If you manage to time your Northern Lights hunt for when a number of crucial conditions align, in theory it’s possible to witness the aurora by yourself. So what do you gain by taking a tour and how do you choose which tour to take when there are so many from which to choose? In this piece, we’ll take a look at why booking one of our Northern Lights tours from Reykjavik makes sense. We’ll also explore the kinds of tours that are available and compare them so you can be a more discerning traveller and work out which is the right fit for you. If you’ll be in Iceland during aurora season, here’s what you need to know to ensure you end up on the best northern lights tours from Reykjavík.

Why book a tour? What’s wrong with simply staying in Reykjavik?

If you’re in Iceland for your first aurora hunt, then it’s understandable you’ll be wondering why you need to take a tour at all. After all, there’s a sky above Reykjavik itself, so surely you can just look up, right? If you hit the jackpot and your visit coincides with a prolonged and strong burst of solar activity, then it’s possible you’ll see the green and purple colours of the aurora from the city centre or within walking distance from it. However, to get the full impact of a Northern Lights display it’s essential to position yourself in a dark spot under clear skies. In that respect, the surrounding countryside is much more appealing. As there’s far less light pollution you won’t have to contend with washed out skies. If the aurora is faint, you’ll give yourself a better chance of seeing it than in the city where ambient light is everywhere. Even when it’s putting on an intense show, the colours will pop to a far greater extent against a darker backdrop.

What are the different kinds of tours on offer?

Northern Lights by bus

From economical coach trips to more intimate small group Northern Lights tours from Reykjavík, seeing the aurora on a bus is a popular choice among travellers. It couldn’t be easier, with local pickups close to major hotels and efficient transfers from the capital’s BSI Bus Terminal. Our Northern Lights coach tour is carbon neutral; using one vehicle instead of many is helpful but we also offset our emissions. Staffed by professional drivers who are used to driving in icy, snowy or windy conditions, you simply sit back and relax as they take care of navigating through the Icelandic countryside and, later, returning you safely to the city centre. Small group aurora tours cost a little more but some visitors prefer to travel in a minibus and within a relatively little group. The level of attention you’ll get from the guide is often proportional to the number of people that are making demands on their time, so many customers appreciate that shelling out a little more for their tour pays dividends. With a maximum of 25 passengers per guide, you’ll see the difference. This tour costs a little bit more than the big bus tour, but that’s money well spent if you gain a deeper understanding of what causes the aurora and have the opportunity to ask more questions. In addition, you’ll enjoy access to more help as you get to grips with night photography and record this bucket list moment.

Northern Lights in a super jeep

If you really want to go all out, then consider a Northern Lights adventure by super jeep. These specially modified vehicles have extraordinarily high clearance and massive tyres that are able to cope with even the most extreme terrain. They’re used for a wide range of tours in Iceland, from glacier expeditions to off-season Highland excursions. They really come into their own during aurora season, as their versatility means that they can venture much deeper into the Icelandic countryside than a regular minibus. It’s especially useful when skies are cloudy, as they can seek out that all-important patch of clear sky wherever it is. This kind of tour is a strong contender if you really want to maximise your chances, and while you’ll pay more, you certainly improve your odds, plus you get that unique super jeep experience.

Northern Lights by boat

One definitive way to avoid lights on land is to position yourself out to sea. Northern Lights boat trips depart conveniently from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Depending on when the aurora makes an appearance, you might get to view it with a backdrop of city lights from the distant skyline. Perhaps instead you’ll see its reflection in ripples on the ocean itself. Guests choosing this option will enjoy a fascinating commentary about the legends and myths that are associated with the ocean and the aurora. They’ll also explain the science behind the Northern Lights. If you prefer to remain inside, an announcement will be made over the speaker system the second the aurora is visible so that you can make your way out on deck. It’s good value for something so unique.

What factors should you consider when choosing the type of Northern Lights tour to book?

Comparing land and sea

Chasing the Northern Lights by boat can be an exciting prospect as it gives you a totally different view to that which you could achieve yourself on land. However, this isn’t for everyone, not least because Iceland’s location can sometimes produce rougher seas than is ideal. Though sailings don’t take place if tempestuous weather is forecast, conditions can change during the course of the voyage, so if you are prone to feeling queasy on the ocean then perhaps a land-based option is more your style. It can feel colder out on the ocean too, though you’ll be given warm overalls to wear and can remain inside where the heating’s on until the show kicks off.

Chasing clear, dark skies

The weather can sometimes cause issues on land too, but drivers and guides will stay abreast of the current situation and track not only solar activity but clear skies too. The more versatile the vehicle, the better equipped it will be to travel where the Northern Lights are expected to be most likely to appear even if that turns out to be fluid over the course of the evening. Some nights the displays are so widespread a full-sized coach will be sufficient to achieve a good view of the aurora. On others, a super jeep really comes into its own as it can cover a lot more ground; its ability to drive on rougher terrain means that it is able to reach places that are otherwise inaccessible, for instance compared to a regular rental car. Light pollution in Reykjavik and the aurora aren’t a good pairing, so it helps to have someone at the wheel who knows where the dark spots are.

The services of a guide

One advantage in choosing a tour over a self-drive option is that you’ll have the services of a guide. As a visitor hoping to set out on an independent Northern Lights chase, you won’t know the area as well as someone who lives in Iceland full-time. It’s possible to scope out potentially suitable locations during the day, but this is time-consuming and may eat into your other sightseeing plans. In addition, it’s worth noting that the aurora is dynamic – not the kind of thing that always shows up in the same place or to a strict timetable. Guides will have tips on how to interpret future Northern Lights forecasts which can be useful if you plan to follow up a tour with some DIY hunts later in the trip, for instance if you are heading out into more remote parts of the country where guided excursions may not be available. The value that comes from tapping into local expertise shouldn’t be underestimated.

Photography

For many travellers, success means returning from a Northern Lights tour with a selection of pictures that will impress friends and family – as well as serve as a souvenir of this bucket list experience. Crisp, well-focused images are harder to achieve on a boat that’s bobbing up and down on the waves, not least because anything you try to focus on will be moving too. So, photographing the aurora is really important to you, it’s wise to stick to one of the land-based options. Take a sturdy tripod and you’ll be better equipped to keep the camera absolutely steady while you achieve your shot, even in windy conditions. If you’re a novice at night photography, your guide (or others on the tour) will often be able to help you set up your shot. Afterwards, you might have the opportunity to download images taken by the guide on the night of your tour which also capture what you saw.

Future trip guarantees

Some tours come with a rebooking guarantee which means that if you are unable to see the Northern Lights with the naked eye during the course of the evening, you qualify for another tour on a later date. The precise terms and conditions vary so it’s worth reading the small print to make sure these are satisfactory to you. As an example, you may not be offered the same tour, following up a super jeep tour with one in a regular bus. Nevertheless, this is one of the most important considerations when figuring out which tour to book. As conditions can change with very little notice, tours do sometimes venture out when the Northern Lights prove elusive. Being able to rebook a free Northern Lights Iceland activity means you can enjoy the evening without worrying you’ve wasted your money if the aurora’s not cooperating.

Timing

If you plan to be in Iceland for a number of days, it’s also sensible to schedule your Northern Lights tour for as early in your trip as is feasible. Tours may have to be cancelled if the conditions – such as solar activity or weather – aren’t likely to be conducive to sightings. You’ll be offered the chance to rebook for a subsequent night. However, though the offer can be valid for an extended period of time, it’s still not ideal if you’ve already left Iceland. By planning your Northern Lights tour at the start of your holiday, you are effectively maximising your chances of seeing the aurora before you go home. There’s an added bonus until 15th April 2026: with some tours we’ll throw in free entry to the Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Centre, where you can immerse yourself in the magic of the aurora no matter what’s happening outside.

How many times you’ve seen the aurora

When you’re planning a return visit to a place, you might rule out certain sightseeing tours on the grounds of “been there, done that”. In a place like Iceland, there’s so much to see and do that you won’t need to repeat what you’ve already done. However, the same can’t be said for the aurora. Every time is different: the varying colours and their intensity, the constantly-morphing shapes and how they evolve during the night, even the duration of the display. No matter how many times you witness this heavenly show, it never gets old. The thrill of the chase coupled with the excitement of when and how the Northern Lights present themselves is delightful time after time. So while you might opt for a different style tour – perhaps heading out on a boat trip next time instead of remaining on land – it’s hard to resist not signing up for some form of guided aurora chase in Iceland if the forecast looks promising.

If you class yourself as a discerning traveller, then take some time comparing Northern Lights tours from Reykjavik. You’re going to be keen to sift out the best from the mediocre. To be assured of quality, pick from budget-friendly coach tours and convenient boat trips as well as small group bus and super jeep excursions. We’re confident that our Reykjavik aurora tours fit the brief and look forward to welcoming you soon.