Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik with Photography

The best part of this four-hour outing is the effort to get beyond Reykjavik’s city glow, where the Aurora Borealis has a better chance to show itself. You ride into the Icelandic night, stop at two quiet locations, and wait under the sky with hot chocolate and warm blankets close by.

I like two things here: the quality Aurora photographs, which save you from trying to manage a camera in the cold, and the free rebooking or replacement tour if nature refuses to cooperate. The main drawback is simple: no tour can promise Northern Lights, and the 3.5 rating from 26 reviews suggests the experience may not suit every visitor.

Key points to know before booking

• Two countryside stops: The tour uses one guided stop and a longer 75-minute photo stop, giving you more than a quick roadside look.
• Photos are included: A guide takes quality images of you with the Aurora when conditions allow.
• Warm extras matter: Blankets, hot chocolate, and Icelandic pastries make the cold wait easier.
• Pickup is widely arranged: You can choose from 20 pickup points around central Reykjavik and nearby hotels.
• Weather protection is built in: A cancelled outing can be rebooked, or refunded when bad weather cancels the tour.
• The price is $105: That is fair if you value transport, photos, refreshments, and a local guide, but less attractive if you only want a basic ride into the countryside.

Chasing dark skies beyond Reykjavik

Northern Lights tours are exercises in patience and luck. The lights need darkness, solar activity, and a sky clear enough to see through. Reykjavik’s streetlights work against you, so leaving the capital is the right first move.

This tour starts pickup from 21:00 and lasts about four hours. That late schedule is practical for winter, when darkness arrives early and the Aurora is more likely to be visible at night. You will not spend the evening sightseeing in Reykjavik. The purpose is narrower: get away from artificial light, stop in suitable open areas, and wait.

I like that the plan does not promise a guaranteed show. The operator says sightings are never certain and provides another tour within two years if the lights do not appear. If bad weather cancels the outing, you can rebook for another evening at no cost, or receive a full refund. That policy does not control the clouds, but it does reduce the risk of paying once and losing your chance.

Pickup from 20 Reykjavik locations

The tour offers a broad set of pickup points in the Capital Region. These include central bus stops such as Skúlagata, Snorrabraut, Lækjargata, Miðbakki, the Culture House, City Hall, and Höfðatorg. Hotels including Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Hotel Muli, Hotel Klettur, Reykjavik Lights, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, and 22 Hill Hotel are also covered.

Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik Campsite, Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, Grænaborg, and other listed points round out the choices. Check your exact pickup point when booking, since Reykjavik’s tour buses commonly use designated stops rather than pulling up outside every hotel.

Pickup begins at 21:00, but the exact start time depends on availability. Plan to be ready a little early. A late arrival can be awkward when the vehicle is collecting from several locations across the city.

The return uses the same general network of 20 drop-off points. You should expect to finish near your pickup area, though not necessarily at your accommodation door. For a late-night tour, that is useful. You will not need to arrange a separate taxi across town after standing outside in Icelandic winter weather.

What the 45-minute ride adds

The first coach ride lasts about 45 minutes. This is not a sightseeing stop, but it is an important part of the trip. You need time to leave the city lights behind and reach darker surroundings.

Free Wi-Fi is available on board, though I would treat it as a convenience rather than a reason to book. The more valuable feature is simply having transport arranged. Driving yourself at night on unfamiliar Icelandic roads, then stopping to photograph the sky in the cold, is not ideal for everyone.

The vehicle also gives you a place to warm up between stops. That matters because waiting outdoors for the Aurora can feel longer than expected. The lights may appear within minutes, or you may spend most of the stop watching an ordinary dark sky.

Group size is not fixed. If several previous departures were cancelled by weather, more people may join the next available outing. That is worth noting if you prefer a small, quiet group. The larger the group, the more time may be needed for boarding, photo arrangements, and returning everyone to the coach.

The first secret stop, with one hour to watch

After the initial drive, the group reaches an undisclosed location for a one-hour guided stop. The exact site is not provided in advance, so you should think of this as a flexible viewing point rather than a named attraction.

That flexibility can help the guide respond to cloud cover and conditions. It also means you should not book this expecting a particular waterfall, beach, or landmark. The focus is the sky, not a set piece on the ground.

Your guide is certified, local, and speaks English. The guide’s job is to help find a darker area, explain what you are seeing, and keep the outing moving. A local guide is especially useful here because the night is shaped by weather, visibility, and road conditions. Still, no guide can force the Aurora to appear.

The one-hour stop gives you a reasonable first chance to see the lights. You can use this time to settle into the cold, learn how the photo process works, and watch for changes overhead. Keep your expectations steady. A faint gray or green glow may be hard to see with the naked eye, while a camera can record color more strongly.

A second secret stop and 75 minutes for photos

The next coach ride takes about 15 minutes, followed by a second undisclosed location. This is the longer stop, with 75 minutes set aside for photography.

That extra time is one of the stronger features of the trip. A short roadside halt can feel rushed, especially when everyone wants a photo. Seventy-five minutes gives the guide more room to photograph different people and allows the group to wait if the lights are slow to appear.

The included pictures are meant to place you in the scene with the Aurora behind you. This is valuable because Northern Lights photography is not simple. You need a steady camera, suitable settings, and enough exposure time to record the lights. You also need to keep warm while standing still, which is exactly when the cold becomes noticeable.

The photos are not a guarantee of dramatic green curtains overhead. They depend on the conditions present that night. But the service gives you a better chance of returning with a usable memory than trying to take quick phone pictures on your own.

If you are serious about photography, bring your own camera as well. The supplied tour information promises quality photos, but it does not specify the number of images, delivery method, camera system, or editing process. Use the included pictures as a benefit, not as a substitute for a full photography workshop.

Blankets, hot chocolate, and Icelandic pastries

The small comforts are well chosen. A warm blanket helps during the long outdoor waits, particularly when wind makes the temperature feel lower. You should still wear proper winter clothing, since a blanket over light clothes will not solve the cold.

Hot chocolate gives you something warm to hold while you look up. Icelandic pastries add a sweet snack to a late-night outing. These details will not improve the weather, but they make the waiting more pleasant and give the experience a touch of local hospitality.

Bring weather-appropriate clothing: warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear are sensible choices. The supplied information specifically requires suitable clothing, and you should take that seriously. You may spend a substantial part of the tour outside, not inside the coach.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight. That age rule, combined with the late pickup and cold conditions, makes this better for older children, couples, friends, and adults who can handle a late night outdoors.

What $105 buys you

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to leave Reykjavik in search of the Aurora. But the price includes several services that are easy to overlook when comparing tours:

• Four hours of transport from and back to the Capital Region
• A certified English-speaking local guide
• Two countryside stops
• Quality Northern Lights photos
• Warm blankets
• Hot chocolate
• Icelandic pastries
• Wi-Fi on the coach
• A replacement tour if the lights do not appear

The value depends on your priorities. If you want a simple ride away from Reykjavik and plan to take your own pictures, a lower-priced option might make more sense. If you want help with photography, refreshments, pickup, and a safety net for poor conditions, the $105 becomes easier to justify.

The replacement policy adds real value. If the lights fail to appear, the provider offers another tour within two years of your original outing. That is useful if you have several nights in Iceland. It is less useful if you fly home the next morning, so check your schedule before booking. A replacement promise cannot help if you have no second evening available.

Weather, cancellations, and the limits of nature

The tour aims to send an email before 18:30 if weather forces a cancellation. Watch your inbox and keep your phone available on the day of the trip. If the tour is cancelled because of bad weather, you can rebook free of charge or receive a full refund.

A cancellation is not the same as a night with no Aurora. The provider may run the tour when roads and weather are safe even if the lights remain uncertain. That distinction matters. You can receive a refund for a weather cancellation, but not necessarily because the sky was simply inactive.

The operator also warns that the group may grow after several nights of cancellations. This is a practical result of rescheduling. If a weather pattern interrupts departures, more people may be placed on the next workable outing.

You can cancel your booking up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting. I would book early if your schedule is tight, then keep at least one spare evening for a second attempt.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you want an organized Northern Lights search without renting a car. It suits you especially well if photography matters, you appreciate a guide who can handle the logistics, and you like the idea of returning to Reykjavik without arranging late-night transport.

It also works for a first Iceland visit when you want a straightforward introduction to Aurora hunting. The route is not presented as a major sightseeing journey, so you should not expect famous landmarks or a full tour of the countryside. You are paying for access to darker skies and support during the wait.

This may not be your best choice if you dislike uncertainty, need a guaranteed attraction, or prefer a very small group. The 3.5 rating from 26 reviews is a reminder to keep expectations realistic. The service has useful inclusions, but the core event remains weather dependent.

My booking advice

Book this tour if you want the convenience of pickup, a local English-speaking guide, professional-style photos, and warm refreshments in one package. The two stops and longer second photography session make it more useful than a quick drive out of town.

Skip it if you have a rental car, strong camera skills, and several nights to search on your own. You may prefer the freedom of choosing your own location and waiting as long as you like.

For most short visits, I see the value in the backup policy. Just leave room in your schedule for another attempt, dress for a long wait, and remember that the real product is a well-organized search, not a guaranteed light show.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including coach travel, guided viewing, a photography stop, pickup, and drop-off.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup starts from 21:00. Exact starting times depend on availability.

Where can I be picked up in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available from 20 listed locations in the Capital Region, including selected bus stops, hotels, Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik Campsite, City Hall, and the Culture House.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off is included at 20 listed locations in the Capital Region, including hotels and designated Reykjavik bus stops.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed because they depend on suitable natural conditions.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

The provider offers another tour within two years of your original tour if the lights do not appear.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can rebook for another evening free of charge, or receive a full refund if the tour is cancelled because of bad weather.

Are photographs included in the price?

Yes. Quality photographs with the Northern Lights are included when conditions allow photography.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight years old.