From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

The sky can change everything. This Reykjavik Northern Lights tour gives you a practical way to chase the Aurora Borealis beyond the city, with an English-speaking guide, a warm bus, and the freedom to try again at no extra charge if the sky stays dark. I especially like the free second attempt and the guides’ help with camera settings. The main drawback is simple: the Northern Lights cannot be promised, and you may spend a long, very cold evening waiting.

At $69 per person, the tour is a fair buy if you do not have a car or want someone else watching the weather and choosing the night’s best location. I also like the changing route, since the bus can visit different spots according to cloud cover and conditions. Still, this is a large bus outing rather than an intimate small-group experience, and the journey may feel long if the Aurora never appears.

Key points at a glance

• Free rebooking if the sky stays dark: You can join again without paying another tour fee if you do not see the lights on your first outing.
• Departure from BSI Bus Terminal: The standard meeting point is on the departure side of Reykjavik’s BSI terminal, with optional pickup available.
• A flexible three to four-hour search: Your route and stopping place depend on weather, cloud cover, and Aurora conditions that night.
• Excellent guide support: Guides such as Alex, Birta, Frida, Daisy, Thor, Kelli, and JP have been praised for their energy, explanations, and practical photography help.
• Prepare for serious cold: You may stand outside for a long time, sometimes in temperatures as low as minus 10 to minus 16 Celsius.
• A 9:00 PM bonus: On the 9:00 PM departure, waffles and hot drinks are available to buy at the viewing site.

What this Reykjavik Aurora tour is really like

This is a search rather than a fixed sightseeing trip. You board a Reykjavík Excursions bus at BSI Bus Terminal, meet your English-speaking guide, and leave the city in hope of finding a clear patch of sky and enough Aurora activity to make the trip worthwhile.

The tour lasts about three to four hours, though the exact feeling of the evening depends on the conditions. You may drive for roughly an hour before reaching a dark field or another viewing point, then wait outside while your guide watches the sky. The route changes from one night to the next, which is useful because clouds can ruin a perfect-looking plan.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, and the driver generally keeps the heating on while you wait outside. That matters more than it may sound. Northern Lights watching involves standing still in winter darkness, not strolling briskly through town. A warm bus gives you somewhere to recover your fingers and toes before heading out again.

You should also expect the tour to include some waiting. On one successful outing, the first 45 minutes brought only cold wind, then a faint patch appeared, followed by about an hour of strong Aurora activity. Another group saw the lights for more than 30 minutes, while another watched them for hours. Patience can pay off, but you need to be ready for a quiet sky.

Leaving BSI Bus Terminal and heading into the dark

The standard meeting point is the departure side of BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik. If you select pickup, be ready 30 minutes before the stated departure time, and look for a bus marked Reykjavík Excursions.

The terminal departure makes the tour fairly easy to fit into a Reykjavik stay. You do not need to arrange a rental car, study cloud maps, or decide which rural road might offer the best view. The company handles the driving while your guide explains what to watch for.

The trip may use a large coach, and some evenings involve many buses heading out at once. One account described 10 coaches operating together. That gives the outing a well-organized feel, but it also means you should not expect a quiet private expedition.

The drive itself is part of the wait. Your guide may explain how the Aurora forms, discuss solar activity, and share Icelandic stories. One guide, Alex, even sang an Icelandic song on the bus. Frida was praised for keeping the mood light and showing real excitement when the lights finally appeared. Those small touches matter during a long ride through darkness.

Some routes may include a stop in or near a national park, although the exact location depends on that night’s conditions. At one such stop, the stars were unusually clear, and the group also saw a full moon rising behind a mountain. Even if the Aurora stays weak, a dark Icelandic sky can still give you something worth seeing.

Choosing the viewing point by weather, not by postcard appeal

The strongest practical feature here is the flexible route. The tour does not promise one famous viewpoint every night. Instead, the team chooses among possible locations based on cloud cover and other conditions.

That is the right approach for the Aurora. A famous place is no help if clouds block the sky. A less celebrated field with clear conditions may give you a far better chance. Your guide may move the group farther from city lights or wait longer when activity seems possible.

You might spend time in an open field with little around you. That is intentional. Artificial light makes faint Aurora harder to see, and darker surroundings help your eyes adjust. The tradeoff is comfort. Rural viewing points can be exposed, windy, and very cold.

Your guide may encourage you not to give up too soon. One group had already boarded the bus when its guide urged everyone to wait a little longer. A short time later, the guide called the group back outside after new lights appeared. That kind of persistence can turn a marginal evening into a memorable one.

Still, you should keep expectations sensible. The Aurora is a natural event, not a stage performance. The tour cannot control solar activity, cloud cover, wind, or timing. A clear night improves your chances, but it does not guarantee a show.

Seeing the Northern Lights with your own eyes

When the Aurora appears, it may begin as a pale streak or a faint patch that looks almost gray to the naked eye. Then it can strengthen, spread, and move across the sky. The most successful outings described curtains and waves of light that danced for 30 minutes, an hour, or even longer.

You may see green most often, with other colors appearing in stronger displays or through a camera. The lights can fade quickly, return later, or shift while you watch. That uncertainty is part of the experience, though it also explains why one group may have a spectacular evening and another may see very little on the same date.

Your guide can help you make the most of a short display. Daisy was praised for explaining what to look for and helping with camera settings. Other guides helped visitors adjust exposure so their phones and cameras could record the lights more clearly.

Do not judge the experience only by your photographs. A camera can collect more color than your eyes, but the real pleasure is watching the light move in real time. If your guide points out a faint patch, give your eyes time to adjust before reaching for your phone.

The strongest accounts praised the guides as much as the Aurora itself. Birta helped make one evening feel exciting and personal. Another guide, Thor, mixed jokes with clear explanations about the Northern Lights. Kelli and JP handled a bus problem with calm care, setting up a bonfire and offering hot chocolate while the group watched the sky. These details show how much the human side can matter when the weather is cold or the transport goes wrong.

Cold-weather planning that actually matters

Bring more warmth than you think you need. The instructions call for warm clothing, several layers, and comfortable shoes, but the conditions described by past participants make this advice worth taking seriously.

You may stand outdoors for a long stretch while waiting for a faint glow to strengthen. Temperatures have reached minus 10 Celsius, and one outing took place at minus 16. Reykjavik can feel far less severe than the countryside, so dressing for the city is not enough.

I would prepare with:

• Several insulating layers rather than one bulky coat
• Thick socks and shoes with good insulation
• Gloves that still let you operate a phone or camera
• A warm hat that covers your ears
• Comfortable footwear for standing outdoors

The tour does not include refreshments. On the 9:00 PM departure, freshly baked waffles and hot drinks are available to buy at the viewing site, but you should not rely on that option for every departure. Bring your own water and a small snack if you need them.

The heated bus is useful, but it is not a substitute for proper clothing. You may move between the bus and the viewing area several times. Each return to the bus warms you up, but your hands and feet can still become uncomfortable quickly.

Large coach convenience versus small-group atmosphere

At $69 per person, this tour offers good value for a first attempt. You get transport from Reykjavik, a local guide, a flexible route, free Wi-Fi, and the chance to rebook if the first outing fails to produce a sighting. A rental car could cost more once you add fuel, winter driving concerns, and the time spent checking conditions yourself.

The price is especially appealing if you are in Reykjavik for only a few nights. You can book an evening without committing to a car for the whole stay. If the first night is cloudy, the free retry gives you a second chance, subject to availability and the tour’s operating schedule.

The compromise is scale. Large coaches can feel crowded, particularly when several buses arrive at the same site. One outing involved many coaches, although the bus itself was described as comfortable and warm. You may also have a long return route because the company can drop people near their hotels on the way back.

If you prefer a quieter outing, a smaller tour may suit you better. You will usually pay more for that style, and no smaller vehicle can improve the weather. The advantage is atmosphere, not a guarantee of Aurora activity.

The return to BSI is the stated endpoint, but drivers have sometimes dropped people near their hotels when practical. Treat that as a kind gesture rather than a promised service.

The free second attempt is the tour’s best safety net

Many Northern Lights tours offer only one roll of the dice. Here, if you do not see the lights, you can join again free of charge. That changes the value of the booking.

You still need time in your schedule for another evening, and the rebooking depends on available departures. It does not guarantee that the second night will be clear. But it removes much of the sting if clouds or weak activity spoil the first attempt.

One group had its first trip canceled and missed the cancellation email because it went to a junk folder. The company moved the booking to the next night without fuss. Check your email, including the spam folder, before setting out. Weather changes can affect departure plans.

The free retry also makes it sensible to book early in your stay rather than on your final night. If the first trip fails, you have more room to try again. I would not leave this activity until the last evening if seeing the Aurora is a major goal.

Cancellation, timing, and who should book

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check the available departure times when booking, since the tour runs for three to four hours and times can vary.

The 9:00 PM departure has one clear practical advantage: waffles and hot drinks are available to buy at the viewing site. A later outing may also put you outside at a useful time for darkness, but the tour does not promise better Aurora conditions simply because of a particular departure.

I think this tour suits you best if:

• You are staying in Reykjavik and do not want to drive
• You want an affordable first attempt
• You value guide explanations and camera help
• You can keep another evening open
• You are comfortable with a large coach and outdoor waiting
• You want a tour that reacts to the night’s weather

It may be less suitable if you need a guaranteed sighting, dislike standing in severe cold, or want a private and quiet experience. You should also avoid building your whole Iceland trip around one night of Aurora watching. The natural conditions remain in charge.

Should you book this Northern Lights tour?

I would book it early in a Reykjavik visit, especially if you have two evenings available. The $69 price and free rebooking make the risk easier to accept, while the guide support adds real value when you are trying to understand a faint or fast-changing display.

Book it for the chance, not the promise. If the lights appear, you may get an unforgettable show, help with photographs, and a guide who keeps the group outside for those extra few minutes that matter. If the sky stays blank, you lose an evening to a cold bus trip, but you have a fair chance to try again without paying twice.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour start?

The standard departure point is on the departure side of BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik. Optional pickup is available on some bookings, and you should be ready 30 minutes before departure if using pickup.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about three to four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. Weather, cloud cover, and Aurora activity are unpredictable, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

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

Yes. If you do not see the Northern Lights on your first outing, you can join again free of charge, subject to availability.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I bring?

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

Are food and drinks included?

No. Refreshments are not included. On the 9:00 PM departure, waffles and hot beverages are available to purchase at the viewing site.