Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 1,241 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik worth booking?
Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik is a 3-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $43 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 1,241 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (1,241)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $43 per person
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 parti
What you get
About this experience
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.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,242 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
1,242 verified traveler reviews for Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The "Free Rebooking" Trap: A Professional Disappointment in the Dark
While re.is generally runs well-organized tours, their Northern Lights tour is a significant letdown that feels more like a box-ticking exercise than a genuine hunt for the Aurora. Based on my recent experience, I strongly advise travelers to look elsewhere for the following reasons: • Profit Over Probability: The company proceeded with the tour despite a low Kp index and nearly zero probability of a sighting. Professional outfits should prioritize transparency; if the chance is below 50%, they should offer refunds rather than forcing a "ghost hunt." • Poor Site Selection: For a professional company, the choice of viewing locations was pathetic. We were subjected to heavy light pollution and constant headlights from passing vehicles as well as flights passing from KEF • Lack of Basic Protocol: Even the tour bus lights were left on during the viewing session, further destroying any chance of night vision or clear photography. • Apathetic Execution: Both the guide and driver seemed fully aware that the lights wouldn't appear, resulting in a casual, "blame nature" attitude that felt dismissive of the guests' time and investment. • The Rebooking Gimmick: To mask the lack of quality, they offer a free rebooking for two years. This is a hollow gesture for the 99% of international tourists who will not be returning to Iceland within that window. If an individual can find a dark-sky spot in a place like Canada without professional help, there is no excuse for a specialized Icelandic company to fail so miserably at finding a location without light pollution. Verdict: Don't waste your night. If you want a real Aurora experience, find a provider that values sightings over seat-filling.
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We sincerely apologise that your Northern Lights tour did not meet your expectations and that the experience felt disappointing. Aurora tours are planned on a daily basis using the most up-to-date weather forecasts, cloud coverage maps, solar activity data, and road conditions. Each evening, our team selects what are considered the most favourable locations at that time, actively aiming for areas with as little artificial light as possible while also ensuring safety and accessibility. However, Icelandic weather can change within minutes, which is unfortunately beyond our control. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and even with careful planning and experience, sightings and surrounding conditions can never be guaranteed. We appreciate you raising your concerns, and your comments will be shared with the relevant team for review. Our complimentary rebooking policy is offered to provide guests with another opportunity in the event of no sighting. We apologise that the evening did not deliver the experience you had hoped for and thank you again for sharing your perspective. Best regards, Rute
via Tripadvisor
Great tour guides!
The tour experience was great, especially Lauren and Leo made it amazing!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your great review! We’re so happy to hear that you had such a good experience on the Northern Lights tour. Lauren and Leo will be very pleased to know they made your trip special — they truly love what they do. We really appreciate you traveling with us and hope to welcome you again in Iceland. Best regards, Inga
via Tripadvisor
Seeing is believing
We had a nice night for some activity and we did get a little lucky. I fulfilled my wish of being able to see the northern lights with the naked eye, so that was wonderful. Unfortunately the lights didn’t stay dancing too long. But I call it a win! I wish the sky would have been just a bit darker though. It was almost 11:00 and there was still some light. I wish the bus went a little further out and was not parking in a lot right next to the road because headlights kept coming and messing up your night vision. For the price of the tour, they could have thrown in a complimentary hot chocolate. That would have been a nice touch.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We will take your comments into consideration and work on improving the experience. We appreciate your suggestions and will do our best to make future tours even better. Best regards, Magdalena
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
It was great experience with a great guide, very informative and helpfull.
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad to hear you had a great experience and that your guide was informative and helpful throughout the tour. We appreciate you traveling with us and hope to see you again! Best regards, Zuzanna
via Tripadvisor
What a show
A great company to tour with - we saw the lights only very briefly the first night so were told to rebook again. Luckily, the second attempt gave us a show to remember. Thorrun(excuse the spelling us), was an amazing guide - a cracking Icelandic sense of humour and a whiz with iPhone photography!
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that your second attempt rewarded you with a memorable display of the northern lights and that Þórunn made the evening even more enjoyable with her knowledge, humor, and photography tips. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again! Best regards, Zuzanna
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 434
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik cost?
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Prices start at $43 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.
Is Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 1,241 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik?
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Around 434 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
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On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater, Reykjavík Small group Walking Tour - by CityWalk. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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