Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

The appeal is simple: one booking links Iceland’s famous geothermal spa with an evening search for the Northern Lights. You spend about four hours at the Blue Lagoon, return to Reykjavik, then head out again with a guide to look for aurora activity in the night sky.

I like the Comfort Package, which includes the lagoon, towel, silica mud mask, and a drink. I also like having round-trip transport arranged, since getting to the Blue Lagoon on your own adds another booking and another bit of planning.

The main catch is that this is not one continuous excursion. You return to Reykjavik between the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights portions, and the aurora is never guaranteed. At about $315 per person, the value depends heavily on how much you value convenience and whether the night sky cooperates.

Key points to know before booking

• Four hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have enough time for a relaxed visit rather than a rushed soak.
• Comfort admission included: Your package covers a towel, one drink, and a silica mud mask.
• Two separate parts to the day: You go back to Reykjavik after the lagoon before joining the Northern Lights outing.
• Aurora results depend on nature: Cloud cover and weather can prevent a sighting, even with a good guide.
• Pickup details matter: Be at your assigned pickup point 30 minutes early, and look for vehicles marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo.
• Large possible group: The maximum stated group size is 100 people, so this is not a small, intimate outing.

What the day actually looks like

The day begins at the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik, at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10. Pickup is offered, but the exact arrangement depends on your designated location. You should be ready 30 minutes before departure, not just at the official start time.

The vehicles carry the Reykjavik Excursions logo, which helps you identify the right bus. WiFi is included on board, a useful touch if you want to check messages, weather, or your plans for the evening.

The Blue Lagoon portion lasts about four hours. Afterward, you return to Reykjavik. The Northern Lights trip then takes place separately in the evening, with a local guide helping search for clearer skies and aurora activity.

That separation is important. Some people book this expecting one continuous guided day, then find the return to the city and the wait before the evening departure inconvenient. I would treat this as two linked excursions sold together, not as a single flowing tour.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. If you are staying at a hotel, read the pickup and return instructions carefully. One awkward transfer can cost you an hour, especially if a bus drops you at the terminal and you then need to wait for another service to reach your accommodation.

Four hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the stronger and more predictable part of this package. You know what you are getting: admission, a towel, a silica mud mask, and one drink.

The lagoon’s milky blue water sits in a striking outdoor setting, and the contrast between warm water and cold Icelandic air is part of the experience. In winter, rain or snow can make the first few minutes feel sharp, especially around your head and shoulders. A warm drink and the indoor areas provide a useful break.

Your Comfort admission also includes a silica mud mask. You can apply it while in the lagoon, then wash it off after allowing it time to sit. The included drink means you do not need to leave the water to buy a refreshment, although food and extra drinks are not included.

Four hours gives you time to settle in rather than rush through the changing area and pool. You can spend time outdoors, move inside when the weather bites, use the mask, and have your drink without watching the clock every few minutes.

Still, the experience is not equally comfortable for everyone. Cold weather can make the walk between indoor and outdoor areas unpleasant. One practical tip is to keep your head covered as much as possible when outside the water. You may also prefer a summer visit if you dislike the shock of near-freezing air against wet skin.

The Blue Lagoon staff control the flow of people through the facility. That keeps the place orderly, but the instructions can feel strict. Go in expecting a managed spa visit rather than a free-form public pool.

Food is not part of the package. Bring money or a payment method if you expect to eat during the day, and remember that the price already includes only one drink at the lagoon.

The Northern Lights search after dark

The second part of the experience is more uncertain, but it can be the most memorable when conditions line up. A local guide leads the evening search, using weather and cloud conditions to decide where the group has the best chance.

The important phrase is best chance. No guide can promise the Northern Lights. Cloud cover, poor weather, and weak aurora activity can all defeat a well-planned outing. You may spend hours outside and see nothing, even when the tour is operated properly.

That uncertainty explains the mixed reactions to this package. The Blue Lagoon delivers a fixed experience. The aurora outing offers possibility, not certainty.

Some departures have run very late, with one reported experience ending around 3 a.m. If you have an early flight, a demanding day tour, or young children, think carefully about the effect of an extended search. The stated age rule already excludes children aged five and younger.

On the positive side, the guide can make a major difference. A good guide explains what is happening, keeps the group informed, and helps you understand why the bus may move or wait. One highly praised guide was described as both helpful and amusing, which matters during a long, cold evening.

Dress for standing outside in Icelandic conditions. The provided information does not specify clothing rental or heated viewing facilities, so you should plan for cold weather yourself. The Blue Lagoon gives you warmth earlier in the day, but you should not assume the evening portion will be equally comfortable.

Why the return to Reykjavik matters

The most important planning detail is the gap between the two experiences. You visit the Blue Lagoon, return to Reykjavik, and then continue with the Northern Lights tour.

That arrangement can work well if you want a break. You can eat, warm up, change clothes, and collect anything you need before the evening search. It also means you are not trapped on one long bus ride with no chance to reset.

The drawback is lost time. If your Blue Lagoon transfer arrives at the terminal and the aurora departure is later, you may have a long wait. A short Iceland visit makes every hour feel valuable, so this may not be the best choice if you are trying to fit several other activities into the same day.

The instructions need your attention. Pickup and drop-off can involve different transport arrangements, and the exact hotel service may not mirror the main bus route. Confirm your pickup point before departure and allow extra time for the return.

The maximum group size is 100 people. That is a substantial group for an outdoor evening search. You should expect a standard coach excursion rather than a quiet, private chase with a guide focused only on your party.

Is $315 a fair price?

At $315 per person, this is a convenience purchase. You are paying for Blue Lagoon admission, the Comfort extras, transport, WiFi on board, and a guided Northern Lights outing.

The price feels stronger if you value having the major arrangements handled together. You do not need to separately organize transport to the lagoon, find a Northern Lights operator, or work out how to get back after the evening search.

The value is weaker if you expect meals, a guaranteed aurora, or a small group. Food and additional drinks are not included. The group may reach 100 people, and the Northern Lights result remains dependent on weather.

I would also compare this price with booking the Blue Lagoon and aurora tour separately. A separate booking may give you more control over the time gap, group size, or cancellation terms. The combo is easiest for someone who prefers one reservation and one broad plan.

The carbon-neutral operation, carried out in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies, may also matter to you. It does not change the sightseeing itself, but it is a useful detail if you are comparing transport operators on environmental grounds.

Who will enjoy this combination most?

This tour suits you if you want Iceland’s two headline experiences in one busy day and prefer not to arrange transport yourself. It works especially well for a short Reykjavik stay when you want to cover major sights without renting a car.

It is also a good fit if you can accept uncertainty. The right attitude is to see the Blue Lagoon as the guaranteed centerpiece and the Northern Lights as a bonus. That way, cloudy skies do not erase the value of the whole day.

You may want a different plan if you dislike long waits, large groups, or late nights. The two-part setup can feel inefficient, and a late aurora return may interfere with an early departure.

Families should note the age restriction: children aged five and younger are not permitted. Most other participants can take part, and the activity is offered in English.

Practical ways to improve the day

Arrive early at your designated pickup point. The requested arrival time is 30 minutes before departure, and a marked Reykjavik Excursions vehicle should collect you.

Keep the transfer plan close at hand. If your return route ends at BSÍ rather than directly at your hotel, knowing that in advance prevents a frustrating wait.

Use the four Blue Lagoon hours wisely. The mask and drink are included, but lunch is not, so plan for food separately. Leave time to dry off and change before the return transfer.

Bring patience to the aurora portion. A guide may need to wait, reroute, or extend the search. A clear night does not guarantee visible lights, and a cloudy night can end the outing without a sighting.

If you need a refund, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The provider also states that poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. Seismic activity has also caused a cancellation on at least one departure, so it is wise to understand the refund terms before booking.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want the Blue Lagoon plus a guided Northern Lights search with transport arranged and you are comfortable paying for convenience. The lagoon portion is well defined, the Comfort Package includes useful extras, and the guide-led evening search gives you a sensible way to try for the aurora.

Think twice if your schedule is tight or you need certainty. The return to Reykjavik between sections can create a long break, the group may be large, and the Northern Lights may not appear. For a short visit, this package makes sense when you value simplicity more than flexibility.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting point is the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik, at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. Pickup is offered from designated locations.

How early should I arrive?

You should be at your designated pickup location 30 minutes before departure. Vehicles are marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo.

How long does the full experience last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, although the Northern Lights search can run later depending on conditions and the operation of the outing.

How long do I spend at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon portion lasts about four hours, with admission included.

What does the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package include?

It includes entrance to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, use of a towel, and one drink of your choice.

Is food included?

No. Food and additional drinks are not included in the package.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather, cloud cover, and natural aurora activity. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged five and younger are not permitted. The provided information states that most other people can participate.