From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

The Northern Lights are the reason to book this outing, but the real strength is the search itself. You leave Reykjavik after dark, ride into quieter country, and wait beneath a sky free from much of the city’s glow. If the aurora appears, it can move from a faint green smear to a full curtain of light in minutes.

I like the free second attempt if the sky stays empty, and I like having a guide who can adjust the route according to weather and cloud cover. The main drawback is simple: no guide can order up the aurora, and you may spend a long, very cold stretch outside without seeing it.

Key points to know before booking

• The route changes nightly: Your guide chooses among several possible locations based on weather, cloud cover, and the chances of seeing the aurora.
• You get a free second chance: If you do not see the lights, you can join the tour again without paying another tour fee.
• The bus leaves from BSI: The main departure point is the departure side of Reykjavik’s BSI bus terminal, with optional pickup available.
• Expect a 3 to 4-hour outing: The tour includes travel, time waiting outdoors, and the return to Reykjavik.
• Guides help with photographs: Guides such as Daisy and other members of the team have helped people adjust camera exposure and phone settings.
• The cold is serious: Dress in several warm layers, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare to stand outside for a long time.

Chasing the aurora beyond Reykjavik

This is not a tour with a fixed sightseeing route. It is a night search. The bus leaves Reykjavik and heads toward an area with darker skies, while your English-speaking guide explains how the Northern Lights form and what conditions help make them visible.

Your destination depends on that night’s forecast. One evening may call for a national park or a broad field away from city lights. Another may send the bus in a different direction to find clearer skies. That flexibility matters because cloud cover can ruin an otherwise active aurora forecast.

The ride itself is part of the evening. Guides have filled the journey with practical explanations, stories about Iceland, and advice on what to watch for. Alex, Birta, Freida, Daisy, Thor, and other guides have been singled out for keeping the ride lively and helping people understand what they are seeing.

The bus is marked Reykjavík Excursions, making it easier to identify at the terminal or pickup point. You should be ready 30 minutes before departure if you use pickup. The activity returns to the starting point, although drivers have sometimes dropped people near their hotels on the way back when possible. Treat that as a kindness, not a promised service.

What happens at the viewing stop

Once the bus reaches a darker area, you get out and look up. This may sound basic, but the setting changes the experience. Away from Reykjavik’s streetlights, the stars can be striking even if the aurora never appears. One evening included a clear sky, a full moon rising behind a mountain, and only a small amount of aurora activity. That was still a memorable night beneath the Arctic sky.

The waiting can be the hardest part. You might see nothing for 45 minutes, then notice a pale streak that grows stronger. On another night, the lights may begin soon after arrival and continue for an hour or more. One group watched the aurora for over 30 minutes, while another had a show lasting around an hour and a half.

This is why you should avoid judging the tour during the first quiet stretch. The lights can be faint at first, and your eyes need time to adjust. Your guide may ask you to wait longer if conditions are improving. In one case, the guide encouraged the group to stay out a little longer, and a clearer display appeared after many people had already returned to the bus.

The bus remains important during the outdoor portion. Guides have kept the heat running so you can warm up, and on the 9:00 PM departure, waffles and hot drinks are available for purchase on-site. Those treats are not included in the price, but they can make a cold wait easier.

Why the free rebooking matters

The strongest practical feature here is the free return trip. Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed, and this policy gives you another chance if the sky does not cooperate.

You should still allow room in your Iceland schedule. If your first attempt is cancelled or produces no sighting, you need another evening available. Check your email before leaving for the terminal because weather updates and cancellation notices may arrive there. One booking was cancelled on the first night, and the customer missed the message because it went to a junk folder. The ticket was moved to the next night, but checking spam is a small step that can save you an unnecessary walk.

A second outing also works well because conditions can change sharply from one night to the next. You may have cloud on the first evening and clear skies the next. The free rebooking does not promise success, but it gives the weather another chance to help you.

If you are in Reykjavik for only one night, the policy has less value because you may not have time to return. If you have several evenings, I would schedule this early in your stay. That leaves room to try again without giving up another planned activity.

The bus ride, group size, and comfort

At $69 per person, this is one of the more approachable ways to search for the aurora from Reykjavik. You are paying for transport, a local guide, route changes based on conditions, and the chance to return free if the sky stays dark. You are not paying for a guaranteed show, a meal, or a small private outing.

The bus can be large. One evening involved ten coaches, and several accounts describe a full bus with many people hoping for the same natural event. That brings clear advantages: the price stays moderate, the operator can cover a wide area, and you have a warm vehicle nearby.

The tradeoff is less personal attention than you would get on a small-group tour. You may stand with a large crowd at the viewing site, and boarding or returning to the bus can take time. If a quiet, private experience matters most, this may not be your ideal format.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, though the main reason to bring your phone is photography rather than browsing. The ride can be comfortable and warm, but the viewing stop is outdoors. Temperatures have reached minus 10 to minus 16 Celsius during some outings, so Reykjavik’s temperature at departure may not tell you what to expect outside the city.

Getting better Northern Lights photographs

Your eyes may see a pale glow, while a camera captures more color and shape. Guides have helped people with exposure settings and offered advice for both cameras and phones. That assistance is useful, especially if you have never photographed the night sky.

Bring a phone or camera with a charged battery and enough storage. The supplied information does not promise tripods or camera equipment, so do not assume anything beyond basic guidance from the guide.

The most useful help is often simple: hold the camera steady, use an appropriate night setting, and avoid judging the display only through your screen. Listen when the guide explains exposure and light pollution. A dark site gives your camera a better chance, but it cannot replace a clear sky.

You may also want to watch first and photograph second. A strong display can last only a short time, while a longer one gives you time to try different settings. If the lights begin faintly, keep watching. They may strengthen after a quiet start.

The people who shape the evening

The guide can make a major difference during a night that includes long periods of waiting. Alex has been described as warm and entertaining, even singing an Icelandic song on the bus. Birta brought energy to the ride and helped turn a successful sighting into a special occasion.

Freida has been praised for combining humor with clear explanations. Daisy has helped with camera settings and explained what to look for in the sky. Thor has mixed Northern Lights information with jokes and conversation. Names and assignments change, but these examples show the kind of guide you may get: part route planner, part sky interpreter, and part morale officer when the clouds refuse to move.

There have also been unusual moments. One bus had a minor accident and needed another bus to collect the group. The guide and driver kept people comfortable with a bonfire and hot chocolate while the group waited, and the evening continued with music and Northern Lights. That is not a scheduled feature, but it shows why calm staff matter when plans go sideways.

You should also keep expectations realistic. A good guide can choose a better location, explain the science, and help you stay comfortable. A guide cannot guarantee clear skies or stronger aurora activity.

Timing your Reykjavik Northern Lights tour

The activity lasts about 3 to 4 hours, with departure times shown when you check availability. The 9:00 PM departure has a useful extra: waffles and hot drinks are available to buy on-site. It may also suit you if you prefer a later start and want more time for dinner beforehand.

Earlier departures can work better for children or anyone who dislikes being out very late, but the actual best time depends on the night’s darkness and conditions. The tour information does not promise that one departure always sees more than another. Pick the time that leaves you rested enough to wait outside.

Do not pack another tightly timed evening activity after this tour. The return can vary because the route changes and the group may stay longer when the lights appear. You may also be dropped near hotels along the way, but the formal end point is the meeting place at BSI.

What to wear for the outdoor wait

Warm clothing is not a suggestion here. Wear several layers so you can adjust as the temperature changes between the bus and the viewing site. Bring comfortable shoes with warm, thick soles if you have them.

You may stand outside for a long period, even when the first signs of the aurora are weak. Cold feet and hands can end the experience before the sky does. Pack more warmth than you think you need, especially if the forecast is near freezing in Reykjavik.

The guide may encourage you to return to the bus to warm up. That is sensible. You do not lose the chance to see the lights by taking a short break, and the aurora can remain visible after you come back outside.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this tour if you want an affordable first attempt from Reykjavik and you have at least two nights available. The free rebooking gives you useful flexibility, and the guides add value through weather updates, stories, and camera help.

It suits families and first-time visitors who prefer organized transport to driving on dark Icelandic roads. It also suits solo visitors who want company during a late-night search.

I would think twice if you want a small group, a guaranteed private viewing area, or a carefully fixed schedule. The bus may be large, the route can change, and the main event may involve waiting in the cold. You should also skip it if your Iceland schedule leaves no room for a second attempt and you would be disappointed by an empty sky.

Cancellation, pickup, and other practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The tour is in English.

The main meeting point is the departure side of BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. Pickup is optional, and you should be ready 30 minutes before the stated departure time if you select it. Look for the Reykjavík Excursions bus.

Bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes. Refreshments are not included, though waffles and hot drinks can be purchased on the 9:00 PM departure. Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus.

Should you book the $69 aurora search?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, well-organized chance to see the Northern Lights and can accept that nature makes the final decision. The flexible route, warm bus, English-speaking guide, and free second attempt make the price fair, especially for a first night in Iceland.

I would book it early in your stay, keep another evening open, and check your email and junk folder before departure. Bring serious winter clothing, not just a warm coat. If the sky opens, you may watch the aurora dance for an hour. If it does not, you still have a second chance, which is the detail that makes this bus tour easier to recommend.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour depart from?

The main departure point is the departure side of the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik.

Does the tour offer pickup?

Yes, pickup is optional. If you use pickup, be ready 30 minutes before the tour departure time. The bus is marked Reykjavík Excursions.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 3 to 4 hours, including the journey from Reykjavik, time at the viewing location, and the return.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather and aurora conditions, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can join the tour again free of charge if the lights are not visible on your first attempt.

Can the tour location change?

Yes. The guide chooses from different locations depending on weather and other conditions on the day.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, several layers, and comfortable shoes. You may spend a long time standing outside in very cold conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Refreshments are not included. Waffles and hot drinks are available to purchase on-site on the 9:00 PM departure.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.