Reykjavík: Northern Lights Night Tour with Hot Chocolate & Pickup

Summary

Chasing Iceland’s aurora with locals, warm drinks & midnight stories

You’ll ride out from Reykjavík at night in a warm minibus with a local guide who knows where to find the Northern Lights. Sip hot chocolate under dark skies while waiting for those elusive colors to appear — and if they do, your guide will help capture it on camera so you don’t miss a thing. There’s something quietly magical about sharing that midnight silence together.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really believe we’d see the Northern Lights that night near Reykjavík — I mean, everyone talks about how unpredictable they are. But there we were, bundled up in this heated minibus (thankful for that), driving out of the city while our guide Jón kept glancing at the sky and muttering about “solar activity.” He had this way of explaining things that made even the science bits feel like gossip — apparently green lights mean more oxygen? I probably got that wrong. Anyway, I kept pressing my forehead to the window, watching for any flicker.

We stopped somewhere outside town — can’t say exactly where, just that it was darker than anywhere I’ve ever been. No streetlights, just snow crunching under boots and a weirdly comforting silence. Jón handed out hot chocolate (real chocolatey stuff, not the watery kind) and pointed north. “Patience,” he said, grinning. Someone tried to take a selfie but gave up laughing because their fingers were too cold. Then suddenly someone gasped — faint at first, then this slow green ribbon started twisting overhead. It wasn’t as bright as those Instagram photos but it felt… alive? Hard to explain.

Jón offered to take photos for us — he had this tripod and knew all the settings so we didn’t have to fumble with our phones. He told us stories about his grandmother seeing red lights once during a storm; I liked that part almost as much as the lights themselves. Not everyone talked much on the ride back; maybe we were tired or just letting it sink in. I still think about that quiet moment standing in the cold with strangers who suddenly didn’t feel like strangers anymore.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Northern Lights hunt from Reykjavík

• Travel in heated minibus
• Guide searches best viewing spots
• Guide explains Northern Lights science
• View Northern Lights if visible
• Guide takes photos for participants

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Northern Lights tour?

Yes, hotel or designated bus stop pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík are included.

What happens if we don’t see the Northern Lights?

If you don’t see them, you get a free retry on another evening.

How long does the tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed but expect several hours late at night.

Is hot chocolate provided during the tour?

Yes, hot chocolate is served during your Northern Lights hunt.

Do I need special camera equipment?

No — your guide will offer to take photos for you if you want.

Is this suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What kind of vehicle is used?

You’ll travel by comfortable heated minibus with free Wi-Fi and USB charging.

Can I get a refund if my tour is cancelled due to weather?

If cancelled due to weather, you can reschedule or get a full refund.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup from your hotel or bus stop in Reykjavík by heated minibus (with Wi-Fi and USB charging), guidance from a knowledgeable local driver-guide who’ll help you spot and photograph the Northern Lights, plus hot chocolate served under Iceland’s winter sky before returning late at night.