From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

The Northern Lights are the reason to leave Reykjavík after dark, but this is a search, not a promise. Your guide and driver take you away from city lights and choose a viewing spot based on the night’s weather. If the aurora appears, you may see it shifting above an open stretch of Icelandic sky.

I like two things about this tour: the guide adjusts the plan to the conditions, and you can return for free if the lights do not show on your first outing. Guides including Alex, Birta, Thor, Freda, and Daisy have also helped make the ride engaging, with explanations, humor, Icelandic songs, and practical camera tips.

The trade-off is plain: the aurora is unpredictable, and you may spend a long time outside in severe cold without seeing it. At $69, the tour is a reasonable way to get beyond Reykjavík’s light pollution, but pack warmly and keep a second evening free if you can.

• The viewing location changes with the weather: There is no fixed stop, so expect the guide to make the call on the night.
• The trip lasts 3 to 4 hours: You leave from the BSI bus terminal and return there, though some drivers have dropped people near their hotels.
• The free repeat is useful insurance: If you see no lights on the first outing, you can try again without paying for another tour.
• The cold can be sharper outside Reykjavík: Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes with warm, sturdy soles.
• Guides can help with photos: Some show you how to set up a camera or phone to capture the aurora.
• The tour does not include refreshments: Waffles and hot drinks are available to buy on site for the 9:00 PM departure.

Leaving Reykjavík for a darker sky

The tour starts at the departure side of the BSI bus terminal, with optional pickup available. If you are joining at the terminal, be ready 30 minutes before departure and look for a bus marked Reykjavík Excursions. The bus is included, and free Wi-Fi is available onboard.

Once the group is aboard, the guide explains what the Northern Lights are and what to watch for. That helps turn the ride into more than a transfer: you get some context before stepping out into the dark. Guides have also shared camera-setting advice on the way, which can save you from trying to figure out exposure while wearing gloves.

The destination is not set in advance. Weather and other conditions determine where the bus goes, and the guide may choose among several spots. That flexibility matters in Iceland, where cloud cover can make one area a poor bet and another a better place to wait.

Expect a bus outing rather than a small-group hike or a fixed sightseeing circuit. Some nights involve several coaches, and the amount of time on the road depends on where conditions look promising. One account describes roughly an hour of driving to a viewing area, but the route can vary, so it is best not to plan around a particular stop or travel time.

Waiting beneath the Arctic sky

At the viewing spot, the main activity is simple: get off the bus, look up, and wait. The guide may point out what to watch for and help you understand changing conditions, but there is no way to schedule an aurora appearance. On some nights, a clear sky and strong lights create a long show. On others, cloud or low activity can leave the sky quiet.

That uncertainty is the central fact to weigh before booking. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, not a stage performance, and the tour cannot guarantee a sighting. You might stand outside for a while before anything appears, or you may not see the lights at all.

Cold makes that wait feel longer. Conditions at the viewing area can be much colder than in Reykjavík, and one outing reached minus 16 degrees. That is not a forecast for every trip, but it is a useful warning: bring several warm layers, comfortable shoes, and warm socks. You may be standing still for an extended stretch, so dress for waiting rather than walking briskly around town.

Some trips have been memorable for reasons beyond the aurora. A clear sky can reveal stars, and one outing included a full moon rising behind a mountain. These details are not guaranteed, of course, but they show why a night outside can still feel worthwhile when the lights take their time.

If the aurora does appear, the show can change quickly. It may begin as a faint patch, then grow into curtains or bands that shift across the sky. Guides have helped people set up cameras and phones, but don’t let photography take over the moment. Take a few pictures, then look up. The display is easy to miss while staring at a screen.

The guide makes the wait easier

A good guide cannot control the sky, but can make the search more useful and enjoyable. Guides on this tour have explained the aurora, offered photo advice, and kept the mood upbeat during long waits. Alex has been praised for sharing an Icelandic song on the bus, while guides such as Birta, Thor, Freda, and Daisy have been noted for humor, enthusiasm, and clear explanations.

The difference matters most when the lights are slow to appear. A guide who explains why the group has stopped, what conditions they are watching, and how to photograph the sky can make a cold wait feel less like dead time. Still, your experience depends on the person leading your particular departure. Those named guides are examples, not a promise of who you will get.

The driver is part of the experience, too. The trip is a bus tour, and the roads may be dark or feel unfamiliar if you are used to driving in the city. In one unusual case, a bus problem meant the group needed another vehicle. The guide and driver kept people comfortable while they waited, with a bonfire, hot chocolate, and songs. That kind of extra care is welcome, but it is not a standard feature to count on.

The bus also offers a warm place to return to between sky checks. One guide kept the heat on so people could warm up during a very cold stop. Even with that option, don’t treat the bus as a substitute for proper winter clothes. You will want to be ready to spend time outdoors when the sky becomes active.

What the $69 fare gets you

At $69 per person, the price covers the bus tour, local guide, and onboard Wi-Fi, along with the chance to see the aurora. Refreshments are not included. For a first night in Iceland, that is a practical way to get away from Reykjavík’s light pollution without renting a car or working out a route in winter conditions.

The free repeat is an important part of the value. If the lights do not appear on your first trip, you can join again at no charge. That makes the first outing feel less like a one-shot gamble, especially if you have several evenings in Reykjavík. It does not guarantee that a second attempt will succeed, and you should check your email for any tour updates before setting out.

There are limits to what the fare buys. This is a bus-based search with a flexible destination, not a private tour or a guaranteed viewing. The tour lasts around 3 to 4 hours, but the weather and the aurora decide how much you actually see. If you want a quieter outing or a more personal format, check what other tour sizes are available before booking; this trip can involve large buses and many people.

Hot drinks and freshly baked waffles are available to purchase on site for the 9:00 PM departure. That can be welcome on a cold night, but bring anything else you know you will want, since refreshments are not part of the fare.

Making the most of your departure

Keep the day before your tour flexible if possible. The operator may send updates, and the location depends on weather and viewing conditions. Check your email, including the junk folder: one person missed a cancellation notice there and walked to the terminal before learning the trip was not going ahead. If a departure is cancelled or moved, checking messages can save you an unnecessary trip.

The tour runs for 3 to 4 hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. One guide suggested that the 9:00 PM departure can offer better chances, but conditions change from night to night, so no departure time can promise a sighting. If you choose that time, remember that waffles and hot drinks are available to buy on site.

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes, and use layers you can adjust. Thick-soled shoes are a sensible choice for standing on cold ground. If you hope to take pictures, bring a camera or phone you know how to use in low light, and listen for the guide’s setup tips. A tripod may help with some cameras, but it is not listed as a tour provision, so bring one only if you already plan to use it.

After the outing, the activity ends back at the meeting point. Some drivers have dropped people near their hotels on the way back, but that is not guaranteed. Plan your return from BSI rather than relying on a hotel stop.

Who should book this aurora search

This tour suits you if you are staying in Reykjavík, want a guided way to search beyond the city lights, and can accept that the result is uncertain. It is especially appealing if you can leave another evening open for a free repeat. The guide’s explanations and camera advice add value even before the aurora appears.

It may be a poor fit if you cannot tolerate cold, need a fixed end time, or would be disappointed by a night without a sighting. The excursion is built around waiting outdoors, and the sky gets the final say. Families and couples can enjoy the shared excitement, but everyone should arrive dressed for winter conditions, not just for the temperature in town.

I would book it when seeing the aurora is a priority and I had enough time in Iceland to try again. The price is fair for transport, a guide, and a second chance, but the strongest reason to go is the possibility of standing under a dark Icelandic sky when the lights finally appear.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The tour lasts 3 to 4 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the tour start and end?

The departure point is on the departure side of Reykjavík’s BSI bus terminal. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora is unpredictable, and sightings depend on conditions.

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

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

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Dress in several layers because you may stand outside for a long time in very cold conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Refreshments are not included. Freshly baked waffles and hot drinks are available to buy on site for the 9:00 PM departure.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.