Reykjavik: Northern Lights Coach Tour with Hot Chocolate

Chasing auroras from Reykjavik’s glow to wild quiet with local guides

You’ll leave Reykjavik’s city lights behind on a northern lights coach tour with local guides who know where to find clear skies. Warm up with hot chocolate while waiting under Iceland’s winter stars, get tips on photographing the aurora borealis, and if you miss the show, you can try again another night—for free. There’s something quietly thrilling about chasing these lights together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Northern Lights coach tour from Reykjavik

• Depart Reykjavik by comfort coach
• Travel to best Northern Lights spots
• Receive Aurora photography tips
• Enjoy hot chocolate while waiting
• Watch for Northern Lights in dark skies

The Experience

“If you see green, don’t blink,” our guide Jon said, half-smiling as we climbed onto the coach outside Reykjavik. I didn’t know what to expect—honestly, I was mostly hoping my toes wouldn’t freeze off. The bus was warm though, and someone behind me was already unwrapping a chocolate bar. We rolled out past streetlights and into the kind of darkness that makes you realize how noisy cities are. Jon kept checking his phone for cloud updates, muttering about “aurora forecasts” like it was some secret code.

Iceland in winter is weirdly quiet at night—except for the crunch of boots when we stopped somewhere I couldn’t pronounce (Jon said it twice; I still got it wrong). The air smelled sharp, almost metallic, and there was this hush while everyone looked up. No lights at first—just stars and our breath hanging in the cold. Someone tried to take a selfie and their phone nearly froze. Jon poured us hot chocolate from a battered thermos; it tasted sweeter than usual, maybe because my hands were numb or maybe because we were all just waiting together in the dark.

Then—well, not all at once—a pale green shimmer started drifting across the sky. It wasn’t loud or dramatic like I’d imagined from photos online. More like a slow-motion curtain moving above us. People gasped quietly (I think I did too), and Jon grinned like he’d pulled off a magic trick. He showed us how to set our phones for northern lights photos—mine came out blurry but somehow that felt right for the moment. We stood there longer than planned, nobody really wanting to leave even after the colors faded back into blackness.

Top questions

Where does the northern lights tour start?

The tour departs from Reykjavik by comfort coach.

Is hot chocolate included on this northern lights tour?

Yes, complimentary hot chocolate is served during the tour.

What happens if we don’t see the northern lights?

You can join one additional scheduled departure free of charge if no northern lights are seen, subject to availability.

Are there restroom facilities on board?

Yes, the coach has restroom facilities available.

Can I get tips for photographing the aurora?

Yes, guides provide practical tips for capturing the northern lights with your phone or camera.

How do guides choose where to stop for viewing?

The team monitors live weather and aurora activity to select locations with better visibility and low light pollution.

Is Wi-Fi available on the coach?

Yes, onboard Wi-Fi is provided during your journey.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup from Reykjavik by comfort coach with onboard Wi-Fi and restroom access; guidance from local aurora experts who track live forecasts; practical help with aurora photography; complimentary hot chocolate served outdoors beneath Iceland’s sky; and a free retry tour if you don’t spot the northern lights on your first try (subject to availability).