From Reykjavík: Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

Iceland puts fire beneath your feet. This five-hour evening outing combines the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel with a night search for the Northern Lights, making good use of a single evening near Reykjavík. I like the easy hotel-area pickup and the small minibus, which can reach places larger coaches cannot. I also like the practical comforts: helmets with lights, Wi-Fi, blankets, Icelandic hot cocoa, and free aurora photos.

The main catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. Cloud, solar activity, and weather can defeat even a determined guide. The free repeat Northern Lights tour softens that risk, but you need another available evening in Iceland to use it.

Key points at a glance

• Raufarhólshellir is the evening’s solid anchor: You spend about an hour inside Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube, with paths, footbridges, and rougher ground.
• The Northern Lights portion is flexible: Guides choose the direction based on forecasts and may head toward Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or South Iceland.
• Warmth is part of the plan: Hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, helmets, and torches make the cold wait more manageable.
• The minibus keeps the group practical: The maximum group size is 28, and the vehicle can use smaller roads and less crowded viewing spots.
• A free retry protects your investment: If the aurora does not appear, you can repeat the Northern Lights portion, subject to availability.
• Dinner comes before pickup: Food is not included, so eat before the 7:30 p.m. start.

Why combine a lava tube with an aurora hunt?

A Northern Lights tour can involve a lot of waiting. The sky may be clear, but the aurora may remain faint or absent. Pairing the search with Raufarhólshellir gives you a worthwhile activity even when the sky refuses to cooperate.

That makes this a smarter choice than booking a Northern Lights chase alone, especially if your schedule includes only a few nights in Reykjavík. The cave visit is fixed and dependable. The aurora portion is the hopeful bonus.

The total price is $195.19 per person. That is not cheap, but the fee covers roughly five hours, pickup from approved Reykjavík points, transport, a certified caving guide, safety gear, an English-speaking Northern Lights guide, Wi-Fi, hot drinks, and aurora photos. The free repeat option also adds real value if the lights stay hidden.

I would still compare the cost with a basic Northern Lights bus tour before booking. The difference here is the cave, the small vehicle, and the combined format. If you already plan to visit Raufarhólshellir separately, paying for this package may duplicate part of your schedule.

Starting in Reykjavík at 7:30 p.m.

Pickup is offered from many established points around Reykjavík, including the BSÍ Bus Terminal, Hallgrímskirkja Church, City Hall, Miðbakki, Reykjavík Natura, Grand Hotel Reykjavík, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, and several other hotels and bus stops.

This is not door-to-door service from every address. Private apartments, Airbnb apartments, and Keflavík Airport are not covered. If your accommodation is not on the approved list, choose the nearest listed pickup point and wait there.

Allow up to 30 minutes for the minibus to reach your stop. You should be ready from the start of the pickup window, rather than assuming the vehicle will arrive exactly at 7:30. Reykjavík tour pickups often move in stages, and missing the van is a poor way to begin an evening.

The ride to Raufarhólshellir takes about 45 minutes. The minibus has Wi-Fi, which is useful for checking messages or conserving your mobile data. More important, it keeps the group smaller than the large coaches used for some Iceland excursions.

Inside Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel

Raufarhólshellir is the first major stop and lasts about an hour. It is Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube, and you can go as far as 900 meters, or about 2,952 feet, into the underground passage.

You begin by meeting the caving guide, collecting a helmet and torch, and hearing a short safety briefing. The route includes built paths and footbridges, but natural ground remains part of the experience. Some sections can be uneven, and one review describes the surface as a little slippery, so sturdy footwear and steady footing matter.

This is not a technical caving trip. Most people can take part, and the activity is described as easy to moderate. Still, you need to be comfortable walking over irregular surfaces in a dark underground setting. It is not a good match if uneven ground makes you anxious or unsteady.

The cave’s appeal comes from its colors and textures. Volcanic forces have left emerald greens, fiery reds, turquoise, and lilac shades on the walls. The torch on your helmet helps you see details that would vanish in total darkness, while the guide explains how the tunnel formed and points out its more unusual features.

The cave is especially effective at night. You leave Reykjavík’s streetlights behind, then enter a place where your own headlamp becomes the main source of illumination. The contrast gives the outing a stronger sense of occasion than a daytime cave visit.

There are toilets at the entrance, and you return to that same area after the walk. Use them before setting out, since the cave section itself is not the place to solve basic logistics.

Leaving the city lights behind

After the lava tunnel, you return to the minibus for the Northern Lights search. This portion lasts about two and a half hours, though the exact route depends on cloud cover, forecasts, and conditions on the night.

The guide may take you toward Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or another suitable area in South Iceland. The goal is not to visit a fixed attraction. It is to find darker and clearer skies, which means the route stays flexible.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s best features. A fixed viewpoint can be cloudy while another area has open sky. The minibus allows the guide to adjust the plan and use roads that may not suit a large coach.

Still, do not confuse flexibility with certainty. The guide can improve your odds, but no company can promise an aurora display. The Northern Lights depend on conditions beyond the tour operator’s control. One evening may produce a strong show with clear colors, while another produces only a faint glow or nothing at all.

The most highly praised part of the evening is the effort made by the guides. Nicolas is singled out for helping with photographs and searching hard for the lights. Greta also receives warm praise for her guiding. One guide spent about 20 minutes photographing the group once the aurora appeared, while another sent digital images the next day.

The included photos are a useful bonus. Northern Lights photography can be tricky, and a guide who knows how to position people and camera equipment can give you a much better keepsake than a quick phone snapshot. Ask how and when the photos will be shared, since the practical details can vary.

Hot cocoa, blankets, and the wait for the sky

Aurora watching involves standing outside in Icelandic weather. The tour provides Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and blankets, which are small comforts but well chosen.

You should still dress warmly. The supplied blanket is helpful, not a substitute for proper outdoor clothing. The tour details do not promise a full set of winter clothing, so bring your own warm layers and weatherproof footwear.

The cocoa also gives the group a natural pause while watching the sky. If the aurora appears, you can focus on the moment and photographs. If it does not, the hot drink makes the waiting less bleak.

Dinner is not included. Eat before pickup, because the tour does not include a meal or promise a substantial food stop. This matters more than it might seem on a five-hour evening outing.

What happens if the Northern Lights fail?

If the aurora does not appear, Arctic Adventures offers a free retry for the Northern Lights portion. This is one of the strongest reasons to book the combined tour early in your stay rather than on your final night.

The retry is not a cash refund for missing the lights. You need another evening available, and the repeat depends on tour availability. One guest described receiving a chance to return the next day after the cave visit, while another was disappointed that the rescheduling offer was not clearly communicated.

I would ask the guide before leaving Reykjavík how the retry works, especially if bad weather has already affected the search. If your schedule allows a second night, the policy can protect the value of the booking. If you fly out the next morning, the promise is less useful.

The cancellation terms are straightforward. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If poor weather or too few bookings causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Group size, comfort, and the human side

The maximum group size is 28 people. That is not an intimate private tour, but it is more manageable than a large sightseeing coach.

A small group also helps inside the cave. You can hear the guide more easily, move through narrow areas with less fuss, and avoid the feeling of being part of a long procession. The minibus format also helps during the aurora search, when flexibility matters.

The guides earn the strongest praise. Their role is not limited to driving. They explain the cave, discuss the Northern Lights, watch the group’s pace, and help with photographs. One solo participant appreciated the guide keeping an eye out so nobody fell behind. That is a small but meaningful sign of attentive group management.

The experience is offered in English. The caving guide is certified, and the Northern Lights guide is described as an English-speaking expert. The two guide roles may be handled by different people, as the cave and aurora portions require different skills.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full evening outing without planning several separate transfers. It works particularly well for first-time visitors who want both a geological experience and a chance at the aurora.

Families with older children may also like it. A 15-year-old enjoyed the outing, and the cave route is suitable for most ages. The uneven floor means parents should judge their child’s balance and comfort rather than relying only on the age guidance.

Solo visitors can feel comfortable in the group setting. The minibus, fixed pickup system, and guide attention make the evening easier than arranging a remote cave visit and aurora search alone.

I would hesitate if you have severe mobility concerns, dislike uneven surfaces, or need a guaranteed meal. I would also hesitate if your only available night has poor weather and you cannot use the retry.

Practical value at $195.19

At $195.19, this is best viewed as two activities joined into one evening. The lava tunnel gives you a guaranteed central experience, while the Northern Lights search supplies the uncertain but memorable payoff.

The included equipment saves you from arranging a separate cave outfit. Wi-Fi, cocoa, blankets, and photos are not the main reason to book, but together they reduce the little annoyances that can wear down an evening in cold weather.

The free retry is the biggest financial safeguard. If the aurora fails and you can return, you have not paid solely for a disappointing search. But the value depends on your schedule. Check your itinerary before booking and keep one extra evening available if seeing the lights is important to you.

The score of 4.8 from 42 ratings and the 95 percent recommendation rate fit the experience’s main strengths: strong guides, an unusual cave, and a serious effort to find clear skies. The lower rating comes from the communication problem around a failed aurora outing and the limits of booking through a third party. That is a reminder to confirm the retry process directly with the operator.

Should you book this Reykjavík evening tour?

Book it if you want dependable content plus an aurora chance. Raufarhólshellir makes the evening worthwhile even when the sky stays blank, and the guides appear to be the tour’s strongest asset. Nicolas and Greta are praised for their care, explanations, persistence, and photographs.

Before booking, confirm your pickup point, eat dinner, wear warm layers, and keep another night free for a possible retry. If your main goal is only the Northern Lights, a dedicated aurora tour may give you more scheduling flexibility. If you want an unusual Iceland experience with a realistic second chance at the sky, this is a well-balanced choice.

FAQ

Where does this tour start?

The tour starts with pickup from an approved point in Reykjavík at approximately 7:30 p.m. Pickup is available from listed hotels, bus stops, terminals, and other designated locations.

Can I be picked up from a private apartment or Airbnb?

No. Pickup is not offered from private apartments, Airbnb apartments, or Keflavík Airport. You need to meet the minibus at the closest authorized pickup point.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, including pickup, the lava tunnel visit, the Northern Lights search, and drop-off in Reykjavík.

How long is the lava tunnel visit?

The guided visit inside Raufarhólshellir takes about one hour. The cave is roughly 45 minutes from Reykjavík by minibus.

Is safety equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides the necessary safety equipment, including a helmet and torch. You also receive a safety briefing before entering the lava tunnel.

Is the lava tunnel suitable for everyone?

Most people can participate, but parts of the tunnel have uneven terrain. You should be comfortable walking on irregular surfaces, and the activity is not recommended if you are uncomfortable with that type of ground.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can receive a free retry for the Northern Lights portion. The repeat tour depends on availability, so it is most useful if you have another evening free in Iceland.

Is food included?

No. Snacks and dinner are not included. You should eat before the tour, though Icelandic hot cocoa and chocolate are provided during the evening.