Northern Lights and Stars Bus Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of an Aurora tour is getting away from Reykjavik’s streetlights and into Iceland’s dark sky. This three-hour coach trip heads to a viewing area chosen according to the weather, where you can look for the Northern Lights, constellations and planets.

I like two things in particular: guides offer practical camera-setting advice, and the audio guide comes in 10 languages, so you can follow along in the language that suits you. Wi-Fi and USB charging ports are available on the coach, useful details on a late outing.

The catch is the reason you are going: the Aurora may not appear. The tour does not refund you if the lights stay hidden, although you can rebook and try again on a later trip. I would treat this as a chance to look, not a promise of a show.

At a glance

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• A weather-led outing: The viewing location changes from night to night and may be 30 to 60 minutes from Reykjavik.
• A three-hour commitment: You travel by coach, spend time looking at the sky, then return to the BSI Bus Terminal.
• Camera help is included: The guide gives instructions for setting up your camera to photograph the Aurora and night sky.
• Audio in 10 languages: Choose from Chinese, English, Spanish, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Italian, Dutch and Finnish.
• No Aurora guarantee: If the lights do not appear, there is no refund, but you may rebook for another trip.
• Dress for Icelandic weather: Bring warm, waterproof layers, gloves, headwear and sturdy outdoor shoes.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Reykjavik

Leaving Reykjavik for a darker sky

The tour starts at BSI Bus Terminal, at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10. You can select a departure time when booking, with the season affecting the schedule: departures are listed at 22:00 from August 15 to September 30, 21:00 from October 1 to March 14, and 22:00 from March 15 to April 15. The exact time is confirmed after booking, so check your voucher rather than relying on a general timetable.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The terminal is large, and clear directions matter when several coaches may be loading around the same time. One account described missing the bus after waiting at the wrong side of the station, so I would confirm the precise boarding point with the operator before setting off. Being at BSI is not enough if you are standing at the wrong bay.

The coach holds about 40 to 65 people. That is a sizable group, not a small expedition, but it makes sense for a trip whose location changes with conditions and whose main job is transporting you out of the city. Free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports are fitted at every seat. Bring your own headphones for the audio commentary; they are recommended for fit and to reduce waste, though you can buy earphones onboard if needed.

A route chosen by weather, not a fixed map

There is no single scenic stop promised on this tour. The guide selects a location based on the weather forecast, with the drive taking roughly 30 to 60 minutes from Reykjavik. That flexibility is useful: a fixed viewpoint could be clouded over while another area has clearer skies. It also means you will not know the exact destination in advance.

Once you arrive, the point is to get away from urban light and give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. The sky may offer stars or planets even if the Aurora is faint or absent. Your guide shares information about the Northern Lights, stars and constellations, while the audio commentary adds another layer of explanation during the trip.

The tour is listed as three hours, but weather and traffic can change the schedule. The return options shown range from midnight to 1:30 a.m., depending on the departure time and the length of that night’s outing. Keep the late finish in mind when planning your next morning, especially if you have an early flight or another booked activity.

The Aurora is the wild card

The Northern Lights depend on conditions that no bus operator can control. Cloud cover, weather and the strength of the display all affect what you may see. A cloudy or rainy evening can still produce a brief glimpse, but it can just as easily leave you watching an empty patch of sky.

That uncertainty is the central trade-off. The tour operator does not refund the fare simply because the Aurora is not visible. You are, however, welcome to rebook and join later trips until you catch a successful display. That option is valuable if you have several nights in Reykjavik and can keep your schedule flexible. It is less helpful if this is your only night in Iceland or you leave the next morning.

I would book early in a multi-night stay rather than saving the tour for your final evening. Then you have a chance to try again if the first outing is clouded over. Rebooking is not the same as a guaranteed sighting, but it gives you another opportunity without buying a completely new tour.

Camera tips, with realistic expectations

The guide gives instructions on setting up your camera to capture the Northern Lights and night sky. That is a useful inclusion, especially if you have never tried night photography. You can ask how to adjust your settings, but the guide’s help cannot make a weak Aurora brighter or clear clouds away.

A tripod is not listed as an included item. Accounts about borrowing one have been inconsistent, so do not plan your photography around a tripod being available. If you own one and want to use it, bring it along if practical. If you do not, you can still take the camera-setting advice and decide whether handheld shots suit your equipment and the conditions.

The tour is also a chance to simply look up. It is easy to spend the whole outing fiddling with camera controls, then miss the sky itself. I would listen to the guide’s instructions, take a few photos, and leave time to watch. The lights can be faint, brief or hard to see through cloud, so patience is part of the experience.

What the bus adds, and what it cannot

A coach makes this outing simpler than trying to find a dark viewing area on your own. The guide chooses the destination in response to the forecast, and you do not have to navigate unfamiliar roads at night. The enclosed ride is also a practical break between periods outside in Iceland’s cold and changeable weather.

This is a join-in tour, so expect to share the coach with a group of around 40 to 65 people. That scale can make the trip feel less personal than a small-group outing, but it is a straightforward way to reach a viewing area without arranging a car. The guide leads the outing, and the in-bus audio commentary provides added information in 10 languages.

A few practical things deserve attention. The meeting point is BSI Bus Terminal, and latecomers or no-shows cannot get a refund. Departure and return times can shift with weather and traffic. Check your booking confirmation for the exact time and make sure you know precisely where to board.

What to wear for a long night outside

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and this is not a tour to take in ordinary city clothes. Wear warm, waterproof layers, including a waterproof jacket and pants, plus gloves and something to cover your head. Sturdy outdoor shoes are recommended. If you need them, shoes and jackets may be rented when booking online.

Meals and drinks are not included, and neither are other personal expenses or tips. Plan ahead for the late timing rather than expecting food or beverages to be provided during the outing. Bring only what you are comfortable carrying, since you may be moving between the coach and an outdoor viewing area.

Is the fare worth it?

The listed starting price is $57.45, while the Join-In Tour option is shown from US$82.05. Those different starting figures make it worth checking the price for your date and selected package before paying. The value is not just the ride: you are paying for transport away from city lights, a guide, multilingual audio, camera guidance, Wi-Fi and charging ports, plus the option to rebook if the Aurora does not show.

That is reasonable if you want a guided outing and do not have a car or want to drive at night. The value is harder to judge if you are booking for one specific evening and would be disappointed by a sky with no lights. In that case, think of the fare as buying a well-organized attempt, not a ticket to a guaranteed spectacle.

The activity has a 3.8 out of 5 rating from six tour-specific ratings, a small sample that should not be treated as a firm verdict. The wider provider, Icelandia, has 993 total reviews and a 91 percent good-review rate. Specific experiences can differ: one account praised a friendly guide who kept the mood lively despite poor weather, while other accounts described confusion at the meeting point or frustration with tripod assistance. I would count the guide and transport as useful parts of the tour, but verify the boarding details and bring your own camera support if it matters to you.

Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits you if you are staying in Reykjavik, want help reaching a darker sky, and can be flexible about what the weather delivers. It is also a good fit if you want some context about the stars and the Aurora rather than simply being dropped at a roadside viewpoint. The audio languages make the commentary accessible to a wide range of visitors.

It is a weaker choice if you need a guaranteed sighting, cannot manage a late return, or have only one available evening and no room to rebook. Children aged 6 to 15 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged 16 and older pay the adult rate, and infants and children must be counted in the passenger headcount.

Should you book the Northern Lights and Stars Bus Tour?

I would book this tour if you have more than one night in Reykjavik, want a guide to choose the viewing area, and understand that the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. The camera advice, audio in 10 languages and chance to rebook make it a practical option for a first Aurora outing.

I would think twice if this is your last night, if a late return will cause problems, or if you expect a refund when the sky stays cloudy. Confirm the BSI boarding point, dress for cold and wet weather, and bring your own tripod if you want one. Go for the night sky and the chance of an Aurora, not certainty.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from BSI Bus Terminal at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavík. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your booked departure and confirm the exact boarding point.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about three hours. The schedule may change because of traffic and weather.

What time does the tour leave?

Departure times vary by season. The listed schedule is 22:00 from August 15 to September 30, 21:00 from October 1 to March 14, and 22:00 from March 15 to April 15. Check your booking for the confirmed time.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The viewing location is chosen according to the weather, but the Aurora may not be visible. There is no refund if the lights do not appear, though you may rebook and join later trips.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

Audio commentary is available in Chinese, English, Spanish, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Italian, Dutch and Finnish. Bring headphones for the best fit; earphones can also be bought onboard.

What should I wear?

Wear warm, waterproof clothing, including a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Sturdy outdoor shoes are recommended, and shoes or jackets may be rented when booking online.

Are camera instructions or a tripod included?

Camera-setting instructions for photographing the Northern Lights and night sky are included. A tripod is not listed as included, so bring your own if you need one.