The Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour is the budget-friendly way to hunt the Aurora Borealis from Iceland's capital: a coach tour that drives away from Reykjavík's city lights toward wherever the night's forecast points, with hot cocoa served along the way and a free retry included if the lights do not show.
What makes the Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour a solid first attempt?
At around €65 per person, this is one of the most affordable ways to try for the Northern Lights from Reykjavík, and the free retry policy means a cloudy first night does not cost you a second attempt. The format is straightforward: escape the city's light pollution, follow the meteorologist-informed forecast to the clearest patch of sky, and wait with a warm drink in hand.
What to expect on the Reykjavik Northern Lights bus tour
Pickup happens in the evening from central Reykjavík, and the coach heads out toward the countryside, typically in the direction of areas like Mosfellsbær or further, depending on where clouds are thinnest that night. Your guide explains the science behind the Aurora Borealis during the drive, how solar particles collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere to produce the display, and the coach stops at a dark viewing location for photos and watching, with hot chocolate provided to keep you warm.
Want a closer look? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See timesIs the Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour worth booking on a budget trip?
Yes, particularly as a first attempt. Given the free retry ticket if you do not see the lights, the practical cost of trying is lower than the sticker price suggests, since a cloudy night does not mean you have to pay again to try a second time.
Short on time? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See timesWhat is included on the Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavik?
Included: the evening trip itself, transportation, a professional guide, hot chocolate, stops built in for photography, and a free follow-up tour if you do not see the lights on your first attempt. There is nothing separately listed as excluded on this tour, keeping the offer simple and predictable.
Ready to see prices? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See timesWho should book the Reykjavik bus tour over the premium minibus
This suits budget-conscious travelers and anyone comfortable with a larger group on a bigger coach rather than a smaller minibus. If a more intimate group size and vehicle matter more to you than saving roughly €20, the Reykjavik Premium Northern Lights Tour covers the same essential experience in a smaller minibus.
Want a closer look? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See timesPrices and what the Northern Lights bus tour includes
Pricing starts from €65 per person, discounted from a €72 list price at the time this page was checked. As always with a live marketplace listing, confirm the current price before booking since it can shift with demand and season.
Short on time? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See timesGetting there and meeting point
The tour departs from a central Reykjavík pickup point confirmed on your booking voucher. Since the actual viewing destination is forecast-dependent, the operator will not confirm an exact route until the day of departure.
Ready to see prices? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See timesInsider tips for the Reykjavik Northern Lights bus tour
I would book the retry option mentally into your plans from the start rather than treating it as a backup: Iceland's weather changes fast, and going in expecting you might need two attempts sets more realistic expectations than assuming one night will do it. Bring your own thermos or hand warmers if you run cold easily, since the hot cocoa is a nice touch but is not a substitute for proper winter layers at an outdoor viewing stop. A phone with night mode photography, standard on most recent models, will capture the display noticeably better than the naked default camera setting.
Want a closer look? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See timesHow the Reykjavik bus tour compares to other Iceland and Nordic options
Against the Reykjavik Premium Northern Lights Tour, this bus tour is the more affordable option with a larger group, while the premium version offers a smaller minibus for a modest price increase. Travelers weighing Iceland against other destinations should also compare the Tromsø Northern Lights Chase Tour in Norway, which drives an unlimited distance rather than following a single forecast-led route, and the Rovaniemi Northern Lights Tour in Finland, which offers a direct money-back guarantee instead of a retry ticket.
Short on time? Reykjavik Northern Lights Bus Tour, from €65 See times