Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Free Photos

The sky may make you wait. This Tromso bus chase gives you a serious chance to find the aurora, with guides who keep moving toward clearer weather and professional photos sent afterward. I especially like the mobile approach, since the bus can travel from Tromso toward the coast or even Finland, and I like the free photos, which help you keep your hands warm instead of holding a camera all night.

I also like the campfire pauses, hot drinks, snacks, and the chance to sit on reindeer skins beneath the Arctic sky. Guides including Petra, Iris, Georgi, Angel, Vera, and Tomas have earned strong praise for their patience and persistence. The main drawback is simple: this can be a very long night, and dinner, warm clothing, and a tripod are not included in the advertised package.

Key points before you book

• You may drive as far as Finland: The bus can spend hours chasing clearer skies instead of staying near Tromso.
• Professional photos are included: Photos are sent to you free of charge, though delivery and quality can vary.
• The tour can last nearly nine hours: Some outings return around 3 a.m., especially when the best skies are far away.
• Campfire comforts soften the cold: Expect warm drinks and snacks, with some outings also offering marshmallows or other simple food.
• This is a large-group experience: The bus can carry up to 55 people, so it is less intimate than a minibus chase.
• The aurora is never guaranteed: Guides may work hard and still face clouds or weak solar activity.

Why a moving bus gives you a better chance

Northern Lights tours are partly about timing and partly about geography. Clouds can cover Tromso while clear skies sit across the border in Finland. A fixed camp cannot do much about that, but a bus can keep going.

That is the main reason I see value in this experience. The guides watch conditions and may stop several times before settling in for the night. On one difficult evening, the group drove roughly three hours from Tromso toward Finland, then stayed for about two hours once the aurora appeared. On another outing, the bus continued toward the north coast of Norway before finding a promising stop.

You should not picture this as a quick drive outside town followed by a guaranteed light show. It is a genuine chase. Sometimes the best decision is to stop early because the sky is clear. Sometimes the group must keep driving through clouds, snow, or rain.

The bus also lets you see more of the Arctic region than a short roadside outing. You may pass snow-covered country, dark fjord areas, and quiet rural roads around Tromso. Most of the scenery will be seen through a bus window at night, so the wider value is the feeling of moving through northern Norway in search of one very elusive sight.

Meeting in central Tromso

The advertised meeting point is outside Fiskekompaniet on Killengreens gate, near Tromso’s central area. The tour returns to the same meeting point after the chase.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the starting area is close to public transportation. Pay close attention to the pickup instructions, since one group had confusion at the meeting point and a guide arranged a helpful accommodation pickup. Do not rely on that happening for every departure. Get to the stated meeting place early and keep your phone available.

The group can include as many as 55 people. That size keeps the price at a reasonable level, but it also affects the rhythm of the evening. Boarding can take time, bathroom stops are shared, and getting everyone outside when the aurora appears may feel a little hurried.

Still, the large bus has practical strengths. You get an onboard restroom, WiFi, and shelter from the weather. The WiFi did not work for one family, so treat it as a useful extra rather than a reason to book. The restroom matters more than you may expect during an eight-hour Arctic outing.

The first hours: watching the sky and the forecast

Once the bus leaves Tromso, the guides explain the plan and begin checking conditions. The exact route depends on cloud cover and the expected aurora activity. You might stop after a short drive, or you might spend several hours heading toward a clearer area.

This part requires patience. You may see nothing at the first stop. You may also wait in darkness while the guides assess the sky, then board again when the clouds close in. The strongest guides keep people informed and positive, but the amount of group explanation can vary.

Guide personalities appear to make a real difference. Iris is praised for keeping people cheerful during long waits, while Georgi and Angel are noted for clear instructions and steady encouragement. Tomas received special praise for working hard to give the group a strong night. These details matter because the waiting can be colder and more tiring than the actual aurora viewing.

The guides also explain the Northern Lights and related Norse stories. This gives the evening some shape even when the sky refuses to cooperate. You are not simply sitting on a bus staring at cloud cover.

Stops near Tromso, Norway, and across the Finnish border

The stated route centers on the Tromso area, but the actual chase can reach much farther. Several outings crossed or approached the Finnish border in search of clear skies. That flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features, but it also explains the long return time.

At each stop, the crew checks the sky and may set up a fire. You could see only a faint smudge at first, especially through thin cloud. On one night, the aurora appeared weakly around midnight, then formed a clearer swirl, ball, and cascade of green later on.

If the conditions improve, the guides may keep the bus parked rather than rush to another location. One group saw almost two hours of dancing lights at its first successful stop and had no reason to continue driving. That is good judgment. Chasing is useful when clouds block the sky, but once you have clear conditions, staying put gives you more time to watch.

The border journey has a cost. You can be on the road for several hours, and the full evening may run past 3 a.m. If you have a morning flight, a family member who needs a strict bedtime, or a low tolerance for bus rides, plan carefully.

Campfires, hot drinks, and Arctic waiting time

A campfire turns a cold roadside stop into a real outdoor experience. You may sit on reindeer skins near the fire, drink hot chocolate or another warm drink, eat biscuits, and toast marshmallows. Some outings also included reindeer soup, Thai curry, or other ready-to-eat food, but dinner is not part of the listed inclusions, so you should not depend on a full meal.

These pauses are not just decoration. The aurora may take an hour or more to appear, and firelight gives you something to do while the guides watch the sky. The guides also use the time to share information and stories.

Comfort can vary from one stop to another. One person noted that some groups nearby had something to sit on around the fire when their own group did not. Reindeer skins were provided on another outing. I would bring a small sitting pad only if you have room, but do not assume one will be supplied.

Dress for standing outside in Arctic weather. Warm clothes are not included in the standard details, and a tripod is also not supplied. Some groups received warm suits and boots, or were upgraded to a smaller vehicle where such gear was available, but you should not count on those extras. Wear proper winter layers, insulated footwear, gloves, and a hat.

Free photos and getting your own aurora shots

The free photo service is a major selling point. Guides take pictures of the aurora and the people in front of it, then send the files to you after the outing. Several outings produced excellent images, with some photos arriving within an hour of returning to the apartment.

The results are not perfectly consistent. Aurora photography depends on cloud cover, timing, camera settings, and where you happen to be standing. One person received strong images while other professional shots did not work as well. Another had trouble receiving the promised photos after sending an email.

You can also take your own pictures. The guides often help with camera settings and allow repeated attempts so you can capture the moment. A tripod is not included, so bring one if you want sharper personal images and can manage the extra gear.

Keep your expectations sensible. The lights may look pale or gray to your eyes but appear brighter green in a long-exposure photograph. The best nights can show ribbons, waves, or long moving bands, while weaker nights may produce only a faint glow. A camera cannot turn a completely cloudy sky into a Northern Lights display.

How much value do you get for $118.77?

At $118.77 per person, this is priced below some smaller private or minibus aurora outings, while offering a long chase, onboard facilities, hot drinks, snacks, and free photos. The ability to travel toward Norway’s coast or Finland gives the price real weight.

You are also paying for persistence. The tour can continue for eight hours and 20 minutes, with the full duration listed as about seven to nine hours. Guides may keep searching after a weak first sighting rather than declaring the night finished.

The tradeoff is group size. With up to 55 people, you should not expect the personal attention or quiet atmosphere of a private tour. A large bus can also make photo sessions and bathroom stops less relaxed.

I think the price is strongest for you if the aurora is your main reason for visiting Tromso and you want a practical chance to chase weather systems. It is less appealing if you want a short, polished evening with a guaranteed meal, provided winter gear, and a small group.

The rating of 4.8 from 174 reviews, with 95 percent recommending the experience, supports the value claim. Just remember that much of the satisfaction comes from the guides’ effort and the luck of the sky. The price does not buy a guaranteed aurora.

Who should choose this bus chase?

I would point this tour toward people who:

• Want the best possible chance to see the aurora in changing weather
• Do not mind a late return or a long drive
• Prefer a lower price over a small-group setting
• Like the idea of campfires, hot drinks, and outdoor waiting
• Want professional photos without paying a separate photographer
• Can handle standing outside in cold conditions

Families can take part, and most people can participate. Still, the late finish and long bus ride may be tiring for young children. One family found that the unreliable WiFi did not matter in the end, but you should bring other ways to keep children occupied.

This is also a good choice if you are willing to accept a night without lights. One outing never produced a strong display, yet the group still enjoyed the fire, hot chocolate, snow, and stories. The tour cannot control cloud cover or solar activity, but a determined crew can make a poor forecast feel worthwhile.

What the 4.8 rating does and does not tell you

The high rating reflects several repeated strengths: guides who keep trying, clear explanations, friendly treatment, good photographs, and strong driving on difficult roads. Georgi, Iris, Angel, Vera, Petra, Jere, Jessica, and Tomas are all praised for helping people stay hopeful and involved.

The feedback also reveals the limits. WiFi may fail. Photos may be uneven or delayed. A large group may receive less explanation than expected. You may spend hours in the bus and return well after midnight.

That balance is important. Book this as an active weather chase, not as a simple sightseeing ride. If the sky clears, you could get a spectacular show. If it does not, the campfire and Arctic setting may become the best part of the evening.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and a weather cancellation brings either another date or a full refund.

My call: book it if the chase matters most

I would book this Northern Lights Big Bus Chase if I wanted a reasonably priced, determined search with free photographs and the option to reach Finland. The guides’ patience is the strongest reason to choose it. They may drive for hours, wait through weak conditions, and stay longer when the lights finally appear.

I would skip it if I needed a small group, an included dinner, supplied winter clothing, or an early bedtime. For everyone else, this offers a fair chance at a difficult natural sight, plus a memorable night of fires, snow, hot drinks, and dark Arctic roads. Pack warmly, eat before departure, charge your phone, and accept that the sky gets the final vote.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase start?

It starts outside Fiskekompaniet on Killengreens gate in Tromso, Norway.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tromso.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately seven to nine hours. One stated itinerary duration is eight hours and 20 minutes.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the bus?

The maximum group size is 55 people.

Are photos included?

Yes. Photos taken during the experience are sent to you free of charge.

Are food and warm clothing included?

Warm drinks and snacks are included. Dinner and warm clothes are not included in the standard package.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.