Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

We’ve reviewed countless Northern Lights tours, and this one from Chasing Lights strikes an impressive balance between reasonable pricing, professional expertise, and genuine effort to get you in front of the aurora. What we really appreciate is the commitment to flexibility—your guides will chase the best conditions wherever they appear that evening, even if it means driving deep into Finland. You’re also getting professional photography included, which means you’ll leave with stunning images rather than just memories and smartphone snaps.

The main consideration worth noting upfront: this is a real chase, not a casual evening drive. You could easily spend 8-9 hours on the bus, potentially not returning until 3 a.m., and there’s no guarantee you’ll see the lights. If you need to be fresh the next morning or you’re unwilling to accept that Northern Lights are unpredictable, this tour might test your patience.

This experience works best for travelers who are genuinely curious about the aurora phenomenon, who can handle late nights and extended driving, and who understand that chasing nature means accepting what nature decides to show you. If you’re flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to embrace the adventure—including the possibility of not seeing anything—you’ve found a tour worth booking.

What You’re Actually Getting for $151

At $151 per person, you’re looking at one of the better values for guided aurora hunting in Tromsø. To put this in perspective, many Northern Lights tours in the region run anywhere from $180 to $250 per person. What makes this price point compelling is what’s bundled in: a professional guide (or guides, depending on group size), transportation in a heated bus, hot beverages to keep you warm, and—this is the kicker—professional photographs taken during your experience, sent to you free of charge.

The photography inclusion matters more than it might sound. Most travelers end up taking mediocre smartphone photos in the dark, then spending the rest of their lives wishing they had better images of one of Earth’s most spectacular natural phenomena. These guides are trained photographers who know how to capture the aurora properly. One reviewer gushed, “Soraia especially took some great photos and these files were included for free,” while another traveler mentioned their guide “took photos of everyone with fantastic backgrounds.”

You’re also not paying extra for hotel pickup and drop-off, which keeps costs down if you’re comfortable arranging your own transportation to the meeting point at Tromsø Bus Station (Samuel Arnesens gate 5). The trade-off is transparent: you save money by meeting at the central bus terminal rather than having guides come to scattered hotels across the city.

How the Evening Actually Unfolds

The adventure kicks off at 5:20 p.m., which means you’ll be heading out while there’s still a touch of twilight in the sky. Your guides will assess cloud cover, aurora forecasts, and atmospheric conditions, then make real-time decisions about where to drive. This isn’t a preset route—it’s a genuine chase. You might head north toward the Arctic, south into the backcountry, or even across the border into Finnish Lapland if conditions look promising there.

One traveler who experienced the full adventure described it this way: “We drove for about two hours, around and south of Tromso, until finding a huge field full of snow about 2 feet deep. The Aurora started slowly coming in from the distance and then danced directly above our heads. They came in waves, so we were there for about 1.5-2 hours. It was magical.”

The bus itself serves as your mobile base camp. You’ll have access to a toilet on board (though it’s only available when the bus is stopped), charging ports for your devices, and most importantly, heat. The bus is described in reviews as comfortable, which matters when you’re spending hours waiting for the lights to appear.

When your guides spot promising conditions, you’ll stop and head out into the snow. This is where we need to be honest about the terrain: it’s not always a simple walk across a flat field. One experienced traveler noted, “It is a treacherous walk for those that are not agile. The site that we went to was down a hill (in the snow) to a lake. This is in the dark and becomes slick climbing up and down the path. There are ruts in the snow, falling on ice patches, etc.” If you have mobility challenges, this is worth discussing with the company before booking.

Once you’re positioned in a good viewing spot, your guides will set up a campfire, serve hot blackcurrant juice and cookies, and share knowledge about the science and mythology behind what you’re witnessing. Multiple reviewers praised this aspect, with one noting that guides “told us the physics behind what we saw and Soraia told us about the mythology of old.” You’re getting genuine education mixed with the experience, not just standing around hoping for lights.

The return journey to Tromsø typically happens between 10:30 p.m. and 3 a.m., depending on when and where you find the aurora. This is worth planning around—if you have an early morning activity the next day, this tour will make that challenging.

The Guides Make This Tour

What separates a good Northern Lights tour from a forgettable one is almost always the guides, and Chasing Lights has clearly invested in training knowledgeable, enthusiastic people. We’ve seen dozens of reviews mentioning specific guides by name—Soraia, Alex, Marius, Owen, Bailey, Taylor, and others—and the praise is remarkably consistent.

One particularly detailed review captured what makes these guides special: “Their excitement was infectious. Right from the beginning… they said the night before was a lot tougher because of the weather and a weaker show, so it’s a good idea to schedule a tour like this with some time to schedule a second in case luck isn’t on your side, but I would definitely book with Chasing Lights again if we’re lucky enough to return to Tromsø.”

The guides aren’t just aurora chasers—they’re knowledgeable about astronomy, Sámi culture, Norwegian culture, and the science behind the lights. They actively engage with travelers, take time to explain what you’re seeing, and genuinely seem to care about whether you have a good experience. One reviewer noted, “It was clear that they were extremely well prepared — they knew exactly where to take us and when. Throughout the journey, we were constantly informed and guided, always with everyone’s comfort in mind.”

The drivers deserve mention too. Multiple reviews singled out drivers by name (Rafael, Brian, Jamie, Lorenza) for their professionalism and friendliness. These aren’t just transportation operators—they’re part of the team keeping you safe on potentially icy roads while your guides manage the group.

Being Honest About the Drawbacks

We’ve reviewed the criticisms alongside the praise, and a few legitimate concerns emerge that you should understand before booking.

The group size can feel crowded. With a maximum of 50 people on the big bus, you’re not getting an intimate experience. One reviewer was direct: “Going in such a large group took away from the experience a bit. People were fighting over spots to take pictures and view the lights, asking for many pictures from the guides and taking a bigger bus somewhat limits the places you can go to.” That said, this company does occasionally downsize to minibuses for smaller groups, which several reviewers mentioned improved the experience significantly.

The bus temperature is a legitimate issue. Multiple reviewers mentioned the bus becoming uncomfortably hot during the return journey. One described it bluntly: “On the way home, the bus gets so hot that you have to basically disrobe down to your bottom layer. Heat stroke level.” Plan your clothing in layers you can remove easily rather than wearing a heavy coat you can’t take off.

Late-night returns can wreck your next day. Getting back at 1-3 a.m. means you’ll be tired the following day. If you’re on a tight itinerary, you might want to schedule this tour near the end of your Tromsø visit when you have flexibility the next morning.

There’s no guarantee you’ll see the lights. This is nature, not a show. One disappointed reviewer noted, “The forecast that evening said 100% cloud cover yet instead of cancelling the tour and refunding our £302 they went ahead with it knowing we didn’t stand a chance of seeing the lights.” The company does operate in all weather conditions (they sometimes find the best displays on nights with poor forecasts), but occasionally you’ll drive all evening and see nothing. The tour’s policy is clear: there are no refunds if the lights don’t appear.

Meeting point instructions could be clearer. One traveler had to figure out that “meet at gate 5 at the tromso bus station” meant standing outside in bus parking spot number 5. The company could improve their pre-tour communication here.

The Weather Reality You Need to Accept

Northern Lights chasing in Tromsø happens during winter (September through March typically), and conditions are genuinely unpredictable. The company’s approach is refreshingly honest: they operate in all weather, and they’ve found that some of the best displays actually occur on nights with terrible weather forecasts. The cloud cover that looks discouraging at 5 p.m. might clear by 10 p.m., or it might not.

One reviewer who spent 11 hours searching summarized it well: “We spent 11 hours trying to find the Northern Lights. Found them for a few minutes. The lads did everything they could do make it a successful trip but they can’t change the weather. If the above is going to annoy you I would give it a miss.”

However, here’s the flip side: the vast majority of reviewers did see the lights, and many described the experience as life-changing. One 81-year-old traveler who’d failed to see anything much a year prior wrote, “My daughters and I saw the most wonderful activity, quite mind blowing and Meda took photos of everyone with fantastic backgrounds… On our final stop Meda and Brian lit a fire and served hot drinks to keep us warm.”

The cancellation policy does offer protection: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and if the company cancels due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or refund. But once you’re committed and the tour departs, you’re accepting the weather outcome.

Practical Details That Matter

What’s included: Professional guides, transportation, hot beverages (usually blackcurrant juice and hot water), professional photographs, and a campfire experience with snacks. The bus has a toilet, charging ports, and heating.

What’s not included: Thermal suits (though one reviewer mentioned wishing they’d had them), meals beyond hot drinks, or hotel pickup. You need to bring warm clothing—and we mean genuinely warm. Multiple reviewers emphasized the cold: “Prepare yourself because it is COLD outside! But totally worth it!”

Group composition: Groups max out at 50 people, but you’ll meet travelers from around the world. Several reviewers mentioned the international mix as a highlight, with one noting, “We were all from very different parts of the world.”

Booking timing: Most people book about 47 days in advance, which suggests it’s popular but not impossible to book closer to your travel dates if needed.

Value comparison: One savvy traveler noted, “I recommend buying this even directly through the company’s website than the tourist websites. The website costs 1200 NOK while the tourist websites are around 1500 NOK. The company’s website is chasinglights.com.” That’s roughly $115-145 depending on exchange rates—even better value than booking through third-party sites.

Who Should Book This Tour

This tour works beautifully for travelers who genuinely want to see the Northern Lights and understand that it requires flexibility, patience, and acceptance of nature’s unpredictability. It’s ideal if you’re comfortable with late nights, enjoy being part of a group (even if it’s a larger one), and want professional guidance from people who know the Tromsø region intimately.

It’s also excellent value if you care about having quality photographs of the experience. The guides are trained photographers, not just aurora chasers, and you’ll get professional images included rather than relying on your phone camera in the dark.

Skip this tour if you need guaranteed results, if you can’t handle late nights that might not end until 3 a.m., or if you’re unwilling to spend hours driving and potentially not see anything. It’s also worth considering if you have mobility challenges, given the terrain can be uneven and icy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?
A: No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. While the guides are highly skilled at finding the best viewing conditions, there’s no refund if the lights don’t appear. However, the company’s track record suggests most tours do see at least some aurora activity.

Q: What should I wear for this tour?
A: Bring extremely warm clothing in layers. Multiple reviewers emphasized how cold it gets, and you’ll be standing outside for extended periods. Thermal layers, a warm jacket, insulated boots, warm gloves, and a face covering are all recommended. Avoid wearing one heavy coat you can’t remove—you’ll want to shed layers on the return bus journey.

Q: Will I get good photographs of the Northern Lights?
A: Yes, the guides are professional photographers who will take photos during your tour and provide them to you free of charge. You’ll also be able to take your own photos, though the guides’ professional images will likely be superior to anything you capture with a smartphone.

Q: How long is this tour really?
A: The tour runs 5-9 hours, with return times between 10:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. The length depends on weather conditions, how far your guides need to drive to find clear skies, and how long the aurora display lasts once you find it.

Q: Is hotel pickup included?
A: No. You’ll meet at Tromsø Bus Station (Samuel Arnesens gate 5) at 5:20 p.m. You can arrange your own transportation there, or check with your hotel about shuttle options.

Q: What if I don’t see the Northern Lights?
A: There’s no refund if the lights don’t appear. However, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund if you want to reschedule for a different night with better forecasts.

Q: Will the bus have a bathroom?
A: Yes, the bus has a toilet on board, but it’s only available when the bus is stopped, not while driving.

Q: How much driving is involved?
A: This is a real chase, which means significant driving. You could drive 2-4 hours each way searching for clear skies. One reviewer mentioned a 4-hour drive into Finland. The guides make real-time decisions about where to go based on cloud cover and aurora forecasts.

The Bottom Line

This tour delivers genuine value for Northern Lights enthusiasts willing to embrace the adventure on nature’s terms. At $151 per person, you’re getting expert guidance, professional photography, and a real chance to see one of Earth’s most spectacular phenomena, guided by people who know the Tromsø region and are genuinely passionate about sharing it. The guides consistently receive praise for their knowledge, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Yes, there are drawbacks—the group size can feel large, the bus gets uncomfortably hot on the return, and you might spend 8+ hours and not see anything. But for travelers who understand that aurora chasing means accepting uncertainty while being guided by skilled professionals, this is one of the better options in the region. Book it if you’re flexible, genuinely interested in the science and culture behind the lights, and willing to stay up late for the chance to witness something truly magical.