Tours/Reykjavik/Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik
Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik
3.9(1,277)Reykjavik3–5 hours
VIATOR3.4(168)TRIPADVISOR4.0(1,109)
+8 photos
At a glance
Duration
3–5 hours
Price from
$85 / person
Location
Reykjavik, Iceland
Rating
3.9 / 5 · 1,277 reviews
Languages
DE, FI, KO, CMN
Group
Small group, up to 99
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Reykjavik Excursions
Meeting point
BSÍ Bus Terminal is our centrally located hub in Reykjavík, just a short walk from the city center. Please be there at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. It's the main departure point for airport transfers and day tours - making it easy and convenient to start your journey with us.
Description
The Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík takes you to see a spectacular natural phenomenon which happens during the winter months. The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the North Pole. Northern Lights in Iceland are visible during the winter months, from August to April.
It’s important to stay warm when you’re out in the dark gazing up at the sky, which is why freshly-baked waffles and hot beverages are available for sale on site. Add some heartwarming comfort to an already amazing experience.
Take advantage of our Northern Lights offer: if you don't see the auroras on your first night, you can book an additional night at no extra cost. Enjoy another chance to witness this natural wonder.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 PM and 10:00 PM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 16+)
$85
Youth (ages 6–15)
$43
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 18 of the next 60 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Tour with Meeting point
Tour From Bus Terminal
Pickup starts 30 min before
Pickup at designated locations: This option provides pickup from various hotels and designated locations in central Reykjavik and starts 30 minutes before.
Pickup included
Itinerary
Reykjavik Excursions by Icelandia
Pass by
Meeting point for the tour.
Iceland
Pass by
Locations on this tour vary from day to day depending on weather conditions.
What's included
Included
Professional Local Guidance
Free Wi-Fi
Bus Fare
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
• Please be at your designated pickup point at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Our pickup vehicles are well marked with the Reykjavik Excursions.
• Each driver has a few stops, so it can take up to 30 minutes to finish picking everyone up, so there is no need to worry if the bus is not there right away.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
3.9
1,277 reviews
5
698
4
197
3
106
2
91
1
185
How it compares in Reykjavik
No. 34 by number of reviews among 1,571 tours in Reykjavik
Starting price $85 is 39% below the typical $139 for tours of similar length in Reykjavik
Excurgo comparison of 1,571 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour depends on weather and sightings are not guaranteed. The tour may be cancelled on the day if the weather is poor
Remember to dress warmly
Indicated return times can vary.
Minimum age is 6 years old.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik take?
Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik lasts about 3–5 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik cost?
Prices start at $85 per person for this Reykjavik experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Does Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik sell out?
It can: 18 of the next 60 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. • Please be at your designated pickup point at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Our pickup vehicles are well marked with the Reykjavik Excursions.
• Each driver has a few stops, so it can take up to 30 minutes to finish picking everyone up, so there is no need to worry if the bus is not there right away.
What languages is Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik offered in?
The experience is available in DE, FI, KO, CMN, EN, EN, IT, FR, NL, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 99 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik worth it?
Travellers rate it 3.9 out of 5 across 1,277 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Reykjavik Excursions.
Reviews(1,277)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Macintravel
September 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Recommended!
We didn't get to see the aurora on the first time due to cloudy weather, so they offered us to rebook again the next night for free. They were able to bring us to see the aurora at the right place the next night. The pick up was smooth and punctual, and they were quick in response when we tried to rebook. Overall a wonderful experience!
Operator response
Dear Traveler,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted we could help you rebook and that you got to see the Northern Lights on your second night. We’re also glad our team made the process smooth and easy. We truly appreciate your kind words!
Best Regards, Gabriele
C
corbyer
September 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Only take part if forecasts are very good and clear sky
Organisationally, everything’s fine as long as you do what Icelandia wants. The repeated booking you’re allowed to make if there are no Northern Lights on a tour is outrageous. You get a message in the evening after 6 pm saying, ‘We’ll pick you up at 9.30 pm.’ The many beautiful photos of the Northern Lights in glossy brochures, the numerous videos online or in the town’s shop windows, and the verbal promises – all of which are immediately retracted – make for good business. In the end, 100 people are standing near the airport, paying a fortune, and apart from clouds, there’s been nothing. It’s much simpler: if it’s raining or heavily overcast, save yourself the journey and the expense, go out for a nice meal and watch a few Northern Lights videos online.
Organisationally, everything is fine as long as you do what Icelandia wants. The repeated booking that you can make if there are no Northern Lights on a tour is outrageous. You get a message in the evening after 6 PM saying, we will pick you up at 9:30 PM. The many beautiful photos of Northern Lights in glossy brochures, the numerous videos online or in the town’s shop windows, and the verbal promises, all of which are immediately retracted, make for good business. In the end, 100 people are standing near the airport, paying a fortune, and apart from clouds, there was nothing. It is much simpler; if it is raining or heavily overcast, save yourself the journey and the expense, go out for a nice meal, and watch a few Northern Lights videos online.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're sorry to hear that your Northern Lights experience didn't meet your expectations. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and while we do our best to choose locations with the best possible viewing conditions, weather and cloud cover can change quickly and unfortunately cannot be guaranteed.
We appreciate your comments about the organization of the tour, as well as your thoughts on the communication around rebooking. Feedback like yours is valuable, and we'll be sure to share it with our team as we continue working to improve the experience for our guests.
We hope you'll have the chance to enjoy another Icelandic adventure with us in the future.
Kind regards,
Sesili
B
BrianN509
September 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
The truth about this excursion
You pay $85 per person for a bus with 50 other people to bring you to a parking lot. No place to sit. There is a bathroom. No guidance from the guide - who disappeared. It is understood that there is no guarantee you will see the Northern Lights. It was the absolute worst excursion ever.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We're very sorry to hear that the experience didn't meet your expectations. We understand how disappointing it can be when a Northern Lights tour doesn't provide the experience you were hoping for, especially after looking forward to it.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments about the organization and guidance during the tour. We'll make sure your feedback is shared with the relevant team as we continue working to improve our guests' experience.
Kind regards,
Sesili
M
Majorla
September 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Northern Lights experience
Rebecca was delightful and her infectious enthusiasm provided good energy for the late night. I went twice with the first time seeing clear, star filled sky but no solar activities. The second time we were lucky to have gaps in between the clouds to witness the beautiful lights. Best to over bundle as the wind gets colder as the night goes on.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review.
We're so happy to hear that Rebecca's enthusiasm made your Northern Lights experience enjoyable, even on the first evening when nature had other plans. It's fantastic that your second trip rewarded you with beautiful views of the aurora through the breaks in the clouds.
Thank you as well for sharing your helpful tip about dressing warmly—it’s certainly great advice for future travelers. We hope to welcome you back to Iceland again soon.
Kind regards,
Sesili
A
A9020DBivanm
September 23, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
An experience not to be missed!
Great guise and bus driver! Courteous and knowledgeable.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review.
We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience and appreciated the courteous and knowledgeable service from both your guide and driver. Your kind recommendation means a lot to us.
We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable tour in Iceland.
Kind regards,
Sesili
J
jacobhK4509DZ
September 20, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great tour with kind staff
Did this tour in mid-September 2026 -- we ended up seeing the lights! I left with the understanding that this was a bit early in the season. The staff guided us on what to look for, and the natural conditions (solar winds, cloud cover, etc.) that would make us seeing the lights more probable.
We didn't see them at our initial location, but on the way back to Reykjavik, we pulled over and our guide excitedly exclaimed "everyone out!" -- where we then viewed the northern lights for around 45mins.
Would happily return with this group!
Operator response
Dear Jacob,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you got to see the Northern Lights and that our team made the experience so memorable. We’d be delighted to welcome you back! 😊
Warm regards,
Patricia
S
Stay40440995130
September 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful!
Lots of thanks!!!!
Guide:Laura
Driver:Marcin
I experienced wonderful time!
We had never seen in Japan.
Thank you 😊
Operator response
Thank you for your kind review! We’re so happy you had a wonderful time with Laura and Marcin. 😊
Warm regards,
Magdalena
V
Voyage65544482775
September 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
The best experience
The bright tour guide welcomed us, and we were able to go smoothly and with peace of mind ✨
Seeing the aurora I was hoping for was amazing 🌿
Operator response
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout the tour. We’re especially happy that you got to see the Northern Lights and had such a wonderful experience! ✨
Warm regards,
Magdalena
7
707ajd
September 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great tour run by great people
Had a wonderful tour, and we ended up seeing the northern lights, thanks to our fabulous tour guide, Lauren! I learned my phone didn't have a night camera, and she was kind enough to send me the pictures she took that night!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you had such a great Northern Lights experience and were lucky enough to see the aurora! It's especially lovely to hear how Lauren went the extra mile by sharing her photos with you when your phone wasn't able to capture the lights.
We'll be very happy to pass your kind words along to Lauren. Thank you for choosing to experience the Northern Lights with us!
Kind regards,
Inga
M
MariaMedranda
September 14, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Finally saw the Northern Lights!
Having to go to the BSI Bus Terminal at 10 PM to meet up with our tour was not fun, but we were very lucky to get to see them. The night was clear, the stars were out and after about 15 minutes of wait, they showed up, gently at first, but then they took off with gusto!!! Cannot remember when I have seen so many stars. Very cold!!! But worth it 100%.
Operator response
Dear Maria,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights; and what a spectacular display it sounds like! Seeing them dance across a clear, star-filled sky is truly something special.
We understand that heading to the BSI Bus Terminal at 10 PM isn’t the most convenient part of the adventure, and we really appreciate you making the effort. We’re so glad it was rewarded with such an incredible show, even if the Icelandic cold made things a little challenging!
Thank you for joining us, and we hope you’ll always remember that magical night under the Icelandic sky.
Warm regards,
Patricia
