Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik, Iceland

Don't miss the opportunity to take a mysterious night trip to witness the famous Northern Lights, one of nature's most spectacular displays. Far from the glow of the city, you'll go on a hunt for the elusive Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. The famous Northern Lights are visible from the onset of autumn to the light nights of spring.

On a clear night, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens, painting dramatic shapes, colors and patterns on the night sky.

This tour is seasonal, operating only from September to April.

USD $42.13

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Mark L	March 2012
Good tour, we were lucky in that we got to see the lights at the last moment. But if we didn't get to see them they would have offered going on a tour on another night free.

Review by: Wes	March 2012
This tour was the defining tour of my trip. It was a life goal to see the northern lights and they were able to provide me with a great spot and loads of information. They lights were amazing..check out the pic..can't wait to go back!!

Review by: SUSAN H	March 2012
It was cancelled the first night, but we went out on the second night. We drove around for 5 and a half hours but saw nothing-you can't rely on the weather.

Review by: Mark L	March 2012
This was the worst tour I have ever experienced. It was cancelled on the first night, meaning when it was ran on the second night, it was massively over subscribed and the operators had to manourver 3 coachloads of people. The weather was terrible, and although there was no gurantee of seeing the northern lights, I was at least expecting to learn something. At no point did the guide tell us about how the northern lights, or about the place they have in iceland folklore, or the like. Instead we were subjected to the same tired old stories about trolls and elves we had heard on other tours, and at one point the guide sang an Icelandic lullaby/drone. its worth noting the other major tour operator did not run their equivalent of this tour as there was effectively no chance of seeing the lights. This indicates the only reason for running this tour was to take money off people. Disgraceful. The highlight was when the guide (who admitted this was a part time job for her, and her primary job was at a fish factory) took us to a whaling factory to take a photograph. In the dark and the rain. DO NOT TAKE THIS TOUR - IT WILL RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY.

Review by: Tracy	February 2012
This company (Icelandic Excursions) is great! We came during a very cloudy week and the tour was pushed off for three days. On the third day it was clear enough to try, and the tour guide and bus driver really did. We did see the lights a little bit, but I was more impressed with how hard the company was working to get us to the right spot. This tour depends on weather, so you must be patient and you may be disappointed if you do not see the lights. You will NOT be disappointed with this company's service, Icelanders, or Iceland. Good luck!

Review by: Zuzana B	February 2012
We were lucky and saw the northern lights on our nights - the tour guide was very nice, she also told us about history and explain about the lights and also Icelandic customs, etc.. amazing!

Review by: Angela S	February 2012
Waste of time. No Northern Lights!

Review by: Tracy M	January 2012
Shame we didn't get to see the Northern Lights but Viator managed to take us to the only place where there would be a gap in the cloud cover that evening.

Review by: Adrienne Q	December 2011
Great! We werent able to see the lights the first night so I was allowed to go a second night for free and we eventually saw the lights. Definitely take a camera that is capable of capturing low light images, regular cameras and cell phones won't capture the images

Review by: Kathi C	December 2011
Actually got a good view while driving to a spot to look for them. Driver pulled over and we all piled out to stare. Guide was great. Friendly and very knowledgeable. Would recommend it to anyone - and have.

Review by: Marie W	December 2011
amazing! a lovely tour guide!

Review by: John S	November 2011
After one weather cancellation and one failed attempt to find the lights, the third time was the charm. I suggest you give a camera and tripod to the guide to take a photo that can sold to those without the proper camera to take a photo on their own. I could tell you how to set up your camera for the guides to use.

Review by: harrylcf	November 2011
Awesome time. Pretty lucky as the northern lights was on display for an hour plus!

Review by: Mary G	October 2011
I had heard mixed reviews of this tour, but when you are counting on a natural phenomenon, you never know what you are going to get. Our guide gave lots of information about the lights on the way and right when we showed up to Thingvellir, the lights appeared! It was very cold, but we stayed as long as the lights were performing.

Review by: broadwayeyes	September 2011
Sadly there were no Northern Lights but still had an amzing time!

Review by: Alastair	September 2011
Was well organised and the tour guide was very engaging. He sang a song in Icelandic to us about rolling your "L's". It was a shame we didn't see the Northern Lights, which is the reason for the low mark. Otherwise was enjoyable.

Review by: Louise S	September 2011
We booked this trip for the first full day we were there as we knew we may not see them first time.Good job we did as it took 3 nights of looking at the sky in the cold before we saw them,but they were so worth it.Had no trouble re booking onto the next days trip,staff helpful and friendly.Take warm clothes,and a camera with a long exposure of around 15-30 seconds, and a tripod, otherwise you wont get any photos.We were told by the guide that Sept ,Oct and Feb were the best months to see them-Good luck!

Review by: Cathryn H	May 2011
I'm normally very sceptical about booking things on the internet but on this occasion I'm so glad I did. Everything about the trip was fantastic. The booking service, actually being collected from our hotel at the time agreed, the on board commentary and then the piece de la resistance actually being fortunate enough seeing the lights in the sky. It took about 1 1/2 hours to get dark enough but when it did WOW truly an amazing experience. Thanks Viator. Will def use again next time I travel.

Review by: Sareeta R	April 2011
Well we saw them so that was absolutely fantastic! But here i am reviewing the tour so not so great. We drove for 25 mins into bad weather and then 25 mins back (which at 11 at night is annoying). Haven't they heard of cellphones? We didn't need to drive all the way to find out what the conditions were like. Not sure what the logic is. Think they were just trying to use up time?

Review by: Keeley M	March 2011
What's to say, if you get to see them the reviews I'm sure would be great. We got to see a faint ribbon, but it wasn't classed as seeing them though. If you want photos make sure your camera can be set a slower shutter speed (20-30secs). We could see them better on the photos than to our eye.

Review by: Adele M	March 2011
Fun, bubbly guide who shared some info about Iceland, as well as the lights. We were lucky enough to get one of only a handful of clear nights this year, and some really active aurora. We even got a glimpse of the rare red/pink tinges that not even the Icelandic guide had ever seen! So worth seeing, has to be the coolest thing I have ever seen.

Review by: john	March 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Tour guide was keen to find us the best views he could. We were lucky to see the lights which are definitely worth the effort!

Review by: Riikka L	March 2011
The trip was ok, but be warned, it was VERY cold in the wind. You can't put too much clothes on.

Review by: john j	March 2011
Outstanding, we were about to give up, but the guide insisted and it became a magical and majestic natural light show in the sky.

Review by: Dawn R	March 2011
Bus very punctual.We did not see lights on first night and went back next night free of charge but unfortunately did not see them again.Guide and driver did their upmost to see lights by driving to several locations but we were unlucky.Driver very professional as were the guides who had great sense of humour and kept us amused during the journey and were very informative.

Review by: Joanne K	March 2011
This trip is always a bit of a lottery and very good value for money. However, once it started to rain after the first hour, driving around for a further 4-5 hours in the rain was pointless. So not seeing the lights and driving around in the dark when you can't see the lights in the rain, the trip was a disappointment I'm afraid.

Review by: Benjamin W	February 2011
It was great. Although we waited several hours to see the lights we eventually did. At first I was disappointed because no lights were visible to the eye, only to cameras, a big green cloud then came over and we got to see the lights. We had a good clear night sky. It takes a while to get to a really dark spot, but was well worth the wait.

Review by: Vanita P	February 2011
Booked this tour for my first night in Iceland which the rating of seeing the Northern Lights was one of the highest they have had, and alas no lights were to be seen. They do offer a free second trip if you don't view it the first time, but did not want to waste another night in the cold.

Review by: QueenOfSports	February 2011
Unfortunately the weather was too cloudy so we did not see any northern lights. The tour company offered to let us go again for free, but only having 3 more nights in Reykjavik, we decided against it. The trip was VERY long - bus ride was over two hours, then we stood in the cold for an hour waiting to see the lights, finally left and had another two hour + ride back to the city. A bit disappointing.

Review by: Richard Barry H	February 2011
Hot tea/cocoa would be nice. Great driver

Review by: Pui L	February 2011
We had a great time and highly recommend it. The guide was super friendly and told us a lot about Reykjavik and Iceland. Although we couldn't see anything the first night, they were more than happy to book us on another night, free of charge, and we did end up seeing the Northern Lights.

Review by: tonnic	January 2011
Simply breath taking, definitely a trip worth doing!

Review by: Michael R	January 2011
Wonderful guide with a wry sense of humour kept us entertained during our fruitless search for the Northern Lights. The omens were good - clear, moonless sky - but not enough action on the sun, we learnt. Only downside of the trip was an unnecessary visit to a petrol station (called a coffee stop) which struggled to cope with a coachload of passengers arriving at the same time wanting hot drinks and to use the one toilet. _br/_ Because we didn't see the Lights, we were offered a free excursion for the following night which unfortunately we couldn't take up being otherwise engaged.

Review by: Louise G	January 2011
did not get to see the lights but it was not for not trying. our guides drove us all over in an attempt for us to see but nature did not work with us

Review by: Andy D	December 2010
Good!

Review by: Rachael W	December 2010
Although we didn't see the northern lights the tour guide tried to suggest we had. Tour guide wasn't as impressive as others on different tours but I suppose it was hard to sell when there was nothing to see

Review by: Deborah D	December 2010
The other operator cancelled their trip on Saturday, 4th December but the one which we were booked on operated. We were taken to what could only be described as a "motorway cafe" where we had cheeseburger and trips and were then taken to an area by the roadside and told to climb in total darkness to the telephone mast for the best view where we stood in freezing cold conditions for nearly one whole hour. Despite the night in question being totally cloudy with not a star in sight we were then taken to another location the other side of Reykjavik which meant that we did not get back to the hotel until 1am. My husband was not at all keen on repeating the experience the following night but we were taken to a spot within the national park where there was a cafe and we did actually see the lights, but I wish that I had know in advance that a camera with a tripod and shutter was required in order to take photographs.

Review by: Catherine H	December 2010
Brlliant, we were lucky that we saw the lights although obviously this is not guaranteed the anticpation is fun anyway. Our guide was great, very imformative and friendly.

Review by: Robert H	December 2010
As it was snowing didn't go. Pot luck whether you see them or not on a clear day anyway but would be very rewarding to see them.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	May 2010
I suppose having actually seen the Northern Lights cannot make the trip any less than wonderful... but be aware in case the weather is not the best night has to be completely clear, no clouds they will cancel and re-book you on the next day or any day you like. Well organised they call the hotel 30min before the pick up is due, we had two trips cancelled before going. The guys know what they do and the guide has a lof of knowledge, we got lucky and saw the lights after just an hour going around apparently it can last for a lot longer!. If you are planning on taking some photos I can only recommand doing a bit of research before to get the right settings and taking a tripod shutter will have to stay open for at least 15-20min. A must do in Iceland but please bear in mind seeing them is very VERY random!

Review by: SHAMBHAVI K, United Kingdom	April 2010
Although the tour was cancelled due to bad weather, the company offered an alternative for another evening. The experience was well worth it. The staff are very professional and made the trip very enjoyable.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	April 2010
A great experience.

Review by: Emma P, United Kingdom	April 2010
Local operator offers a free repeat tour if lights are not deemed to be a good enough show. We went two nights running and were lucky the second night. Excellent value. We would highly recommend this tour.

Review by: Christine D, United States of America	March 2010
The trip was amazing!! We had a great time, it is very cold so make sure you bundle up but the tour guides were so friendly and will answer all of your questions!

Review by: Mee Fong L, United Kingdom	March 2010
I have booked this tour on Monday but since it was too nice and clear weather on Sunday, so we have change our mind to take this tour on Sunday night. Unfortunately we couldn't see any Northern light under the good weather even though we have been driving through around 5hours in dark and try to find the northern light. Anyway, the agent allowing we to come back on Monday for this trip absolutely free. This is what make me think about this is worth trip to go as they will make sure you can see the Northern light as possible.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	March 2010
I was unlucky - No lights!

Review by: Paul M, United Kingdom	February 2010
Excellent tour - and we saw the lights. Highly recommended.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	November 2009
picked up from the hotel on time transferred to main bus drove for 45 minutes guide was unsure whether we would see the lights as it was slightly cloudy. however another 10 minutes of patience saw a slight flicker in the sky - bus changed direction and we stopped in a lane in complete darkness and there were the lights flickering across the sky. unfortunately no colours but spooky got some reasonable pictures using a long exposure. I am truly grateful to have seen them as people in our hotel had mised them the night before!! sropped back in the town centre at our request.

Review by: Susan B, United Kingdom	November 2009
This is a must do trip to do in Iceland during the winter months. I was very lucky when I went and saw those amazing lights, it all depends on the weather though. Wish I'd had a professional camera though for the proof.

Review by: Allison S, United Kingdom	March 2009
Absolutely amazing experience, and the anticipation of seeing the Northern Lights was brilliant. We saw what was rated as 6,510, so i will definitely be returning to hopefully improve this rating!! With a professional camera too!