Based on nearly 2,900 reviews, this tour offers one of the most practical approaches to hunting for the aurora borealis from Iceland’s capital. We particularly love two things about this experience: the company’s commitment to only running tours when weather forecasts look promising, and their genuine “no-see, no-pay” philosophy that lets you rebook free if the lights don’t cooperate. The main consideration is that northern lights are never guaranteed—even with perfect conditions, nature has the final say.
This tour works best for travelers visiting Reykjavik during aurora season (mid-August through March) who want a structured, guided experience with transportation included rather than trying to hunt lights on their own. If you’re flexible with timing and willing to potentially try multiple nights, this setup significantly improves your odds compared to solo efforts.
- What Makes This Northern Lights Hunt Different
- The Practical Details: Timing and Logistics
- What Happens During Your Four Hours
- The Real Value Proposition
- What the Reviews Tell Us About Consistency
- Realistic Expectations About Seeing the Lights
- Practical Considerations Before Booking
- Who Should Book This Tour
- FAQ: Your Northern Lights Tour Questions Answered
- More Photography Tours in Reykjavik
- More Tours in Reykjavik
- More Tour Reviews in Reykjavik
What Makes This Northern Lights Hunt Different
Most northern lights tours operate on a “you pay and hope” model. This company takes a refreshingly honest approach: if you don’t see the lights, you can rebook for free as many times as needed until you do. This policy reflects real confidence in their operation and removes some of the sting from Iceland’s unpredictable weather.
It was a cold clear night but unfortunately Northern Lights didn't illuminate. We're going to reschedule for another night. Our tour guide BG made it a fun evening nonetheless.
Great experience. Bjarni our guide was excellent. We saw the lights although their activity was not high. Bjarni, drove us about to get the best sightings. The hot chocolate and pastries were amazing
The experience was very professional and very nice!
The tour limits groups to 19 people maximum, which might seem larger than ideal but actually works well in practice. Smaller groups can feel crowded when everyone’s craning their necks skyward, and this size keeps things manageable while supporting the operation’s sustainability.
The inclusion of professional photography is particularly valuable. Rather than relying on your own camera skills in near-total darkness, you’re getting shots taken by someone who knows their equipment and has done this hundreds of times. One traveler noted their guide “took hundreds of photos of the northern lights” that were delivered via email the next morning—a keepsake that often matters more than the experience itself once you’re back home.
The Practical Details: Timing and Logistics
Pickup timing varies significantly by season, which matters for your planning. Between mid-August and early September, pickups start at 21:30 (9:30 PM), while from September through March, they begin at 20:30 (8:30 PM). The tour lasts approximately four hours total, so you’re looking at a late night that won’t conclude until well after midnight.
The company picks you up from your Reykjavik hotel or a nearby location—though they note you might occasionally need to meet them at the closest bus stop depending on where you’re staying. This flexibility helps them accommodate various hotel locations without making pickups impossibly long. The drive itself takes you away from the city’s light pollution to wherever conditions look best that evening.
This is where the operation’s real skill comes in. Rather than taking everyone to a predetermined spot, your guide stays in contact with the office and other local observers throughout the evening. If clouds roll in over your initial location, they’ll pack up and drive elsewhere. One reviewer mentioned their guide drove them around “to get the best sightings,” repositioning the group multiple times to chase clearer skies. This active hunting approach beats the static-location strategy many competitors use.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Reykjavik
What Happens During Your Four Hours
You’ll start with a pickup from your accommodation in the early evening. The drive itself isn’t wasted time—experienced guides use this window to share Icelandic culture, history, and local tips. Multiple reviews mention guides who were “very knowledgeable” and shared “a ton of great facts about the country.” One traveler noted their guide even recommended specific restaurants and Icelandic dishes to try, turning the drive into informal cultural education.
Unfortunately, we didn't see the Northern Lights, but our guide, Bjarni, did an amazing job of keeping us positive, hopeful, and entertained with great tips about Iceland's culture and history while waiting for the lights
An amazing night and experience all thanks to Johann! Without him we would have not had the night we did. We had all given up that we were not going to see the aurora, but his enthusiasm and passion for searching made it all worthwhile! And we did eventually see them. The little extras such as homemade hot chocolate (which was amazing) and pastries kept our spirits high. Thank you so much for sharing this night with us.
Great guide Johan was very aware that we were hunting auroras, he did it great. He took us amazing pictures, gave us a lot of local traditions information, also recomended places to eat, foid we should try. He was very patient!! Chicolate and cake wee amazing.
Once you reach a viewing location, there's often a waiting period. This isn't downtime—it's when the magic might happen. The company provides homemade hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls, which reviewers consistently praised with genuine enthusiasm. One traveler called them "amazing," while another described "Grandma's hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls" that kept spirits high during the wait. Blankets are available too, which matters when you're standing outside in Icelandic winter temperatures that can dip well below freezing.
The guides clearly understand the psychological challenge of waiting in the cold for something that might not appear. They keep groups entertained and informed. One reviewer mentioned their guide had "a great sense of humor," while another praised how their guide "explained to us that we shouldn't be discouraged if we don't see lights," setting realistic expectations upfront.
If the lights do appear, your guide springs into action with their professional camera equipment. They'll photograph you with the aurora as the backdrop, capturing moments you likely couldn't get with your own phone or camera. These photos arrive via email the morning after the tour—a tangible souvenir that helps justify the tour's cost.
The Real Value Proposition
At approximately €300 per person (based on one reviewer's mention), you're paying for several things beyond just the aurora hunt: professional transportation in a comfortable minivan, expert knowledge about where conditions are best, a guide trained in aurora photography, included refreshments, and the company's commitment to free rebooking if unsuccessful.
Compare this to renting a car and driving yourself (fuel costs, rental fees, potential navigation challenges in darkness on unfamiliar roads) or trying to find the lights without local knowledge (you'd likely end up in the wrong location or with cloud cover blocking your view). The structured approach removes significant variables that could ruin your night.
The professional photos are worth considering in the value equation. Professional camera equipment capable of capturing aurora properly costs hundreds of dollars, and knowing how to use it in freezing darkness takes experience. You're essentially getting professional photography services included, which would cost €100+ if booked separately.
What the Reviews Tell Us About Consistency
With nearly 2,900 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, patterns emerge clearly. The strongest consistent praise focuses on guide quality—specific names like Bjarni, Johann, and "BG" appear repeatedly in five-star reviews, always with enthusiastic descriptions of their knowledge, patience, and enthusiasm. This suggests the company invests in training and hiring quality guides.
The most common five-star theme involves guides who actively problem-solve. One reviewer described how their guide "nailed the perfect spot. No other people, no city lights, just some beautiful northern lights." Another mentioned their guide "worked hard on a cloudy night to search out some northern lights." These aren't passive tours; guides are actively hunting.
However, the reviews also reveal legitimate concerns worth understanding. A handful of one-star reviews mention guides who seemed to know conditions were poor but ran tours anyway, or drivers who operated unsafely. One reviewer noted serious safety concerns about "driving far too fast for the road and weather conditions, in complete darkness," which is a legitimate red flag. Another traveler felt their guide was angry when they insisted on staying out longer and took deliberately poor photos as a result.
These negative experiences appear to represent outliers (only about 5% of reviews are one or two stars), but they suggest that experience quality can vary significantly depending on which guide you get. This is worth acknowledging: you're not just booking a tour, you're partially booking a specific guide's professionalism and attitude.
Realistic Expectations About Seeing the Lights
The company is admirably transparent that northern lights are never guaranteed. Multiple reviews from travelers who didn't see the lights still gave four or five stars, praising their guides for keeping the experience enjoyable despite the null result. One reviewer wrote: "Unfortunately, we didn't see the Northern Lights, but our guide, Bjarni, did an amazing job of keeping us positive, hopeful, and entertained."
The free rebooking policy means you're not locked into a single night. One traveler noted: "We went twice because we did not see any lights the first time. The company was easy to work with in terms of getting on another tour." This flexibility is genuinely valuable if you have several nights in Reykjavik.
That said, the rebooking policy comes with practical limits. One reviewer expressed frustration that they "requested a make up tour and got ignored," suggesting communication can sometimes break down. Another mentioned they only had one night available and couldn't take advantage of rebooking, so if you're visiting for just a few days, you're taking a gamble.
The weather dependency is real. Iceland's winter clouds are unpredictable. Some nights, you might drive for hours and see nothing but overcast skies. Other nights, you might step out of your hotel and see the lights immediately (as one lucky traveler experienced). The company's strategy of only running tours when forecasts look good helps, but forecasts aren't perfect, as they honestly acknowledge.
Practical Considerations Before Booking
Dress warmly. This isn't a suggestion—it's essential. You're standing outside in Icelandic darkness for hours. One reviewer specifically advised bringing "thick clothing to stay cozy." The blankets help, but proper layers matter more.
Cancel if needed. The 24-hour cancellation policy is genuinely free, so if weather forecasts deteriorate the day before your tour, you can cancel without penalty and try another night.
Be flexible on dates if possible. Multiple nights in Reykjavik during aurora season significantly increases your odds. If you're locked into a single night, you're gambling with weather conditions beyond anyone's control.
Manage expectations about photo quality. While guides take professional photos, the aurora's brightness varies enormously. Some nights you get spectacular dancing lights; other nights, the aurora is subtle and only visible through long camera exposures. The photos you receive will reflect what nature actually provided that night.
Plan for late nights. Tours don't typically finish until 1 or 2 AM. If you have early activities planned the next morning, this affects your energy and enjoyment.
Who Should Book This Tour
This tour makes sense if you're visiting Reykjavik during aurora season (mid-August through March) and want a structured, guided approach with transportation included. It's particularly valuable if you don't have a rental car or feel uncomfortable driving on dark Icelandic roads.
It's less necessary if you're already renting a car and comfortable using aurora forecasting websites to hunt independently. The guides add value through local knowledge and photography services, but you could potentially see lights on your own if you're willing to invest the time and effort.
It's a good fit if you have multiple nights in Reykjavik and can take advantage of free rebooking. It's riskier if you're visiting for just one or two days and need to see the lights on a specific night—you might be disappointed.
#1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos
"It was a cold clear night but unfortunately Northern Lights didn't illuminate. We're going to reschedule for another night. Our tour guide BG made ..."
FAQ: Your Northern Lights Tour Questions Answered
What time does the tour actually start?
Pickup times vary by season. From August 15 to September 10, pickups start at 21:30 (9:30 PM). From September 11 through March 30, pickups begin at 20:30 (8:30 PM). The entire tour lasts approximately four hours, so you'll typically finish between 12:30 AM and 2:00 AM depending on season.
What if my hotel isn't on a direct pickup route?
The company serves the Reykjavik Capital Area with hotel pickups, though they may occasionally ask you to meet them at the closest bus stop if your accommodation is in an inconvenient location. It's worth confirming your specific pickup location when you book.
Is the tour really free if I don't see the lights?
You don't get a refund if you don't see the aurora, but you can rebook for free as many times as needed until you do see them (pending availability). This is contingent on you contacting the company to arrange the rebooking—it's not automatic.
What's included in the tour price?
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation in a minivan, a professional guide, hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls, blankets, professional photography of you with the aurora (if visible), and those photos delivered via email the next morning.
How many people will be on the tour?
Maximum group size is 19 travelers, which keeps things manageable while remaining economically viable for the company.
What should I wear?
Dress very warmly. You'll be standing outside in Icelandic winter temperatures, often well below freezing. Layers, a warm coat, hat, gloves, and insulated boots are essential. The company provides blankets, but proper clothing is more important.
Will I definitely see the northern lights?
No. Northern lights depend on solar activity, cloud cover, and weather conditions. The company only runs tours when weather forecasts look promising, but forecasts aren't 100% accurate. You might see a spectacular show, a subtle glow, or nothing at all—it's genuinely dependent on nature.
What if bad weather forces cancellation?
If the company cancels due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund. This is a legitimate reason for cancellation and protects you from paying for a tour in unsafe conditions.
Can I cancel if I change my mind?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours forfeit your payment, so plan accordingly.
How good will the professional photos actually be?
Quality depends on aurora activity that night. If the lights are bright and active, you'll get impressive photos. If the aurora is subtle, photos will reflect that reality. The guide's skill and equipment matter, but ultimately, nature determines the final product.
Bottom Line: This tour represents solid value if you're willing to accept that northern lights are inherently unpredictable. The combination of experienced guides, professional photography services, comfortable transportation, and honest rebooking policies removes much of the frustration from aurora hunting. The consistently praised guide quality and the company's willingness to reposition groups throughout the evening show genuine commitment to maximizing your chances. However, success ultimately depends on weather cooperation and solar activity—factors no tour operator can control. Book this tour if you're spending multiple nights in Reykjavik during aurora season and want expert guidance rather than solo hunting. Manage your expectations about guarantees, dress properly for Icelandic winter, and view each night as an adventure regardless of whether the lights appear. For many travelers, the experience of waiting under starry skies with a guide and hot chocolate proves memorable even without aurora—but when the lights do dance across the sky, you'll have professional photos to prove it really happened.
