Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

The sky may make you work for it. This Tromsø Northern Lights chase is interesting because the bus follows clear skies rather than staying near town, giving guides room to search across northern Norway and, when needed, into Finland. I like the professional aurora photos included free and the guides’ clear passion, especially names such as Soraia, Alex, Marius, Bailey, Taylor, Owen, and Meda, who are repeatedly praised for both photography and explanations. I also like the hot drinks, campfires on some outings, and the chance to watch the sky from several locations.

The tradeoff is simple: this is a long, cold, late-night hunt, not a quick scenic outing. You may spend eight to eleven hours on the road, return between 10:30 p.m. and 3 a.m., and sit with up to 50 people. The bus can become very hot on the return trip, while the outdoor stops can be bitterly cold and slippery.

Five things to know before you board

• It is a real chase: The driver may cover many hours and cross into Finland if that gives you a better chance of finding clear skies.
• Free photos are a major plus: Guides use professional cameras and send you pictures after the tour.
• Expect a late return: The stated return window runs from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., with some outings lasting around 11 hours.
• The group can be large: The maximum is 50 people, though a smaller crowd may sometimes be placed in a minibus.
• Pack for Arctic conditions: Warm clothing, gloves, extra socks, and face protection matter. Clothes, tripods, meals, and hotel transfers are not included.

Why Chasing Lights takes you far from Tromsø

Tromsø is a good base for aurora hunting, but the weather can change quickly around the fjords and mountains. Clouds hanging over town do not necessarily mean the whole region is covered. The point of this outing is to keep moving until the guides find a darker, clearer place.

That flexibility is the heart of the experience. You are not simply driven to one fixed viewpoint, where the group waits and hopes. The guides watch conditions and choose where to go. Some evenings lead south of Tromsø, while others push toward Finland. One outing reached a large snowy field after about two hours of driving. Another spent much of the night searching before finding only a short display.

That uncertainty is both the tour’s strength and its burden. If the aurora appears, you may feel that the long drive was exactly what made the evening work. If the sky stays covered, the same drive can feel exhausting. No company can control the aurora, clouds, or solar activity.

What happens at the 5:20 p.m. meeting point

You meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, at Tromsø Havn Prostneset Bus Terminal. The tour begins at 5:20 p.m. and returns to the same meeting point.

The pickup directions deserve care. The practical interpretation is the number 5 bus parking spot outside the terminal, not an indoor office or hotel lobby. Arrive early and make sure you are standing outside in the correct area. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must also plan how you will get back from the terminal after midnight.

The bus is the main base for the night. Depending on the vehicle, you may have USB and USB-C charging ports, and some buses have a toilet that can be used only while the bus is stopped. A smaller minibus may be used when the group is small, but that can mean no onboard toilet.

Once everyone is aboard, the guides explain the plan and begin checking conditions. A good guide does more than point at the sky. You can expect explanations about the science of the aurora, stars and planets, Norwegian culture, and, on some outings, Sámi culture and old aurora myths.

The long northern lights hunt

The route is not fixed. Guides may stop once conditions improve, then move again if clouds return or the aurora becomes stronger elsewhere. This makes the outing feel more like a search than a standard sightseeing trip.

Several guides receive especially warm praise for their energy and clarity. Alex is described as especially animated when explaining the aurora. Marius has been praised for combining physics with a friendly campfire talk. Meda and driver Brian are remembered for making several stops, pointing out stars and planets, and keeping the group involved while waiting.

A strong part of the experience is the help with photography. Your guides may take individual portraits and group pictures beneath the lights, then send the professional files to you at no extra cost. That matters because taking your own aurora photo is not easy. You need the right settings, a steady camera, and a subject willing to stand still in the cold. Having a guide handle the camera lets you watch the sky instead of fussing with your phone.

The photos are not just a marketing extra. They give you a record of the night, including candid moments and backgrounds that are difficult to capture alone. Soraia, Bailey, Taylor, Owen, and others are praised for producing especially strong images.

From cloudy Tromsø to a snowy field

The most successful outings often involve a change in scenery. One evening began under cloud in Tromsø, then found a gap after roughly two hours of driving. The group eventually reached a broad field with deep snow, where the aurora grew from a faint glow into waves of light directly overhead.

Another outing stopped at three locations before settling at a good viewing point. This is the practical value of experienced guides: they do not necessarily give up after one disappointing stop. They keep reading the conditions and give the sky time to change.

You should not expect a polished viewing platform at every stop. One group walked down a snowy hill to a lake in the dark. The path had ruts, ice patches, and slick sections, making the climb back difficult. If you are not agile on snow and ice, take small steps and use proper footwear. A fixed field with easy access cannot be promised.

The bus is useful here. It gives you a place to warm up between stops, charge your phone, and wait while the guides assess the sky. But bring patience. You may be sitting for long stretches, and the return journey can feel particularly long after the excitement fades.

Campfires, hot drinks, and waiting under the sky

When conditions allow, the guides may build a campfire. This creates a welcome pause in an outing that can otherwise feel like transport and waiting. Some groups receive hot blackcurrant or lingonberry juice, hot water, and cookies. The simple warmth of a fire and a cup of something hot can make a huge difference in Arctic weather.

The guides also use this time well. Marius has been praised for explaining the physics of the aurora, while Soraia has shared traditional mythology. Other guides have talked about stars, planets, Sámi culture, and Norwegian life.

These moments help the tour feel less mechanical. Still, hot drinks are not a meal, and food is not included. If you need dinner, eat before departure or bring something suitable. The tour can run well past midnight.

Big bus comfort, crowd size, and the real drawbacks

The maximum group size is 50. That gives the trip a social feel and keeps the price lower than a private chase, but it also limits the sense of space. At a busy stop, people may compete for good photo positions or ask the guides for pictures at the same time.

A large vehicle also cannot reach every narrow road or small turnout. In some cases, a smaller group may be moved to a minibus, which can create a friendlier atmosphere and make it easier to introduce yourselves. The minibus may not have a toilet, so use facilities before leaving and whenever the bus stops.

Temperature control is another practical issue. Outside, you may be standing in deep snow with wind cutting through your clothing. Inside, the bus can become extremely warm, especially on the way home. Wear layers that you can remove easily rather than one very thick outfit.

The company supplies hot beverages and hot water, but not thermal suits. You need to bring your own winter clothing, tripod, and food. Pack more than you think you need: wool socks, insulated boots, gloves, a warm hat, and something to cover your face are sensible choices. The cold is not a small detail. It can decide how long you are willing to stay outside and enjoy the display.

Is $151.15 good value?

At $151.15 per person, this is not the cheapest evening activity in Tromsø. But the price covers a five to nine-hour excursion, transportation, guide service, aurora searching across a wide area, hot drinks, and professional photos.

The free photos improve the value. A separate photographer or private photo session can cost a lot, and taking good aurora pictures without help is difficult. You are also paying for the chance to move with the weather instead of waiting at one nearby location.

There is a price detail worth checking before booking. A direct booking through Chasing Lights has been cited at about 1,200 NOK, while some tourism booking sites have shown prices closer to 1,500 NOK. Rates can change, but checking the company’s own website may save money.

The tour is best value for someone who treats the aurora as a natural event, not a guaranteed performance. If you see a major display, the combination of transport, guiding, and photos can feel very fair. If you see only a faint glow, the same price may feel high.

Timing, cancellations, and who should book

The stated duration is five to nine hours, but the return window allows for a later finish, and some outings have lasted about 11 hours. Plan nothing demanding for the following morning. A 3 a.m. return can affect an early flight, a whale-watching trip, or a full day of sightseeing.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but uneven snowy paths may be hard for anyone with limited balance or mobility. The activity runs in all weather conditions according to the operating information, while the cancellation terms also allow the provider to cancel for poor weather or insufficient numbers and offer a new date or full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted, and there are no refunds if you miss the meeting point or if the aurora does not appear.

I would book this for a flexible visitor who wants the best possible odds and does not mind a long night on the road. It also suits families who want the bus as a warm base and photographers who value ready-made portraits.

I would think twice if you dislike late returns, crowded vehicles, difficult snowy walks, or long periods of sitting. A private or small-group chase may offer more room and faster decisions, but it will usually cost more.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase start?

It starts at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, at Tromsø Havn Prostneset Bus Terminal.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 5:20 p.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Tromsø Havn Prostneset Bus Terminal.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is five to nine hours, but the return to Tromsø can be as late as 3 a.m. Some outings may involve around 11 hours of driving and searching.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. Professional pictures taken during the tour are sent to you free of charge.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are provided at the Tromsø Havn Prostneset Bus Terminal meeting point, not at hotels.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

The aurora cannot be guaranteed, and there are no refunds or free replacement trips simply because the lights are not seen. If the provider cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you may be offered another date or a full refund.