Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik

The aurora can begin as a faint smear, then brighten into a moving ribbon of green. Sometimes it looks much less vivid to your eyes than it does in a phone photo. This bus tour takes you away from Reykjavik’s city lights to look for that change in the dark sky.

I like two things here: guides explain the science and local stories as you wait, and the free retry gives you another chance if the lights do not appear. Hot chocolate is meant to help with the cold, though you should bring your own warm layers and not count on a refill.

The main drawback is simple: no guide can promise an aurora. You could spend several hours on the road and see stars, clouds or only a faint glow. Treat the outing as a chance to look, not a guaranteed show.

What makes this aurora hunt worth considering

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• The sky is the star, not the bus ride: The bus heads out of Reykjavik to darker countryside, where the guide can check conditions and choose places to watch.
• A strong display is not the only kind: You might see a pale wisp, a brief green band or a brighter show that moves across the sky. The intensity varies.
• Guides help you make sense of the wait: Expect explanations about the aurora’s science, along with stories and practical photo tips.
• Hot chocolate is part of the plan: It is a welcome comfort on a cold night, but reviews show that refreshments may not always arrive as expected.
• A free retry softens the risk: If you do not see the lights, you can join Bus Travel Iceland’s non-premium Northern Lights bus tour one more time within three years.
• You have a choice of departure arrangements: The no-pickup package meets at Bus Stop 12; a package with pickup costs more and may suit you better if you do not want to reach the meeting point yourself.

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

From Bus Stop 12 into the dark countryside

For the no-pickup option, meet at Bus Stop 12, Þórunnartún 6, in Reykjavik. The available departure times are 20:30 and 21:30, with the return listed as 23:30 or 00:30 depending on your chosen departure and the length of the outing. Your precise schedule is confirmed after booking, so check the details rather than relying on the general times.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. This is practical, not fussy advice: several tour buses may gather in the same area, and it can be hard to tell which one is yours. Check the operator and tour details with staff before boarding, especially if buses are loading at once.

The no-pickup package includes round-trip transport from the meeting point, not a ride from your hotel. A package with pickup is also available, at a higher price. If you choose that version, check your confirmation carefully for the pickup location and time.

The journey is part of the hunt. The guide and driver use the night’s conditions to decide where to go, and the bus may stop at more than one place. Some outings reach a single viewing point; others move between several. That flexibility matters because cloud cover can vary from one area to another, but there is no fixed sequence of stops to count on.

Waiting for the aurora, not watching a scheduled show

The Northern Lights are a natural event, so this is not a performance with a set start time. Your guide may take the group to a dark location and wait, or move on if the sky looks better elsewhere. In one case, the group visited several spots before finding a small aurora; in another, the lights appeared close to the end of the tour. Patience is part of the ticket.

Expect the outing to last about three to four hours. The stated duration is four hours, but the actual length can change with weather and conditions. Sometimes the group sees the lights early and returns sooner; at other times the hunt takes longer. Traffic and weather can also affect the schedule.

At a viewing stop, you will be outside in the cold while looking up and waiting for your eyes to adjust. You may see a starry sky even if the aurora does not appear. That can be a pleasant consolation, but it is not the same as seeing the lights, especially if that is the main reason you booked.

Keep your expectations flexible about color and brightness. A strong aurora can make a memorable show, but a weak one may look like faint white wisps to the naked eye. A phone camera can show more color than you see directly, so a green image on your screen does not always mean a bright green display overhead. Guides have helped people adjust phone or camera settings, but bring a device you already know how to use. Cold hands and a dark field are poor conditions for learning a new camera app.

Guides, explanations and the hot chocolate pause

A good guide adds context to what might otherwise be a long wait in a field. You can expect explanations about the aurora’s connection to solar winds and Earth’s magnetic field, plus stories and legends under the night sky. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, as well as Chinese, Japanese and Korean audio-guide options. To get the audio guide in your preferred language, change your app or site language before booking.

Guides vary from night to night. Past outings have included guides named Barbara, Petra, Dean, David, Darren and Jonas. There is no way to request a particular guide, but the most useful qualities are clear communication, good judgment about where to stop and patience in helping with photos. The guide and driver also need to adapt as cloud and aurora conditions shift.

Hot chocolate and refreshments are included, and the drink can be a welcome comfort while you wait outdoors. Still, a few outings have not received the promised hot chocolate, so bring a warm drink or snack if you would be disappointed to go without. Do not let the cocoa be the main reason you book.

The bus has Wi-Fi, which is useful for checking messages or passing time between stops. It is still a shared coach tour, not a small-group outing. Buses can feel crowded, and seats may not be together if you board late or the bus is nearly full. Arrive early, especially if you are travelling with someone and want to board together.

What the price buys, and what it cannot buy

Prices vary by package. The no-pickup option is listed from US$81.99, while the pickup option is listed from US$95.05; another starting price shown for the tour is US$94.29. Check the rate for your date and selected package before paying. The lower-priced option is better value if you can reach Bus Stop 12 easily. Paying more for pickup may be worthwhile if it saves you a cold walk or a complicated trip across town.

The fare covers the bus, round-trip transfers from the stated meeting point, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, hot chocolate and refreshments. It also includes one free retry if you do not see the aurora. That retry is for Bus Travel Iceland’s non-premium Northern Lights bus tour and is valid for three years. It has real value if you are staying in Iceland long enough to try again, or expect to return within that period. It is less useful if this is your only night in Reykjavik.

The retry is a second opportunity, not a refund or a promise of a sighting. Some people have needed more than one outing before seeing the lights, while others have gone home without seeing them. Keep your booking confirmation and follow the rebooking instructions promptly if you need to use the offer. If an instruction does not work, contact customer support rather than waiting until the end of your stay.

At 4.3 out of 5 from 506 ratings, the tour has a solid overall score, but the number should not obscure the basic uncertainty. Praise often centers on energetic guides, helpful photo advice, changing locations and successful sightings. The less satisfying nights tend to involve clouds, long waits, crowded buses or no aurora at all. Those are not all problems the operator can control, but they are part of the real value calculation.

How to dress and plan for a cold night

Warm clothing and sturdy shoes are essential. You may stand outside in a dark, windy spot for an extended wait, and the temperature can feel colder than it did in Reykjavik. One outing in April was reported at 5°C, but felt like minus 1°C in the wind. That is a useful reminder that the season and forecast do not tell the whole story.

Wear layers, cover your hands and head, and choose shoes that feel secure outdoors. Bring a charged phone or camera, and consider a portable battery if you plan to take many pictures. The tour includes Wi-Fi on the bus, but it does not solve cold fingers or a depleted phone battery.

This activity is for ages 8 and up. Participants aged 16 and older pay the adult rate. It is not wheelchair accessible, so it will not work for everyone. Personal expenses and tips are not included.

If the aurora is your top priority, book early in your Iceland stay rather than saving the tour for your final night. That gives you a better chance to use the free retry if the weather or aurora does not cooperate. The voucher is valid only for the date and time you booked, and you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity, in destination local time.

Should you book this Reykjavik Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want transport out of the city, a guide to help read the night sky and the possibility of seeing the aurora without having to plan your own route. The included retry makes the price easier to justify, especially if you can fit another outing into your schedule. It is also a good fit if you value explanations and photo help, not just a ride to a dark place.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, dislike waiting outdoors or have only one night available and would consider an unsuccessful hunt a waste. If you do go, choose a departure you can reach comfortably, arrive early, dress more warmly than you think you need and keep your plans open. The Northern Lights may be faint, spectacular or absent. The tour can take you to a darker sky; nature decides what happens there.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights bus tour?

The tour is listed as four hours, but it usually lasts about three to four hours. Weather, traffic and how the night’s aurora hunt goes can affect the timing.

Where does the no-pickup tour leave from?

It departs from Bus Stop 12 at Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík. Arrive 30 minutes before your selected departure time.

What departure times can I choose?

The listed departure choices are 20:30 and 21:30. Your return time depends on the departure and the length of the outing, so check the confirmed schedule after booking.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can reschedule for one additional outing on Bus Travel Iceland’s non-premium Northern Lights bus tour. The offer is valid for up to three years.

Is hot chocolate included?

Yes. Hot chocolate and refreshments are included, though they may not be available on every outing. Dress warmly and consider bringing your own drink.

Is the tour suitable for children and wheelchair users?

Participants must be at least 8 years old, and children aged 16 and older pay the adult rate. The activity is not wheelchair accessible.