From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

The sky can change your whole Iceland trip. This Reykjavik Northern Lights tour gives you a practical way to search beyond the city, with a moving route, an English-speaking guide, and the useful chance to return free if the aurora stays hidden. I like the three-hour bus format and the fact that guides help with camera settings, so you are not left guessing when the sky begins to glow.

I also like the flexible search area, since the bus can move toward clearer skies instead of staying in one fixed spot. The drawback is simple but important: sightings are never guaranteed, and you may spend a long time outside in bitter cold before seeing anything, or see nothing at all on the first attempt.

Key points to know before you book

• The route changes each night: Your guide and driver choose viewing locations based on weather, cloud cover, and the chance of seeing the aurora.
• The free second attempt matters: If the lights do not appear, you can join the tour again without paying another tour fare.
• The main departure point is BSI: Meet at the departure side of the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik, and arrive around 30 minutes early if pickup is included.
• The bus adds comfort: Free Wi-Fi is available, and the vehicle remains an important warm-up point during cold waits outside.
• The 9:00 PM departure has extras for sale: Fresh waffles and hot drinks may be available on-site, but refreshments are not included.
• Guides can help with photos: Several guides, including Alex, Birta, Freda, Daisy, and Thor, have been praised for clear explanations, humor, and practical camera advice.

Why this Reykjavik aurora trip works

Seeing the Northern Lights is not like visiting a museum with fixed opening hours. The aurora depends on darkness, clear skies, solar activity, and luck. A guided bus tour solves one major problem: you do not need to work out where to drive or how to judge changing weather on an unfamiliar Icelandic night.

This outing is run by Icelandia and lasts about three to four hours. You leave Reykjavik by bus with an English-speaking guide, drive away from the city, and search several possible viewing areas. The exact route is not fixed, which is a real advantage when clouds cover one part of the region.

At $69 per person, the price is reasonable for a guided evening outing with transportation, a local guide, Wi-Fi, and the option to try again free of charge. You are paying for the search as much as the show. If the lights appear, the value is obvious. If they do not, the free rebooking policy softens the disappointment.

This is a shared bus tour, not a private chase with a small group. One outing had about ten coaches operating at the same time, so you should expect a popular, organized trip rather than a quiet night alone under the stars. For many people, that tradeoff is worthwhile. You get a lower price and a proper transport network, but less personal space and less control over the pace.

Starting at BSI bus terminal

The standard meeting point is on the departure side of the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. The bus is marked Reykjavík Excursions, which makes it easier to identify among the vehicles serving the terminal.

If your booking includes optional pickup, be ready 30 minutes before the stated departure time. That early window matters because the bus may need to collect passengers before heading out of the city. Do not cut it close after dinner or another activity.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. Some drivers have also dropped people near their hotels on the return journey when possible, but you should treat that as a courtesy rather than part of the promised service. Plan your evening around a return to BSI.

The departure time varies, so check availability when you book. The 9:00 PM option has one useful extra: waffles and hot drinks are available for purchase on-site. Since refreshments are not included in the tour price, bring money or arrange your own snack before departure.

The bus ride beyond Reykjavik

Once aboard, your guide explains what you are looking for and why the route may change. The ride itself can take a significant part of the evening, with one outing involving about an hour of driving before reaching a viewing area.

That travel time is not wasted. You leave the brighter city center and head toward darker surroundings, where artificial light is less of a problem. Your guide may explain how cloud cover and darkness affect the search, and several guides have also given advice on camera exposure and phone settings.

The bus is a useful base during the wait. Temperatures can fall far below what you feel in central Reykjavik, with one outing reporting about minus 16 degrees Celsius and another about minus 10. Even with warm clothing, you will appreciate being able to return to the heated vehicle.

Free Wi-Fi is included, although your phone signal and battery life may vary once you are outside the city. Use the ride to charge your phone if possible, and keep your camera battery warm until you need it. These simple steps matter more than fancy equipment on a cold night.

Searching several possible viewing areas

There is no guaranteed stop on this tour. The guide and driver choose locations according to the conditions that evening. You might end up near a national park, in an open field, or at another dark site outside Reykjavik.

That flexible plan is one of the tour’s best features. A fixed viewpoint would be easier to explain, but it would be less useful when clouds settle in. The crew can change direction and look for a clearer patch of sky.

The downside is that you will not know the exact route in advance. If you want a carefully planned sightseeing itinerary with named attractions, this is not that kind of outing. The goal is the sky, and the stops are tools for reaching it.

At the observation area, expect waiting. The lights can take time to show, and they may first appear as a faint streak rather than a dramatic green curtain. One successful outing involved around 45 minutes of seeing nothing but cold wind before a small glow appeared, followed by about an hour of strong activity.

That is why you should dress for standing still, not simply for walking from the bus to a viewpoint. Wear multiple warm layers, thick socks, a hat, gloves, and shoes with good insulation. Comfortable shoes are listed as a requirement, but comfort alone is not enough in severe winter cold. Thick soles help keep the ground from pulling heat from your feet.

When the aurora finally appears

The Northern Lights can be subtle at first. A camera may show color before your eyes do, especially when the activity is weak. As the lights strengthen, they may shift, ripple, or stretch across the sky.

Successful outings have included displays lasting 30 minutes, an hour, and even about 90 minutes. Some groups have seen the lights move continuously, while others caught only brief flashes. You need patience, but you also need realistic expectations. Nature does not perform on demand.

The best part of this tour is that your guide remains involved once the lights appear. Guides have helped with exposure settings and explained how to frame the sky. That assistance can save your evening, especially if you have never photographed the aurora before.

Do not spend the entire time staring at your screen. Take a few photos, then put the phone away and watch the sky directly. Your camera may record more color than your eyes, but the movement is what makes the moment special.

The surroundings can add to the evening. One outing included striking stars and a full moon rising behind a mountain, even during a night when the aurora was faint. On another, a bonfire and hot chocolate were arranged after a bus problem. Those extras should not be treated as standard inclusions, but they show how the staff may respond when circumstances change.

The guides make a real difference

A good guide cannot summon the aurora, but can make the waiting less flat and more interesting. Alex was praised for his friendly explanations and even sang an Icelandic song on the bus. Birta brought energy to one successful night, and Thor mixed humor with clear information about the lights.

Freda was described as funny and enthusiastic during a long ride, while Daisy helped with camera setup and explained what to watch for in the sky. These details matter because the tour can involve long periods of driving and standing in the dark.

Guide quality will naturally vary from one departure to another. Still, the pattern here is encouraging: the strongest part of the service is not only the light show, but the effort to keep people informed and engaged while waiting.

The crew also seems willing to stay alert when conditions change. On one evening, the guide encouraged the group to wait a little longer after the bus had already begun the return process. That extra patience led to a short display that might otherwise have been missed.

What happens if you see nothing

This is the most important part of the booking terms. The company does not guarantee sightings because the Northern Lights are unpredictable. If you do not see them on your first outing, you can join the tour again free of charge.

That policy gives you a useful strategy: book early in your Reykjavik stay. A first unsuccessful night then becomes a weather lesson rather than the end of your chance. You can try again on a later evening when the forecast looks better.

You should still check your email before leaving for the bus. Tours can be canceled or updated because of weather, and one cancellation notice ended up in a traveler’s junk folder. Check spam and junk mail as well as your main inbox.

The second attempt is not a guarantee either. It is a fair chance to try again, not a promise that the sky will cooperate. If seeing the aurora is your top Iceland goal, leave enough nights in your schedule to make good use of this benefit.

Comfort, crowds, and the cold

This tour is best for you if you want a simple, fairly priced way to search from Reykjavik. It suits solo visitors, couples, families, and anyone who does not want to rent a car or drive on dark winter roads.

It is less suitable if you dislike group transport, long waits, or uncertain timing. The bus can be comfortable and warm, but the actual viewing happens outside. The evening may feel slow if clouds persist.

A large coach also means boarding and drop-offs can take time. Some outings included many hotel drop-offs on the return journey, which is convenient if you are near the route but can lengthen the ride for everyone else.

Bring more clothing than you think you need. A warm coat alone may not be enough. Several layers let you adjust between the heated bus and the open viewing area. Keep gloves and hats easy to reach, rather than buried under a seat or in the luggage compartment.

Is $69 good value?

For $69, this is a solid basic option. You receive transport from Reykjavik, a guide, Wi-Fi on the bus, and a second chance if the first night fails. The price also avoids the cost and stress of finding a dark rural location yourself.

The value is strongest for a first-time visitor who wants an organized search. You are not paying for a guaranteed show, and you should not compare this fare with a private tour that offers a smaller vehicle or more personal attention.

The free rebooking changes the calculation. A cheap one-night tour can feel poor value if nothing happens. Here, you have a reasonable path to try again, provided your schedule allows it.

Refreshments cost extra. If you choose the 9:00 PM departure, waffles and hot drinks may help during the wait, but budget separately for them. Bring your own water and snack if you prefer not to buy food on-site.

My take: who should book this tour?

I would book this tour if I wanted an affordable first attempt from Reykjavik and had at least one spare evening for a repeat outing. The strongest reasons are the changing search locations, helpful guides, photo advice, and free second try.

Book it early during your stay so bad weather does not close off your options. Arrive early at BSI, check your email and junk folder for updates, and dress for severe cold rather than ordinary city sightseeing.

Skip it if you want a private, quiet outing with total control over the route. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to chase one of Iceland’s most elusive sights, with a fair policy when the sky refuses to cooperate.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour start?

The tour starts on the departure side of the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. The bus is marked Reykjavík Excursions.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at BSI bus terminal. A driver may sometimes provide a drop-off near a hotel, but the stated end point is the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about three to four hours. Check availability for the exact departure time.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional, depending on the booking. If pickup is included, be ready 30 minutes before the tour departure time.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather and aurora conditions, so sightings are not guaranteed.

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

Yes. If you do not see the Northern Lights on the first attempt, you can join the tour again free of charge.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing in several layers and comfortable shoes. You may spend long periods standing outside in very cold winter conditions.