Iceland · NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS

Northern Lights Tours from Reykjavik: The 15 Best Hunts

119 tours  ·  from $30 a head

Nobody can promise the aurora, so look at what happens when it does not show. These 15 tours are compared on group size, how far they drive for clear sky, and what they offer if the night comes up empty.

Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik - What the stops are like
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Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik

1.Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 11,161 reviews · from $73Our pick

Leave Reykjavik’s bright center for a four-hour bus search guided by aurora forecasts. Your English-speaking guide explains the science and helps you watch and photograph the sky at changing locations. You may hear guides such as Jessica, Sunny, Daniel, or Petra. No sighting is guaranteed, but a free retry is offered if the lights do not appear.

“David was our guide yesterday, 19th April 2025, and during the trip he did his wonders by explaining us how the northern lights appear and how some countries explained through mythology in the past. Super interesting. Thank you David! We got a cup of hot chocolate for free during the trip. We were SO lucky we got to see these amazing auroras this time of the year! Definitely would do it every single day of my vacations if it was guaranteed to see the lights. It’s really worth every cent!”

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Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Following forecasts instead of a fixed route
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Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

2.Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,977 reviews · 4 hours · from $107

Leave Reykjavík by minibus with an English-speaking aurora guide, who follows the night’s weather and forecasts to find dark skies. Expect several outdoor stops, practical photo help and hot chocolate. The four-hour hunt costs $107 per person, but sightings are never guaranteed. If the lights do not appear, you can join a free retry tour within three years.

“It was a very good organisation. We werent lucky on the first day and didnt see the northern lights. We got a second tour for free and had luck the second time. Ody found the lights within the first 15 minutes! That was an awesome experience!!!”

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#1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos - Photos that can make the memory easier to keep
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#1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos

3.#1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,887 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Leave Reykjavik with a local guide who chooses the viewing spot according to that night’s conditions. The four-hour hunt includes hotel-area pickup, professional photos, and a free repeat tour if you do not see the aurora, subject to availability. Guides such as Bjarni, Johann, and BG have been praised for their patience and Icelandic stories.

“To make the most of this amazing experience, don’t forget to bring a top-notch camera or mobile phone to capture the moments. Also, dress warmly, and wear thick clothing to stay cozy.”

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Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos - Photos are a welcome extra, with limits
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Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos

4.Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,068 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $172

Leave Reykjavík by minibus with a guide who tracks the aurora forecast and searches for clear viewing spots. The four-hour outing includes hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, wool blankets, live commentary, and photos when conditions allow. Guides such as Baldvin, Michaela, and Devin have helped with camera settings and kept searching when the lights were slow to appear.

“Michaela knew exactly where to go! We stopped three times to see a spectacular show of the Northern Lights. She took photos of us at each stop, and on the last stop we had cocoa and Icelandic donuts. This tour was great!”

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Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik - The coach ride is part of the evening
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Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik

5.Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 1,921 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $63Best value

Leave Reykjavik by coach with a guide who explains the aurora’s science and Icelandic folklore, then head to a dark-sky location chosen for that evening’s weather. Expect a flexible 3 to 5 hour search, photo pointers, onboard Wi-Fi and, if no lights appear, a complimentary repeat tour. Pickup details vary, so check your confirmation carefully.

“Was a brilliant experience from start to finish Tina and packo were a brilliant team we got to see so many beautiful places”

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Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik with Hot Chocolate - The guide can make the wait worthwhile
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Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik with Hot Chocolate

6.Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik with Hot Chocolate

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,782 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $76

Leave Reykjavik’s city lights behind on a four-hour northern lights hunt, with an English-speaking guide choosing countryside stops around the night’s conditions. The route may include Thingvellir National Park and other viewing spots. Hot chocolate, WiFi, round-trip transport, and one free return tour if the aurora does not appear are included.

“Our guide was amazing. He explained the significance of the Aurora and would not rest until we saw it. He brought us to many locations so that we could appreciate the beauty of the Northern lights. Excellent experience.”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Lifetime Guarantee - Guides, explanations, and camera help
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Lifetime Guarantee

7.Northern Lights Tour with Lifetime Guarantee

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 1,578 reviews · 3 hours · from $73

Gray Line Iceland takes you by coach beyond Reykjavik to search for the Aurora Borealis. A local English-speaking guide explains the lights and helps with camera settings, while an app offers audio in 10 languages. You may wait at a dark-sky stop, then return by bus. If the lights do not appear, you can take the tour again for free.

“It was my second Northern Lights tour but the first one in Iceland and I got very lucky again! :D Well, that is not really up to the guide but they did tell us what to look out for, made sure we are not missing it and explained in great detail about aurora, which was very cool, as well as gave some practical tips.”

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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour - Choosing a deck, or heading inside
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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

8.Northern Lights Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,253 reviews · 2 hours · from $93

Sail for two hours from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, past small islands and along the coast, then away from city lights to watch for the aurora. You can move between three panoramic decks and the indoor lounge, where drinks are available to buy. An English-speaking guide explains what to look for, and the crew provides blankets and seasickness tablets.

“Absolutely loved this trip. Arranged a pick up from our hotel which arrived promptly and got us to the harbour in good time. Very pleasant driver. Check in for the trip was quick and in no time we were on the yacht. We were really impressed and said that even if we didn’t see the Northern Lights, we were so glad we had come as it looked to be a fabulous trip. We found a comfy spot to sit inside but near enough to get outside quickly if there were any signs of the lights appearing. Very soon our guide Maria told us that the lights were starting to appear…”

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Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik - One viewing stop, or more?
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Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

9.Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,183 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $73

Ride from Reykjavik with a local guide who explains aurora science and chooses a viewing spot based on the weather and forecast. The 3 to 5 hour bus trip includes Wi-Fi and a free return opportunity if the lights do not appear. Sightings are never guaranteed, so book early in your Iceland trip if you can.

“Great night trip to the Northern Lights. Tour guide was very fun and friendly. Well organised trip with the pick up and drop off points. The northern lights were present on my visit but it’s important to remember that photos may show the lights more than what can be seen with the eye in real life”

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Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Small-Group from Reykjavík - Learning to read the aurora
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Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Small-Group from Reykjavík

10.Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Small-Group from Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 965 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $140Top rated

Leave Reykjavík in a heated minibus with a guide who tracks conditions and searches for a dark, clear-sky spot. Expect aurora science, Icelandic stories, hot chocolate and help with photos. Guides such as Tomas and Siggi have earned praise for their persistence, but the northern lights remain a natural show with no guarantee.

“Very professional company. Tomas was a wonderful guide and you can tell he is very passionate about finding the northern lights to create special memories for his clients. We booked this tour for my mom's 65th birthday and we had the most spectacular lights. The hot cocoa and professional photos are much appreciated. Highly recommend!”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour - The guide makes the wait easier
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

11.Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 761 reviews · from $69

Ride out from Reykjavík’s BSI bus terminal with an English-speaking guide who chooses viewing spots according to the weather. The 3 to 4-hour trip includes bus Wi-Fi and a free return if the lights do not appear. Guides such as Alex, Birta, Thor, Freda, and Daisy have helped with camera settings, kept spirits up in the cold, and made the wait part of the night.

“Great experience unfortunately we didn't get to see the northern lights but the guide was knowledgeable and the experience was 8”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos - How the guide chooses where to stop
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos

12.Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 718 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Head beyond Reykjavik with guides such as Christian, Ania, and Anna Maria to search for the aurora. The five-hour trip follows the evening’s cloud cover and activity, with stops chosen along the way. You’ll have hot drinks, blankets, stargazing, and a chance to be photographed beneath the lights.

“It was great! Everything was perfect! The weather and, the timing, the location and of course shout out to our tour guide Ania, she was amazing. We managed to take the best shots of the spectacular Northern Lights before the snow began. All in all we were thrilled. Thank you so much!”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Chase with Expert Guide - At the viewing stop, patience is part of the plan
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Chase with Expert Guide

13.Northern Lights Chase with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 697 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $73

Leave Reykjavik by bus with an English-speaking guide who follows the night’s cloud and aurora forecasts to choose where to stop. Past departures have featured guides including Rene, Kat, Oliver, and Arman, though your guide will vary. The tour lasts about 3.5 hours and includes a free retry if no lights appear.

“excellent, knowledgeable guide and we got to see the lights”

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From Reykjavík: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos - The 90-minute drive is part of the search
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos

14.Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 695 reviews · 4 hours · from $169

Join EastWest for a four-hour Northern Lights chase from Reykjavik, with a guide such as Baldvin, Devin or Simon leading the search for clearer, darker skies. The minibus holds up to 19 people. Hot chocolate, Icelandic kleina, wool blankets and photos are included, though the aurora itself is never guaranteed.

“As a Filipino who grew up in a tropical country, seeing the Northern Lights felt like stepping into another world. The freezing temperature was a big adjustment, but the moment the green lights started dancing across the sky, I forgot all about the cold. It was surreal, emotional, and truly unforgettable. No photo can capture how magical it feels in person. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth chasing. 🌌✨”

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From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights Tour - Strokkur gives Geysir its drama
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From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights Tour

15.Golden Circle and Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 673 reviews · 9 hours · from $153

This Gray Line Iceland combo pairs a guided Golden Circle coach trip with an evening Northern Lights outing. You get set stops at Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, a break in Reykjavik, and a separate night search with a specialist guide. Bring warm waterproof layers, sturdy shoes and headphones if you plan to use the audio guide.

“We joined on a wonderful day. the guide Rosa is very informative. the time given is sufficient. worth value for money for both golden circle and northern lights.”

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