Northern Lights Chase with Photography from Tromsø

The real point of this Tromsø outing is movement. Instead of waiting under city lights, you ride into the Arctic countryside while your guide watches the sky and searches for clearer weather. On a good night, the chase can reach Skibotn or even cross into Finland, with guides such as Gerard, Andreas, Merco, or Tom helping you make sense of the show.

I like the photography help, especially if you are using a phone and do not know which settings to change. I also like the hot drinks, the chance to leave Tromsø’s light pollution, and the fact that the trip can last longer when the sky is difficult. The main drawback is group size: some departures have involved several buses and well over 100 people, which can turn a quiet Arctic night into a crowded roadside gathering.

Key points to know before you book

• The chase can last 4 to 8 hours: The route and finish time depend on cloud, road conditions, and how quickly the aurora appears.
• You may spend long stretches on the bus: The guide might stay put or drive for hours looking for a clear patch of sky.
• Photography help uses your own equipment: Bring your phone or camera. Prints and digital files from the tour team cost extra or are not included.
• Large groups are possible: Some vehicles hold about 50 people, and several NorthernShots buses may use the same viewing area.
• The cold is serious: Temperatures can reach -30°C, and the bus may cool down on very cold nights. Wear proper layers and boots.
• No aurora means a discounted return, not a refund: If you see nothing, the operator offers 50 percent off a future aurora tour, subject to space and timing.

Leaving Tromsø for the northern sky

You meet at Roald Amundsens plass 1B, 30 minutes before departure. That early check-in matters. You must be checked in to board, and arriving late removes the option of a refund or rescheduling.

Once the group is organized, round-trip transport takes you away from Tromsø. The exact route is not fixed. The bus may remain in one area all night, or it may continue through the countryside toward better weather. In difficult conditions, the driving itself can take up much of the experience.

That flexibility is useful because the Northern Lights are not tied to one viewing platform. Clear skies may be found along the coast, inland, or farther east. Some outings cross the border into Finland, so bring your passport or national identity card if your route requires it.

The trade-off is comfort and control. This is not a private car trip where you can stop whenever you like. You may sit on the bus for several hours, and the vehicle may go a long time without a toilet stop. Some vehicles have no toilet onboard, and using a toilet while the bus is moving is not permitted.

What the 4 to 8 hour chase feels like

The stated duration is a useful warning rather than a promise. You should plan your whole evening around this outing. A successful chase may finish earlier if the aurora appears quickly, while bad cloud can keep the group moving well past the usual return time.

That unpredictability is part of the appeal. A guide may decide that one location has the best chance and wait there, as happened on a clear night when the lights appeared around 2 a.m. On another evening, the bus may keep driving in search of open sky. You need patience, a full meal before departure, and enough energy to stay outside in the cold.

Do not schedule a tight flight, boat, or important connection after the tour. The operator does not accept responsibility for new tickets, accommodation, or other costs if a late return affects your plans. A vehicle stuck on an icy road can also cause a long delay. One reported incident involved a wait of several hours after buses became stuck, though this is not a normal part of the trip.

The road itself can be stressful in a snowstorm. The operator can cancel if conditions become dangerous, with a full refund offered in that case. Otherwise, tours generally run in cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather because the sky can open later. That policy gives you more chances, but it also means you might spend much of the night driving through unpleasant conditions.

Finding the aurora in the Arctic countryside

The best part of this experience is the possibility of reaching darker, clearer country. Far from Tromsø’s streetlights, even a modest aurora can look stronger. The surrounding Arctic setting also gives you a more dramatic backdrop than a city viewpoint or a quick stop near the center.

The guides’ job is not to create the aurora. They watch weather patterns, cloud breaks, road access, and reports of activity, then choose where to go. On strong nights, that can lead to an hour of moving green light. On weaker nights, you may get stars and astronomy but little or no aurora.

One successful outing reached a low-light area about an hour and a half from Tromsø. Another found clear sky on a snowy, cloudy night after driving toward the coast. These examples show why the chase can be worthwhile, but they also show why your result depends heavily on nature.

You may stay at one spot or visit several. If the sky is promising, the group might remain in place for the whole night. If clouds cover the area, the guide may load everyone back onto the bus and try another road. This is a practical strategy, but it can feel like wasted time if you expected constant outdoor viewing.

Photography help for phones and cameras

The tour includes photography assistance with your personal phone or camera. That is valuable because aurora photography often requires changes to exposure, focus, and night settings that are not obvious in the cold and dark.

You should look up basic aurora photography before departure, then ask the photographer to help adjust your equipment. One particularly useful part of the outing is learning how to photograph the lights with a phone. The guides can show you how to capture the sky instead of leaving with a collection of black, blurry images.

Professional photographers are also present on some departures, but you should not assume they will provide a personal photo package. Prints and digital copies are not included. The operator retains copyright to photos taken by its team, uploads images of people to a third-party platform, and may publish video footage. If you do not want to be photographed or published, tell the booking staff and your guide before the tour, and do not pose for the photographers.

This point deserves attention. A large group can make it hard to find the photographer, especially when several buses reach the same beach or parking area. If photography is your main reason for booking, ask for help early and stay aware of where the photographer is working.

Cold-weather comfort, hot drinks, and waiting outside

The tour provides coffee or tea at the vehicle or at one of the stops. Hot chocolate and cookies have also been served on departures. That small comfort matters after standing outside in wind and snow, but it does not replace proper clothing.

Thermal overalls are not included. Pack thermal underwear, warm socks, insulated boots, gloves, and a hat. Dress in layers so you can adjust when moving between the bus and the viewing area. The vehicle is normally heated, but on very cold nights it can gradually lose heat.

You might spend hours outside or return to the bus between bursts of activity. One clear-night outing reached about -7°C with strong wind, and the group stood outside for a long period. Temperatures in the region can fall as low as -30°C. You should be comfortable waiting in darkness without knowing exactly when the lights will appear.

Food is not allowed inside the vehicle, so eat dinner before check-in. Bottled water is not included, and you should bring your own if needed, though the operator’s rules may limit when you can drink or use a toilet during driving sections.

Group size changes the character of the night

This is the biggest practical question. The vehicle may hold about 50 people, and a departure can use multiple buses. Several outings have placed hundreds of people at one viewing site, sometimes alongside vehicles from other companies.

A large group offers some advantages. You have several guides and photographers, a roomy bus on some departures, and more support if road conditions become difficult. It can also make the activity easier for older people because you can return to the vehicle to warm up.

But the atmosphere may be far from quiet. Flashlights, headlights, and people moving around can interfere with photographs. You may need to walk away from the main cluster to find a darker patch, and finding your assigned guide or photographer can be difficult.

Some departures are much smaller, particularly when fewer than 16 people book. In that case, the driver may also serve as the in-person guide. You cannot choose your group size in advance from the information provided, so book this as a shared coach experience, not as a private aurora expedition.

Guide quality and communication

The strongest outings depend on the guide. Good guides keep watching the sky, explain what is happening, help with cameras, and look after people in difficult cold. Andreas and Louis were praised for clear information and careful driving on a rough-weather night. Gerard was noted for waiting patiently until the aurora appeared late. Merco and Tom helped with phone photography after a long chase.

That kind of persistence is exactly what you want. A weak aurora may not look impressive at first, and a guide who knows when to wait can make the difference between a short glimpse and a proper display.

Communication can be uneven on a big departure. There may be several buses at the meeting point, and unclear instructions can cause confusion. Repeated safety rules may also feel excessive, especially during a long drive. Still, Arctic roads require strict instructions, and the risks are real. Snowstorms, icy surfaces, avalanches, and vehicle problems are possible.

If the bus is delayed or stuck, ask for updates directly and stay with your group. The operator’s conditions make clear that road incidents are not grounds for a refund, so your best protection is warm clothing, patience, and flexible evening plans.

Is $171.07 a fair price?

At $171.07 per person, this is not a cheap way to see the aurora. You are paying for transport from Tromsø, local route decisions, a guide, photography assistance, and the chance to chase clearer skies rather than wait in town.

The value is strongest if you lack a rental car, do not want to drive on icy Arctic roads, or need help with night photography. It can also make sense if you have only one or two evenings in Tromsø and want a serious attempt rather than a quick city outing.

The value drops if you strongly dislike buses, crowds, or long periods of waiting. You could see nothing, and the replacement offer is a 50 percent discount on another aurora tour, not a cash refund. That offer depends on availability, and it may be difficult to use during the busiest period from December 15 through January 9.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded. If the operator cancels because conditions are dangerous or the minimum number is not reached, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Tromsø aurora chase?

I would choose this tour if you want the best available chance without renting a car, you are willing to sit on a bus for hours, and you can handle cold and uncertainty. It suits people who want practical help photographing the sky, especially with a phone.

I would be cautious if your ideal night means a small group, silence, and a private viewing area. A coach departure can bring several buses to the same spot, and the experience may feel more like organized mass transport than a peaceful Arctic outing.

Bring your passport or ID, warm layers, boots, water, and a charged phone or camera. Eat before departure, arrive 30 minutes early, and keep the following morning free. Those simple choices will make the uncertain parts much easier.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if access and weather flexibility matter more to you than privacy. NorthernShots Tours has the reach to drive toward clearer skies, and the best outings can deliver a memorable aurora, useful camera help, and guides who keep working long after the first cloud rolls in.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, a small group, included thermal clothing, or professional photographs delivered to you. The Northern Lights remain natural and unpredictable, and the large-bus format can be crowded. For a first attempt from Tromsø, though, this is a reasonable option if you accept the conditions and plan for a long, cold night.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Roald Amundsens plass 1B, 9008 Tromsø. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

You must check in 30 minutes before departure. You cannot board without checking in, and arriving late removes any right to a refund or rescheduling.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 to 8 hours. The timing can change if the guide needs to search for clear skies or if the aurora appears earlier.

Is the Northern Lights display guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the aurora?

You are offered 50 percent off your next aurora tour. You must arrange this at the operator’s desk, and the new booking depends on available seats and dates. This offer does not convert to a refund.

Can the tour cross into Finland?

Yes. Some tours may cross the border to reach a suitable viewing area. Bring your passport or national identity card.

Are thermal suits included?

No. Thermal overalls are not included. You should bring warm layers, suitable boots, and other cold-weather clothing.

Are drinks included?

Coffee or tea is available at the vehicle or at one of the stops. Bottled water is not included, and eating is not allowed inside the vehicle.

Does the tour include professional photographs?

The tour includes photography assistance using your own phone or camera. Prints and digital copies taken by the tour team are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.