REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Northern Lights Small Group Tour from Reykjavik
Book on Viator →Operated by Simply Iceland · Bookable on Viator
Chasing the lights beats guessing on your own. This tour is built for one goal: maximize your chances of seeing the aurora by getting out of Reykjavik and following an expert’s plan for where the sky might cooperate. You’ll also get northern lights photo help, plus guide talk that connects what you see to the science behind it.
I also like the way the experience keeps you comfortable while you wait. Guides such as Arnie, Diego, and Greco have a reputation for staying upbeat, taking time to help people spot the lights, and even offering warm drinks and snacks when the night turns icy.
One thing to weigh up: the northern lights are never guaranteed. Some nights really do end up being a low-probability hunt, with the guide driving and repositioning as conditions change—so you’ll want to go in with realistic expectations.
In This Review
- Key things that make this tour work
- Aurora hunting starts the moment you leave Reykjavik
- How the guide chooses the route (and what you should expect)
- The photography help is more than a nice extra
- Hot drinks, donuts, and the small comforts that keep you in the game
- Getting picked up in Reykjavik without a car
- Price and value: what $117.29 buys you
- The main trade-off: no guarantee, even with the best plan
- Who should book this tour?
- Should you book this northern lights small-group tour from Reykjavik?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- What time does the Northern Lights Small Group Tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is pickup available in Reykjavik?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Do I need a car to do this tour?
- Does the tour help with northern lights photography?
- What if the aurora conditions are poor?
- What happens if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?
- What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?
Key things that make this tour work
- Small group size (max 19): easier to move, ask questions, and actually see what the guide points out
- Route decisions based on aurora activity and cloud cover: you’re not just driving randomly
- Photo help: spots for photos plus guidance to improve your results
- Warm drinks and pastries: practical comfort during a long chilly wait
- Dedicated pickup in the city: no car rental stress, even if you’re staying downtown
Aurora hunting starts the moment you leave Reykjavik
This is a purpose-built northern lights run, not a general sightseeing bus ride. The start time is 9:00 pm, and the timing matters because aurora viewing is all about darkness and sky conditions. Once you depart, the big win is leaving the city’s light pollution behind, which makes faint aurora more noticeable.
The other key detail is that your guide decides where to go. The plan is set up based on aurora activity and cloud conditions, and then adjusted as the night unfolds. That’s how you avoid the most common mistake on your own: picking one spot and hoping the sky cooperates there.
Because the group is capped at 19, you’re more likely to get a clear look when the lights appear. With larger groups, people block each other, phones go up at the wrong angles, and the moment gets messy. Here, the smaller setup makes the experience feel focused on the sky, not logistics.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
How the guide chooses the route (and what you should expect)
The tour runs for about 4 hours, but the “action” inside that time usually happens in waves. You’ll depart from Reykjavik, and then your guide heads south, north, or east depending on conditions. The important part is that the guide isn’t guessing—you’re following a strategy.
Guides are trained to read the night like a puzzle: where aurora activity looks promising and where cloud cover is least likely to ruin it. That helps you understand why the route might change. If your eyes aren’t seeing much right away, it doesn’t automatically mean a failure—it can mean the guide is repositioning for a better slice of the sky.
Expect the night to be a mix of scanning and waiting. Sometimes you’ll catch the lights quickly, and sometimes it’s slower. That’s normal for Iceland’s aurora viewing. One theme that comes through strongly is that the guides keep working the plan, stopping at multiple areas rather than calling it quits after one attempt.
The photography help is more than a nice extra
Northern lights photos are hard, even when the aurora is clearly visible to your eyes. That’s why I like that this tour includes help with photographing the aurora, not just watching. Your guide can point you to the best viewing spots and guide you toward settings and angles that fit the moment.
You’ll also find that composition matters just as much as brightness. A guide who’s done this repeatedly can help you frame the aurora with darker foregrounds, manage glare from phones, and reduce wasted time experimenting when the sky is actually alive.
On top of that, the experience can include personal photo support. Some guides have provided photos and shared them via a link after the tour. Even if you take your own shots, having a few extra images to work with can save you the stress of figuring everything out on a night when the aurora appears fast and then fades.
Hot drinks, donuts, and the small comforts that keep you in the game
Waiting in Iceland wind takes energy. This tour treats that reality seriously with warm drinks and snacks. Reviews mention hot chocolate and pastries, including donuts and cinnamon rolls, which sounds simple until you’re standing outside for a while.
That comfort has a practical payoff: it helps you stay attentive. The northern lights can start subtly—more like a shimmer than fireworks—and you need patience and a steady gaze. When you’re cold and distracted, you miss the early phase.
The best guides also bring an upbeat, determined vibe. Names like Arnie, Diego, and Greco show up in feedback as people who keep encouraging the group and don’t rush through the search. You want that attitude because the aurora doesn’t follow a schedule. The guide’s energy helps you stay focused.
Getting picked up in Reykjavik without a car
You don’t need to rent a car for this one. Pickup is offered, and the meeting details are clear: use busstop.is if you’re staying in downtown Reykjavik, then look for a Mercedes Sprinter minibus labeled Simply Iceland.
This is a real value point because driving to aurora spots on your own can be stressful when you’re tired and it’s dark. Also, parking and finding the right pull-offs is hit-or-miss. With pickup handled, you can stay present and ready to move when the guide spots a better opening in the sky.
You should also know the tour uses a mobile ticket. That matters in a place where you’ll likely be checking your phone for directions, the time, and camera settings.
Price and value: what $117.29 buys you
At $117.29 per person for about 4 hours, this tour sits in the “pay for expertise” category. You’re not just paying for a bus. You’re paying for a guide who can scan the sky, interpret conditions, and reposition you to places with better chances.
You also get organization that would be hard to replicate solo: planned timing at 9:00 pm, a small-group cap (so you’re not one more face in a crowd), and a route approach based on conditions rather than personal intuition. In aurora terms, that’s often what turns a frustrating night into a memorable one.
Admission is listed as free, so the cost is mainly transportation plus guide service. For many people, that makes the price easier to justify, especially if you’re traveling without a car or don’t want the headache of deciding where to drive each time.
The main trade-off: no guarantee, even with the best plan
Here’s the honest part. The northern lights don’t turn on because you bought a ticket. Iceland nights can be clear and active—or they can be cloudy, weak, or both.
When the lights are unlikely, the guide still has to do something: drive, scan, stop, and try. That can feel like “just filling time” if you end up with no strong aurora. On the other hand, this is also how you avoid a guaranteed early stop. In low-probability conditions, the best effort still includes movement and searching.
If you’re choosing between an organized tour and DIY driving, organized usually wins on effort and decision-making. Still, go in expecting an aurora hunt, not an aurora appointment.
One more note: safety trust matters. There was at least one report where someone felt uneasy about trust around safety. If anything feels off during the night—about how the group is being handled or where you’re walking—speak up right away. Good guides want clear communication, and you’re there to enjoy the night.
Who should book this tour?
I think this tour is a strong fit if you:
- want maximum odds without renting a car
- like the idea of a guide translating aurora science into something you can actually understand in the moment
- care about better photos, not just plain sightseeing
- prefer a smaller group atmosphere (max 19)
It may be less ideal if you:
- need a guaranteed outcome in advance (aurora viewing can’t promise that)
- don’t want any driving or repositioning during the hunt
- get frustrated with waiting in cold conditions, even with snacks and warm drinks
If you’re flexible, patient, and okay with the hunt style of viewing, this setup is built for your mindset.
Should you book this northern lights small-group tour from Reykjavik?
Yes—if you want a guided, structured aurora night where your guide actively searches rather than handing you a vague recommendation. The blend of expert route decisions, small-group size, and photo help is what makes this feel like better value than cobbling together your own plan in the dark.
Book it especially if you’re downtown and don’t want to deal with transport and parking. If the weather or aurora conditions don’t cooperate, you’ll at least be part of a methodical attempt, with warm drinks to keep you comfortable during the wait.
FAQ
FAQ
What time does the Northern Lights Small Group Tour start?
The tour starts at 9:00 pm.
How long is the tour?
It lasts about 4 hours.
How many people are in the group?
The maximum group size is 19 travelers.
Is pickup available in Reykjavik?
Yes. Pickup is offered, and downtown Reykjavik pickup uses busstop.is. You’ll look for a Mercedes Sprinter minibus labeled Simply Iceland.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
Do I need a car to do this tour?
No. This tour is designed so you can get out of the city without renting a car.
Does the tour help with northern lights photography?
Yes. The experience includes help with photographing the northern lights and choosing good photographing areas.
What if the aurora conditions are poor?
Aurora viewing depends on real conditions. The guide will drive and search based on aurora activity and cloud conditions, but there is no guaranteed sighting.
What happens if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?
If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
