Northern Lights and Hot Springs: 15 Tours to Book

1.Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,278 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250Our pick

Leave Fairbanks at 4 p.m. for Chena Hot Springs, where you will tour an ice museum, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora. Guides such as Savvy, Shannon, Jessica, Gina, and Tyler have earned praise for patient aurora chasing and photo help. Dinner and towels cost extra, and the lights are never guaranteed.

“Great experience! Kathy was an excellent guide who made sure we had everything we needed and enjoyed the trip. The hot springs were transcendent and the ice museum was super cool. Definitely worth your time even if you’re only in Alaska for a little bit! Definitely ask for Kathy, she was great”

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2.Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 245 reviews · 15 hours · from $345

From Reykjavík, spend a full day at Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerið, and the Blue Lagoon, then search for the aurora after dark. Guides such as Siki, Addi, Monica, and Roman have made this long route lively with stories, extra stops, and photo help. You get a towel, face mask, drink, Wi-Fi, and hot chocolate.

“It was a very nice tour, well organised. Our tour guide was a very good driver, and also a good storyteller. We really enjoyed this tour, even weather wasn’t the best. It was very nice to warm-up in the Blue Lagoon in the end and we were also able to catch the Northern lights.”

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3.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $215

Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide such as Gina, Greg, or Ron. Tour an ice museum built from more than 1,000 tons of ice and snow, soak in 106 F mineral water, and search for the aurora. Dinner and drinks cost extra, and the return to Fairbanks is around 2 to 3am.

“Greg was too fun and the food was delicious. best part? we saw the northern lights. inspite of already viewing it from the Hot springs area he drove us to a spot further north with less light pollution where the view was spectacular. the lights danced across the sky.”

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4.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening Ice Museum visit, a soak in the outdoor rock lake or indoor pool, and time to watch for the aurora. Guides such as Ed, Jake, Paul, and Randy have helped with forecasts, photography, and extra viewing stops. The 10.5-hour outing runs late, with hotel pickup and small groups of up to 12.

“Our driver, Joseph, was so kind and knowledgeable about the area, and drove safe on the ich roads to the Chena resort! I deducted 1 point because the Chena resort was disappointing. The ice museum was great, the restaurant awesome, but the pool area was smaller than anticipated. The changing area was DISGUSTING! I never saw such an amount of hair and garbage on the floor of any public pool. There was no toilet paper. Unacceptable for a resort. What you should know about this tour is that your driver isn't a guide for the resort or the Northern Lights experience - you are discovering everything on your own.”

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5.Private 2-Day Glacier Lagoon, Ice Cave and Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · 2 days (approx.) Top rated

You’ll travel from Reykjavik along Iceland’s South Coast with a private driver-guide such as Einar, Robert, Arna, or Martin. Expect waterfalls, black beaches, a canyon, glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach, an overnight stay, and a small-group ice-cave and glacier hike. Weather may reshape the schedule, and Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed.

“We visited in October when the weather is unpredictable, but our guide, Einar, was able to make sure we had the best conditions to see each sight. He was friendly and able to share so much about Icelandic culture and history with us. The glacier hike was a second day highlight. There is so much packed into this 2 day tour you will not regret booking this tour.”

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6.Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 80 reviews · 8 hours · from $318

Spend an afternoon at the Blue Lagoon with Comfort admission, a silica mud mask, towel, and one drink. Return to Reykjavík, then head out by coach with an English-speaking local guide to search for the Northern Lights. Sightings are not guaranteed, but a free repeat tour is offered if the sky stays dark.

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7.Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $245

Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group and guides such as Tony, Chris, or Savvy. Visit the Ice Museum, soak in indoor and outdoor pools, eat at the resort if you wish, then search for the Northern Lights at several viewing spots. Pickup, entry fees, water, and locker quarters are included.

“Tony was really friendly and knowledgeable. He made sure we were having a good time and also that we got good pictures”

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8.Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $185Best value

You spend the day with BusTravel Iceland visiting Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Kerið, then soak at the Secret Lagoon before joining a separate evening Northern Lights bus. Guides such as Anna, Sunny, Daniel, and Darren have been praised for clear stories and photo help. Bring food, warm layers, swimwear, and patience for busy pickups.

“Nice pace coach trip. Secret lagoon visit was in the morning. Very good guide Heidi. Very informative tour guide.”

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9.Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 59 reviews · 10 hours · from $240

Spend an Arctic night traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to 10. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, soak for about two hours, and search for the Northern Lights after midnight. Guides such as Joe, Daniel, Ryan, and Ed are praised for their local stories and flexible viewing stops.

“The tour was nice and the springs were wonderful. Our guide Ryan was exceptional making sure we were comfortable and helped us to see the Northern lights after our mineral springs visit. The restaurant served good food in a nice atmosphere. Other than that the property did not have much to do for the long time you spend there. It was a little plain for what we expected for the price”

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10.Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour Including Admission

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 51 reviews · from $228

Combine four hours at the Blue Lagoon with an evening northern lights search from Reykjavik. Your package includes admission, a silica mud mask, one in-water drink, transfers, WiFi, and an audio guide. The timing can be tight between outings, so bring warm clothes, snacks, and everything you need for the night.

“Beautiful spot. Very organized tour pick up for lagoon. Lagoon is large and is so relaxing. Even on a cold day the water is so warm you do not get a chill. You never have to walk outside because you can enter the warm water from the locker arRead more”

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11.Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $315

You’ll spend about four hours at the Blue Lagoon with Comfort admission, a silica mud mask, towel, and drink, then return to Reykjavik before a guided Northern Lights outing. Round-trip transport and onboard WiFi are included, but the lights depend entirely on weather and solar conditions.

“Truly stunning experience from the blue lagoon to the northern lights. This trip is definitely worth booking when in Iceland!”

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12.Golden Circle, Northern Lights and Blue Lagoon Tour with Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $353

This 14-hour Reykjavik tour combines Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, Kerið crater, the Blue Lagoon, and a late-night aurora hunt. Guides such as Denis, Monica, Helgi, and Zack have helped make the long day lively and informative. Expect two separate outings, limited meal time, and a return around 2 or 3 a.m. if the lights appear.

“We'd a wonderful day and managed to see so much in so little time with a great guides on both tours throughout the day.”

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13.Hot Spring and Northern Lights Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · from $225

From Fairbanks, guides such as Kevin and Tabitha take you to seasonal ice art, dinner, Chena Hot Springs, and dark countryside for Aurora watching. The tour runs about 5pm to 1 or 2am, includes pickup, and serves as both a relaxing hot-spring outing and a practical night-photography lesson. Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed.

“We had a great time! Kevin was very accomodating host…would definitely recommend this tour to anyone.”

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14.Hot Springs Aurora Viewing Dream in Alaska

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening soak, an ice museum and ice bar visit, dinner time, and a chance to see the aurora. Guides such as Kevin, Andrew, Andre, and Mike are known for helping with photos and keeping the evening organized. The tour lasts about seven hours and carries no more than 14 people.

“Amazing night of the Aurora! Kevin was a great guide and photo taker to get some great shots! The hot springs were great as well but the aurora stole the show.”

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15.Fire & Ice: Chena Hot Springs, Ice Museum + Aurora Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $270

This private 9-hour outing takes you from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for a mineral soak, the glowing Ice Museum, optional dinner, and an aurora search. Guides such as Gina and Christopher add local insight, though the late-night timing and uncertain aurora sightings require patience.

“Gina was an amazing guide! She is thoughtful, a great communicator, and truly cares about giving you the best experience. I had never seen the Northern lights before, and Gina stayed a little extra long to ensure we did! It was an forgettable experience!”

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