Northern Lights Bus Tours: 12 Chases Worth the Cold

1.Northern Lights Bus Tour with Hot Cocoa

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 13,947 reviews · 4 hours · from $74Our pick

Leave Reykjavik by bus for a four-hour Northern Lights hunt with an English-speaking guide such as Barbara, Darren, or Kristi. You’ll chase clear skies, stop at dark viewing points, learn how the aurora forms, take photos, and warm up with hot cocoa. If the lights fail to appear, you can join a free retry tour.

“Amazing! Sharp was a fantastic guide, so knowledgeable on the best spots and times. Would do again!”

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2.Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik with Hot Chocolate

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,782 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $76

Leave Reykjavik after dark and follow the weather to clearer skies around Thingvellir National Park and beyond. Guides such as Darren, Simon, Eva, and Michael explain Icelandic folklore and aurora science while you wait. Round-trip pickup, WiFi, hot chocolate, and one free rebooking night are included, though the bus may carry up to 65 people.

“We initially had a bit of an issue with our pickup location - we had selected bus stop 6 (according to Viatour) but the actual pickup location was different. Make sure to check the confirmation they send on the day to ensure you’re at the right place/double check with the tour company. Luckily, this was quickly remedied and we had the lovely Darren come to pick us up. His knowledge of the island was fantastic, he was so kind and clearly very passionate about what he does. The lights were absolutely breathtaking! Darren took beautiful pictures of us with the lights free of charge, they looked truly professional. We enjoyed…”

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3.Tromsø: Northern Lights Bus Tour with Free Photography

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,642 reviews · 6 hours · from $61

Search Tromsø’s fjords and coast with English or Spanish-speaking guides, an Arctic driver, GPS route planning, and weather checks. You may visit up to three viewing spots, warm up by a fire with hot drinks and snacks, and get free edited photos within several days. Guides such as Ailen, Eneas, José, Laura, and Julieta also help you set up your own camera.

“it is good fun activity. we were lucky to catch solar storms which our guide said is after 3 weeks they were able to catch such activity so it was worth it. Pro - nice trip, professional guides , very friendly and helpful. Ilyas and Eileen ( don't remember how to spell but sounded like these names - very helpful and professional) Con- like other activities, it's expensive and tour operator is making a fortune at the expense of tourists.”

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4.Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,631 reviews · 5 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $151Top rated

Leave Tromsø at 5:20 pm with Chasing Lights guides such as Soraia, Alex, Owen, or Bailey, then follow clear skies wherever they lead. Expect a 5 to 9 hour chase, possible driving into Finland, free professional aurora photos, hot drinks, and a return between 10:30 pm and 3 am. The bus holds up to 50 people.

“The experience was great, we had been looking forward to seeing the lights for a long time and we were luckily enough to experience it! All of the guides were really brilliant, extremely friendly, and super knowledgeable.”

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5.Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,183 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $73

Leave Reykjavik by bus with a local guide who explains the aurora, then head to a viewing site chosen for the night’s weather and forecast. The tour lasts about 3 to 5 hours, includes Wi-Fi and pickup, and may be led by guides such as Sölvi or Nico. Sightings are never guaranteed, but you can usually rebook if conditions fail.

“Great night trip to the Northern Lights. Tour guide was very fun and friendly. Well organised trip with the pick up and drop off points. The northern lights were present on my visit but it’s important to remember that photos may show the lights more than what can be seen with the eye in real life”

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6.Tromso: Northern Lights Chase with Photo Package Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,091 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $135

Travel from Tromsø into Norway’s darker skies with guides such as Boris, Gabriela, Elisabet, and Katarina. The route may reach the coast, inland valleys, or Finland’s border, depending on clouds and forecasts. Expect a 6.5-hour chase, hot drinks, cookies, camera help, reflective vests, and downloadable aurora photos.

“Excellent experience, Gabriela was a fantastic guide with lots of information. She took some great photos and kept a cheery atmosphere with Manuel. The drive was very smooth with Romi and the team found a great spot to enjoy the northern lights for the whole night. Everything was well organized and the hot chocolate was perfect for the cold.”

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7.Tromso: Northern Lights Photography Tour by Bus (or miniBus)

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 809 reviews · from $181

Join NorthernShots Tours for a seven-hour Aurora chase from Tromsø by coach or minibus. Guides such as Peter, Tom, Mirko, and Barbara explain the science, help with camera and phone settings, and serve hot chocolate and cookies. The route may reach Finland when cloud covers Tromsø. Professional portraits cost extra.

“Mirko and Vero are very kind, passionate and competent. We spotted the northern lights thanks to the long drive till the Finnish border. Amazing”

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8.From Yellowknife: Northern Lights Bus Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 174 reviews · 4 hours · from $72

You’ll ride the Ingraham Trail with an English- or Chinese-speaking guide, stopping at three locations to search for the aurora. Guides such as Wilson and Pei are known for helping with photos, while the heated bus, hot cocoa, tea, coffee, and cookies give you a welcome refuge from Yellowknife’s cold nights.

“Our guide and the photographer could not have been nicer. The explanations we got were to the point, overall a great experience. Felt sorry for the driver who had to deal with the ground fog in the dark but kept us safe.”

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9.From Tromsø: Aurora Bus Tour with Snacks, Photos, and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 42 reviews · 7 hours · from $125

Spend about seven hours chasing the Aurora Borealis from Tromsø in a heated coach with a toilet, thermal suits, hot drinks, snacks, and English-speaking guides. Your team may include Hans Eric, Leyla, Thomas, or other experienced drivers and photographers. Guides take unlimited photos and send them the next day.

“Excellent trip. Guides and driver (Dimi, Joanna and Bogdan) were friendly and helpful. Managed to get all the way to Finland and they didn't even mind staying out a little later when a sudden aurora burst occurred right as we were getting ready to leave.”

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10.Rovaniemi: Hunting Northern Lights Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $57Best value

You’ll travel by bus from central Rovaniemi with an English-speaking guide, stopping at several dark locations to search for the aurora. Hot blueberry juice helps with the cold, and the bus offers shelter between stops. Anita and Livia have been singled out for friendly service, though guides and vehicles vary. Sightings depend on clouds and solar activity.

“Purtroppo era nuvoloso e non siamo riusciti a vederla, devo dire che era veramente brutto tempo, le guide erano molto preparate, ci hanno portato in due posti.”

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11.Northern Lights in Mini Bus, Photos, Hot Cocoa and Pastries

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $124

Leave Reykjavik aboard a Mercedes Sprinter minibus and search the countryside for clear skies and the Northern Lights. An English-speaking guide, including Tomas, explains the science and chooses viewing areas. Warm up with Icelandic pastries, hot cocoa, blankets, and complimentary photos of you beneath the Aurora.

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12.Alta: The Northern Lights Bus – a comfortable Arctic journey

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $156

You spend about three hours hunting the Northern Lights around Alta with an English-speaking guide, traveling by air-conditioned bus or, for six people or fewer, by car. The tour includes a brief drive through central Alta and stops chosen according to cloud cover and visible aurora activity. Pickup is offered.

“It was a little cloudy but we DID get to see some Northern Lights!! Our guide was great. He did a fantastic job considering Mother Nature wasn’t totally cooperative. It was fun driving out of Alta and seeing some of the houses and where people live. Great evening!!!”

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