Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik: Hot Chocolate Included
Four hours chasing the aurora across Iceland's dark countryside, with hot chocolate while you wait
A four-hour Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavik takes you out to Thingvellir National Park and surrounding countryside where clear skies make aurora sightings possible. Your guide shares Icelandic folklore about the lights while you watch for them, and hot chocolate keeps you warm during the wait. If the aurora doesn't show, you get a free return visit on another night.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik
- Depart Reykjavik city
- Travel to countryside locations
- Search for clear skies and aurora
- Listen to Icelandic folklore stories
What’s included
- Experienced tour guide speaking English.
- hot chocolate.
- WiFi on board.
- free return visit if the Northern Lights don't appear.
Times
- Every day 20:30 21:30
Before you book
Operated by BusTravel Iceland
Prices and times updated today
Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by emailTraveler reviews
The experience
The tour leaves Reykjavik after dark and heads to the countryside where city lights won't wash out the aurora. Clear, cloud-free skies are what make a sighting possible, so the guide may try a few different locations before settling on the best vantage point. While you're watching the sky, your guide entertains the group with old Icelandic tales and folklore: the stories people once told to explain this phenomenon before anyone understood what it was.
Hot chocolate comes with the tour, served while you wait. The bus has WiFi on board. Children from age 6 can join, and the tour suits all fitness levels since you're mostly standing outside or sitting on the bus. Pickup is included: you choose between free collection at Bus Stop 5, Bus Stop 12, or designated locations around the city.
If the Northern Lights don't appear on your night, you're welcome back for free on one other night: no second booking fee, no argument. Winter months offer the best odds, though the aurora is never guaranteed. Clear skies matter more than the season.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a structured evening built around aurora hunting with a guide who knows where to look and what stories to tell while you wait. The four-hour window and multiple location stops increase your odds of clear skies, and the free return visit removes the risk if clouds roll in on your first night.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What are the Northern Lights and when can I see them from Reykjavik?
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are natural light displays in the sky caused by solar activity interacting with Earth's atmosphere. They appear as dancing, coloured curtains of light and are most frequently visible during Iceland's winter months from September through March. Reykjavik's location at high latitude makes it a prime viewing spot, though clear, cloud-free skies are essential. The tour may visit several locations to find the best conditions.
How does the free return visit work if I don't see the lights?
If the Northern Lights don't appear during your tour, you can join the tour again for free on one other night at no extra cost. You simply need to arrange the return visit. There's no second booking charge or penalty.
What should I wear on a Northern Lights tour in Iceland?
Dress in warm, wind and waterproof clothing and footwear. You'll be standing outside in the Icelandic winter waiting for the aurora, so layers, a heavy coat, insulated boots, gloves and a hat are essential. Hot chocolate is provided on the tour, but your own warm clothes are what keep you comfortable for the full four hours.
Do I need to arrange my own transport to the tour pickup point?
No. The tour includes free pickup from Bus Stop 5, Bus Stop 12, or other designated locations around Reykjavik, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to join. You choose which pickup point works best for you when you book.
Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik: Hot Chocolate Included
4h · EN
from US$ 84 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.