From Reykjavik: Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

The best part of this eight-hour outing is the contrast: you spend the afternoon warming up in the Blue Lagoon, then head into the Reykjanes night with a local guide looking for the Northern Lights. I like that the lagoon visit includes a silica mask, towel, drink, and return transfers, so the spa stop feels like more than a quick photo break.

I also like the chance to try the aurora hunt again at no extra charge if the lights do not show. The trade-off is that clouds can spoil the evening, and this is a long day with a pause back in Reykjavík between the lagoon and the night tour.

At a glance

• Afternoon at the Blue Lagoon: Soak in mineral-rich geothermal water among lava fields and moss, with a silica mask, towel, and one drink included.
• Evening Northern Lights hunt: An English-speaking local guide chooses locations using weather and aurora forecasts.
• A useful second chance: If the lights do not appear, you can join the Northern Lights tour again free of charge.
• A split schedule: You return to Reykjavík after the lagoon, leaving time to rest or eat before the evening outing.
• Price and length: The tour costs $318 per person and lasts about eight hours.
• Pack for the weather: Bring warm clothes. Bathing suits can be rented at the lagoon, and the included towel means you do not need to bring one.

A winter day built around two very different Icelandic sights

This pairing makes sense if you want to fit a famous geothermal spa and an aurora outing into one winter day. The Blue Lagoon offers warm water and a quiet place to slow down; the Northern Lights tour asks you to bundle up, stay flexible, and see what the sky has in store.

The two stops are not one continuous excursion. You visit the lagoon in the afternoon, ride back to Reykjavík, and then head out again after dark. That break is useful: you can warm up, change clothes, and have an early dinner before the night drive. It also means the day has more moving parts than the headline suggests, so check the schedule carefully when choosing a departure.

At $318 per person, this is a substantial purchase. The value rests on how much you want both experiences, and on the included lagoon entry, transport, and amenities. You are not paying for a guaranteed aurora show. You are paying for an organized attempt to find one, with the option to try again if the first outing comes up empty.

The Blue Lagoon, warm water and stark lava terrain

The afternoon begins at the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Its mineral-rich geothermal water is the main event: you can settle into the warmth while dark lava fields and soft green moss give the setting a distinctly Icelandic feel. Steam rises from the water, making the change from cold air to a warm soak part of the appeal.

Your Comfort admission includes a silica mud mask, a towel, and a drink of your choice. Those details matter when comparing this visit with a basic entry ticket. The mask gives you a simple spa ritual, the towel saves you from packing one, and the drink lets you stay put rather than leave the water to find refreshments.

Bring a bathing suit, or rent one at the lagoon. A towel is included, though you can rent one there if you want an extra. The tour information does not specify how long you spend at the lagoon, so check the departure details before booking if you want to plan around a particular amount of soak time.

The lagoon is a popular attraction, not a secluded hot spring. Go for the warm mineral water and the unusual setting, rather than expecting a private pool or a wilderness stop. If you want a slower spa day with a long, unhurried visit, confirm how the scheduled time fits your plans.

Back to Reykjavík before the night begins

After the lagoon, you return to Reykjavík by coach. Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus, which makes this leg a chance to check messages, rest, or plan an early meal before the Northern Lights outing.

This split schedule is one of the tour’s practical strengths. Rather than spending the whole day away from the city, you have time to reset before the colder, later part of the program. It is also worth taking that break seriously. You will be outside at night, and a warm meal and dry layers can make the hunt more comfortable.

Food and drinks beyond the one included lagoon drink are not covered. If you want dinner before the evening tour, plan to buy it yourself. The exact interval between the return and the night departure is not specified, so do not assume you will have time for a leisurely restaurant meal.

Following the forecast in search of the aurora

For the second half of the tour, an English-speaking local guide takes you out to look for the Northern Lights. The guide chooses locations according to weather and aurora forecasts, rather than sticking to one fixed viewing spot. That flexibility is valuable: clouds and visibility can vary, and a guide can respond to the conditions.

Still, no route can promise a sighting. The lights are a natural event, and cloud cover can block the view even when aurora activity is present. One outing was canceled because of clouds, then ran the following night, when the group saw green and pink lights. That is a useful reminder to keep your schedule flexible if the aurora is a top priority.

A guide on that successful outing also used a tripod to take phone photos for the group. Do not count on a particular photography setup being available every time, but it is worth asking your guide for help if the lights appear and you want a picture. Keep your phone warm and ready, since the sky can change quickly.

If the Northern Lights do not appear, you are welcome to join the tour again free of charge. That offer helps soften the risk, particularly if you have several nights in Reykjavík. It does not remove the uncertainty: the repeat depends on your having another chance to go, and the sky still decides what you see.

What $318 includes, and what it does not

The price includes Comfort admission to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, towel, and one drink, along with return transfers for the lagoon visit. It also covers the English-speaking guide on the Northern Lights tour and free Wi-Fi on the tour bus.

Those inclusions make the price easier to assess than a bare ticket plus separate transport. You are combining a major spa stop with an organized evening search, and you do not need to arrange the lagoon transfers yourself. If you would book both activities independently, compare the total cost and schedule before deciding.

The price does not include food or additional drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not listed among the included items. The stated meeting point is BSI bus terminal, where you should be ready 15 minutes before departure. Optional pickup is mentioned, but the exact pickup arrangement depends on the option selected, so confirm it before booking rather than assuming a hotel transfer is part of the fare.

Staying comfortable through a long winter outing

Warm clothing is essential, particularly for the night tour. The contrast between the hot lagoon and standing outdoors under a cold sky can catch you out if you dress only for the spa. Bring layers you can put on after the soak, and be ready for time outside while the guide checks conditions.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, but connection is only one small comfort. You will likely appreciate having a charged phone, warm gloves, and clothes suitable for waiting outdoors. Those are practical preparations, not a promise that the Northern Lights will appear.

The tour lasts about eight hours, but the exact start times vary. Check availability for the date you want, and watch your email for schedule updates. The activity is weather-dependent, so it is sensible to confirm with your hotel receptionist whether the tour is running as planned.

Children must be at least two years old to visit the Blue Lagoon, and children under two are not suited to this activity. If you are traveling with a young child, keep in mind that the full day includes both a spa visit and a late outdoor search.

Who should book this combination

I would consider this tour if you have limited time in Reykjavík and want to pair the Blue Lagoon with an organized aurora search, rather than arranging transport and timing on your own. It is especially appealing if the lagoon is already on your list and you can stay in Iceland long enough to use the free repeat option if the first hunt is cloudy.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting, a full day devoted to the spa, or a tour that includes meals and hotel transfers. The aurora portion is an attempt, not a performance on demand. For a better chance to see the lights, having more than one night available in your trip is a sensible advantage.

Book it if the combination is the point: a warm afternoon, a return to the city, and a guided night drive in search of a natural display. Skip it if the price only makes sense to you when the aurora is certain. Iceland’s skies do not take reservations.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Where do I meet the tour?

The stated meeting point is BSI bus terminal. Be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.

What is included at the Blue Lagoon?

Comfort admission, a silica mud mask, use of a towel, one drink of your choice, and return transfers are included. Bathing suits can be rented at the lagoon.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather and aurora conditions, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. If you do not see the lights, you can join the tour again free of charge.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not listed among the included items. Optional pickup is mentioned, so check the selected option and its meeting instructions before booking.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be at least two years old to visit the Blue Lagoon. Children under two are not suitable for this activity.