Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik
Reykjavik, Iceland
- 3 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
This seasonal bus tour from Reykjavik takes you to prime viewing spots for chasing the northern lights with a guide who knows the best locations. The tour includes hotel pickup and offers audio guides in multiple languages. If you don't spot the aurora borealis on your tour night, you can try again free of charge on another evening.
- Maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights on a guided tour
- Included hotel pickup and drop-off ensures a relaxed night
- Learn all about the aurora borealis from your guide
- Travel in the comfort of a bus equipped with Wi-Fi and audio guides
What's Included
- Bus Fare
- Professional Local Guidance
- Free Wi-Fi
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Begin your evening adventure with pick-up from central Reykjavík and admire the capital’s illuminated landmarks as you head out of the city. As the glittering skyline fades from view, listen as your guide explains the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights, caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the North Pole. Learn how the lights are the result of collisions between gaseous particles in the Earth's atmosphere and charged particles released from the sun's atmosphere, and discover the science behind the variations in color and brightness.
Depending on the weather and ‘Aurora forecast’, your guide takes you to the viewing locations where you are most likely to spot the Northern Lights, so make sure you have your camera ready. If you’re lucky, get a chance to admire the mesmerizing light show, before journeying back to Reykjavík, where your tour ends.
Please note: the Northern Lights in Iceland are visible only during the winter months, from September to April, and sightings are not guaranteed. However, if you don‘t see any Northern Lights during the tour, you are welcome to join the tour again, free of charge, on another night. For this reason, we recommend booking your Northern Lights tour for early-on in your trip, in case it needs to be rescheduled.
Depending on the weather and ‘Aurora forecast’, your guide takes you to the viewing locations where you are most likely to spot the Northern Lights, so make sure you have your camera ready. If you’re lucky, get a chance to admire the mesmerizing light show, before journeying back to Reykjavík, where your tour ends.
Please note: the Northern Lights in Iceland are visible only during the winter months, from September to April, and sightings are not guaranteed. However, if you don‘t see any Northern Lights during the tour, you are welcome to join the tour again, free of charge, on another night. For this reason, we recommend booking your Northern Lights tour for early-on in your trip, in case it needs to be rescheduled.
Reykjavik Excursions (Pass By)
Iceland (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour depends on weather and sightings are not guaranteed. The tour may be cancelled on the day if the weather is poor
- Remember to dress warmly
- Indicated return times can vary.
- Minimum age is 6 years old.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.9
based on 1,241 reviews
Lindsey_W, Jan 2026
It's wonderful! The woman leading the tour was very informative (and adorable). Best of all, the northern lights were amazing, and they gave us plenty of time to enjoy them.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Lindsey,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour, found our guide informative and charming, and had plenty of time to admire the amazing northern lights.
Best regards,
Rute
Vo_T, Jan 2026
We waited over 1 hour and the tour bus never arrived nor did they send any updates. We will not trust them again
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Traveler,
We are very sorry to hear about your experience and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. This is not the standard of service we aim to provide. We would like to investigate the situation further to understand what happened. If possible, please contact us directly at info@icelandia.is with your booking details so we can address this issue and prevent it from happening in the future.
Best Regards
Denise_F, Dec 2025
Disappointing experience and serious safety concerns
Our Northern Lights excursion was cancelled twice due to bad weather, which we fully understood and had no issue with at all.
On the third night, however, the tour proceeded despite full cloud cover and an extremely low likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. It was clear during the excursion that the drivers and guides were aware that conditions were unsuitable, yet the tour went ahead regardless. We spent almost two hours sitting at a filling station, where hot chocolate and cinnamon buns were provided, but this did not make up for the lack of an actual viewing experience.
The most concerning aspect of the tour was the driving. It felt unsafe throughout the journey. The driver frequently straddled the centre white line and drove far too fast for the road and weather conditions, in complete darkness. This left passengers feeling genuinely anxious, and safety should never be compromised.
In addition, the €300 price of this excursion included a professional photograph. No photograph was provided, nor was there any attempt to take or load a photograph during the tour. As this was a clearly advertised part of the experience, its absence is particularly disappointing and, in our view, warrants at least a partial refund.
We fully accept that seeing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed. However, knowingly operating a tour in unsuitable conditions, failing to deliver an included element of the experience, and exposing passengers to unsafe driving practices is not acceptable.
Based on our experience, we would expect the company to review this and consider an appropriate refund or partial refund.
Jo_N, Dec 2025
Disappointed as tour was cancelled due to cloudy conditions although people had said they had seen the lights on the same evening . Unable to rebook as travelling home so requesting a refund that I am waiting for.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Traveler,
We’re sorry to hear about the disappointment caused by the tour cancellation due to cloudy conditions. We understand your frustration and that you were unable to rebook.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Kerry_M, Dec 2025
Was well organised and punctual.
No bathrooms.!
Lots of people.
No lights the night we went, but have got a voucher that we can use in the next 2 years.
They decide where to go with the best visibility. They don’t chase the lights.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Kerry,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you found the tour well-organized and punctual.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and unfortunately, despite our best efforts, they don’t always appear. We always check the weather and probabilities before the tour, but conditions can change very rapidly, which is beyond our control. For safety reasons, we have specific locations where we take our guests, and our team chooses the safest and most suitable spots rather than chasing the lights. That’s why we offer the possibility for rebooking for two years, so guests have the opportunity to rebook and try again.
Best regards,
Rute
NweNi_T, Nov 2025
Due to cloudy day, we only saw very faint northern lights. The tour gave me another pass which can be used within 2 years. Really pleased about that. I will definitely come back in future.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your review! I’m glad to hear that, despite the cloudy conditions, you appreciated the option to rebook the tour within two years. It’s great to know you’re planning to return — we look forward to helping you experience the Northern Lights at their best next time.
Kind regards, Sesili
Kaley_Z, Oct 2025
Our guide Sőlvi was very knowledgeable and kind. We saw fantastic lights and had a great experience!
Alice_P, Oct 2025
The tour company, Reykjavík Excursions was very professional. They were prompt picking us up and the tour guide was very nice.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We greatly appreciate your positive review! Knowing that you had a wonderful experience with us makes us happy. We hope to see you again soon!
Best wishes,
Sesili
Rochelle_C, Nov 2024
After two nights of cancellations due to weather, the tour went out. You drive about an hour to a parking lot near the airport where there are many buses. Our tour guide spent most of the drive out managing our exceptions (hence the title of my review). You stand outside in freezing weather with lots of people looking at the sky. There was a full moon (not good) and passing clouds. After about 45 minutes we saw some whiteish streaks. With a camera you could see the green lights. So nothing really with the naked eye. I've heard that if you go to the lighthouse near Reykjavik you have a good chance of seeing them. I'm sure there are other spots that don't involve the bus tours. There was no bathroom on our bus but some of the other buses had one (had to ask about that, our guide did not announce). I think for a 3 1/2 hour trip that should be explained. Oh yes there was hot cocoa but it was not included in the ticket. Cheers!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! We truly value your honest impressions as they help us identify areas for improvement. We’re sorry to hear that the experience didn’t fully meet expectations, particularly with the visibility of the lights, bus amenities, and overall communication.
While the Northern Lights can be elusive and conditions unpredictable, we understand the importance of making every part of the tour as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Your suggestion regarding better communication about bus facilities and the inclusion of certain perks like hot cocoa is very helpful. We'll work on enhancing these aspects for future tours.
Thank you for sharing alternative viewing spots near Reykjavik—that's great advice for fellow travelers! We hope you’ll consider joining us again for another opportunity to catch a clearer, more dazzling display of the aurora.
Best regards,
Sesili
Sudha_A, Oct 2024
This was a large tour bus and we only made 1 stop. I liked the history and information provided on the tour. It did feel mass produced. I prefer the smaller tours. Also for the charge of the ticket the food could have been included. We did see the northern lights, but there were too many people to fully enjoy it.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad to hear that you appreciated the history and information provided on the tour and that you had the chance to see the northern lights.
We understand that larger group tours can sometimes feel less personal, and we appreciate your suggestion regarding the inclusion of food. We’ll certainly take this into consideration for future improvements.
Your feedback helps us enhance our offerings, and we hope to welcome you on a more intimate tour experience in the future. Thank you again for your review!
Kind regards,
Sesili
marilyn_s, Oct 2024
Right from pick up we felt underwhelmed. Staff were very disorganised..unfriendly..stressed.
We were driven 20mins to a truck stop to view the northern lights. We were on the main road so cars and trucks whizzing past the whole time. Very little interaction with the tour guide. We were then told that the bus couldn't drop us back to our original pick up point so we had to walk back 30mins at 1am . Not impressed.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Marilyn,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We apologize for the issues encountered with our service. This is not the standard we aim for, and we take your concerns seriously.
To resolve the issue, please contact our customer service at info@re.is, and we'll make it right for you.
Your satisfaction is vital to us, and we appreciate your understanding. We hope to improve your experience in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
AngelaCummings, Mar 2024
Nice tour guide and good driver. However, it was cancelled once and nothing happened on second try. They don't go driving until they find it with us warm. We go one spot and stand outside cold. Why would I come all the way back to Iceland to try this again? Way overcrowded too. Huge regret and sticking to Finland
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear traveler,
We genuinely appreciate your feedback, and it plays a crucial role in helping us enhance our services. We regret to learn about your recent experience, and we're committed to making things right. Your comments will serve as valuable insights for us to improve our offerings. To address your concerns more effectively, please send an email to info@icelandia.is with your booking reference, enabling us to investigate the matter thoroughly and work towards a resolution.
Best,
Ana
Amy_L, Jan 2024
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
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thanks for sharing your experience! We're sorry to hear about the visibility of the lights. We'll keep working to make the experience better. If you join us again, we hope you have a more enjoyable time.
Nat_C, Jan 2024
We were so lucky to see them! They take you to the National park and let you know the science behind the lights etc. absolutely wonderful!
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed the National Park tour and our insights into the science behind the lights. It was our pleasure to share that wonderful experience with you!
Maxine_W, Nov 2023
Sadly we didnt see the lights on both nights we went out.. But the tour is well organised and Nico was great guide
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you didn't get to see the lights, but we appreciate your understanding. We hope you enjoyed the rest of the tour and the information provided by our guide.
Penny_H, Nov 2023
Don’t book with this company! They took us to one spot the entire 3 hours and no sign of lights and we didn’t get a free ticket for another night to see them because they lied and said it was strong lights when there clearly wasn’t any! We understand theres no guarantee but to lie and say it was strong lights when there wasn’t - is a joke!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us. Your feedback is invaluable, and we're committed to continually enhancing our services. If you have any suggestions or further thoughts, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@icelandia.is.
Paul_C, Oct 2023
Although we didn’t see the lights, it was still a goop trip.
You stand in the middle of now where, surrounded by an old lava field and you can see what feels like a million stars.
We did see shooting stars, which was great and for me worth the trip.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us. We´re sorry to hear about your experience. Your input will help us improve our services so please feel free to reach out to us at info@icelandia.is with your booking reference, and our team will be happy to help you.
Kind regards,
Anete
Kahlman_F, Oct 2023
We were bused to the viewing site and did not see the Northern lights. After no action after 100 minutes the bus left.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear Kahlma,
We are so sorry that you were not able to see the Northern Lights! Hopefully, you rescheduled for another day!
Unfortunately, sometimes the Northern Lights are not visible even though the forecast says so, but that is why we offer free rescheduling!
If you have any sugestions on how we can improve, we would love to hear more from you at info@re.is.
We hope to see you again in Iceland!
Kind regards,
Svava
Kelli_L, Sep 2023
I was scheduled to see the Northern Lights my second night in Iceland. I am now on day 7 of being in Iceland and the tour has been canceled every night. I understand whether however when I reached out for a refund since it was canceled each night on their end and I have yet to get a response or refund. I am very disappointed this happened as it was one of the main reasons for my visit.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear customer,
We are incredibly sorry for this issue encountered with the Northern Lights tour and the weather issues. This is not the standard we aim for. If you did not go on the tour and it was canceled by us every time then you have a right to a refund and I hope that that went through. If not please contact us at info@re.is to resolve this issue.
We hope we will see you again with better service!
Kind regards,
Svava
Neldes_M, Sep 2023
It was canceled by company and I’ve continued to write for a refund and I still have no response please
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear customer,
We are incredibly sorry for this mishap on our part. This is not the standard we aim for.
Please contact us at info@re.is and we'll make things right.
We hope you have a good day.
Kind regards,
Svava
John_S, Sep 2023
The fact that this was NOT the tour I booked. I was told it was a tour of no more than 25 people. Instead I was part of a tour of over 100.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear John,
We are very sorry about the misleading booking. We would love to hear from you at info@re.is and try to resolve this problem.
Your satisfaction is vital to us, and we appreciate your understanding. We hope to improve your experience in the future.
We hope to see you again in Iceland with better service!
Amy_F, Mar 2023
Fantastic. I wish I have a good camera to capture this amazing experience. The tour operators are amazing and extremely helpful. Before you take this trip make sure you have your camera set up so you don't miss when aurora dance in the sky. Wear warm clothes and shoes because it's so cold in iceland in winter nights.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for your review!
We're glad to read that you had a pleasant experience and you enjoyed the tour.
We thank you for joining us and will be looking forward to seeing you again.
Kind regards,
Fine
Jacob_L, Mar 2023
My wife and I had a good experience. It was not the best night to see the lights , however, it was not the worst either. As for the company and the staff they did a great job.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for your review!
We´re glad to read our team offered a pleasant experience and you enjoyed the tour.
We thank you for joining us and will be looking forward to seeing you again.
Have a lovely day!
Fine
Douglas_H, Mar 2023
Awesome lights 3 consecutive nights. Also very COLD!!! Highly recommend this experience. Company very helpful at return to hotels at 1am.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thanks for the review! We´re glad to read our team offered a pleasant experience and you´ve enjoyed the tour.
We thank you for joining us and will be looking for seeing you again.
Have a wonderful day!
Adam
Carol_S, Feb 2023
I know the Northern Lights are unpredictable and we did get the chance to rebook. However a friend went on the same night but with different company. They were taken to a couple of different places and good a great sighting. Our tour went to one place with about 10 coaches stayed about 1.5 hours and saw nothing. Why can't companies communicate if they have good sightings and then move.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Hello Carol, thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We´re sorry to read about this. As the tour is not refundable if operated, we also try our best to operate it if we´re sure we´ll be able to see the lights. Each tour operator is free to estimate whether or not the lights will be visible. Feel free to email us at info@re.is with your booking reference and our team will be happy to help you out if there´s anything you need.
Have a wonderful day.
Ayline
Laura_S, Jan 2023
The worst tour we went on during our two weeks in Europe. There was no clarity or fun at all. It’s not listed anywhere but you have to go to their office for physical tickets even though you have a viator ticket. Parking, nobody would say if we could park at BSI or not so that was fun. Then the tour was literally just driving out to a little spot with 6 other buses and getting off the bus and standing there. Our guide was useless at explaining anything about the northern lights and was not kind or fun or interactive at all. We had no idea what was happening. We didn’t see the lights which was not their fault but we literally stood in freezing cold for 3 hours with no “guidance” or kindness or info at all. If you have a car go to the lighthouse and see more than you will on this tour or go to the boat northern lights hunt (way more fun, a guide that actually talked, and some guidance but still confusing on meeting points). Avoid this honestly at all costs. A total joke and waste of time.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Hello and thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We´re sorry to read about what happened and would love to hear more about it. Feel free to email us at info@re.is with your booking reference and our team will be happy to help you out.
Have a wonderful day.
Ayline
Sophia_B, Jan 2023
Great night trip to the Northern Lights. Tour guide was very fun and friendly. Well organised trip with the pick up and drop off points. The northern lights were present on my visit but it’s important to remember that photos may show the lights more than what can be seen with the eye in real life
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We´re glad you had a great time!
I hope you have a lovely day!
Eleni
Khem_t, Dec 2022
Not really seen the northern lights what we accept still enjoy
Maybe not a good time for us on the night
Valentina_F, Dec 2022
Wonderful esperience! It has been fantastic see the northern lights. It was so cold! People and guide were very Kinder. I enjoy a lot the trip!
Eleanor_H, Dec 2022
Quite unhappy with this tour. It was most disappointing that were were left in the cold and dark trying to sort transport back to our accommodation. In the end we could not book a taxi because the operator was too busy so ended up walking 40 minutes home in the early hours of the morning! Not a very positive experience. We would have appreciated it if our bus guide had been more helpful in ensuring we got back to our accommodation ok.
From $73.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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