Aurora Safari Chase by big bus, free Photos, toilet onboard

The best feature of this Tromsø Northern Lights tour is its willingness to move. Instead of parking at one fixed viewpoint, the coach can chase clearer skies across Troms County, then settle at a heated base camp, Sami center, or lavvo. With luck, you may watch green curtains ripple above snowy mountains for hours.

I like the comfortable heated coach, onboard toilet, and the guides’ practical help with cameras. I also like the warm camp setting, hot chocolate, coffee, snacks, and the chance to learn why the aurora appears instead of simply standing in a dark field. The main drawback is scale: a coach carrying up to 50 people cannot feel as personal or nimble as a small van.

Key points to know before booking

• Several viewing areas: The bus may move around Troms County to find clearer skies, rather than relying on one camp.
• A warm base camp: You can wait by a fire, inside a lavvo, or in a heated room while watching the sky.
• Free photos with a catch: Low-resolution downloads are free; high-resolution photographs have been reported at 300 NOK each.
• About 5 to 8 hours: The 6:15 pm departure can return late, depending on driving and aurora conditions.
• Optional local meal: Reindeer stew or fish soup may be available as an upgrade, with vegetarian and non-fish options by request.
• Big-bus value: You get a lower price than a private outing, but the group can reach 50 people.

Leaving Tromsø at 6:15 pm

You meet at the Prostneset Bus, Boat and Hurtigruten Terminal on Samuel Arnesens gate 5, close to central Tromsø hotels and public transport. The tour ends at the same point, usually after a late return through the city.

The coach is climate-controlled, and an onboard toilet is a useful touch on a winter outing that can last most of the night. Bring your warmest clothing anyway. The bus is comfortable, but the aurora is outside, often in wind, snow, and sub-zero temperatures.

The first part of the drive may include a video about the science behind the Northern Lights. This gives the evening some purpose even before the sky cooperates. You learn about the solar activity that sends charged particles toward Earth and creates the colored glow around the magnetic poles.

That explanation matters. The aurora can look faint gray or white to your eyes, while a long camera exposure reveals green. Understanding this helps you judge what you are seeing instead of expecting a bright green display every time.

A flexible route through Troms County

The route is not a simple drive to one permanent lookout. Your guide watches the weather and may move the coach toward a place with a better chance of clear sky. One part of the trip may take about 45 minutes, while another night can involve longer driving.

This flexibility is the tour’s strongest practical feature. Cloud cover can vary sharply around Tromsø. A gray sky in town may give way to clear stars farther along a fjord, while a promising forecast can still produce snow at the chosen site.

The tradeoff is time on the road. A large coach cannot change direction as quickly as a small vehicle, and it cannot use every narrow road or remote pull-off. If your top priority is speed and maximum flexibility, a small-group chase may suit you better. If you want a lower-cost outing with a proper base camp, this format makes more sense.

The itinerary describes several periods of roughly two hours: reaching the wider Troms area, spending time at a private heated camp, then continuing to watch and reposition if needed. Treat these as approximate blocks rather than a rigid schedule. The total outing lasts about five to eight hours.

The base camp, fire, and lavvo

At the selected site, you can choose between being outdoors by a campfire and taking shelter in a traditional Sami lavvo, a teepee-shaped tent. Some departures use a Sami reindeer herder center or a similar private base. The setting can include snowy mountains, a fire, benches, and a heated room.

This is where the tour feels more like a winter evening than a simple bus ride. You can warm your hands with hot chocolate, coffee, or tea, eat local snacks, and step outside when the sky begins to move. The fire also gives you something pleasant to do during a quiet spell.

Do not confuse a warm camp with a guaranteed sighting. You may spend a long time under heavy cloud or falling snow, and there may be no visible aurora at all. One especially poor-weather type of night can mean driving to another overcast area, waiting in a field, and returning without seeing even the moon.

That is not a failure of the guide alone. No tour can control cloud cover or solar activity. Still, the experience is easier to accept when you understand that the camp, food, and explanation are supporting parts of an uncertain nature outing, not substitutes for the lights.

Food choices and the value of the upgrade

The basic experience includes hot drinks and snacks. You may also be able to add a meal such as reindeer stew or fish soup. Fish soup, homemade bread, focaccia, and lefse have all been served on different departures, while some people found the meal too light for the extra cost.

I would treat the meal as a warm local tasting, not a full dinner. If you are hungry after a long day, eat beforehand or confirm exactly what the upgrade includes. A bowl of soup may be delicious, but it may not contain much fish or meat.

Vegetarian and non-fish choices are available if requested at booking. Use the special requirements field rather than waiting until you arrive. Food service can also take you away from the sky, so keep your meal time short if the aurora suddenly appears.

The camp may offer beer and wine for purchase, though this is not presented as a standard part of the tour price. The most dependable included comforts are the hot drinks and snacks.

Seeing the aurora, with no promise attached

The Northern Lights are never guaranteed. Forecasts can suggest strong solar activity, but clouds, snow, haze, and timing still decide what you see. Some nights bring a full display that lasts for hours. Others offer brief flashes, a pale arc, or nothing visible at all.

A useful point for first-time watchers: your eyes may not see the same vivid green shown in photographs. The guides can help you understand camera settings and may assist with tripods and framing. Several guides have also offered informal camera help during the evening.

Guides vary by departure, but named guides on past outings have included Paolo, Jeanne, William, Suzanna, Alexandre, and Ricardo. The strongest part of the guiding is usually the mix of science, local information, and practical photography advice. A good guide can also tell you when it is worth leaving the fire and scanning the sky.

The photography policy deserves careful attention. Free photos are available, but the free files have been described as low resolution, around 300 KB. High-resolution images may cost 300 NOK per picture. Ask the guide early in the evening how the photo downloads work, especially if you expect to use the images for printing.

Bring a camera that allows manual settings if you have one, and bring a tripod if you prefer your own equipment. Tripods may be available to use, but the supplied information does not promise one for every person. A mobile phone may record the lights, but it may not capture the same detail as a proper camera.

What each part of the evening feels like

The meeting point is straightforward and central. Arrive ready for winter conditions, since the group leaves Tromsø at 6:15 pm and the tour may not return until late.

The first drive gives you a seat, warmth, and an introduction to the aurora. This is the least scenic part if you are eager to get outside, but it helps explain the natural event you are chasing.

The first countryside stop is selected according to weather and cloud conditions. You may see dense stars, snowy mountains, or an open view over the surrounding area. The quality of this stop depends heavily on the night’s visibility.

The heated camp is the social center of the outing. Here you can take a break from the cold, eat if you purchased the meal, and speak with the guide or local host. A Sami setting can add cultural context, especially when you have time to talk with the site owner or learn about reindeer herding.

The later chase keeps the tour from ending after one disappointing stop. If a cloud bank settles in, the bus may continue to another place. If the lights appear, the driver may pull over when it is safe to do so, allowing you to photograph the display.

The return to Tromsø is usually a chance to warm up and rest. You are dropped back at the original terminal, a short walk from many hotels.

Price, group size, and overall value

At about $128.16 per person, this is priced below a private Northern Lights chase and provides more structure than simply taking a taxi away from the city. You receive transportation, a guide, access to a warm base setting, hot drinks, and the chance to move if conditions change.

The value depends on what you want from the night. If you see a strong aurora for several hours, receive camera help, and enjoy the camp, the price is easy to justify. If the sky stays fully overcast, the same price can feel high because most of the night becomes a long coach journey and a wait in the cold.

A maximum of 50 people means the bus may feel busy. Some departures have involved more than one coach at a base camp, which can reduce the number of seats near the fire and make the hut feel crowded. The practical upside is a larger operation with a coach toilet, heated transport, and more resources than a tiny independent outing.

The tour is often booked around 16 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last evening of a short Tromsø stay. Booking early also leaves room to try again if your first night is cloudy, though you should check the cancellation terms before committing.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you want a moderately priced first aurora experience and prefer not to manage winter driving, forecasts, and remote roads yourself. It suits couples, friends, and families with children over four who can handle a late night and cold outdoor waiting.

It also suits people who value a warm camp and local food as part of the evening. You are not only buying a ride to a dark location. You are getting an explanation, drinks, a shelter option, and a guide who can help turn a faint display into a more understandable experience.

I would hesitate if you dislike long coach journeys, large groups, or uncertain plans. A small private vehicle may offer faster repositioning and more personal camera help. I would also avoid placing this tour on the only night you have available if seeing the aurora is your main reason for visiting Tromsø.

The outing is not suitable for children aged four and under. Most other people can participate, but you need to dress for cold weather and be willing to stand outside for periods of time.

Cancellation and weather considerations

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the 6:15 pm start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The operator may cancel if weather is poor or if the minimum number of people is not reached. In that case, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund. Since the Northern Lights depend so much on cloud cover, this policy is an important safeguard.

Should you book the Big Bus Aurora Safari Chase?

Book it if you want a well-supported, lower-cost way to try for the Northern Lights from Tromsø. The flexible route, heated camp, onboard toilet, hot drinks, and strong guide support make it more useful than a simple fixed lookout. The best departures combine clear skies, a lively guide, camera help, and a long aurora display.

Before paying, decide if the optional meal is worth the added cost, ask how the free photographs differ from the paid high-resolution files, and reserve enough time in your schedule for a second attempt. You cannot buy certainty, but you can choose an outing that makes a cloudy night reasonably comfortable. This one does that, provided you accept the size of the group and the possibility of seeing little or nothing.

FAQ

Where does the Aurora Safari Chase begin?

It begins at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 6:15 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to eight hours.

Where does the tour end?

It returns to the original meeting point at the Prostneset Bus, Boat and Hurtigruten Terminal.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You travel by a climate-controlled coach, and the vehicle has a toilet onboard.

Is a meal included?

Hot drinks and snacks are provided. A hot meal such as reindeer stew or fish soup is available as an upgrade.

Can I request vegetarian or non-fish food?

Yes. A vegetarian or non-fish option is available, but you should request it when booking.

Are photographs included?

Free photographs are available in low resolution. High-resolution photographs may cost 300 NOK per image, so ask for the current photo terms during the tour.