Tromso: Northern Lights Photography Tour

The best part of this tour is the chase itself. You do not simply park near Tromsø and hope for a green glow. You follow weather reports and cloud breaks by coach, sometimes driving toward the Finnish border, until the sky gives you a real chance. The active search makes the night feel like an Arctic expedition, even if much of the time is spent sitting on the bus.

I like the practical photography lesson and the guides’ patient approach. Thomas, Barbara, Peter, Tom, and Mirko are among the guides praised for explaining camera and phone settings in plain language. I also like the hot chocolate and cookies, a small but welcome comfort after standing in freezing air. The main drawback is the uncertainty: you may spend hours driving or waiting and still see no Aurora.

Key points

• A real Aurora chase: The coach may travel far from Tromsø, including toward or across the Finnish border, to escape cloud cover.
• Useful camera help: Guides can explain settings for cameras and smartphones, then help you try them outdoors.
• Seven hours, but flexible timing: You might visit one location or several, depending on weather, roads, and Aurora activity.
• Comfort with limits: Transportation, a heated coach, hot drinks, cookies, and a guide are included, but thermal clothing is not.
• Professional portraits cost extra: Guides may take Aurora portraits for purchase, with one listed price of 195 NOK per image.
• Nature makes no promises: The lights cannot be guaranteed, though a failed first outing may qualify you for a 50 percent discount on another tour, subject to availability and seasonal rules.

Chasing clear skies from Tromsø toward Finland

NorthernShots Tours begins in central Tromsø, at the Northern Shots shop, also called the Booking Point. It is between The Edge Hotel and the Magic Ice bar, directly opposite the Prostneset Harbour. Look for the large Booking Point sign and NorthernShots Tours on the window.

After meeting the crew, you put on a reflective vest and board the coach. The first transfer can take about two hours, and that travel time is important. Tromsø often has cloud while inland areas or parts of Finland have clearer skies. The guide watches forecasts and Aurora conditions, then adjusts the route rather than treating the first planned stop as fixed.

You will pass fjords and mountains in darkness. This is not a sightseeing drive with scheduled photo stops every few minutes. The aim is to find a usable combination of clear sky, darkness, and Aurora activity. At times, you may sit on the bus for several hours while the team checks conditions or waits for the lights to strengthen.

That can test your patience, especially after an early dinner or a long day of sightseeing. It is also why this tour can work when a short local outing fails. Several strong experiences involved driving away from heavy cloud in Tromsø, crossing toward Finland, and reaching clear, starlit skies.

What the two-hour transfers really mean

The published itinerary lists a two-hour transfer to the viewing area and another two-hour transfer back. In practice, the exact route and timing can change. You may stop at one place for a long viewing session, or move between several spots as cloud and weather shift.

The road journey gives the guide access to a wider area, but it reduces time spent outside. One evening may bring a spectacular display soon after you leave the coach. Another may involve hours of waiting before the Aurora appears. Some outings have returned a little after midnight, while others have lasted close to the full seven hours.

The coach is normally heated, but the interior can cool as the night gets colder. On rough or narrow roads, the ride may feel bumpy. You should see the bus as a warm base rather than a luxury vehicle. It gives you shelter, but it does not remove the need for proper Arctic clothing.

The viewing stop: dark skies, cold air, and patience

When the guide finds a promising location, you leave the bus and walk to a viewpoint. Stops can be beside a fjord, near mountains, or in a quieter area away from the main viewing sites. The exact place depends on the forecast and road conditions.

The appeal is the darkness. Away from Tromsø’s streetlights, you can see stars and watch the sky without the glare found in town. Some groups have reached broad open areas where a large party could spread out rather than stand shoulder to shoulder.

High season brings a practical complication. Other Aurora coaches may use the same locations, so you could find several groups parked nearby. The operator sometimes seeks quieter spots, but no company can control every vehicle on the road.

Conditions can be harsh. Snowstorms, sleet, strong cold, and slippery ground are all possible, and bad weather does not automatically end the search. In fact, a clouded Tromsø sky can clear farther inland. Wear boots with good grip, keep your hands warm, and bring a flashlight for uneven ground.

Learning to photograph the Northern Lights

The photography tutorial is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Before or during the chase, the guide explains how to photograph the Aurora with a camera or smartphone. You can ask for help with settings and try the advice when the lights appear.

A tripod is useful if you have one, though the supplied information does not say that equipment is provided. Bring a fully charged phone or camera, and do not expect automatic phone pictures to look their best without adjustment. The guide can help you work out settings suited to the night, the amount of light, and the strength of the Aurora.

The lesson is practical rather than a full photography course. You still need to operate your own device and accept that results depend on the conditions. A bright display may photograph easily, while a faint Aurora might be visible only as a pale glow to your eyes and show more clearly in a long exposure.

Guides may also take a portrait of you under the lights with professional equipment. These photographs are optional and are not part of the $95 price. The listed charge is 195 NOK per image, so ask about the cost before ordering. If you already have a good camera and tripod, the included advice may offer better value than buying several professional shots.

The guides shape the night

The guide does more than point at the sky. You receive an explanation of the science behind the Aurora Borealis, along with stories about the phenomenon, the Arctic, and Tromsø. A good guide also explains why the route changes, which helps you understand the waiting instead of wondering why the bus has stopped.

This communication matters on a long night. Michael described a guide who kept the group updated about weather data and route decisions rather than driving in silence. That is the right approach for an outing where the result may depend on a forecast changing two hours later.

Several guides have received especially warm praise for their effort. Barbara is noted for pushing as far as conditions allowed. Thomas has been praised for Aurora science and photography. Peter has been described as friendly and well informed, while Tom is often associated with camera help and professional photographs. Mirko has also been praised for keeping spirits up during difficult weather.

Guiding quality can vary from one departure to another, since the staff member is not guaranteed. Still, the repeated emphasis on patience, explanations, and willingness to keep searching is reassuring. The best guides make the uncertain parts feel like part of the experience rather than wasted time.

Hot chocolate, cookies, and the limits of comfort

At some point during the outing, you receive a hot drink and cookies. After standing outside in freezing air, hot chocolate can feel like a proper piece of equipment. Some guides have also made a campfire when conditions allowed, but you should not count on one being available.

The food is light. Cookies are a snack, not dinner, and food is not allowed inside the vehicle. Bring something to eat before departure and follow the rule about not carrying food into the coach. Water is also not included, so pack it in a suitable bottle and drink before and after the outdoor stop.

Thermal suits and boots are not supplied. This is an important cost consideration because the tour can be cheap only if you already have the clothing you need. Bring warm layers, gloves, and thermal clothing rather than relying on the coach heater. The required list also includes a passport or ID card, travel insurance, a flashlight, and a charged smartphone.

Is $95 a fair price?

At $95 per person, the tour is priced as a shared coach outing rather than a private Aurora hunt. You are paying for transportation, a guide, photography instruction, and refreshments. The value comes from the ability to travel well beyond Tromsø when local cloud makes a sighting unlikely.

The price looks better if you care about learning to photograph the lights. A guide can help you avoid the common problem of returning with dark, blurry phone pictures. It also compares well for anyone who wants an active search rather than a fixed viewing point.

The value is less certain if you want a small group or a quiet, intimate setting. High season can bring a large party, with some groups reaching 40 to 50 people. A spacious viewing area can make this manageable, but you will not have a private guide at this price.

Professional photographs add to the bill. Since individual portraits may cost 195 NOK, decide before the trip how much you are willing to spend. You can enjoy the experience without buying them, and the guide will still help you use your own camera or phone.

The Northern Lights are never guaranteed

No Aurora tour can promise a display. Solar activity, cloud, darkness, and local weather must line up, and the lights may appear faintly or not at all. A clear night also does not guarantee a strong show.

This operator runs the tour in poor weather unless roads become unsafe. If unsafe road conditions force cancellation, you can change the date or receive a full refund. If the tour runs but the lights never appear, there is no full refund. You may receive a 50 percent discount on a new tour, booked at the desk and subject to available seats and the day’s rate. This offer does not apply on the last day of the season.

April and August need special attention. More daylight cuts the dark viewing window, and the Aurora may look weaker than during the polar night period. The available viewing time can shrink to about one hour or less if the lights appear.

For the best odds, schedule this tour early in your Tromsø stay. That leaves room to use the discount or book another night if the first attempt fails. Do not book it on your final evening if seeing the Aurora is the main purpose of your trip.

Who should book this Aurora chase?

I would choose this tour if you want the best practical chance of reaching clear skies without renting a car or studying Arctic road forecasts yourself. It suits first-time Aurora watchers, photographers who need help with settings, and families or couples who prefer a coach to a smaller van.

It also suits you if you can accept uncertainty. You may spend much of the night sitting, driving, and waiting. The reward can be a sudden green arc, a full sky display, or a long session of dancing light, but the tour cannot manufacture any of these.

I would look elsewhere if you need a guaranteed schedule, a short evening, a private group, or included winter clothing. You should also consider another option if you dislike long road transfers. The tour’s central idea is mobility, and that means time on the highway.

Book with warm gear, a charged device, food before departure, and realistic expectations. If the sky cooperates, the combination of scientific explanation, photography help, and a determined search can make $95 good value. If it does not, you will still have spent seven cold, uncertain hours on the road, so plan your Tromsø schedule with a second chance in mind.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour meet?

Meet inside the Northern Shots shop, also called the Booking Point. It is between The Edge Hotel and the Magic Ice bar, opposite the Prostneset Harbour in Tromsø.

How long does the tour last?

The planned duration is seven hours, but the exact length can vary with the season, weather, and road conditions. The viewing period may be shorter in April and August because of increased daylight.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation by coach is included, along with an English-speaking live guide.

Will the tour cross into Finland?

It may. The route depends on the weather and cloud cover, and several departures have driven toward the Finnish border to find clearer skies. The exact route is not fixed.

Are thermal clothes provided?

No. Thermal clothing, warm layers, gloves, and suitable footwear are not included. You should bring your own warm clothing and be prepared for snow, cold, and slippery ground.

Can I learn how to photograph the Northern Lights?

Yes. A photography tutorial is included, and the guide can help you adjust a camera or smartphone for Aurora pictures. Professional portraits are optional and available for an additional charge.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. There is no refund if the tour runs but the Aurora does not appear. You may be eligible for a 50 percent discount on another tour, subject to seat availability and the stated seasonal conditions.