Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this Iceland combo is the contrast: warm mineral-rich water at the Blue Lagoon, followed by a cold-night search for the northern lights. You get two very different Iceland experiences in one long day, with transfers handled for you.

I like the included silica mud mask and drink, which make the Comfort package feel more complete, and I like having a guided northern lights outing rather than trying to read cloud maps on your own. The catch is the schedule: this is really two outings linked by a return to Reykjavik, and the lights are never guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Four hours at the Blue Lagoon: Comfort admission includes a towel, silica mud mask, and one drink.
• A separate evening lights outing: You return to Reykjavik after the lagoon before continuing with the northern lights tour.
• Weather controls the finale: Cloudy skies can block the lights, and poor weather may lead to a changed date or full refund.
• Transfers are included: Pickup is offered, with the main departure point at BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik.
• Expect a long day: The full experience lasts about eight hours, though one reported outing ran much later than expected.
• Best for first-time visitors: This works well if you want two headline Iceland experiences without arranging separate transport.

Why this combo works in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon and northern lights belong to different parts of the Iceland experience. One is easy to plan, comfortable, and available on a set schedule. The other depends on darkness, cloud cover, and solar activity. Putting them together gives you a full Iceland day, but it also means accepting a long schedule with one uncertain payoff.

At $315 per person, this is not a cheap outing. You are paying for the Blue Lagoon entrance, return transport, the Comfort extras, a local guide, and the evening northern lights operation. Food is not included, so the price makes the most sense if you value convenience and want to avoid organizing transfers between Reykjavik, the lagoon, and a nighttime search.

The published rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 45 reviews, which reflects the central truth of this outing. The Blue Lagoon portion is usually the dependable pleasure. The northern lights portion can be excellent, but nature gets the final vote.

Starting at BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik

The listed starting point is BSÍ Bus Terminal, at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10 in central Reykjavik. Pickup is also offered, depending on your designated location. You should be ready 30 minutes before departure and look for a vehicle marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo.

That early arrival matters. Reykjavik’s pickup system can involve several vehicles and designated stops, so do not treat the departure time as the moment to leave your hotel. Confirm your pickup details carefully before the day begins.

Transport includes WiFi on board, a useful touch on a long outing. The group can reach a maximum of 100 people, so this is not a small private excursion. The larger size may help keep the price lower, but it can also make boarding and transfer instructions feel less personal.

One practical point deserves attention: the Blue Lagoon and northern lights portions are not one continuous guided visit. You go to the lagoon, spend your scheduled time there, return to Reykjavik, and then continue with the evening northern lights outing. If you expected to stay with one guide all day, that arrangement may surprise you.

Four hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the fixed anchor of the day. You have about four hours there, and admission is included. The Comfort package gives you a towel, a silica mud mask, and a drink of your choice.

That package is a sensible middle ground. You do not need to pay separately for the basic extras, and the mask gives you a small spa ritual beyond simply sitting in the water. The drink is useful because you may want something refreshing after being outside in Icelandic weather.

The lagoon itself is outdoors, which makes the setting memorable in cold weather. One account describes rain and snow, with temperatures around freezing and a much colder feeling around the head. That is the tradeoff: your body may be warm in the water while your face and hair feel the Icelandic air.

Take the weather seriously. Bring or wear warm layers for the walk between facilities and transport, and keep your head protected when you are out of the water. The experience can be especially pleasant in poor weather, but cold conditions may shorten the time you want to spend outside.

The same account also noted that the water did not feel fully comfortable at first, then became pleasant after moving farther in. That is a useful expectation. Give yourself a little time to adjust rather than judging the lagoon in the first few minutes.

Staff may give firm directions about showers, changing areas, and movement around the facility. Those instructions are part of keeping a busy bathing complex orderly, though the tone may feel strict if you prefer a more relaxed spa atmosphere.

The lagoon is beautiful and peaceful, but it is not a quiet wilderness pool. You are visiting one of Iceland’s most famous attractions, with organized entry and a set bathing routine. If you want iconic Iceland and easy logistics, that is a fair exchange. If you want solitude, this format may not suit you.

The important return to Reykjavik

After the Blue Lagoon, you return to Reykjavik before the northern lights portion. This is the detail I would pay closest attention to before booking.

The combo label can sound like one uninterrupted adventure. In practice, it is two scheduled experiences connected by transport. You may have a wait in Reykjavik before the evening departure, and you should plan your energy accordingly.

That break can be useful. You can eat, warm up, change clothes, charge your phone, and take a short rest. Food is not included, so this is also your chance to buy dinner or snacks before heading back out. At the same time, a long gap can feel inefficient if your visit to Iceland is short and you hoped to fit in as much as possible.

The transfer arrangement has caused confusion for some people, especially when hotel drop-off is involved. A bus may take you to the main terminal rather than directly to your hotel, followed by a wait for a vehicle serving your hotel area. The safest approach is to confirm the exact return process at the start of the day and keep enough time in your evening plans for delays.

Chasing the northern lights after dark

The second part is a guided northern lights tour. A local guide leads the search, and the aim is to improve your chances by taking you away from Reykjavik’s city lights when conditions allow.

That guide is useful because northern lights hunting is not simply a matter of standing outside and looking up. Cloud cover matters, darkness matters, and the guide can help interpret the conditions and decide where to continue the search. One highly positive account singled out the guide and described the outing as reassuring and well managed.

Still, no operator can promise the aurora. Cloudy skies can hide it completely, even when activity above the clouds is strong. You may spend the evening outside and see nothing. That is not a failure of the Blue Lagoon portion, but it is a real risk when a major part of the price is tied to an event nature controls.

The timing can also stretch. One unhappy experience ended around 3 a.m., far later than expected. That is important if you have an early flight, a morning tour, or plans to drive the next day. Ask for the expected return time before departure, but keep some flexibility because the search may continue when conditions appear promising.

Bring warm clothing for the night portion. The tour information does not list a clothing rental or special winter gear, so you should not assume those items are provided. A warm coat, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear are sensible choices for any outdoor search in Iceland.

Is $315 good value?

The price is reasonable only if you want convenience and both headline experiences. Buying the Blue Lagoon entry, arranging transport, and finding a separate northern lights outing could cost a similar amount, though the exact comparison depends on dates and availability.

The included extras help. A towel, silica mud mask, and drink are already part of the Comfort admission, and return transfers reduce the need to navigate Icelandic roads after dark. WiFi on board and a local guide add practical value, especially if you are visiting Iceland for the first time.

But the price can feel high if you expect meals, a private guide, or a guaranteed aurora. Lunch and other food are not included. You also do not get a dedicated guide at the Blue Lagoon itself. The guide applies to the northern lights portion, while the lagoon is a scheduled admission stop.

I would compare this package with booking the two outings separately. Separate bookings give you more control over the gap between activities and may let you choose a shorter or later northern lights search. This combo is stronger for simplicity than for customization.

The carbon-neutral claim, delivered in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies, may also matter to you. It is included as part of the tour’s operating approach, though the supplied details do not explain the specific carbon accounting or what the program covers.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this to a first-time Iceland visitor with limited time who wants the Blue Lagoon and northern lights without renting a car. It also suits anyone who prefers a guided evening search, particularly if reading weather forecasts and planning rural transport sounds like work.

The age rule is clear: children aged five and younger are not permitted. The information says most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you need specific assistance, ask the operator before booking.

This is less suitable for you if you dislike fixed schedules, long coach transfers, or late nights. It is also not ideal if you need a guaranteed return time or if the northern lights are the only reason you are booking. The Blue Lagoon is the dependable part. The aurora is a calculated gamble.

Solo visitors should think about the value carefully. The organized transport can make a solo day feel easy and safe, but the $315 cost may seem steep if you do not care much about the lagoon’s included extras or if you would rather spend the evening in Reykjavik.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The experience requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is especially relevant to the northern lights portion, where cloud and road conditions can affect the outing.

Because the tour is booked an average of 58 days in advance, popular dates may fill early. That does not mean you must book that far ahead, but it does suggest planning early if your Iceland schedule is fixed.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The day includes about four hours at the Blue Lagoon, followed by a return to Reykjavik and a separate evening northern lights outing.

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting point is BSÍ Bus Terminal at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavik. Pickup is also offered from designated locations.

How early should I arrive?

You should be at your designated pickup location 30 minutes before departure. Vehicles are marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo.

What does the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package include?

It includes Blue Lagoon admission, a silica mud mask, use of a towel, and one drink of your choice.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks outside the included Blue Lagoon drink are not included in the tour price.

Are the northern lights guaranteed?

No. Visibility depends on weather and viewing conditions. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can children aged five and younger join?

No. Children aged five and younger are not permitted on this tour.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you want easy access to two major Iceland experiences and accept that the day may be long, the evening may run late, and the northern lights may not appear. The Blue Lagoon, towel, mask, drink, and transfers give you a solid planned experience even when the sky refuses to cooperate.

I would skip it if you need a tight schedule, want a private or small-group outing, or are counting on seeing the aurora. Before paying, make sure you understand the return to Reykjavik between activities and the final drop-off plan. If those details work for you, this is a practical way to pair a reliable Icelandic spa visit with a hopeful night under the sky.