- The spectacle of Aurora Borealis requires dark and partly clear skies
- The forecast of auroral activity at midnight uses a scale of 0 to 9
- Tour types include bus, minibus, super jeep, boat and photography options
- Northern lights are never guaranteed; check each tour's rebooking policy before booking
Tour Types Compared
Five main tour types operate from Reykjavik during the aurora season. Bus tours carry the largest groups and cover the widest search area. Minibus tours take fewer passengers and reach more remote spots.
Super jeep tours access highland tracks and offer the most flexibility to chase clear skies. Boat tours depart from harbours and view the lights from the water. Photography tours prioritise tripod space and longer stops for camera settings.
| Tour Type | Group Size | Access | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | Largest | Main roads | Moderate |
| Minibus | Medium | Secondary roads | Good |
| Super jeep | Small | Highland tracks | Highest |
| Boat | Medium | Coastal waters | Limited |
| Photography | Small | Selected sites | Moderate |
Each type suits different priorities. Check tour details to compare options and pricing.
Northern Lights Tours from Reykjavik
More on GetYourGuide
Top ratedDay trip · 4 hoursFrom Reykjavik: Northern Lights Bus Tour with Hot Cocoa★ 4.3 15 350 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availableAvailable today and tomorrowfrom €76 per personSee availability →
Day trip · 4 hoursSmall-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik★ 4.4 3 221 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availableAvailable today and tomorrowfrom €95 per personSee availability →
Day trip · 3.5 hoursReykjavik: Northern Lights Adventure Tour with Hot Chocolate★ 4.3 796 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availablefrom €65 per personSee availability →
Water activity · 2 hoursReykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour★ 4.4 1 381 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availableAvailable today and tomorrowfrom €93 per personSee availability →
Day trip · 4 hoursReykjavik: Northern Lights Coach Tour with Local Hunters★ 4.4 506 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availableAvailable today and tomorrowfrom €72 per personSee availability →
Guided tour · 3 hoursFrom Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour★ 3.7 1 668 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availableAvailable today and tomorrowfrom €70 per personSee availability →Understanding the Aurora Forecast
The forecast of auroral activity at midnight uses a scale of 0 to 9. Higher numbers indicate stronger solar wind reaching Earth's magnetic field. The spectacle of Aurora Borealis requires dark and partly clear skies.
Cloud cover matters as much as activity. The aurora can be strong but invisible behind clouds. The forecast shows both activity and cloud maps for the same evening. Tours use these maps to decide where to drive each night.
Darkness is essential. From 20 May to 24 July, daylight is essentially permanent. The sun never gets more than 5° below the horizon during this period. Day length drops to less than five hours between 2 December and 10 January. Tours do not operate during continuous daylight.
Check the forecast at en.vedur.is before your tour departs. Forecasts update throughout the day as solar wind conditions change.
- Tours leave the city lights of Reykjavik to reach darker viewing areas
- Guides monitor weather and aurora forecasts to choose locations each evening
- Check rebooking policies on each tour before booking
- Boat tours combine coastal views with aurora hunting on calm evenings
- Photography tours provide tripod space and guidance for long exposures
- The aurora is never guaranteed, even on tours with high forecast numbers
- Cloud cover can block the spectacle regardless of auroral activity
- Temperatures very rarely drop below -15 °C in the winter in Reykjavik
- Check tour details for duration and other specifics
When to Book a Northern Lights Tour
Day length drops to less than five hours between 2 December and 10 January. From 20 May to 24 July, daylight is essentially permanent. The sun never gets more than 5° below the horizon during this period. Tours do not operate during continuous daylight.
Check tour details for operating seasons. Tours can fill weeks in advance during holiday periods. Book early during peak demand periods.
Combine tours with other activities during your stay. Golden Circle day trips and south coast excursions fill daylight hours while aurora tours occupy evenings.
Compare prices, reviews and free-cancellation options before you book.
Check availability →What to Wear on an Aurora Tour
Dress in layers for standing outside in winter temperatures. Temperatures very rarely drop below -15 °C in the winter in Reykjavik. Wind chill drops the effective temperature further in exposed locations.
Start with a thermal base layer against your skin. Add an insulating mid-layer like fleece or wool. Finish with a windproof and waterproof outer shell. Bring a warm hat that covers your ears and insulated gloves.
Wear waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support. Trails to viewing points can be uneven or icy. Thick wool or synthetic socks prevent cold feet during long waits.
Avoid cotton fabrics, which lose insulation when damp. Reykjavik averages 147 days of rain per year. Pack extra layers in case the tour runs longer than planned.
Rebooking Policies and Guarantees
Northern lights are never guaranteed on any tour. Solar activity, cloud cover and weather change without warning. Check each tour's specific rebooking policy before booking.
Some tours allow you to join another tour on a following night at no extra charge. Others provide credit towards a future booking. Policies vary between tour types and seasons.
Rebooking usually requires the guide to confirm that conditions did not allow aurora viewing. You cannot rebook simply because you did not see the lights personally. The decision rests with the tour operator based on sky conditions.
Allow buffer days in your Iceland itinerary for potential rebookings. Booking on your final evening leaves no time to rebook if the lights do not show.
Combining Aurora Tours with Day Activities
Northern lights tours occupy only evening hours. Fill your days with Reykjavik day trips to popular sites across Iceland. The Golden Circle route visits Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss in a single day.
South coast tours reach Reynisfjara black sand beach and Skogafoss waterfall. Winter activities like glacier hiking and ice cave visits operate during daylight hours. Geothermal spas such as the Blue Lagoon stay open into the evening.
Multi-day packages bundle aurora tours with daytime excursions. These packages suit travellers who prefer booking everything together. Small group tours and private options offer more personalised itineraries across several days.
Compare prices, reviews and free-cancellation options before you book.
Check availability →Photography Tips for Aurora Tours
Photography-focused tours provide extra time at each location for long exposures. Bring a sturdy tripod capable of holding your camera steady for long exposures. Use a wide-angle lens with a large aperture like f/2.8 or wider.
Set your camera to manual mode with a high ISO setting. Start with aperture f/2.8 and shutter speed of 10 seconds. Adjust based on aurora brightness and your camera sensor. Focus manually on a distant light or star, as autofocus fails in darkness.
Use a remote shutter release or your camera's timer to avoid shake when pressing the button. Shoot in RAW format to preserve detail for editing. Bring spare batteries, as cold temperatures drain power quickly.
Check whether your tour offers photography instruction or just tripod-friendly stops.
Northern lights tours from Reykjavik provide guided access to dark viewing areas outside the city. The main trade-off is the lack of guarantee: weather and solar activity determine whether you see the aurora.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see the northern lights in Reykjavik?
Day length drops to less than five hours between 2 December and 10 January. From 20 May to 24 July, daylight is essentially permanent. The spectacle of Aurora Borealis requires dark and partly clear skies.
What does the northern lights forecast scale mean?
The forecast of auroral activity at midnight uses a scale of 0 to 9. The spectacle of Aurora Borealis requires dark and partly clear skies. Cloud cover can block the aurora regardless of activity level.
Are northern lights guaranteed on tours from Reykjavik?
Northern lights are never guaranteed on any tour. Solar activity and cloud cover change without warning. Check each tour's specific rebooking policy before booking.
How cold does it get on northern lights tours in Iceland?
Temperatures very rarely drop below -15 °C in the winter in Reykjavik. Wind chill makes it feel colder in exposed locations away from the city.
Can you combine northern lights tours with daytime activities?
Yes, northern lights tours occupy only evening hours. You can fill daytime with Golden Circle tours, south coast trips, glacier hikes or geothermal spa visits. Multi-day packages bundle aurora tours with daytime excursions.
