From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

The real appeal here is the hunt. You leave Reykjavik by bus, follow the night sky away from city lights, and wait for the Aurora Borealis to appear. If conditions cooperate, the lights can ripple overhead for minutes or even more than an hour. The free second attempt is a major plus, as is the chance to get camera help from guides such as Daisy, Alex, Birta, Frida, and Thor.

I also like the simple setup: a local English-speaking guide, bus transport, onboard Wi-Fi, and a return to the BSI bus terminal. The main drawback is built into nature itself: no sighting is guaranteed, and you may spend a long time standing outside in severe cold before seeing anything, or see nothing at all.

Key points at a glance

• Free repeat outing: If the lights do not appear, you can join the tour again at no extra charge.
• Flexible search route: The guide chooses viewing areas according to cloud cover, weather, and expected conditions.
• Three to four hours away: The outing gives you time to leave city light, wait, and search properly.
• Useful camera advice: Guides have helped with exposure settings and phone photography.
• Large bus format: You get warmth, Wi-Fi, and simple transport, but not the intimacy of a small-group trip.
• Cold-weather planning matters: Bring several layers and sturdy, comfortable shoes.

Leaving Reykjavik from the BSI bus terminal

This tour begins at the departure side of the BSI bus terminal, a practical central meeting point in Reykjavik. If you choose pickup, be ready 30 minutes before departure, and look for a bus marked Reykjavík Excursions.

The outing lasts about three to four hours, although the exact starting time depends on the date you choose. Several departure options may be available, and the 9:00 PM departure has one useful extra: freshly baked waffles and hot drinks can be bought on-site.

That food is not included, so bring money if you want it. There are no included refreshments, and the cold can make a hot drink feel like part of the equipment rather than a treat.

The bus is a sensible choice for this kind of trip. You are not trying to drive unfamiliar roads in winter darkness while also watching cloud forecasts. You can sit back, listen to the guide, and keep the bus nearby as a warm refuge.

The ride into darker country

The guide explains the Aurora Borealis during the journey, giving you some context before the waiting begins. The lights are caused by activity from the sun, but the practical lesson is simpler: you need darkness, clear enough skies, and good timing.

The route is not fixed. The team chooses among different possible locations based on weather and expected visibility. That flexibility matters more than having a famous named stop. A beautiful viewing area is useless if clouds cover it, so the guide’s ability to change direction is central to the experience.

The bus format also gives you a chance to settle in before going outside. Guides have been praised for keeping the ride lively, explaining what to watch for, and helping with camera settings. One guide even sang an Icelandic song during the ride, while another used stories about elves alongside explanations of sunspots and the science behind the lights.

You should keep your expectations realistic. This is a search, not a scheduled show. The bus may drive for about an hour before reaching a viewing area, and the road can feel uncomfortable in winter weather. One outing involved temperatures close to minus 16 degrees Celsius, a useful reminder that Reykjavik itself may feel much milder than the open country outside town.

Waiting beneath the Arctic sky

Once the bus reaches a suitable area, you may stand outside for a while. The stop can be a field, a national park area, or another dark location selected for the night’s conditions. Exact locations vary, so you should think of the stop as a viewing point rather than a sightseeing attraction with a set list of sights.

This waiting is part of the experience. At first, you may see only stars, a full moon, or faint cloud. The dark sky itself can be impressive, but the Aurora may take time to strengthen. On one outing, the group waited roughly 45 minutes before a small patch appeared, followed later by an hour of stronger activity.

The bus normally remains available for warmth. That is important. You can step outside to watch the sky, then return to the heated bus when your hands and feet need help. Even so, do not treat the bus as a substitute for proper clothing. Wear several layers, use warm socks, and choose shoes with thick soles and good comfort for standing.

A bonfire and hot chocolate were provided during one unusual outing after a bus accident required a replacement vehicle. That was a special response to an unexpected problem, not a standard inclusion, so you should not book expecting a bonfire. The dependable features are the bus, the guide, and the chance to search.

When the lights finally appear

The Aurora may begin as a pale smear that is easy to mistake for cloud. Then it can brighten, shift, and move across the sky. The strongest sightings described on this tour lasted from about 30 minutes to more than an hour, with the lights seeming to dance and change shape.

Color depends on conditions and on what your eyes and camera can detect. You may see pale green or brighter tones, while long-exposure photographs often show more color than the naked eye. Guides can help you adjust exposure settings so your pictures have a better chance of capturing what you see.

That help is one of the tour’s best practical features. Northern lights photography is not simply a matter of pointing a phone upward. The guide can explain what to look for and how to set up a camera or phone, although the exact level of assistance will depend on the guide and the equipment you bring.

Bring a tripod if you have one and want sharper photographs, but this is not stated as a tour requirement. At minimum, make sure your phone or camera is charged. You may be outside for a long time, and cold weather can reduce battery life.

The best sightings can feel astonishingly personal even in a large group. One person used the night to propose marriage. Families have also treated the outing as a special birthday activity. Those moments are possible because the lights themselves are unpredictable and never repeat in quite the same way.

What happens if the sky stays empty

This is where the tour offers real value. If you do not see the lights on the first outing, you can join again free of charge. You need to check the operator’s instructions and email updates, especially if weather causes a cancellation or a change in plans.

The repeat option does not guarantee success on the second attempt, but it improves your odds if your schedule allows it. A single night can be defeated by cloud, weak activity, or poor visibility. Two opportunities give you a more sensible chance without requiring you to buy another full-price excursion.

Plan your Iceland itinerary with this in mind. If seeing the Aurora matters a great deal, book this outing early in your stay rather than on your final night. That leaves room to try again. It also protects you if the first departure is cancelled because of weather.

Check your junk email folder before leaving for the meeting point. Cancellation or update messages may not always land in your main inbox. One outing was cancelled on the first night, then moved to the following evening without trouble, but the guests only discovered the change after checking email carefully.

The free repeat policy is also why the $69 price feels fair, even when the first night produces no show. You are paying for transport, a guide, route decisions, and the chance to try again, not for a guaranteed natural event. Compared with a private outing, this is a low-cost way to make the attempt.

Large bus comfort, limited intimacy

This is a bus tour, and you should choose it with that in mind. Some departures have involved around ten coaches, with many people heading out at once. The bus may be comfortable and warm, but the overall feeling can be organized and busy rather than quiet and personal.

The larger format keeps the price down and makes the tour easy to book at short notice. It also gives you Wi-Fi on the bus and a clear structure from departure to return. Guides and drivers have generally been praised for keeping the trip on time, explaining the plan, and helping people get back to Reykjavik.

The tradeoff is crowd size. At a popular viewing area, you may be standing with many other people. A small-group tour could offer a quieter atmosphere and more direct attention, but it would likely cost more. If you want the best balance of price, transport, and a second attempt, this bus option makes sense.

On the return journey, the official endpoint is back at the BSI bus terminal. Drivers have sometimes dropped people close to their hotels when practical, but you should treat that as a courtesy rather than a promised part of the tour. Plan your route from BSI before you leave.

The guides make the waiting easier

The guide can make or break a night when the sky refuses to cooperate. Names associated with especially warm and engaging outings include Alex, Birta, Frida, Daisy, Thor, Kelli, and JP. The assigned guide may be different on your date, but the best guides do more than announce the next stop.

They explain the lights in plain language, keep spirits up during the wait, and help with photography. Several guides were praised for being enthusiastic, funny, and willing to stay alert for a late burst of Aurora activity. On one night, the guide encouraged the group to wait a little longer, and the extra patience paid off when the lights appeared after many other tours had left.

That detail is worth remembering. You may be tempted to give up after 20 or 30 minutes, especially in the cold. A guide who keeps checking the sky and understands changing conditions can add real value, though no guide can control the result.

The driver matters too. Winter roads can be dark and difficult, and the trip may include a long ride outside the city. Good driving, clear timing, and a warm bus make the search less tiring.

Practical preparation for the cold

Pack for standing still, not for walking around Reykjavik. A warm coat is only the beginning. Wear several layers so you can adjust your temperature, plus gloves, a hat, warm socks, and comfortable shoes with thick soles.

Cold air feels harsher when you are waiting quietly for the sky to change. You may spend long periods outside, then move back into the bus to warm up. If you are bringing children or anyone who dislikes cold, explain that the waiting can be as long as the actual display.

Keep your camera and phone accessible, but protect them from the cold when possible. Charge everything beforehand. If you want photos, listen closely when the guide explains exposure settings, and do not spend the whole sighting looking down at a screen.

The tour includes free Wi-Fi on the bus, which is useful for checking messages or passing time during the ride. It does not replace mobile preparation, so download anything you need before departure.

Who should book this Aurora outing?

I would choose this tour if you want a reasonably priced first attempt from Reykjavik, prefer not to drive at night, and value the free second outing. It is especially useful early in your stay, when a failed first night can be followed by another try.

It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a large bus group. It also works well for people who want basic guidance with photography rather than a specialist photo workshop.

I would look elsewhere if you want a private setting, a very small group, or a tightly controlled schedule. The route changes, the wait can be long, and the result is never certain. You are buying a well-organized search, not a reserved seat beneath a guaranteed Aurora.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour start?

The tour starts on the departure side at the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the BSI bus terminal.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about three to four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional. If you use it, be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and look for a bus marked Reykjavík Excursions.

Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather and Aurora activity, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can I take the tour again if I do not see the lights?

Yes. If you do not see the Northern Lights on the first attempt, you can join the tour again free of charge.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing with several layers and comfortable shoes. You may spend a long time outside in very cold winter conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, straightforward Aurora search with transport, an English-speaking guide, and a free second chance. The $69 price is strongest when you use the repeat option and book early enough to leave room for another night.

Skip it if you need a small group or a guaranteed sighting. For most people, though, the flexible route, camera help, heated bus, and chance to try again make this a sensible way to begin your Northern Lights search from Reykjavik.