Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik with Photography

The sky can turn into a moving curtain. This four-hour Northern Lights outing leaves Reykjavik after dark, takes you away from city light, and adds a useful extra: quality photographs of you beneath the aurora. I like the warm blankets and hot chocolate, too, since standing outside in Icelandic winter is easier when your hands and toes get some help.

The main drawback is simple: the lights may not appear. You are paying $105 for transport, a guide, photography, refreshments, and another chance to go if conditions fail, but nature keeps the final say. The overall customer score is 3.5 out of 5 from 26 ratings, so I would book this for its practical extras rather than expect a perfectly controlled show.

Key points at a glance

• Photography is included: A guide uses good equipment to take photos of you with the Northern Lights, then adds them to your travel memories.
• Pickup starts at 21:00: You can be collected from 20 listed Reykjavik-area locations, with matching drop-off options afterward.
• Two rural stops: The route includes a guided stop of about one hour and a separate 75-minute photo stop.
• Small comforts matter: Warm blankets, hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, and Wi-Fi make the waiting time easier.
• The weather policy has value: If bad weather cancels the outing, you can rebook another evening for free or receive a refund.
• Children must be at least eight: This is a late, outdoor activity, so the age rule is worth checking before you reserve.

Leaving Reykjavik after 21:00

The evening begins with pickup in the Capital Region. You choose from 20 locations, including central bus stops, Harpa Concert Hall, City Hall, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Reykjavik Campsite, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, and several hotels near the main roads.

This broad pickup network is handy, but it also means the beginning may feel spread out. The vehicle has to collect people from different points before it reaches the open countryside. Be ready at your chosen location from 21:00, and check the exact pickup point carefully. Reykjavik uses designated bus stops for many tour transfers, not always the front door of your hotel.

Once the coach leaves town, the first scheduled drive lasts about 45 minutes. That time is not wasted. It gets you away from the orange glow that hangs over the capital and gives the guide a chance to explain the plan, the conditions, and what you should expect from an aurora hunt.

You also get free Wi-Fi on board. That is useful for checking the weather or sending a quick message before you lose reception, though your phone should not become the main event. Save some battery for photos and keep your attention outside once the coach reaches darker ground.

The first secret stop and what it means

The first unnamed stop lasts about one hour and is described as a guided visit. Keeping the exact location flexible allows the guide to respond to cloud cover, wind, and the aurora forecast instead of forcing the group toward one fixed place.

That flexibility is important in Iceland. The Northern Lights are not a scheduled performance, and the best viewing point can change during the night. A guide who can adjust the route has a better chance of finding darker skies than a tour locked into one viewpoint.

You should still keep your expectations in check. A clear sky does not guarantee strong aurora activity, and a high forecast does not guarantee that the clouds will cooperate. The tour is designed to improve your odds, not promise a show.

At this stop, the guide helps you watch the sky and may explain what you are seeing. The hour gives the group time to settle in rather than jumping back onto the coach after a quick look. It can also be the point where the blankets, hot chocolate, and pastries become especially welcome.

A short transfer to the dedicated photo stop

After the first stop, the coach drives for about 15 minutes to a second secret location. This short transfer keeps the evening moving without turning the hunt into a long road trip.

The second stop is set aside for photography and lasts around 75 minutes. That is a generous block of time for an outdoor photo session. You are not simply asked to point your phone at the sky and hope for the best. The guide uses photography equipment to capture images of you with the aurora behind you.

That extra service may be the strongest reason to choose this tour. Aurora photos are difficult for most visitors. Night photography needs a steady camera, the right settings, and patience. Even if you know how to photograph stars, getting a recognizable person into the picture makes the job harder.

The quality of the final images will depend on the weather, the strength of the lights, and the photographer’s equipment. Still, included photos remove the need to bring a tripod or understand manual camera settings. You can watch the sky instead of spending the whole night trying to make your phone cooperate.

Bring your own phone or camera if you want personal shots as well. The supplied photos are a welcome extra, but you should not treat them as a replacement for your own camera time. Keep your device warm and fully charged, since cold weather can drain batteries quickly. Weather-appropriate clothing is required, and several warm layers will serve you better than one thick coat.

Blankets, pastries, and the practical side of waiting

Aurora tours involve waiting. Sometimes the waiting is the whole story. Warm blankets help take the edge off while you are outside, and hot chocolate gives you something warm to hold. Icelandic pastries add a local food touch without turning the tour into a meal-focused outing.

I like these details because they address the real weakness of Northern Lights trips: cold, late-night standing around. You may spend time looking at clouds or waiting for a faint glow to strengthen. A blanket and a hot drink cannot improve the weather, but they can make the experience much more pleasant.

Do not mistake the refreshments for dinner. The activity information lists hot chocolate and pastries, not a full meal. Eat beforehand if you need something substantial, especially since pickup begins late and the return comes roughly four hours after the evening starts.

The outdoor portion is the point of the trip, so wear clothing that can handle Icelandic winter conditions. The supplied information does not list boots, gloves, hats, or waterproof clothing as included. Plan to bring your own. Comfortable footwear matters because the stops are outside, and the group may be waiting rather than walking continuously.

The ride back and the value of $105

After the photo stop, the coach drives for about 45 minutes back toward Reykjavik. Drop-off is available at the same general network of 20 locations, including Harpa, City Hall, Miðbakki, major hotels, Reykjavik Campsite, and several bus stops.

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. The value depends on what you would otherwise pay for transport, a guide, professional-style photos, warm blankets, drinks, and another tour opportunity if the lights do not appear.

The photo service makes the price easier to justify for visitors who want a proper record of the night. The backup policy also matters. If unforeseen conditions prevent a sighting, the provider offers another tour within two years of the original date. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can rebook another evening free of charge, or receive a full refund when the tour is cancelled because of weather.

That policy does not mean you are guaranteed to see the Northern Lights. It means the risk of spending one cloudy night without a second chance is reduced. If your Iceland schedule allows only one evening, the backup is less useful. If you have several nights in Reykjavik, it becomes a much better part of the deal.

One caution: if tours have been cancelled for several nights in a row, the group size can grow when the operation runs again. The exact number is not provided, so you should be prepared for a busier outing after a spell of bad weather.

What the weather rules really mean

The provider aims to send an email before 18:30 if the tour is cancelled. Check your inbox before leaving your accommodation, and keep an eye on the forecast rather than assuming the tour will run because you have a reservation.

If weather cancels the activity, you can rebook for another evening free of charge. A full refund is also available for a weather cancellation. If the tour runs but the Northern Lights fail to appear, the alternative is different: you receive free entry to another tour within two years of the original outing.

That distinction matters. A cancelled tour gives you a weather-based refund or a new date. A completed tour with no aurora gives you another tour opportunity, but not necessarily an automatic cash refund. Read that difference before booking.

You can cancel your reservation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting. You can hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful during a trip where road and weather conditions may change.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This outing suits you if you want a simple evening plan from Reykjavik and do not want to drive unfamiliar roads in winter darkness. It also fits photographers who want help producing people-and-aurora images rather than only dark sky shots.

The included blankets, drinks, and pastries make it a good choice for anyone who dislikes the bare-bones style of some aurora hunts. The guide speaks English, and the group travels by coach, so you do not need specialist outdoor skills or photography knowledge.

It is less suitable if you want a private outing, a guaranteed small group, or a carefully fixed destination. The two stops are described as secret locations, and the route can change to match conditions. That is useful for the search, but it gives you less control.

Children under eight cannot join. The late start and cold outdoor waits may also make this a poor fit for younger children even aside from the age rule. For older children and teenagers, the hot chocolate and photography can add welcome interest to what might otherwise be a long wait in the dark.

Should you book this Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want a practical, four-hour search with pickup, a local English-speaking guide, refreshments, warm blankets, and included aurora photos. The second chance after a failed sighting gives the $105 price more weight, especially if you have spare evenings in Reykjavik.

Think twice if your schedule is tight or if you need certainty. The Northern Lights are never guaranteed, the overall score is mixed, and the group may grow after several weather cancellations. For the best chance of a satisfying outing, schedule it early in your Reykjavik stay so you still have time to use the rebooking option.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

The activity lasts about four hours, including the coach journeys, the guided stop, and the photography stop.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup starts from 21:00. The exact collection time depends on your selected pickup location.

Where can I be picked up in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available from 20 listed locations in the Capital Region, including Harpa Concert Hall, City Hall, several hotels, Reykjavik Campsite, and designated bus stops.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off is included at 20 listed locations in the Reykjavik area, including hotels, bus stops, Harpa, City Hall, and Reykjavik Campsite.

Are photographs included in the price?

Yes. Quality photographs with the Northern Lights are included, with a guide using photography equipment to capture the experience.

Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Sightings are not guaranteed because weather and aurora conditions can prevent a viewing.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You receive free entry to another tour within two years of the original tour if unforeseen circumstances prevent a sighting.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight are not permitted to join. The tour is conducted in English, and weather-appropriate clothing is required.