From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

The Northern Lights can turn an ordinary Icelandic night into something you remember for decades. This 3 to 4-hour bus tour takes you away from Reykjavik’s city glow, where guides such as Alex, Birta, Daisy, and Freida help you watch the sky and explain what you are seeing. If the aurora stays hidden, you can join again free of charge.

I like the free second chance, since no company can order the aurora to appear. I also like the flexible route, which lets the guide and driver seek clearer skies instead of parking at one fixed viewpoint. The drawback is simple: you may spend hours in the cold and see nothing, and the bus can carry a large crowd.

Key points to know before booking

• The route changes nightly: Your guide chooses among possible viewing areas according to clouds, weather, and expected aurora activity.
• You get a free retry: If the lights do not appear, you can book another outing without paying again.
• The bus leaves from BSI: The main meeting point is the departure side of Reykjavik’s BSI bus terminal.
• Guides add real value: Guides including Alex, Birta, Daisy, and Freida have helped with aurora facts, local stories, and camera settings.
• The cold is serious: You may wait outside for long periods, sometimes in temperatures far below freezing, so layers and warm shoes matter.
• The $69 price is fair for flexibility: It covers transport, a local English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, and a second attempt if needed, but not refreshments.

Leaving Reykjavik after dark

You meet at the departure side of BSI bus terminal, Reykjavik’s main coach station. If you have arranged pickup, be ready 30 minutes before departure, and look for a bus marked Reykjavík Excursions. The activity ends back at the meeting point, though some guides or drivers may drop you near your hotel on the return journey when practical.

The tour lasts about three to four hours. That sounds short on paper, but much of the time goes into driving away from city lights, waiting for the sky to clear, and returning to Reykjavik. One reported outing used a large fleet of coaches, so you should picture a popular, organized bus trip rather than a quiet private expedition.

That larger format keeps the price down. At $69 per person, you are paying for transport and a practical search rather than an intimate photography session. The bus also has free Wi-Fi, which is useful for checking updates, sharing photos, or keeping in touch while you wait.

The departure time varies, so check the available options before booking. The 9:00 PM departure has one small advantage: freshly baked waffles and hot drinks are available to buy on-site. Refreshments are not included, so bring a snack or plan to purchase something if you know you will get hungry late at night.

Chasing darker skies outside the capital

There is no fixed sightseeing route here. The guide selects a destination based on cloud cover, weather, and the chance of finding clearer skies. That flexibility is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A fixed viewpoint can be cloudy while a nearby area has an open sky, so changing direction gives the group a better chance.

The drive itself is part of the evening. Guides explain how the aurora forms and what to watch for as you leave the city. You may also hear Icelandic stories about the lights, including the more mystical side of local tradition. One guide gave the evening a memorable touch by singing an Icelandic song on the bus.

A national park has been used as a viewing area on some departures. There, the dark sky can reveal far more than the aurora. You might see a sharp spread of stars or a full moon rising behind the mountains, even if the main show takes its time. This is important because the tour can still provide a pleasant night outside Reykjavik when the aurora is faint.

The exact stop is never promised. Conditions decide the route, and that means you should not book this as a sightseeing trip with named attractions. You are booking a mobile search for a natural event.

Waiting for the aurora

The waiting period is where your expectations matter most. The sky may look empty when you first step off the bus. You might stand in the dark for 30 to 45 minutes, watching clouds move and scanning for a pale streak that is easy to miss.

The bus driver generally keeps the heat running, allowing you to warm up when needed. That is not a small detail. In winter, the temperature outside can feel much lower than it did in central Reykjavik. One outing took place at about minus 10 degrees, and another account described conditions near minus 16. You need multiple layers, gloves, a hat, and shoes with thick soles.

A comfortable pair of shoes matters more than stylish footwear. You may stand on cold ground for a long time, and the night can become uncomfortable before the lights even begin. Wear thermal layers beneath a windproof outer layer, and keep spare gloves or hand warmers in your bag if you have them.

When the aurora appears, patience can pay off. Some sightings last only a few minutes. Others continue for 30 minutes, an hour, or even longer. The lights may begin as a weak gray or green band, then become easier to see as your eyes adjust. A strong display can ripple and move across the sky, but you should not expect that on every departure.

What the guides add to the night

The guide is more than a person who points at the sky. A good guide helps you understand why the route changes, explains the aurora in plain language, and keeps the mood upbeat during the slow stretches.

Alex has been praised for his warmth, information, and even an Icelandic song during the drive. Birta has been described as lively and encouraging, helping turn the evening into an event rather than a long wait. Daisy has offered advice on what to look for and how to set up a camera. Freida has combined humor with useful explanations and kept the group interested during the drive.

Names and guides vary, of course. The important point is that the quality of the evening depends heavily on the person leading your bus. When the lights refuse to appear, a good explanation and a little humor make the cold easier to bear.

Some guides also help with phone and camera settings. That is valuable because most automatic camera modes will not capture faint aurora well. You may receive basic advice about exposure and photographing in low light. Bring a phone or camera with enough battery, but do not assume the company provides tripods or photography equipment.

The best moments come when the sky finally moves

A strong aurora display can change the entire mood of the trip. The lights may begin as a small patch and then spread across the sky, shifting shape and brightness. On lucky nights, you could watch the show for more than an hour.

The experience is especially memorable because it is not fully under your control. You can choose a good season, leave the city, and follow the forecast, but you cannot guarantee the result. That uncertainty is frustrating if you need a sure attraction, yet it is also part of the appeal.

You should keep your eyes open for faint activity. Cameras often pick up color before your eyes do, especially when the aurora is weak. A guide can help you tell the difference between a cloud and a pale aurora, then suggest when to wait a little longer.

The best displays are not the only successful outcome. A dark Icelandic sky, bright stars, mountain silhouettes, and the shared excitement of a group can make the outing worthwhile. Still, do not let enthusiastic descriptions persuade you that a sighting is likely on every night. The company clearly states that the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed.

The free rebooking policy matters

The strongest safety net is the chance to join again free of charge if you do not see the lights. This does not remove the risk of bad weather, but it gives you a sensible way to try again.

If the first outing is canceled because conditions are poor, check your email carefully, including your junk folder. One person missed a cancellation notice in a junk folder and walked to BSI before discovering that the departure had been called off. The ticket was moved to the next night without trouble, but you can avoid that wasted walk by checking messages before leaving your accommodation.

Rebooking works best if you have more than one night in Reykjavik. I would schedule this tour early in your stay, not on your final evening. That gives you room to return if clouds spoil the first attempt. It also lets you adjust your clothing, camera setup, and expectations before going out again.

If your Iceland itinerary is tightly packed, the free retry may be of little practical use. You need another available evening to benefit from it.

Is $69 good value?

For $69, this is a reasonably priced way to make an organized Northern Lights attempt from Reykjavik. You get a bus, a local English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, and the option of a free second trip if the aurora does not appear.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who do not want to drive after dark in winter conditions. You also avoid the work of studying cloud maps, choosing a route, and finding a dark spot yourself. A guide and driver handle that part while you watch the sky.

The price is less attractive if you want silence, personal attention, or a small group. The large-coach format can feel crowded, especially when several buses arrive at the same viewing area. You may spend time walking away from the bus with many other people, and the experience is less private than a small-group or specialist photography tour.

That tradeoff explains the middling overall score of 3.7 from 761 ratings. The natural event itself creates uneven results, and some departures will be magical while others produce only stars and cold air. The free retry helps, but it cannot make a dark sky appear.

Who should book this Reykjavik Northern Lights tour?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You have at least two nights in Reykjavik.
• You want an affordable, simple bus tour.
• You prefer not to drive in winter darkness.
• You want an English-speaking guide to explain the aurora.
• You need help with basic camera settings.
• You are willing to wait outside in very cold weather.
• You accept that a sighting is never certain.

I would think twice if you have only one night available, dislike large groups, or want a dedicated photography outing. In those cases, a smaller tour may suit you better, though this bus trip has the advantage of a lower price and a free repeat attempt.

Practical advice for a better night

Book this for an early evening in your Iceland stay. If conditions cancel the outing or the sky stays empty, you still have time to go again.

Check your email before heading to BSI. Cancellation updates may arrive there, and the bus departure point is not a place you want to reach unnecessarily in heavy winter clothing.

Wear more than you think you need. Use several layers, a warm outer shell, thick socks, gloves, and shoes with insulated soles. The bus is a warm refuge, but you will likely want to spend time outside when the sky begins to change.

Bring a charged phone or camera. Listen closely when the guide explains exposure settings, since a few simple changes can make your photographs far better than automatic mode. Keep your expectations realistic, and treat stars, moonlight, and the quiet Icelandic night as part of the outing rather than consolation prizes.

Final booking advice

This tour is a good value if you want a straightforward Northern Lights search from Reykjavik and can give yourself a second night. The guides often add warmth, humor, local stories, and useful camera help, while the flexible route gives you a better chance than a fixed city viewpoint.

Book it, but book it early in your stay and dress for serious cold. If you see the aurora dancing for an hour, the $69 will feel like a bargain. If you do not, the free rebooking policy gives you a fair second chance, provided your schedule allows it.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour begin?

The tour begins at the departure side of the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at BSI bus terminal.

How long does the tour last?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional. If you arrange pickup, be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and look for a bus marked Reykjavík Excursions.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather and aurora activity, and sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can join the tour again free of charge if you do not see the lights on your first outing.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothing in several layers and comfortable shoes. You may spend long periods outside in very cold winter conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Refreshments are not included. On the 9:00 PM departure, freshly baked waffles and hot beverages are available to purchase on-site.