Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights combo is the contrast: first, you soak in warm geothermal water while cold Icelandic air presses in around you; later, you head into the night looking for green light in the sky. I like the included Comfort package, with a silica mud mask, towel, and drink, and I like that transport from Reykjavik is handled for you.

The main catch is the handoff between the two outings. You return to Reykjavik after the Blue Lagoon, then continue with the evening Northern Lights tour, so this is not one continuous excursion. At $315 per person, the arrangement is convenient, but the value depends heavily on whether you want both experiences and understand that the aurora cannot be guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Four hours at the Blue Lagoon: Enough time for a relaxed soak, a mud mask, and a drink without rushing through the changing process.
• Two separate parts to the day: You return to Reykjavik between the lagoon visit and the Northern Lights outing.
• Comfort admission is included: You receive entry, a towel, silica mud mask, and one drink.
• The Northern Lights are weather-dependent: A good guide can improve your chances, but clouds may end the search without a sighting.
• Transfers are included: Pickup is offered, and the stated meeting point is the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik.
• Plan for a long day: The full experience lasts about eight hours, though one outing reportedly ran very late.

Blue Lagoon time: four hours of warm water and cold air

The Blue Lagoon is the reliable half of this package. The Northern Lights may or may not appear, but your lagoon visit is scheduled and structured. You receive Comfort admission, a towel, silica mud mask, and a drink of your choice, all included in the price.

You should allow yourself time to get changed, shower, enter the water, find a comfortable spot, and make your way back out without hurrying. Four hours is generous for the main experience. It also gives you room to enjoy the facilities at an easy pace instead of treating the lagoon as a quick photo stop.

The setting can feel especially dramatic in cold weather. One account described rain and snow, with temperatures around freezing and a much colder feel outside the water. The person found the top of the head especially cold and moved indoors for a while before returning to the lagoon. That is useful advice: bring patience for changing weather, and do not assume you will want to stay outdoors continuously.

The water may not feel perfectly warm the moment you enter. The temperature can vary around the lagoon, and you may need to walk a little before finding a comfortable spot. Once settled, you can use the silica mud mask and enjoy your drink while moving between indoor and outdoor areas.

The Blue Lagoon is not a quiet natural pool in the wilderness. It is a managed bathing experience with staff, procedures, and plenty of structure. That helps keep the visit organized, but it may feel strict if you prefer a more casual approach. One unhappy account described the staff as overly commanding, while the strongest praise focused on helpful staff who made arrival and settling in easy. Your experience may depend on the pace of the facility at the time of your visit.

The transfer back to Reykjavik matters

This package needs a little logistical care. You start at the BSÍ Bus Terminal, or use an assigned pickup point if that option is provided for your booking. You are asked to arrive 30 minutes before departure, and vehicles carry the Reykjavik Excursions logo.

The Blue Lagoon transfer is included both ways, but the Northern Lights outing is not simply waiting outside the lagoon for you. After the lagoon portion, you return to Reykjavik and then continue with the guided evening search. That break can be useful if you need food, dry clothes, or a short rest. It can also feel inefficient if you hoped to move directly from the lagoon to the lights.

The transfer system deserves your attention at the end of the lagoon visit. One account described being placed on a bus to the main terminal, then waiting about an hour for another service to reach a hotel. The safest approach is to confirm your exact drop-off plan before leaving the Blue Lagoon. If the booking directs you to the bus terminal, do not assume the same vehicle will take you directly to your accommodation.

The package includes WiFi on board, which is a small but useful comfort during the transfers. The maximum group size is listed as 100 people, so this is not a small private outing. A large coach makes sense for a popular route, but you should expect a shared transport experience rather than personal attention at every stage.

The Northern Lights outing is a guided search, not a promise

The evening portion is designed to give you a better chance of seeing the aurora by taking you out with a guide. That guide can explain conditions, direct the group, and make the night more worthwhile if the sky opens. One highly positive account praised the guide as excellent, and another described the trip as well organized with a good, amusing guide.

Still, the Northern Lights are not a scheduled performance. Clouds can block the sky, and poor weather can stop the outing or make a sighting impossible. Several accounts describe enjoying the Blue Lagoon but missing the lights because of cloud cover. That is not a defect in the lagoon portion, but it does affect the value of the combined ticket.

You should book this with the right expectation: you are paying for a guided attempt, not a guaranteed display. If seeing the aurora is the central reason for your Iceland trip, consider the package a chance to get out under the sky, not a sure result.

Timing also deserves attention. One account described not getting to bed until 3 a.m., which was far later than expected. That may reflect a long search, transport delays, or the specific conditions that night, but it is enough to make me cautious about booking this before an early flight or demanding morning activity.

The best clothing is practical rather than stylish: warm layers, a waterproof outer layer, and footwear suited to standing outside. The provided information does not list special clothing, so you should prepare for cold and wet conditions yourself. A cloudy night can still feel memorable if you are comfortable. A cold, tired night with no sighting will test your patience.

What the $315 price really covers

At $315 per person, this is a premium day out. The price pays for Blue Lagoon admission, the Comfort extras, return transfers, a local expert guide, the Northern Lights outing, onboard WiFi, and the convenience of arranging both major activities together.

The included drink, towel, and mud mask are modest extras, but they matter because they remove several costs and decisions at the lagoon. The transfer is the bigger benefit. Renting a car, navigating unfamiliar roads, and trying to plan an aurora search yourself may be more work than you want, especially in winter.

The weak point is food. Lunch and other food or drinks are not included beyond the one Blue Lagoon drink. One person felt the cost was too high without lunch. I agree that you should budget for your own meal and snacks, particularly because the day can stretch beyond the advertised eight hours.

Value also depends on your schedule. If you already plan to visit the Blue Lagoon and want a separate Northern Lights trip, this package may save planning effort. If you dislike returning to Reykjavik between outings, or if you want a small group and a more personal experience, the price will feel less attractive.

The average booking point is 58 days ahead, which suggests that this is not an activity to leave until the last minute if your dates are fixed. I would especially plan early if you have only a short stay and need both experiences to fit your schedule.

Who should book this combination

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Reykjavik and want two famous Iceland experiences handled through one booking. It suits first-time visitors who prefer included transport, a set schedule, and a guide for the evening search.

It is also a good match if the Blue Lagoon is your priority and the Northern Lights are a welcome extra. That order of importance protects you from disappointment. You can enjoy the lagoon even when clouds cover the sky.

You may want a different plan if the aurora is your main goal. A separate Northern Lights outing gives you more freedom to choose another night, and you may prefer to keep the geothermal bathing day separate from a late-night search.

Families should note that children aged five and younger are not permitted. Most other people can take part, and the experience is near public transport. The large maximum group size means this is designed for broad participation, not a private or highly tailored outing.

How to make the day easier

Arrive at your designated pickup point 30 minutes early. If you are using the BSÍ Bus Terminal, allow enough time to find the correct Reykjavik Excursions vehicle, which should be clearly marked.

Before entering the Blue Lagoon, confirm when and where your return transport leaves. The confusing transfer experience described above is avoidable if you know whether you are going directly to a hotel or first to the terminal.

Bring a small snack or plan to buy food. Nothing in the package covers lunch, and the gap between the lagoon and the evening outing may not line up neatly with your normal meal times.

Wear layers that work both indoors and outside. The Blue Lagoon can be comfortably warm while the air feels bitterly cold, especially around your head and shoulders. For the Northern Lights portion, assume you may spend time waiting outdoors.

Keep your plans flexible after the tour. The stated duration is about eight hours, but the Northern Lights search may run late. Do not place an early airport transfer, important reservation, or short night of sleep immediately afterward.

Cancellation, weather, and practical details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy.

The experience requires good weather. If the provider cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful, but it does not mean you receive a refund simply because the Northern Lights fail to appear during an outing that operates.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is offered in English, and a local expert guide is included for the guided portion. The activity ends back at the meeting point, though the exact transport arrangement should be checked carefully if you are expecting hotel drop-off.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want the Blue Lagoon as a guaranteed centerpiece, appreciate included transport, and are happy to treat the Northern Lights as a weather-dependent bonus. The lagoon package is straightforward, the transfers reduce planning work, and the guided evening search can be an efficient use of a short Iceland visit.

Think twice if $315 feels high without lunch, if you need a small group, or if you cannot tolerate a late return. The biggest practical weakness is the split schedule and possible confusion around transfers. Confirm that detail before paying.

My advice is simple: choose this combo for convenience and variety, not for a guaranteed aurora. If the sky cooperates, you may get a memorable two-part Iceland day. If it does not, the Blue Lagoon still gives you a solid experience, but the price will feel much harder to justify.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The Blue Lagoon portion is scheduled for four hours, followed by the Northern Lights outing.

What is included at the Blue Lagoon?

Comfort admission is included, along with a silica mud mask, use of a towel, and one drink of your choice.

Does the tour include transportation?

Yes. Return transfers between Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon are included, and pickup is offered. The stated meeting point is BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik.

Do I go directly from the Blue Lagoon to the Northern Lights tour?

No. The schedule requires you to return to Reykjavik after the Blue Lagoon and then continue with the Northern Lights portion. Confirm the exact transfer and drop-off details before departure.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather and viewing conditions. The tour provides a guided search intended to improve your chances, but a sighting is not guaranteed.

Are meals included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, apart from the drink provided with the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.