Reykjavik: Private Northern Lights Tour with Flexible Route

Night drive from Reykjavik chasing aurora with local guide

You’ll head out from Reykjavik in a small group or private van, chasing clear skies with a local guide who knows where the northern lights hide. Expect laughter, spontaneous stops in snowy fields near Borgarnes, and quiet moments under shifting green skies. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off for an easy night you won’t forget.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik

• Depart from Reykjavik
• Travel west towards Borgarnes
• Hunt for Northern Lights in west Iceland

The Experience

We were already halfway out of Reykjavik when our guide, Jon, turned down the radio and said, “We’ll try west first — clouds look friendlier that way tonight.” I remember the way the van heater kept fogging up my window, so I’d wipe a little circle to watch the dark fields flick past. The air outside looked sharp, like you could snap it in your hands. I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a northern lights tour, but Jon had stories for every bend in the road — some about trolls, some about tourists who thought they saw UFOs instead of aurora. He made us all feel like we’d known each other longer than an hour.

Borgarnes was just a blur of yellow lights as we passed. Jon kept checking his phone for weather updates (“Sometimes Icelandic weather just does what it wants,” he shrugged). We stopped somewhere that felt like nowhere — just crunchy snow underfoot and this weird silence you only get far from cities. Everyone shuffled out quietly at first, then someone’s phone dinged (ruining the mood for a second), but then Jon pointed up and we all looked. The northern lights weren’t loud or dramatic; more like green smoke drifting across the sky. It took my eyes a minute to really see them. I still think about that hush when everyone realized what was happening.

I tried to take photos but mostly ended up with blurry green lines. Someone handed around hot chocolate — not fancy, just from a thermos — but it tasted perfect with cold fingers. On the drive back, people dozed off or whispered about what they’d seen (or maybe imagined). No one seemed ready to go back to regular life yet. That’s probably normal after seeing something like this.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this northern lights tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Reykjavik.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is private whenever possible but may include up to 8 people if needed due to weather conditions.

Is this northern lights tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Will we definitely see the aurora on this tour?

No sighting is guaranteed since it depends on weather and solar activity, but guides monitor conditions closely for best chances.

Where does the tour go after leaving Reykjavik?

The route usually heads west past Borgarnes but can change based on where aurora sightings are most likely that night.

Are infants or small children allowed?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available.

Is food provided during the tour?

No meal is included but guests sometimes bring snacks or hot drinks for comfort during stops.

Can service animals join this northern lights trip?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

What’s included

Your night includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik, transport in a comfortable van with your local guide watching for clear skies, plus full wheelchair accessibility and support for families traveling with young children or service animals.