Iceland · NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS

The 15 Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

141 tours  ·  from $30

Between September and April the only variables are cloud and how far your driver will go to get out from under it. The 15 below compare coaches, small-group jeeps and boats on price, group size and what happens when the sky stays shut.

Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik - What the four-hour search feels 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 city glow for a four-hour Aurora hunt led in English by guides such as Jessica, Sunny, Daniel, or Petra. Your driver follows the clearest forecast, stops for photos, explains the science, and offers a free retry if clouds hide the lights.

“Sunny was super cool! (And the driver who’s name I forgot to ask 🌹) 🫶🏻 It was a spectacular experience, 30 min of Aurora Boreale above our heads. Baked eye: white shimmering curtain crossing the sky (not yet night time, stars were showing, sun was setting). Through my iPhone 11 camera, wow colours and astonishment, truly amazing, green and purple, what a show. Wowowowowow thank you for this experience 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩”

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Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - How the aurora hunt actually works
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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 Reykjavik by small minibus and chase the aurora wherever clouds and forecasts look best. Guides such as Ody, JP, Axel, Michael, and Jonas explain the science, help with photos, and serve hot chocolate. If the lights stay hidden, return free within three years.

“The tour was great, Ody our tour guide was amazing and made the trip. He was knowledgeable and really friendly and approachable, taking the time to speak to all the guests. We were lucky to see the lights and Odys local knowledge ensured we stopped at the perfect time to see the show. The trip wasn't drawn out and lasted long enough to enjoy the lights but not too long that we got too cold! Thanks Ody! Paul, Sarah and Judith”

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#1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos - Why the guide matters so much
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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 such as Bjarni, Johann, or BG, then chase clear skies away from city lights. The four-hour outing includes pickup, professional aurora photos, blankets, and often hot chocolate with cinnamon rolls. If the lights stay hidden, you may rebook free, subject to space.

“Not sure how this tour can call itself #1 because our experience was so bad it was almost comical. Our guide tried to call off the tour 20 minutes before prime viewing began and several of us just refused to get back on the bus. He claimed that his boss said there would be no lights, but because we refused we were able to see the lights. Then our guide was so angry with us that when he took the “professional pictures” they were much worse than I took with my iPhone. Then he proceeded to drive very dangerously on the trip home, clearly he was throwing a temper tantrum…”

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Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos - Hot chocolate, pastries, and wool blankets
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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

Join an English-speaking guide in a minibus for up to 19 people and chase the aurora beyond Reykjavik. You may change locations as conditions shift, hear Icelandic folklore, warm up with cocoa and pastries, and receive guide-taken photos when conditions allow.

“Our guide was fabulous and although he has done about 2000 of these tours he was just as excited as we were to see the lights. Professional photos were included and he was so good with letting each group pose multiple times Best photos of the trip!”

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Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik - What happens at the BSÍ terminal and pickup stops
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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

Ride a heated coach from Reykjavik into darker Icelandic countryside while guides track cloud cover and aurora conditions. Guides such as Oliver, Hulda, and Kristoff have been praised for clear explanations and sky-watching tips. The tour lasts 3 to 5 hours and includes free rebooking if no lights appear.

“Stunning night and tour, as soon as left Reykavik the lights were visable and swiftly found a dark area to watch them. They were magnificent.”

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Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik with Hot Chocolate - Thingvellir after dark
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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 by bus with guides such as Darren, Simon, Eva, or Michael, then chase clear skies around Thingvellir and other countryside spots. Expect about four hours, hot chocolate, Icelandic folklore, round-trip pickup, and one free rebooking if the aurora stays hidden.

“Well worth it. Northern Lights are a wonder to behold. Just hope for a fairly cloudless evening and you'll be sorted.”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Lifetime Guarantee - The Reykjavik pickup and coach ride
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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

Search for the Aurora Borealis beyond Reykjavik with a local English-speaking guide, warm coach, Wi-Fi, USB chargers, and audio commentary in 10 languages. Guides such as Thor, Laura, Helga, and Oliver have helped visitors with camera settings and moved the bus when clearer skies appeared.

“Unbelievable experience we will never forget, from start to finish. Our guide was knowledgable, jokey and very approachable. The coach was comfortable and the journey wasn't too long. The area we stopped off at had a large cafe area for refreshments and toilet facilities. The lights were phenomenal. We were not rushed and watched them all. When they finished we were still allowed time before we headed back. I would definitely recommend this company.”

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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour - Sailing through Faxaflói Bay
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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

8.Northern Lights Yacht Tour

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

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor among the islands of Faxaflói Bay, then move offshore for darker skies and northern lights viewing. You get three panoramic decks, warm blankets, Wi-Fi, sea sickness tablets, and an indoor bar. Guides such as Maria, Julian, and Lucky have helped with aurora facts and camera settings.

“Great views of amazing lights across the sky and a couple of humpback whales came by too!”

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Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik - The viewing stop depends on the sky
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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 central Reykjavik into darker countryside while a local guide explains the aurora. The route changes with cloud cover and the forecast. Expect a large bus, Wi-Fi, one or more viewing stops, a 3 to 5 hour evening, and free rebooking if the lights do not appear.

“Unless you had a very current phone, the lights were not very visible, or colorful. They could have helped us download software or something to help”

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Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Small-Group from Reykjavík - A moving classroom about 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 group of up to 18, following guides such as Tomas, Siggi, Almar, and Patrick as they track cloud breaks and aurora activity. Expect science, Icelandic stories, hot chocolate, professional photos, and a free retry if the lights stay hidden.

“If the Northern Lights are out, these guys will find them!! We were not so lucky on our trip. The previous night was cancelled but re-booking for the following night was quick and easy. Tomas our guide worked incredibly hard to try and find a gap in the clouds - he did find them but they were only out for a few minutes a couple of times in different locations. It definitely wasn’t for the lack of trying - Tomas worked so hard to find what he did. I’m not sure who was more disappointed, us or Tomas!! If you book this trip you need to be aware that the…”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour - Chasing darker skies outside the capital
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

11.Northern Lights Tour

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

Travel by bus from Reykjavik’s BSI terminal into darker country skies with an English-speaking guide such as Alex, Birta, or Freida. The route changes with weather and cloud cover. You may get camera tips, hot drinks, waffles, and a free second outing if the aurora stays hidden.

“It would have been good if the lights had appeared”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos - What happens during the five-hour outing
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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

Leave Reykjavik after dark with guides such as Christian, Ania, or Ana Maria, following cloud cover and Aurora forecasts to find a clear viewing spot. You’ll wait under Iceland’s stars with hot drinks, blankets, and snacks while the guide photographs you beneath the Northern Lights.

“We had our tour on the 6th of December and loved it! It was my partners and I first night in Iceland and decided to do the tour that night incase we didn’t catch them. To be honest I went in already having low hopes because of the full moon however we did in fact get to catch the aurora in the end! Our guide, Christian, was so informative! He talked us through the use of his website and instructed us how to find our own northern lights in the future (which we have been doing). I think the only downfall is obviously the uncertainty of seeing the lights or…”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Chase with Expert Guide - Leaving Reykjavik for darker skies
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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 cloud cover, weather, and aurora reports to choose the night’s route. You may stop several times at dark sites, including areas near lighthouses or national parks. If the lights do not appear, return free within two years, subject to availability.

“This experience was cancelled twice due to weather conditions. However on the third try it was a go ahead and I was lucky enough to see the Northern lights. Absolutely Brilliant. The tour guide was also very informative and passionate, which passed the time whilst traveling to and from the national park”

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From Reykjavík: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos - Leaving Reykjavík around 9 PM
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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

Travel from Reykjavík with an English-speaking aurora guide in a minibus for up to 19 people. Your guide follows weather and cloud forecasts, searches for dark skies, explains the science, and takes free photos. Warm blankets, hot chocolate, and kleina make the wait far more pleasant.

“We had the best time ever. The tour guide was (in english name - ) Simon was so knowledgeable and realistic about what we might see on our tour. He was funny, charismatic and overall genuinely passionate about ensuring everyone was comfortable throughout. We got super lucky seeing the Northern Lights due to Simon’s knowledgeable Highly recommend this tour. Learning the science behind it all made it all the more fun. You never know what you will see on these searches so remember to not have high hopes!!! But one thing is for certain, you will learn alot!! And enjoy being out in the lovely outdoors late at night with…”

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3-Day Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle and Northern Lights - Day two: waterfalls, glacier ice, and a long active outing
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3-Day Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle and Northern Lights

15.3-Day Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle and Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 634 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $1,058

Travel from Reykjavík in a small minibus with an English-speaking guide, visiting the Golden Circle, waterfalls, glaciers, ice caves, black beaches, and Jökulsárlón. Two nights, breakfast, glacier gear, and transport are included. Guides such as Paul, Bran, Max, and Petur add local stories along the way.

“It was an amazing trip to explore the beauty of Iceland with our tour guide Iskren. I did not know which photo to post, because they were all beautiful. Iskren was professional, he taught us a lot of things about the history of Iceland and made extra stops to enhance our experience. Although we did not see the northern lights unfortunately, Iskren checked every half hour for us while we were sleeping. Thanks to him! Overall, a once in a lifetime experience!”

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