Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik with Photography

The best part of this four-hour outing is simple: you leave Reykjavik’s city glow behind and give the Northern Lights a darker sky in which to appear. The tour uses two undisclosed countryside stops, with one guided viewing stop and another set aside for photos.

I like the included Aurora photographs, since night-sky photography is tricky without the right camera settings. I also like the small comforts: warm blankets, hot chocolate, and Icelandic pastries while you wait.

The main drawback is the one no tour can fix: the lights may not appear. The 3.5 rating from 26 reviews suggests a mixed experience overall, so you should book this for a well-organized chance to see the Aurora, not as a promise that the sky will perform.

At a glance

• Two dark-sky stops: One guided stop lasts about an hour, followed by a 75-minute photo stop.
• Photos are included: A guide with photography equipment takes quality pictures with the Northern Lights when conditions allow.
• Comfort on cold nights: Blankets, hot chocolate, and Icelandic pastries help make the waiting time easier.
• Reykjavik pickup and return: Choose from 20 listed pickup and drop-off points in the capital area.
• Weather backup: If bad weather cancels the trip, you can rebook for another evening or receive a refund.
• Free second chance: If the Aurora does not appear, you receive entry to another tour within two years.

Leaving Reykjavik at 9 p.m.

Pickup begins from 21:00, with transport arranged from 20 points around Reykjavik. These include central bus stops such as Ráðhúsið City Hall, Lækjargata, Skúlagata, Miðbakki, and Safnahúsið The Culture House, along with hotels including Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, Hotel Muli, and Reykjavik Lights by Keahotels.

This broad pickup list is useful if you are staying in different parts of town. It also means you need to choose the correct point carefully. Pickup around Reykjavik can involve designated bus stops rather than a hotel entrance, so check your confirmation and be ready before the stated time.

The tour lasts four hours, but the exact start time should be checked when you book. The scheduled travel time includes about 45 minutes on the coach before the first viewing stop, 15 minutes between the two countryside stops, and another 45 minutes back to Reykjavik. That leaves roughly two hours outside the vehicle, split between the guided stop and the photography stop.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, a small but useful touch if you want to check weather conditions, message someone at home, or pass the travel time. Still, bring your own entertainment and do not count on a strong signal once you are away from the city.

Two undisclosed stops, two different jobs

The first countryside stop is called a secret stop and includes about one hour of guided time. The point is to get away from city lights and look for the Aurora in a darker setting. Your English-speaking local guide helps direct the group and handles the practical side of the viewing.

Calling the location secret is part of the flexibility. The best viewing point can change with cloud cover, wind, and the Aurora forecast, so a fixed named attraction would not necessarily be useful. The trade-off is that you cannot research the exact setting in advance or know what scenery you will see.

After about 60 minutes, you return to the coach for a 15-minute ride to a second secret stop. This stop is scheduled as a 75-minute photo stop. That extra time matters because Aurora photography often requires patience. The lights may strengthen, fade, or shift while you wait, and a longer stop gives the guide more time to work with changing conditions.

The schedule also gives you a clear idea of the evening. This is not a quick roadside pause followed by a long drive. You spend substantial time outside, so warm clothing is essential even though blankets are supplied.

Why the included photos matter

Night photography is difficult for a beginner. The camera may need a long exposure, a steady position, and settings that are not obvious when you are excited and cold. A phone can sometimes capture strong Northern Lights images, but results vary widely.

This tour includes quality photos with the Aurora, taken by the guide with suitable photography equipment. That is a real benefit for anyone who wants a picture of the experience rather than a collection of dark, blurry phone shots.

The description does not specify how many photos you receive, when they are delivered, or whether every person gets an individual portrait. I would treat the photos as a valuable extra, not the sole reason to book. Ask the provider about delivery details if the images are important to you.

The photo stop is also more than a camera service. It gives you a reason to stay outside and watch the sky instead of giving up after a few minutes. If the lights appear, you have time to enjoy them and pose for photographs. If activity is weak, the long stop may feel cold and slow, which is where the blankets and refreshments become important.

Blankets, chocolate, and Icelandic pastries

The practical comforts are well chosen. A blanket helps when you are standing still in a cold field, and hot chocolate gives you something warm to hold while the guide watches the sky. Icelandic pastries add a local food touch without turning the tour into a formal meal.

You still need weather-appropriate clothing. Wear warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. The supplied blanket is an extra layer, not a substitute for proper winter clothes. You should also expect wind and damp conditions, since Icelandic weather can change quickly.

The food and drink are included, but they should be viewed as refreshments. No full dinner is provided, so eat beforehand if you tend to get hungry late at night. Pickup begins around 9 p.m., and the return to Reykjavik comes roughly four hours later.

The value of $105

At $105 per person, the price is reasonable if you place value on transport, guide service, photography, and a second attempt if the lights fail to appear. You are paying for a focused evening rather than simply finding a dark road and hoping for the best.

The included photos are the strongest value point. A separate photography service could cost more, while doing it yourself may require camera equipment and technical skill. The included refreshments and blanket also make the price easier to accept, especially on a cold night.

Still, the cost does not buy a guaranteed Aurora. Cloud, weather, and solar activity remain outside the provider’s control. You should compare this tour with your own plans: if you already have a rental car, camera, and confidence driving outside Reykjavik at night, you may prefer to search independently. If you want transport and help with photography, the package is more useful.

The free alternative tour helps protect the value of your booking. If the Northern Lights do not appear, you receive entry to another tour within two years of the original date. The supplied information does not say what type of tour the alternative is, so confirm that detail if the backup matters to you.

Weather rules and the uncertainty of the Aurora

Northern Lights tours always involve chance. A clear sky does not guarantee strong Aurora activity, and a promising forecast can change. This operator states clearly that sightings are not guaranteed, which is the right expectation to set.

If bad weather forces cancellation, you may rebook for another evening at no extra charge. You may also receive a full refund. The company aims to send an email before 18:30 if the trip is cancelled, giving you time to adjust dinner plans or arrange another activity.

There is one practical point to remember: if several evenings have been cancelled in a row, the group size may grow. A later departure can therefore be busier than expected. That is not necessarily a problem, but it matters if you are hoping for a quiet, intimate outing.

The free rebooking option is most useful for people spending several nights in Reykjavik. If you leave the country the next morning, a replacement tour within two years will not help much. Build the trip near the middle or end of your stay if seeing the Aurora is a major goal, and keep one spare evening open.

Who should book this experience

I would consider this tour a good fit for first-time visitors who want a straightforward Northern Lights outing without renting a car. The pickup network, coach transport, guide, refreshments, and photo service cover the main practical concerns.

It also suits couples and families with older children who want a keepsake image. Children under eight are not suitable for the activity, and the late hour plus cold outdoor waiting may be tiring for younger participants even above that age.

Photography-minded visitors should find the format appealing, especially if they do not own a camera suited to night work. The 75-minute photo stop gives the guide time to take pictures instead of rushing through a single quick shot.

I would be more cautious if you have only one free night in Iceland. The provider offers refunds or another evening if weather cancels the trip, but no company can create clear skies or Aurora activity on demand. You may want to keep your schedule flexible and treat this as one part of your Iceland trip rather than its central promise.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear several warm layers rather than one heavy coat. Add waterproof outer clothing, gloves, a hat, and shoes that can handle uneven or damp ground. The tour supplies blankets, but you may be outside for up to two hours in total.

Charge your phone before pickup. You can use the free Wi-Fi onboard, but your own battery matters for photos, messages, and navigation around your accommodation after the drop-off.

Have a proper meal before departure, since the included hot chocolate and pastries are snacks. If you take personal medication or need regular food, plan for the four-hour duration.

Keep your expectations flexible. The sky may stay dark, the Aurora may appear faintly, or the lights may come out strongly. The tour’s value comes from having transport, a guide, a warm place to return to, and a second-chance policy when nature does not cooperate.

Pickup and return across the capital area

You can return to one of the same 20 listed locations, including Harpa Concert Hall, City Hall, Miðbakki, Vesturbugt, and several Reykjavik hotels. This is helpful if your lodging is not directly on a main coach route.

The long list of stops adds convenience but also creates a little complexity. Check the exact pickup and drop-off point rather than assuming the bus will stop at your hotel. The tour includes pickup and drop-off within the capital area, not a general transfer service anywhere in Iceland.

Because the trip ends late, knowing your return point in advance will make the evening easier. If you are staying near one of the listed stops, you can plan the walk back before leaving. If you are staying outside the capital area, you should confirm that your accommodation is covered before booking.

My booking verdict

Book this tour if you want a practical, guided Aurora outing from Reykjavik, especially if included photography matters to you. The two viewing stops, 75-minute photo session, blankets, hot chocolate, pastries, Wi-Fi, and weather backup give the $105 price solid value.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, dislike waiting outdoors, or have no spare evening for a weather change. The moderate 3.5 rating from 26 reviews is a reminder to keep expectations realistic.

For most visitors, I would place this tour early enough in a Reykjavik stay to allow a second attempt. Bring serious cold-weather clothing, arrive at the correct pickup stop, and think of the Aurora as a gift from the sky, not a scheduled show.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including coach travel, two countryside stops, and the return to Reykjavik.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup starts from 21:00. Check availability for the exact starting time and confirm your selected pickup point.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on weather, cloud cover, and natural Aurora activity, so they are not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

You may rebook for another evening free of charge, or receive a full refund if the tour is cancelled because of bad weather.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes Reykjavik-area pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking certified local guide, quality Northern Lights photos, hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, a warm blanket, free Wi-Fi onboard, and entry to another tour within two years if the lights do not appear.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under eight years old.