IcelandStart
Northern lights above mountains in Iceland

Reykjavík · Aurora season

Your northern lights night starts here.

Compare two tours from Reykjavík: a classic bus trip or a smaller group with photos.

Compare the two tours

Iceland aurora photograph by Vincent Guth (CC0); scenery shown is not a specific tour stop.

Two selected options, not the whole market. Partner links — we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Aurora and weather are never guaranteed. Affiliate disclosure.

  • Classic bus + hot cocoa

    Our take: the simpler, more sociable option if you mainly want to get out of the city lights on a coach with a guide.

    Check dates on GetYourGuide — Classic bus + hot cocoa
    Tour, pickup & conditions
    Tour
    From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Bus Tour with Hot Cocoa — Northern Lights Bus (BusTravel Iceland)
    Duration
    About 4 hours, guided in English.
    Group
    Coach group
    Pickup
    Meeting point or pickup depends on the option you pick at checkout — check which one your booking includes.
    Included
    Coach transport, hot chocolate and photo stops.
    Ages
    Not suitable for children under 6.
    If no lights
    The operator offers a free retry if no lights are seen, subject to its own terms. An operated tour with no aurora is not refunded just because the sky stayed quiet.

    Product details checked 15 September 2026: getyourguide.com product page

  • Small group + photos

    Our take: a good fit if you prefer a smaller vehicle, a maximum of 19 passengers and photos when conditions allow.

    Check dates on Viator — Small group + photos
    Tour, pickup & conditions
    Tour
    Reykjavík Northern Lights Tour With Hot Chocolate and Photos — EastWest
    Duration
    About 4 hours, guided in English.
    Group
    Minibus, maximum 19 passengers
    Pickup
    Designated pickup and drop-off points in Reykjavík.
    Included
    Hot chocolate and Icelandic pastries, wool blankets, and photos when conditions allow.
    Ages
    Children under 5 are not permitted.
    If no lights
    A free retry is offered when no lights are seen, subject to availability and the provider's terms — not a guaranteed refund. No photos are taken when a tour is unsuccessful.

    Product details checked 15 September 2026: viator.com product page

How the two differ

  • Group format

    Classic bus: Coach group

    Small group: Minibus, max 19

  • Refreshments & photos

    Classic bus: Hot chocolate, photo stops

    Small group: Hot chocolate, pastries, blankets, photos if conditions allow

  • Pickup

    Classic bus: Meeting point or pickup, depending on the option chosen

    Small group: Designated Reykjavík pickup and drop-off

Prices depend on your dates and chosen option. Check both and compare the final total before booking. IcelandStart compares; the partner handles booking, payment and support.

One planning tip

Consider a tour early in your stay, leaving another evening free if plans change. Any retry is subject to the operator's terms and available spaces.

What does a “free retry” actually mean?

If a tour runs and no lights appear, both operators offer another attempt rather than money back. The retry depends on their own terms and on there being space on a later departure, so it works best when you still have nights left in Reykjavík.

Where do I get picked up?

It differs by tour and by the option you select. One uses designated Reykjavík pickup and drop-off points; the other may be a meeting point or a pickup depending on the option. Confirm this on the partner's booking page before you pay.

What should I wear?

You stand still outdoors in the dark, often in wind. Warm base and mid layers, a windproof outer layer, hat, gloves and proper footwear. Blankets on board are a comfort, not a substitute for layers.

Written from Iceland. These are product facts read on the partners' public pages on 15 September 2026, not a first-hand review of either departure. Before a winter evening out, check vedur.is and safetravel.is. Photo by Vincent Guth, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.