with a guide who can choose among different locations around the Capital Region and beyond.

That flexibility matters. A clear sky in Reykjavik does not always mean a clear sky elsewhere, and a cloudy city may give way to open skies outside town. The exact route is not fixed, so you should think of this as a search rather than a sightseeing circuit.

The tour lasts about three to four hours. You leave Reykjavik by bus, travel away from the city lights, stop at a dark location, and wait for the sky to offer something. Some departures have reached a national park or an open field far from the city. Other nights may call for a different location.

Your guide explains what to watch for during the drive. The lights can begin as a pale, easily missed arc, then strengthen and move across the sky. On strong nights, the display may last for more than an hour. On weaker nights, you might see only brief patches, or nothing at all.

What the evening actually feels like

The bus is your warm base. Free Wi-Fi is included, and the driver generally keeps the heat available while you are outside. That sounds like a small detail, but it becomes important when you have spent 30 or 40 minutes looking upward in winter conditions.

Once you reach the viewing area, the rhythm is simple: step off the bus, find a darker patch of sky, and wait. There may be stars, moonlight, wind, and distant mountains even before the Aurora appears. One especially memorable kind of evening can include a full moon rising behind a mountain, with the northern sky still open above you.

Do not expect a nonstop show. The guides may ask you to wait longer if they think activity is building. One guide persuaded the group to stay outside a little longer after a weak first glimpse, and the group then saw stronger lights after other buses had already left.

That extra patience can make the difference. The tour is not only about reaching a place. It is also about knowing when the sky is worth waiting for.

Guides who add more than a microphone

The guide is a major part of this experience. A good Aurora guide helps you understand what you are seeing, keeps the group alert, and makes a cold wait easier to handle.

Alex has been praised for mixing information with humor, even singing an Icelandic song on the bus. Birta has brought a lively, excited approach to the evening. Thor has explained the Northern Lights while keeping the ride light and social. Freda has combined clear information with a strong sense of fun.

Daisy is particularly useful if you want photographs. She has helped with exposure settings and explained what to look for in the sky. Other guides have also assisted with camera and phone settings, which is valuable because the lights often look much stronger in a photograph than they do to your eyes.

The guides also explain the science and stories connected with the Aurora. You may hear about solar activity, the way the lights form, and Icelandic tales involving elves. That mix gives the wait some shape without turning the night into a classroom lecture.

The quality of the evening can depend heavily on the individual guide. The company uses English-speaking guides, but the style will vary. Some are especially funny and animated. Others focus more on practical information and helping you spot the lights.

The bus, pickup, and group size

The standard departure point is the departure side of the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. If you choose pickup, you should be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and the bus is marked Reykjavík Excursions.

This is a large coach tour, not a small private outing. One evening used around ten coaches, so you should expect a busy departure area and a substantial group at the viewing site. The coach is comfortable and warm, but you will not get the quiet, personal feel of a small-group tour.

There is an upside to the bigger format. The operation is designed to move many people out of Reykjavik efficiently, and the bus gives you shelter from the cold. Several departures have returned people close to their hotels, even though the official end point is the meeting point. Treat that as a courtesy, not a guaranteed hotel transfer.

Some people will prefer a smaller vehicle, especially if photography is the main goal. A small group can make it easier to find a quiet spot and ask the guide for personal help. The large bus makes more sense if you want a straightforward, lower-cost first attempt.

Why the $69 price can be good value

At $69 per person, this is a fairly accessible way to try for the Aurora without renting a car or planning your own night drive. The price includes transport, an English-speaking local guide, bus Wi-Fi, and the chance to join again free of charge if the first outing produces no sighting.

The retry policy is the strongest part of the value. A no-show by nature is not the company’s fault, but you are not left with a single all-or-nothing night. If you have enough time in Reykjavik, a second attempt gives the booking more weight.

The policy works best for visitors staying several nights. If you leave Iceland the next morning, the free repeat may be of little practical use. You also need to check your email for updates, since poor weather can affect departure plans.

Refreshments are not included. On the 9:00 PM departure, freshly baked waffles and hot drinks are available to buy at the viewing site. That can be welcome in the cold, but bring a payment method and do not assume food is part of the ticket.

Dress for standing still at minus 10 Celsius

Iceland’s winter cold feels much stronger when you are standing still and looking up. Wear several layers, a warm outer coat, gloves, a hat, and sturdy shoes. Thick soles matter because cold ground can draw heat from your feet quickly.

The advice to bring comfortable shoes is not just about the walk from the bus. You may stand outside for long periods, sometimes on uneven ground or in a dark field. Warm socks and insulated footwear are more useful than fashionable boots with thin soles.

Keep your outer layers easy to remove inside the bus. You may go from a heated coach to a cold viewing site and back again more than once. The bus is a refuge, but you should not plan to remain inside for the whole visit if the sky suddenly clears.

The cold can distract you from the view. If you are shivering hard, you will think less about the sky and more about getting back on the bus. Dress as if you will wait longer than expected.

Taking better Northern Lights photos

A guide can help, but you should still prepare your phone or camera before leaving Reykjavik. The Aurora is faint at first, and fumbling with settings in the dark wastes time.

Guides have offered advice on exposure and camera settings, including ways to capture lights that look faint to the naked eye. A tripod can help if you have one, but the supplied information does not promise that tripods or other photography equipment will be provided.

Your phone may record more color than you can see directly. Keep its battery warm and charged, since cold drains power. A portable battery can be useful, though it is not included with the tour.

The best approach is to enjoy the sky first and photograph it second. You may see the lights dance for an hour, but the strongest memory is usually the movement above you, not the sharpness of one photograph.

The free second trip and how to use it

The tour cannot guarantee a sighting. That is true for every Northern Lights outing, including more expensive small-group trips. Cloud can close in, solar activity can fade, or the Aurora may appear after your bus has departed.

If you do not see the lights, you can join the tour again free of charge. You need to contact the operator and arrange the repeat, so do not ignore messages or assume the new place is automatic.

Book early enough in your stay to leave room for another attempt. A first-night departure is a sensible plan if the Aurora is high on your list. It gives you a chance to try again later rather than placing all your hope on the final night.

The free repeat does not mean you are guaranteed a better result. It does mean the company recognizes the uncertainty and gives you another opportunity at no extra tour cost.

What can go wrong

The most obvious problem is that you may see nothing. A clear sky does not guarantee Aurora activity, and a strong forecast does not promise that the lights will appear at your particular stop.

Weather can also cancel or change the outing. Check your email before leaving for the bus terminal, including the junk folder. One departure was canceled, and the replacement information went into a junk email folder. The ticket was moved to the next night, but the traveler had already walked to the meeting point before learning about the cancellation.

The driving can feel less comfortable on dark, icy roads. The bus may travel for about an hour before reaching a viewing area, and the journey can include exposed roads outside the city. You are trading some comfort and privacy for a lower price and a professional driver.

Finally, the large group may feel crowded. Ten coaches in one operation can mean many people at a popular stop. If you want silence, fast access to the guide, or more control over where you stand, compare this with a small-group option.

Who should book this tour?

This tour suits you if you want a practical first attempt at seeing the Aurora from Reykjavik. It is especially useful for a short stay, a modest budget, or a schedule that does not leave room for planning your own route.

Families can benefit from the warm bus, simple meeting point, and lively guides. It can also work well for a birthday or a special evening, though children and older adults must be prepared for long waits in cold weather.

Photography-minded visitors will appreciate the guidance on exposure and camera settings, but a smaller group may be better if photography is your main purpose. The big coach is also less appealing if you dislike crowded departures or want a quiet night outdoors.

I would choose it early in a Reykjavik stay. That gives you the best use of the free repeat, plus time to adjust your clothing and expectations before trying again.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, organized Aurora search with a real second chance built in. The guides can add humor, local stories, science, and useful photo advice, while the bus keeps you warm between viewing attempts.

Skip it if a large coach group would spoil the evening for you, or if you have only one night available and need a guaranteed result. No Northern Lights tour can promise that. For most visitors with two or more evenings in Reykjavik, though, the $69 price and free retry make this a sensible way to take your chance.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour start?

The main departure point is the departure side at the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. Optional pickup is available, and you should be ready 30 minutes before departure if you choose it.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about three to four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The Aurora depends on weather and other natural conditions, so sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I take the tour again if I do not see the lights?

Yes. If you do not see the Northern Lights on the first outing, you can join again free of charge.

What should I wear?

Wear several warm layers, a winter coat, gloves, a hat, and comfortable shoes. You may spend a long time standing outside in very cold winter conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Refreshments are not included. On the 9:00 PM departure, waffles and hot drinks are available to purchase at the viewing site.