Northern Lights tours in Iceland
Join a Northern Lights tour in Iceland and head out after dark in search of the aurora borealis. Northern Lights tours are one of the most popular winter experiences in Iceland, with evening departures from Reykjavík by bus, boat and guided combo tours.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings can never be guaranteed. A guided tour gives you a better chance than searching alone because guides monitor weather, cloud cover and aurora activity before choosing the best available route for the evening.
Northern Lights tour quick guide
- Best for first-time visitors: A classic Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavík with guide commentary and countryside viewing stops.
- Best for a different perspective: Northern Lights boat tours from Reykjavík, away from city lights on the water.
- Best for limited time: Combo tours that pair the Golden Circle by day with Northern Lights hunting by night.
- Best season: Dark winter months, usually from September to April, with strongest visibility on clear, dark nights.
Recommended Northern Lights tours
Evening Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavík with guide, hot chocolate and Wi-Fi. Free retry if no aurora.
Evening Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavík with expert guide. Wi-Fi onboard, optional pickup, and free retry tickets if the l...
In search of the magical Northern Lights from a different point of view, by boat on the Reykjavik coastline.
Cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to chase the Northern Lights. Warm overalls, indoor lounge and Wi-Fi. Free retry if no lights.
Golden Circle highlights by day, Northern Lights chase by night. Expert guide. Free retry if the aurora stays hidden. Wi-Fi onboar...
Super Jeep tour to visit the iconic attractions in the Golden Circle, combine the experience with the magical Northern Lights
Search for the Northern Lights on this cruise away from the city lights and check out the Aurora Exhibition.
Start here if you want to compare the main Northern Lights options quickly. These tours include classic bus tours from Reykjavík, boat tours, aurora cruises and Golden Circle combination tours for travellers who want to use one day and evening well.
View all Northern Lights tours
Northern Lights tours from Reykjavík
Evening Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavík with guide, hot chocolate and Wi-Fi. Free retry if no aurora.
Evening Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavík with expert guide. Wi-Fi onboard, optional pickup, and free retry tickets if the l...
In search of the magical Northern Lights from a different point of view, by boat on the Reykjavik coastline.
Cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to chase the Northern Lights. Warm overalls, indoor lounge and Wi-Fi. Free retry if no lights.
Search for the Northern Lights on this cruise away from the city lights and check out the Aurora Exhibition.
Northern Lights tours from Reykjavík are the easiest option if you are staying in the capital. Most tours depart in the evening and head away from the city lights toward darker skies, depending on weather and aurora forecasts.
This is a strong choice if you do not have a rental car, if you prefer not to drive at night in winter, or if you want a guide to choose the best available viewing area instead of guessing yourself.
Northern Lights bus tours
Evening Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavík with guide, hot chocolate and Wi-Fi. Free retry if no aurora.
Evening Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavík with expert guide. Wi-Fi onboard, optional pickup, and free retry tickets if the l...
Golden Circle highlights by day, Northern Lights chase by night. Expert guide. Free retry if the aurora stays hidden. Wi-Fi onboar...
Super Jeep tour to visit the iconic attractions in the Golden Circle, combine the experience with the magical Northern Lights
Northern Lights bus tours are the classic way to search for the aurora from Reykjavík. They are usually affordable, straightforward and designed around weather checks, guide experience and flexible routes outside the city.
Choose a bus tour if you want a simple evening activity with pickup or a clear departure point. Bus tours are especially practical for first-time visitors, winter travellers and anyone who wants to avoid driving in darkness or icy conditions.
Northern Lights by boat and cruise
In search of the magical Northern Lights from a different point of view, by boat on the Reykjavik coastline.
Cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to chase the Northern Lights. Warm overalls, indoor lounge and Wi-Fi. Free retry if no lights.
Search for the Northern Lights on this cruise away from the city lights and check out the Aurora Exhibition.
Northern Lights boat tours and cruises offer a different way to experience the aurora. Instead of driving into the countryside, you sail away from Reykjavík’s harbour and look for the lights from the water, with city views, dark skies and sea air around you.
Choose this style if you like boat trips, want a more atmospheric evening or prefer a tour that feels different from a standard bus excursion. Always dress warmly, because it can be colder on the water than in the city.
Golden Circle and Northern Lights combo tours
Golden Circle highlights by day, Northern Lights chase by night. Expert guide. Free retry if the aurora stays hidden. Wi-Fi onboar...
Super Jeep tour to visit the iconic attractions in the Golden Circle, combine the experience with the magical Northern Lights
Golden Circle and Northern Lights combo tours are ideal if you have limited time in Iceland and want to combine two major experiences in one day. You see the Golden Circle highlights by daylight, then head out again in the evening to search for the aurora.
This is a smart choice for short winter stays because it combines famous sightseeing with a Northern Lights attempt, while keeping the planning simple.
Northern Lights travel guide
The Northern Lights, also called the aurora borealis, are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s upper atmosphere. In Iceland, they are visible on dark, clear nights when solar activity and weather conditions align.
Seeing the aurora is never guaranteed, but Iceland is one of the best places in the world to try during the winter season. The key ingredients are darkness, clear skies, enough aurora activity and patience.
How to choose your Northern Lights tour
The right Northern Lights tour depends on your travel style, budget, comfort level and how much time you have. A bus tour is the classic choice. A boat tour is more atmospheric. A combo tour is useful if you want to connect the aurora hunt with another major Iceland experience.
- Choose a classic bus tour if you want an easy evening tour from Reykjavík.
- Choose a boat tour if you want to search for the lights from the sea.
- Choose a Golden Circle combo if you want sightseeing by day and aurora hunting by night.
- Choose a smaller or more flexible tour if comfort and guide interaction matter most.
- Choose early in your trip so you have more chances to rebook if weather affects the tour.
Best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
The Northern Lights season in Iceland usually runs from September to April, when nights are dark enough for aurora viewing. The darkest months, from late autumn through winter, often give the longest viewing window.
Clear skies are just as important as aurora activity. Even if the lights are active above Iceland, clouds can block the view. This is why guided tours check the weather forecast and may adjust routes or departures.
Where to see the Northern Lights
You can sometimes see the Northern Lights from Reykjavík when activity is strong, but darker areas outside the city usually give a better viewing experience. Tours often travel away from street lights and into countryside areas where the sky is darker.
Boat tours create a similar effect by heading out onto the water, away from the brightest parts of the city. The best location changes from night to night depending on clouds, visibility and local conditions.
Are Northern Lights guaranteed?
No. The Northern Lights are natural and cannot be guaranteed. Even with a strong forecast, clouds, low visibility or sudden weather changes can affect the experience.
The value of a guided tour is that the operator checks conditions, chooses a route and gives you the best reasonable chance on the night. Some tours may offer a retry option if no lights are seen, but policies vary, so always check the individual tour details.
Good to know before booking
- Sightings are not guaranteed: The aurora depends on solar activity, darkness, clear skies and visibility.
- Book early in your trip: If weather affects the tour, you may have more time to try again another night.
- Dress very warmly: Northern Lights tours happen at night and can involve standing outside in cold, windy weather.
- Tour types vary: Choose between bus tours, boat tours, cruises and Golden Circle combo tours.
- Weather matters: Operators may cancel, delay or change the route because of clouds, wind, road conditions or sea conditions.
- Bring patience: The lights may appear quickly, late in the evening or not at all. This is part of the aurora hunt.
- Camera settings matter: Phones and cameras may need night mode, long exposure or manual settings to capture the lights well.
- Winter nights are long: September to April is the main season, but conditions vary from night to night.