Northern Lights Tour with Photos, Snacks, Warm Snowsuits, Chairs

The best part of this Northern Lights outing is that you do not simply sit on a bus hoping for green streaks. Guide and photographer Heimir studies cloud cover and aurora forecasts, then takes a small group away from Reykjavík’s city glow. Once parked, you can settle into an outdoor chair, sip hot chocolate, and wait under a sky full of stars.

I especially like two things here: the included high-resolution photos, which save you from fumbling with your phone during a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and the warm winter jumpsuits. The chairs, snacks, tripods, and camera help turn a long wait into part of the experience. The trade-off is that this can become a very late, very cold night, and poor weather may lead to cancellations or several attempts before you see anything.

Key points to know before you book

• Heimir combines aurora guiding with photography, taking individual photos of you beneath the lights and helping you adjust your own camera.
• The group is limited to 18 people, a more personal setup than the large coach trips that fill Reykjavík’s streets at night.
• Warm jumpsuits and outdoor chairs are provided, so you can remain outside longer instead of retreating to the vehicle every few minutes.
• The route changes with the forecast, sending you toward darker parts of Iceland’s southern region rather than one fixed viewing spot.
• Hot cocoa, cinnamon rolls, pastries, dried fish, chocolate, tea, and Icelandic spirits are served while you wait.
• A free re-run is offered after a non-sighting, depending on availability, though bad weather and vehicle problems can still affect your plans.

Why this Northern Lights tour feels different

Many aurora outings are a simple equation: board a bus, drive into darkness, step out, and hope. This one puts more effort into the waiting time, which matters because the lights do not follow a schedule.

Your guide chooses the night’s direction using weather, cloud cover, and geomagnetic forecasts. That does not guarantee an aurora. Nothing can. It does mean you are not being taken to the same viewpoint every night regardless of conditions.

The small-group format helps, too. With a maximum of 18 people, Heimir can spend time with individual cameras and take portraits of each person. You are not just one face among dozens lining up for a quick photograph.

The experience is offered in English and lasts about four to six hours. The actual stop in the southern region is described as about three hours, but driving time and waiting conditions determine the full length. In practice, you should keep the rest of your evening open.

Leaving Reykjavík for the southern region

Pickup begins at about 8:00 pm from selected Reykjavík hotels, city locations, and cruise ship terminals. Central Reykjavík has restricted streets for tour buses, so you may be asked to walk to a designated bus stop rather than wait outside your accommodation.

If you stay outside central Reykjavík, pickup is available from the BSÍ Bus Terminal. Check this before booking, especially if you are carrying winter clothing or camera gear. The walking route to a bus stop may be short, but Icelandic weather can make a simple stroll less pleasant than expected.

Once outside the city, artificial light fades. The exact destination is not fixed, and that is a strength. Your guide can respond to the night’s cloud cover instead of pretending one location is always best.

You may pass open Icelandic scenery on the way south. The point is not sightseeing at individual landmarks. It is the change from urban light to broad, dark country where the sky has a fair chance to show what it is doing.

The ride also gives Heimir time to explain the aurora. His style, based on the experience described by many people who have taken this outing, is closer to an informal science lesson than a basic bus announcement. He explains why the lights appear, how forecasts work, and why a cloudy night in one direction may still be clear somewhere else.

Waiting beneath the stars, not inside a bus

At the viewing area, the tour becomes a patient outdoor evening. Heimir sets up camera equipment, tripods, chairs, and a refreshment table. You can sit down rather than stand in snow for hours, and you can return to the vehicle to warm up when needed.

The chairs are more useful than they may sound. Aurora hunting often involves long stretches when nothing happens. A chair lets you look upward without constantly shifting your weight, and it makes the experience easier for older visitors or anyone who does not enjoy standing outdoors for a long time.

The supplied jumpsuits are another major practical benefit. Icelandic winter nights can be bitter, especially when you are standing still. One person reported temperatures around minus 10 degrees Celsius at the viewing location, and another advised wearing as many layers as possible even under the jumpsuit.

Do not treat the suit as a substitute for proper clothing. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. The suit helps, but cold air still finds exposed hands and faces. Phones also lose power quickly in low temperatures, so keep that in mind when using yours for photos.

While you wait, the food gives you something pleasant to do. The spread can include hot cocoa, tea, cinnamon rolls, pastries, dried fish, chocolate, and premium Icelandic vodka and snaps. The alcohol is a small extra, not the reason to choose the tour, and you should still dress for the cold rather than count on a drink to warm you.

The quiet is part of the appeal. Even if the aurora stays hidden, a dark Icelandic sky can reveal far more stars than you will see from Reykjavík. Several people found the sky itself worth the wait.

Photography that saves you from guessing

This is one of the strongest reasons to pay more for this outing. Heimir uses professional camera equipment to photograph each person with the Northern Lights behind them, then provides unlimited high-resolution photos from the trip.

That service solves a common aurora problem. Your eyes may see a pale glow, while a long-exposure camera records stronger greens and purples. A phone can produce good results in the right conditions, but the portrait photos give you a better chance of taking home a clear record of the night.

Heimir also helps you set up your own camera. Tripods are supplied, and he can assist with camera settings. This is useful if you have a mirrorless camera or DSLR but do not know how to set manual focus, exposure, or a long shutter speed in the dark.

You should still bring your own camera equipment if you have it. One canceled outing left a person without the tripod they had expected to use, which made an alternate tour less convenient. Included gear is helpful, but your own equipment gives you a backup.

The photo session is not just a rushed group snapshot. The guide’s camera work is built into the evening, and the photos are sent afterward. That matters because you can watch the sky instead of spending the strongest part of the display staring at a screen.

Keep your expectations realistic. Professional photos do not make the aurora appear, and a faint display will still look faint to the naked eye. But if the lights do show, this photo service adds real value to the price.

What happens when the lights do not appear

The Northern Lights are natural, unpredictable, and dependent on several conditions lining up. A strong forecast can fail because clouds move in. A weak forecast can surprise you with a sudden display.

If the lights do not appear, the company offers a free re-run, depending on availability. The policy says the company may offer unlimited re-runs until you see the lights when unforeseen conditions block the view. That is generous, but it works best if you have several nights in Reykjavík.

My strongest planning advice is to book this near the beginning of your Iceland stay. A canceled or unsuccessful night then leaves room to try again. If you book it on your final evening, a re-run may not help.

The timing can also shift. Heimir has moved bookings to a better forecast day, sometimes at no extra cost, rather than sending a group out under poor conditions. That is good judgment, but it requires flexibility on your part. Keep at least one or two evenings open if seeing the aurora is a top priority.

There is an important practical risk with a small operator. One mechanical problem led to a cancellation without a later rebooking option. Another person experienced several weather cancellations and found communication difficult while waiting to learn if the next departure would run.

That does not erase the value of the re-run policy, but it explains why you should avoid scheduling this as your only possible chance. The company has one vehicle, according to the information supplied, so a mechanical issue can affect the entire evening.

Is $212 a fair price?

At $212 per person, this is not the cheapest Northern Lights bus trip from Reykjavík. You are paying for more than transportation: a small group, forecast-based routing, outdoor chairs, warm jumpsuits, refreshments, tripods, camera assistance, and professional photos.

The photography alone can change the calculation. A separate professional portrait session would cost money, and trying to take your own photo while also enjoying the aurora is harder than it sounds. Unlimited high-resolution images are included, so you do not face an extra charge for selecting a handful of pictures.

The clothing and chairs also have practical value. A cheaper outing may still take you into the same cold darkness, but you may spend the wait standing in your own layers. If you are sensitive to cold, traveling with children, or simply want a less punishing night outdoors, the extra cost may be worthwhile.

On the other hand, you may not need this package if you already have warm clothing, a tripod, and strong night-photography skills. You may also prefer a basic bus tour if your budget is tight and the photos are not important to you.

The biggest value comes when three things matter to you: a smaller group, a guide who actively follows conditions, and a finished set of photos. If you only want the lowest-cost chance of getting outside the city, compare other tours before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience to couples, families, photographers, and first-time aurora hunters who want help with both the science and the camera work. It is also a good fit if you dislike the idea of standing in freezing weather for hours without a place to sit.

You should be comfortable with uncertainty. The tour may run late, the drive may take you far from Reykjavík, and you may need to reschedule. The best nights can stretch beyond the estimated end time when the guide believes the lights may still appear.

This outing suits people who prefer an attentive guide rather than a large coach and scripted commentary. Heimir’s enthusiasm is a central part of the experience. He keeps explaining what is happening, answers questions, and helps the group stay patient during quiet periods.

It is less suitable if you have only one free evening, cannot tolerate cold, or need a firm return time. The duration is listed as four to six hours, and the wait can continue past the expected end when conditions are promising.

Booking details that matter

The tour accepts mobile tickets and is conducted in English. Most people can participate, but the information does not give a detailed accessibility statement, so contact the provider if you have mobility or medical concerns.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 8:00 pm start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not refundable. If poor weather forces the company to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. A minimum number of participants is required, and a cancellation for that reason also brings an alternative or refund.

Pickup is offered only in Reykjavík city center and from selected locations. If you are staying outside the city, use BSÍ Bus Terminal as your meeting point. Confirm the exact pickup instructions before the day of departure, especially if your hotel sits within the restricted central streets.

My call: book it if the photos and comfort matter

I would book this tour if I wanted a serious, small-group attempt with a real plan for the night. The best features are practical rather than flashy: Heimir’s forecast work, the ability to move to better conditions, warm suits, chairs, snacks, and excellent photos afterward.

I would also book early in my Reykjavík stay, leaving room for a re-run or a weather change. Bring your own warm layers and camera accessories anyway, and keep your schedule flexible.

At $212, it is a premium outing. But for a special occasion, a first aurora hunt, or anyone who wants to come home with more than a blurry phone image, the extras make sense. Skip it if your budget is narrow or you want a guaranteed short evening. The Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, but this tour gives you a well-equipped way to wait for them.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour depart from?

Pickup is offered from selected hotels, locations in Reykjavík city center, and Reykjavík cruise ship terminals. Some central streets restrict bus access, so you may need to walk to a designated bus stop. If you stay outside Reykjavík, pickup is available from BSÍ Bus Terminal.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 pm. The full experience lasts approximately four to six hours, depending on driving, weather, and aurora conditions.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 18 travelers.

Where does the tour go?

The outing heads into Iceland’s southern region and darker countryside outside Reykjavík. The exact viewing place changes according to weather, cloud cover, and geomagnetic forecasts.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm winter jumpsuits are included. You should still wear warm layers because the viewing stop can be extremely cold, particularly when you are sitting or standing still for a long period.

Are chairs and tripods included?

Yes. Comfortable outdoor chairs and tripods are included. The chairs allow you to sit outside while waiting, and the tripods help with night photography.

Are photographs included in the price?

Yes. The tour includes unlimited high-resolution photos taken during the outing. The guide also assists with your own camera settings.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

A free re-run is offered in case of a non-sighting, depending on availability. The company may also offer unlimited re-runs when unforeseen conditions block the view. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.