Northern Lights Tours in Iceland: Best Tours, Where & When to Go

The most-reviewed northern lights bus tour in Iceland. Large coaches depart from central Reykjavik with hotel pickup included. Homemade hot chocolate, cinnamon buns, wool blankets, and professional photos included. Free re-run if lights are not seen, with unlimited retries pending availability.

Book this for your first night in Iceland. Unlimited retries give you the best rebooking flexibility if skies are cloudy.

Iceland's largest tour operator (since 1968) runs GPS-guided audio commentary in 10 languages, onboard tripods, and eco-friendly coaches with carbon offset. Rebooking tickets valid for 2 years. If the tour is cancelled for the entirety of a visitor's stay, a full refund is offered.

The 10-language audio guide is useful for non-English speakers. Carbon-neutral positioning appeals to eco-conscious travelers.

The cheapest northern lights tour in Iceland at $42-$55 per person. Up to 40 passengers with 10-language commentary and free rebookings. Hotel/bus stop pickup included. Departs 8:30-9:30 PM, returning by 12:30-1:30 AM.

Best for budget travelers who want the aurora experience without spending more than $50.

The best-reviewed small group option with 2,181 reviews. Minibuses limited to 19 passengers offer more flexibility than large coaches, with professional photos included. Guides choose viewing locations based on real-time cloud cover maps, avoiding crowded bus tour parking areas.

Small group tours represent the best value according to forum consensus. More personal attention than buses at roughly half the super jeep price.

Small group specialist with 18,000+ five-star guests. Known for going off the beaten path and avoiding mass tourism spots. Includes homemade Icelandic hot chocolate, Kleina pastries, wool blankets, and professional photos. Bookings never expire, making this the most generous retry policy in Iceland.

Repeatedly praised across Reddit and TripAdvisor. The unlimited retry policy means you can return years later if lights are not seen.

Claims a 93% sighting rate and provides full winter jumpsuits, outdoor chairs, extra tripods, and Icelandic snacks. Maximum 18 passengers. The Viator Travelers' Choice award distinguishes this from standard small group tours.

The winter jumpsuits eliminate the need to pack heavy cold-weather gear. Outdoor chairs let you wait in comfort.

The original Northern Lights by Boat operator from Reykjavik's Old Harbour. Vessels feature indoor and outdoor areas, free warm overalls including children's sizes, Wi-Fi, and a cafe/bar. The retry ticket is indefinitely valid, making this the most generous rebooking policy in Iceland. Children 0-6 ride free; ages 7-15 get half price.

Best for couples seeking a relaxed experience. Aurora reflecting off the water creates a unique viewing experience unavailable on land tours.

Three viewing platforms, a heated indoor saloon, and free overalls. Elding also offers a photography-specific boat tour limited to 18 passengers with a professional photographer guide. Northern Lights + Whale Watching combo packages available.

The photography-specific boat tour (max 18) is worth the premium for serious photographers wanting water-reflection aurora shots.

Custom-built 4x4 vehicles with 38-50 inch tires access off-road and highland locations unreachable by buses. Multiple jeeps communicate by radio to locate the best viewing conditions. Includes hot chocolate, Icelandic volcanic vodka, traditional kleina donuts, professional photos, and free admission to Aurora Reykjavik museum.

The photographer's choice. Forum travelers consistently note these tours avoid crowded parking areas and reach darker, more remote locations.

Provides blankets, hot cocoa, free photos, and the longest retry validity in the Super Jeep category at 3 years. Important caveat: during a retry, the tour may be operated on a minibus instead of a Super Jeep.

The 3-year retry is the industry's most generous standard policy. Note the minibus substitution on retries.

Combines aurora hunting with a visit to Hvammsvik Hot Springs, voted #1 Best Thing to Do in the World 2023 by Time Out. Features famous seafood soup and natural geothermal pools. Soak in hot water under dark Icelandic skies while watching for aurora overhead.

The hot spring soak provides a memorable experience even if aurora does not appear, making this the lowest-risk combo option.

Among the best-selling Iceland tour products with 884 reviews. Includes Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls, glacier hike, Vatnajokull blue ice cave, country hotel accommodation, and nightly aurora hunting. Multiple nights dramatically improve your chances of seeing the northern lights.

Multi-day tours eliminate the single-night gamble. With 3 nights of aurora hunting from dark countryside locations, odds improve dramatically.

Premium private photography tour with deep expertise. Uniquely, Thor Photography has no rebooking policy because they only operate when the forecast is very favorable, dramatically increasing your chances of a spectacular display. Camera settings assistance, composition guidance, and access to top photography locations.

The no-retry policy is actually a feature: if they take you out, conditions are genuinely good. For serious photographers only.

North Iceland offers advantages over Reykjavik: less light pollution, closer proximity to the Arctic Circle, and generally less precipitation and clearer skies. Tours access Lake Myvatn and the northeast interior. The 3-year retry policy applies.

Akureyri tours often have clearer skies than Reykjavik. Consider flying to Akureyri (45 minutes) for better aurora odds.

Private tours in Mercedes EQV or Super Jeep vehicles with Icelandic wool blankets, sparkling wine, and gourmet chocolates. Complete flexibility to chase clear skies based on real-time forecasts. The most personalized aurora experience available in Iceland.

Per-person cost drops significantly with 4-5 passengers. Best value for couples or small groups wanting an exclusive experience.