From Reykjavík: Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

Raufarhólshellir is the star of this evening trip: a volcanic tunnel where you walk beneath Iceland’s surface, then head back outside to search for the Northern Lights. The pairing works well because the cave gives you a worthwhile experience even when clouds spoil the aurora hunt.

I like the small minibus format, which can reach darker locations that larger coaches cannot. I also like the practical touches: hot cocoa, blankets, onboard Wi-Fi, and free photos if the lights appear. The catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and the five-hour evening can run late.

Key points before you book

• Raufarhólshellir reaches 900 meters underground, with a mix of built paths, footbridges, and rougher volcanic ground.
• The Northern Lights search lasts about two and a half hours, with the route chosen according to the forecast and cloud cover.
• A free retry applies to the Northern Lights portion if the aurora does not appear, but you need to check the provider’s arrangements after the tour.
• Hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, helmets, torches, and Wi-Fi are included, while dinner and other snacks are not.
• Pickup is available only from listed Reykjavík locations, not private apartments, Airbnb rentals, or Keflavík Airport.
• The tour allows up to 28 people, and pickup may take as long as 30 minutes.

Why the lava tunnel makes this more than an aurora gamble

Many Northern Lights tours depend almost entirely on the sky. If clouds roll in, you may spend an evening riding around Reykjavík with little to show for it. This trip handles that risk better by putting a full cave visit first.

Raufarhólshellir is Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube. The route takes you as far as 900 meters, or about 2,952 feet, into the tunnel. You are not simply peering into a cave entrance. You follow a guided route through a space shaped by ancient volcanic activity, with colors on the walls caused by the minerals and forces involved in its formation.

The cave walk lasts about an hour. You receive a helmet with a light, a torch, and a safety briefing before setting off with a certified caving guide. Parts of the route use solid paths and footbridges, while other sections retain a more natural, uneven surface.

That mix is part of the appeal. The route is accessible enough for many people, including families with older children, but it is not a smooth indoor attraction from start to finish. You should be comfortable walking on uneven ground, and one review specifically found parts of the tunnel a little slippery. Wear sturdy shoes and take your time.

The cave is dark, but your helmet light helps you see where to place your feet. Toilets are available at the start of the tunnel, and you return to that area after the walk. That is a useful detail on an evening excursion, especially before the longer aurora search.

The 7:30 p.m. pickup from Reykjavík

Pickup is offered from a set list of hotels, bus stops, terminals, and other authorized points around Reykjavík. The list includes Hallgrímskirkja, City Hall, the BSÍ Bus Terminal, Reykjavík Natura, Grand Hotel Reykjavík, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Reykjavík Lights Hotel, and several others.

Do not assume the minibus will collect you at your door. Private apartments and Airbnb addresses are excluded, and pickup is not available from Keflavík Airport. If your accommodation is not listed, choose the nearest approved point and be there at the beginning of the pickup window.

The company says the guide may take up to 30 minutes to reach your location. That means you should not wander off for coffee or wait inside a hotel lobby where the vehicle might be hard to spot. Be ready outside or at the stated meeting point.

The ride to Raufarhólshellir takes about 45 minutes. The minibus has Wi-Fi, which is handy for checking messages or keeping your phone ready for photos. A maximum of 28 people can join, so this is not a private outing, but it is still a smaller format than the big sightseeing coaches common on Iceland routes.

Inside Raufarhólshellir, expect a real cave walk

At the tunnel, a caving guide provides your safety instructions and equipment. You then start along a route that combines built sections with natural terrain.

The underground colors are one of the main reasons to pay attention rather than simply walk through. You may see emerald greens, reds, turquoise, and lilac tones in the rock. The guide explains how volcanic activity created the tunnel and how the cave’s unusual appearance developed.

The guide’s role matters here. Without explanation, a lava tube can become a dark corridor with striking shapes but little context. With a good guide, the formations become easier to read, and the hour passes quickly.

The tour is described as suitable for most ages, but the qualification is important. You need confidence on uneven ground. It is not recommended for anyone uncomfortable with that type of walking. The route is not presented as a strenuous hike, yet it is more active than a flat city tour.

One practical point: the cave visit happens before the Northern Lights search, so you should dress for two different settings. Inside, you need sensible footwear and clothes that let you walk comfortably. Outside, you need proper warm layers for standing under the night sky. The tour supplies blankets, but a blanket is an extra comfort, not a replacement for a winter coat.

Chasing the Aurora for two and a half hours

After the tunnel, you return to the minibus and begin the second part of the evening. The guide chooses the direction based on the latest conditions. Possible areas include Þingvellir, Reykjanes, and other parts of South Iceland.

This flexible routing is important. The Northern Lights are not a scheduled show, and the best location can change as cloud cover moves. A smaller vehicle can also use roads and stops that may not suit a large coach, giving the guide more options.

The aurora hunt lasts about two hours and 30 minutes, including the return journey. You may spend time riding, stopping, watching the sky, and moving again if the forecast points elsewhere. That is the nature of this activity. It is not a fixed attraction with a guaranteed start and finish to the spectacle.

When the lights appear, the guide takes photos of you with the aurora. This is a useful extra because night photography is difficult, and a phone often captures only a faint blur. One guide, Nicolas, was singled out for helping with photos, while another guide named Gretta received praise for her care and direction. Guides can make a real difference during a night when everyone is cold, excited, and unsure where to look.

You may spend 20 minutes focused almost entirely on photos if the aurora becomes strong. That can be a memorable part of the trip, but keep expectations realistic. The Northern Lights may be faint, brief, or hidden by weather. The tour can drive to several areas and still come up empty.

What happens when the lights do not appear

The free retry is one of the most important parts of the booking. If you do not see the Northern Lights, you can use a free repeat for the Northern Lights portion, subject to the provider’s arrangements and available dates.

The lava tunnel is not repeated. You have already completed that part, and the follow-up applies to the aurora search. One person used the chance to return the next day, while another hoped to use the voucher on a future visit. Ask the guide or operator before leaving so you understand how to arrange the retry.

This policy makes the price easier to accept, but it does not remove the inconvenience. You need another free evening in Reykjavík, and you must still have suitable weather and clear skies. If your schedule is packed with day trips, a free retry may be difficult to use.

The provider may also cancel the whole experience because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Is $195.19 a fair price?

At $195.19 per person, this is not a budget evening. You are paying for transport from Reykjavík, the lava tunnel admission and guide, safety equipment, the Northern Lights search, Wi-Fi, hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, and aurora photos.

The value depends on how you compare it. If you want only a cheap Northern Lights ride, this costs more than a basic chase. If you already plan to visit Raufarhólshellir separately, combining the cave and aurora search may also be less useful.

For a first Iceland visit, I think the two-part design gives the price a stronger case. The tunnel is a definite activity with a set duration, while the aurora search adds a chance at something rare. You also avoid arranging separate transport to the cave and do not need to find a second evening for the Northern Lights.

The free retry helps, too. It shows that the operator recognizes the central problem with aurora tours: success depends on weather and solar conditions, not effort alone. Still, you should book this because you value the cave experience as much as the lights. If seeing the aurora is your only goal, disappointment is possible even after a long drive.

Dinner is not included. Eat before pickup, since the tour supplies hot cocoa and chocolate but no meal or general snacks. The five-hour timing means you will likely return to Reykjavík late in the evening.

Who will enjoy this evening best?

I would choose this for someone who wants a varied Iceland night rather than a single-purpose bus ride. The cave gives you geology, walking, and a guide-led visit. The second half gives you open skies and the possibility of seeing the aurora.

It suits solo visitors as well as couples and families with older children. One solo participant appreciated that the guide kept an eye on them during the cave walk, which is reassuring in a dark, uneven space. The maximum group size of 28 is large enough for a social outing but small enough to avoid the feel of a huge coach tour.

You should think twice if uneven ground makes you anxious, if you need a fully accessible route, or if you dislike standing outside in cold conditions while waiting for the sky to change. The provided helmet, torch, and blankets help, but they do not turn the cave into a paved walkway or the aurora hunt into a warm indoor show.

This is also a poor fit if you need a precise return time. The route can change, and the pickup process can take time at the beginning. The return to Reykjavík is listed at about 45 minutes, but the search itself depends on the night’s conditions.

Small details that can make the night easier

Arrive at your pickup point early. The company asks you to be ready from the start of the pickup period, and the vehicle may not wait if you miss it.

Bring sturdy footwear and warm clothing. You will walk on uneven ground in the cave and spend time outside afterward. The helmet light helps with visibility, but it does not replace good shoes.

Eat dinner before you go. No dinner is included, and the hot cocoa is a warm drink and treat, not a full meal.

Keep your phone charged. The guide provides Northern Lights photos, but you will still want your own images, especially during the cave visit and any stops beneath the sky.

Ask about the retry before the bus leaves you in Reykjavík if the aurora does not appear. The policy is generous, but the practical details of scheduling matter if your stay is short.

Should you book this lava tunnel and aurora tour?

Book it if you want a well-filled evening with one reliable attraction and one weather-dependent bonus. Raufarhólshellir gives you an unusual underground experience, and the guide-led walk adds useful context instead of leaving you to guess what you are seeing. The flexible minibus search, free photos, hot cocoa, and repeat aurora option add real value.

I would skip it if the Northern Lights are your only priority, if $195.19 feels high for a chance at the aurora, or if uneven terrain is a concern. For most visitors who want to combine Icelandic geology with a serious attempt to see the night sky, this is a sensible pairing. Just eat first, dress warmly, and treat the lights as a possibility, not a promise.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 p.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from authorized points around Reykjavík, including listed hotels, bus stops, terminals, and landmarks such as Hallgrímskirkja and City Hall.

Can I be picked up from a private apartment or Airbnb?

No. Pickup is not offered from private apartments or Airbnb apartments. You should choose the closest authorized pickup point.

Is pickup available from Keflavík Airport?

No. Keflavík Airport pickup is not offered for this tour.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about five hours, including pickup, the lava tunnel visit, the Northern Lights search, and the return to Reykjavík.

How long do you spend inside the lava tunnel?

The guided cave visit lasts about one hour.

Is the lava tunnel suitable for everyone?

Most people can participate, but parts of the tunnel have uneven terrain. You should be comfortable walking on those surfaces, and the activity is not recommended if uneven ground makes you uncomfortable.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a helmet, torch, and other required safety equipment for the cave. Blankets are also provided for the Northern Lights search.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner and snacks are not included, so you should eat before joining the tour. Icelandic hot cocoa and chocolate are provided.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You are offered a free retry for the Northern Lights portion. The repeat applies to the aurora search, not the lava tunnel visit.

Are Northern Lights photos included?

Yes. The guide takes photos of you with the aurora when the lights appear.

What if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same type of choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.