Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

The best thing about this Tromsø excursion is that it is a real aurora chase, not a short drive to one fixed lookout. Your guides may take you far from Tromsø, even across the Finnish border, if that gives you a better chance under the night sky. Guides such as Soraia, Alex, Owen, Bailey, and Marius also work hard to explain the science, stars, and local culture while they search.

I like the free professional photos, since you can focus on the sky instead of wrestling with camera settings. I also like the hot drinks, campfires on some nights, and the guides’ strong energy. The tradeoff is serious: this can mean many hours on the road, a crowded bus, difficult snowy walks, and a return as late as 3 am.

Key points before you book

• A true weather-led chase: The route changes during the evening, and the bus may travel deep into northern Norway or into Finland.
• Photos included: Guides take professional pictures of you beneath the aurora and send them free after the tour.
• Big group format: The maximum is 50 people, though some departures switch to a minibus when numbers are lower.
• Very late finish: The scheduled return is between 10:30 pm and 3 am, with some nights lasting around 11 hours.
• Bring serious winter clothing: Clothes, tripods, and meals are not included. Several stops can be icy, snowy, and bitterly cold.
• Strong guide team: Soraia, Alex, Owen, Bailey, Marius, Irene, Mark, and others are praised for clear explanations, good photos, and lively care for the group.

Why this is more than a fixed lookout trip

Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights begins in central Tromsø at 5:20 pm. You meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, at the Tromsø Havn Prostneset bus terminal. The meeting instructions can feel a little vague, so arrive early and confirm that you are waiting at the correct bus parking area.

From there, the plan is simple but flexible. Your driver and guides check the cloud cover and aurora conditions, then head toward the best available sky. That could mean a short trip outside town, a long drive south, or a four-hour run into Finland before turning back.

This matters because Tromsø’s weather can change sharply from one area to another. A cloudy evening in town may give way to clear air inland. The guides cannot control the aurora, but a mobile route gives you better odds than staying beside the harbor and hoping the clouds break.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, since poor forecasts do not always mean poor aurora viewing. Still, the provider can cancel in poor weather or if too few people book, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. If the tour runs and the lights do not appear, there is no refund or free replacement trip.

What your evening in Tromsø looks like

The first part is usually spent on the bus. This is your warm base while the team watches conditions and decides where to stop. Some buses have charging ports, including USB and USB-C, and some departures have a toilet that can be used while the bus is stopped. Do not assume every vehicle will have identical equipment, especially if the group is moved to a minibus.

When the team finds a promising location, you get out to watch the sky and take pictures. The stop may be beside a field, a lake, or a snowy open area. In one especially successful outing, the group stopped at several locations before finding a large snow-covered field where the aurora moved overhead for nearly two hours.

This flexibility is exciting, but it has a physical cost. One stop involved walking down a snowy hill to a lake in the dark. Ruts, ice, and slick slopes made the return climb hard for anyone who was not agile. You should expect uneven winter ground, not a lit, paved viewing platform.

The guides often divide their attention between photography, safety, and the sky. Soraia has been praised for taking excellent portraits, while guides including Bailey, Taylor, Owen, Alex, and Marius are noted for keeping people organized and engaged. When the aurora appears, the group can become crowded around the best viewing spots, especially with a full bus of 50 people.

The free photos are a major part of the value

Aurora photography is tricky. You need a steady camera, the right exposure, and enough patience to stand outside in the cold while making adjustments. Chasing Lights removes much of that pressure by providing professional photos at no extra charge.

The guides take individual and group pictures with the lights behind you, then send the files after the tour. Several guides are also serious photographers, so the results can be much better than a hurried phone snapshot. You still get to watch the sky with your own eyes instead of spending the whole night behind a screen.

The photos also help justify the price. At $151.15 per person, this is not a cheap evening bus ride. You are paying for a long search, a driver, a guide team, fuel, route decisions, and photography. If you see a strong aurora and receive a set of good pictures, the cost can feel fair. If the sky stays covered, the same price may feel steep, even though the company has still spent the night searching.

One useful comparison appears in the booking advice: the company’s own website has been listed at 1,200 NOK, while third-party sites may charge around 1,500 NOK. Check the direct price before paying, since the difference can be meaningful.

Guides add science, stories, and warmth

The strongest part of the human side is the guide team. Alex has been described as lively and passionate when explaining the aurora. Marius has explained the physics behind the lights around a campfire, while Soraia has shared mythology. Irene and Mark have added information about Sámi culture and Norwegian life.

That mix makes the long waits easier. You are not simply standing in a frozen field hoping something happens. The guides may point out stars and planets, explain why the aurora appears, describe the plan for the next stop, or gather everyone around a fire.

Some outings include hot blackcurrant or lingonberry drinks, hot water, cookies, and a campfire. These touches are not guaranteed as a full meal or fixed menu, but they make a real difference after time outside. The included refreshments are modest, so you should eat before departure and carry anything you need for the night.

The mood is usually friendly and energetic. On one smaller departure, the guide had everyone introduce themselves, which helped turn a long drive into a more social evening. On a full bus, you will have less personal space and less direct time with each guide.

Big bus comfort, crowding, and the long ride home

The bus is both the practical strength and the main weakness of this experience. It gives you shelter, a seat, and a place to warm up. That is helpful if you are traveling with a child who may struggle to stay awake, or if you need a break from freezing conditions.

The bus can also become uncomfortably hot on the return journey. Several accounts describe the heating as so strong that people had to strip down to their base layers. Dress in layers so you can adjust quickly, but keep your winter gear ready for the next stop.

Seat belts and long periods of sitting can become tiring. A large vehicle also cannot reach every small roadside spot that a private car might use. On some departures, the group is moved into a minibus, which can feel more personal but may not have a toilet.

Crowding is another issue. With as many as 50 people, you may have to wait for a picture, compete for a clear sightline, or walk farther from the bus to find quiet space. A smaller group can offer a warmer social feel and easier access to the guides, but the big bus is useful if you want a stable base during a long night.

The return time is the point you should take most seriously. You may be back at 10:30 pm, but you may also return around 1, 2, or 3 am. One trip lasted about 11 hours, with only a short period of visible aurora. If you have a morning flight, a full-day excursion, or plans with an early start, this late finish can affect the rest of your schedule.

Hotel transport is not included. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so check how you will get from the bus terminal to your accommodation at that hour. If your hotel is not within easy walking distance, plan ahead.

What to wear and bring for the Arctic night

Clothing is not included, and you should treat this as a serious winter outing. Bring several layers, warm gloves, thick socks, a hat, and something that protects your face. One family found extra socks and a face covering especially useful, while another person stressed that the cold was intense even during a successful viewing.

You also need shoes with strong grip. Snow and ice may cover the ground, and the walk to a viewing point can include slopes or ruts. A tripod is not provided, so bring one only if you are comfortable carrying it and using it in the cold.

Meals are not included. Eat before departure and bring a snack if you need one during a long drive. The tour provides hot beverages and hot water, with some outings also offering cookies or warm fruit drinks.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation usually arrives at booking. If you book within three days of departure, confirmation can take up to 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

Who should choose this aurora chase?

I would choose this trip if seeing the aurora is one of your main reasons for coming to Tromsø. The guides make a serious effort to find clear skies, and the route is not limited to one nearby viewpoint.

It is also a good fit if you want help with photography, prefer not to drive on icy roads, or like having a warm bus available. Families can benefit from that home base, though children must be accompanied by an adult and the late finish may be tough for younger children.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, need a fixed return time, or want a quiet small-group experience. The big bus can feel crowded, and the search may involve hours of driving for only a few minutes of aurora.

This is not a guaranteed show. The weather may defeat even the best route, and no company can promise green lights in the sky. The value comes from giving the guides room to search and from receiving the photos and explanations even when conditions are difficult.

Should you book Chasing Lights?

I would book it if you can leave your evening open, handle a possible 3 am return, and arrive dressed for serious cold. Schedule it early in your Tromsø stay if possible, giving you a chance to try again on another night if the clouds win.

The tour earns its price through the long-range chase, strong guide work, and free professional pictures. Its weak points are clear: large groups, unclear meeting details, rough outdoor footing, overheated bus rides, and no refund simply because the aurora fails to appear.

Choose Chasing Lights for effort, flexibility, and a better shot at finding clear skies. Choose a smaller private outing if space, silence, and personal attention matter more than price.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase start?

It starts at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, at the Tromsø Havn Prostneset bus terminal.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 5:20 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The expected duration is 5 to 9 hours, though some outings can last around 11 hours. Return time is between 10:30 pm and 3 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tromsø.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are provided at Tromsø Havn Prostneset bus terminal, not at hotels.

Is there a guarantee that I will see the Northern Lights?

No. The aurora is a natural event, and there are no refunds or free replacement trips if the lights do not appear.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the bus trip, professional guide and photographer services, free professional pictures, hot beverages, hot water, and pickup and drop-off at the meeting point.

Are meals and winter clothes included?

No. Meals, clothes, and tripods are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The group can include up to 50 people. A smaller group may sometimes travel by minibus instead.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded.