REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Northern Lights in Mini Bus, Photos, Hot Cocoa and Pastries
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Glaciers and Waterfalls ehf · Bookable on GetYourGuide
The lights are closer than you think.
This tour turns the usual Northern Lights dream into a real nighttime plan: you leave Reykjavik’s city glow in a mini bus, head into darker countryside, and search for the aurora with an English-speaking guide. The vibe is simple and practical, not fancy—cold air outside, warm comfort waiting for you.
I especially like two things. First, the photo help so you get pictures of you under the aurora, not just blurry sky shots. Second, the warmth: you’re set up with blankets, hot cocoa, and local pastries while you wait.
One thing to keep in mind: sightings can’t be guaranteed. Aurora viewing depends on weather and also solar activity, so you’re signing up for the best effort, not a promise.
In This Review
- Key Points Before You Go
- The Real Value: Getting Away From Reykjavik’s Light
- Mini Bus Pickup and the Flow of a 4-Hour Night
- How the Aurora Hunt Works With an Expert Guide
- What You’ll Do During the Time Outside
- Getting Aurora Photos of You, Not Just the Sky
- Cozy Warmth: Cocoa, Pastries, and Blankets
- What Makes This Tour Good Value at $124
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Different)
- The Weather Reality Check You Should Plan For
- Should You Book This Northern Lights Mini Bus Tour?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour start?
- How long is the Northern Lights tour?
- What is the price per person?
- What’s included in the tour?
- Are meals included?
- Will I get photos taken during the tour?
- What should I know about aurora sightings?
- What vehicle is used for pickup?
- Is the tour suitable for young children?
Key Points Before You Go
- Small-group-style mini bus pickup from Reykjavik to get you away from light pollution fast
- Guide Tomas’ approach uses sky-science and weather patterns to improve your odds
- Complimentary aurora photos help you actually end up with images of you in the lights
- Hot cocoa, pastries, and blankets keep the cold part of the night bearable
- Weather- and sun-dependent viewing means flexibility matters more than rigid expectations
The Real Value: Getting Away From Reykjavik’s Light
Northern Lights watching is one of those experiences where location matters more than hype. Reykjavik is beautiful, but it’s also bright. When you’re standing under streetlights, even a strong aurora can look washed out.
That’s why I like the core setup here. You’re not trying to hunt the lights yourself with a vague map and a hopeful sky. You’re leaving the city glow behind and heading out into darker areas with a guide who’s actively looking for better conditions. For you, that usually means fewer wasted minutes staring at clouds and more time facing the sky with a plan.
Also, the tour’s “warm waiting” style is a smart move. You’re not just freezing and standing there until something happens. You’ve got a cozy rhythm built in—blankets, hot cocoa, and pastries—so you can stay patient without turning the night into an endurance test.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Reykjavik
Mini Bus Pickup and the Flow of a 4-Hour Night
This is a short tour, lasting about 4 hours, with pickup included from Reykjavik. The vehicle is a Mercedes Sprinter mini bus marked Glaciers and waterfalls. That matters because it makes it easier to find the group quickly when you’re tired and it’s dark outside.
In a four-hour window, you want efficiency. The tour is set up to do exactly that: get you out far enough to have a shot, then spend time searching and enjoying the moment if the sky cooperates. You’ll also get free WiFi on board, which is handy if you want to check plans, share a quick message, or just keep your phone useful without draining your battery early in the night.
The short duration also changes how you should think about success. If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, you might be tempted to judge the tour too harshly. But in aurora season, your best strategy is to focus on whether the guide is putting you in good conditions and keeping you comfortable while you wait.
How the Aurora Hunt Works With an Expert Guide
The guide role here is not just “point and look.” You’re following someone who’s been thinking about aurora conditions in real time. The tour description makes it clear that the guide uses their knowledge of weather patterns to improve the chances of a good sighting.
That approach showed up in the guide feedback—people liked how Tomas was friendly and informative, and how he explained the science behind how the lights appear. I think that’s more than trivia. When you understand the basics—what drives the aurora and why sky conditions matter—you’re less likely to second-guess what you’re seeing.
Another practical point: the guide is actively finding “hidden spots” away from the worst light pollution. That’s important because the aurora can be visible from many directions, but clouds, haze, and brightness will decide whether it looks like a magical ribbon or a faint smudge.
This is also why the tour isn’t a guarantee. Even with great guidance, you can run into bad cloud cover or solar conditions. You’re booking a high-quality search, not a lottery ticket.
What You’ll Do During the Time Outside
Once you’re in the right darkness, the main activity is straightforward: you watch, wait, and look for movement in the sky. You’ll admire the Aurora Borealis as it dances overhead when conditions line up.
The experience is structured enough to keep it relaxing. When you stop, you’re not just left to fend for yourself. You have blankets to stay warm, plus hot cocoa and pastries to take the edge off the cold. That’s a big deal for a winter night, because comfort affects patience. When you’re warm, you notice subtle changes in the aurora faster.
Also, the tour is designed with photography in mind. That means your outdoor time isn’t only about seeing the lights with your eyes. It’s about getting the lights into your camera—and having you positioned well for it.
Getting Aurora Photos of You, Not Just the Sky
One of the most common Northern Lights regrets is having a great aurora night where you only end up with pictures of empty sky. This tour tries to prevent that with complimentary photos of you with the Northern Lights.
How? You have a guide who will capture high-quality photographs of you under the aurora. That’s a major value add because it removes the guesswork of where to stand, when to take the shot, and how to frame yourself against the sky.
I also like that the tour explicitly calls out that the photos are meant for you to cherish afterward. That’s a clue that they’re taking the time to do it right rather than doing quick snaps and moving on.
Bring a realistic expectation, though. Aurora intensity varies, and clouds can soften everything. If the sky is muted, your photos will reflect that. The good news is that you’re not struggling alone—you’re working with someone focused on getting usable results when the lights show up.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik
Cozy Warmth: Cocoa, Pastries, and Blankets
This is a rare aurora tour that treats comfort like part of the experience, not an afterthought. You get blankets to use outdoors, plus warm hot cocoa and a taste of Icelandic pastry.
For you, that adds up to better staying power. The aurora can come and go, and you don’t want to rush your own enjoyment just because your hands feel numb. With blankets and a warm drink in play, you can actually settle into the waiting.
The pastry stop also feels grounded and local. It’s not a meal and it’s not a banquet, but the description makes it clear you’ll have a taste. For me, that fits the night perfectly: enough food to keep energy steady, not so much that it becomes heavy or distracting.
And yes, it’s worth noting: meals are not included. So if you’re hungry before the tour starts, you’ll want to eat beforehand and then treat the cocoa and pastry as a winter snack and comfort break.
What Makes This Tour Good Value at $124
At $124 per person for about 4 hours, you might wonder if it’s pricey. Here’s how I’d judge the value based on what’s included.
You’re paying for:
- Transfers to and from Reykjavik
- An English-speaking guide
- Blankets for outdoor comfort
- Hot cocoa and an Icelandic pastry taste
- Complimentary aurora photos of you
- Free WiFi
When you total those benefits, the price starts to look more reasonable. Photo help and transfers alone can easily cost more when you try to piece it together on your own. Add the guide’s active search for better sky conditions, and you’re buying both convenience and a higher odds experience.
The best way to think about this price is not as a “Northern Lights ticket.” It’s a bundled night out: transportation + guidance + warmth + photo results. If you’re comfortable with the reality that sightings aren’t guaranteed, then the package is a strong use of your time in Iceland.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Different)
This tour is a good match if you want a guided aurora night that stays practical. You don’t need to be an astronomy nerd, but you’ll appreciate a guide who explains the science and actively improves your chances.
I’d also say it’s a smart pick if you care about photos of yourself in the lights. The complimentary photo service removes a lot of stress and makes it easier to come away with real keepsakes.
It’s not suitable for children under 5. That’s the kind of restriction you should respect, especially for a winter nighttime experience with outdoor standing and cold.
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants full control—choosing every stop yourself, doing your own photo setup, or refusing any group structure—then this might feel a bit guided. But if you’d rather let someone else handle the hunt while you focus on staying warm and watching the sky, you’ll probably enjoy it.
The Weather Reality Check You Should Plan For
Northern Lights tours live and die by conditions. The tour notes that sightings depend on both Earth weather and solar activity, and that viewing can’t be guaranteed.
So your decision should come down to flexibility. If your trip schedule is tight and you can’t handle the possibility of missing the lights, you may feel disappointed even with a great guide and a well-run night.
But if you’re open to the idea that Iceland is honest about weather—cold, clouds, and all—and you want a strong plan for the chances you get, this tour’s structure is built for that mindset.
The guide’s job is to maximize your odds, not control the sky. When you accept that, you’ll get more enjoyment from the whole experience, even if the aurora is faint or brief.
Should You Book This Northern Lights Mini Bus Tour?
I think you should book it if your priorities are: guided searching, warm comfort, and coming home with photos that include you in the sky. The mini bus transfer from Reykjavik plus the blanket-and-hot-cocoa setup makes the night feel manageable, and the photo service is a clear value driver.
You should pause and double-check your expectations if you’re the type who needs a guaranteed aurora sighting. This tour is weather-dependent. You’re booking a top-notch attempt, not a guaranteed win.
If you want a straightforward, winter-friendly Northern Lights experience with a guide who takes both science and spotting seriously, this one fits.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
The tour includes pickup from Reykjavik and returns you there afterward.
How long is the Northern Lights tour?
The duration is 4 hours.
What is the price per person?
The price is $124 per person.
What’s included in the tour?
Included items are transfer to/from Reykjavik, an English-speaking guide, complimentary photos of you with the Northern Lights, Icelandic pastry, blankets, hot cocoa, and free WiFi.
Are meals included?
No, meals are not included.
Will I get photos taken during the tour?
Yes. The tour includes complimentary photos of you with the Northern Lights.
What should I know about aurora sightings?
Sightings cannot be guaranteed because viewing depends on weather conditions and solar activity.
What vehicle is used for pickup?
Pickup is on a Mercedes Sprinter mini bus marked Glaciers and waterfalls.
Is the tour suitable for young children?
It is not suitable for children under 5 years.
If you want, tell me your travel dates and where you’re staying in Reykjavik, and I’ll suggest the best way to plan your evening around the 4-hour window.
