Reviewed · NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Comfort Coach with Surprise
Northern Lights feel closer when you ride out together.
This 4-hour Reykjavik coach trip is built for night-sky chasing, with Wi‑Fi and an onboard toilet making the cold easier to handle. I also love the aurora coaching angle: guides like Daniel and Jennifer talk stars, teach you what to look for, and share real tips for getting photos. One thing to consider: pickup can run later than expected, so you may wait outside in serious cold.
The big idea here is simple. You leave town with an experienced driver and then hop between the best-available dark-sky spots based on conditions, not just guesswork. And yes, there’s a small local Icelandic surprise for each person, plus complimentary hot drinks to keep your energy up.
I’d also go in with open eyes about odds. Northern Lights aren’t guaranteed, but the team’s approach—patience, multiple stops, and guidance—gives you a stronger shot than staying parked by the harbor hoping the sky changes.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Reykjavik at 9:00 PM: getting lined up for the hunt
- Inside the comfort coach: Wi‑Fi, toilet, and hot drinks that matter
- How the aurora hunt really works: selected dark-sky spots and patience
- Photography tips you can use immediately (phone and camera)
- The Icelandic surprise: fun, local, and a little bit unpredictable
- Price and logistics: does $67.50 feel like good value?
- When the sky doesn’t cooperate: what to expect and how to plan
- Should you book this Reykjavik comfort coach aurora hunt?
- FAQ
- What time does the Northern Lights tour start?
- Where is the meeting point in Reykjavik?
- Is the guide English-speaking, and do I get a ticket on my phone?
- How long does the tour last?
- What’s included on the coach besides the guide?
- Is the local surprise included?
- How many people are on the tour?
- What happens if I don’t see the Northern Lights?
Key things to know before you go

- Pickup at 9:00 PM, then wait for the bus (commonly arrives within about a 30-minute window depending on roads/weather).
- A comfort coach with Wi‑Fi + onboard toilet, so you’re not stuck outdoors too long.
- Aurora hunting uses selected viewing spots and can include multiple locations through the night.
- Photography tips for both cameras and phones, including how to prep and shoot at night.
- Hot drinks are included, and hot chocolate comes up often in the experience.
- A small Icelandic surprise is included with your spot on the tour.
Other nights out chasing the aurora
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Reykjavik at 9:00 PM: getting lined up for the hunt

This tour starts in the evening, with the bus leaving at 9:00 PM. Your job is to be ready early at the designated point—because you don’t want to be sprinting across a dark Reykjavik block in winter clothes.
The meeting point is at Bus Stop #12, Höfðatorg (Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík). The practical catch: pickup timing can be messy. One common snag is that the bus shows up later than the scheduled moment, and you end up waiting outside. Plan for that possibility. Bring layers that can handle a long stop, not just a quick walk.
Also note the vibe of the timing. This is not a casual sunset stroll. It’s a nighttime operation, so you’ll want to arrive with a calm, patient mindset. If you get stressed about delays, it can color the entire experience before you even see anything.
Good news: once you’re on board, you’re taken care of. There’s Wi‑Fi for some sanity scrolling and the coach has an onboard toilet, which matters more than you’d think when you’re out late and it’s cold.
Inside the comfort coach: Wi‑Fi, toilet, and hot drinks that matter

The coach is described as comfortable and has Wi‑Fi and an onboard toilet, plus complimentary hot drinks. That combo is more than a perk. It’s what makes a night hunt feel manageable instead of miserable.
Here’s why this matters to you:
- You’ll likely spend time outside at different viewpoints, and the coach gives you a warm reset.
- You won’t have to sprint around looking for restrooms while everyone is focused on the sky.
- The hot drinks (with hot chocolate mentioned often) help you stay alert and ready to step back out the moment conditions improve.
The tour also runs in English. So if you want to understand what you’re seeing—without translating apps in the cold—you’ll have that built in.
Finally, the size cap helps. This trip tops out at 57 travelers, which is still a decent crowd, but it’s not an endless herd. In a larger bus, you may wait while people take pictures. If that would annoy you, try to embrace the wait as part of the aurora game. On the plus side, being in a group also means fewer logistics headaches for you.
How the aurora hunt really works: selected dark-sky spots and patience

Northern Lights are all about conditions—cloud cover, darkness, and how the atmosphere behaves that night. So rather than promising one guaranteed location, this tour follows a hunt model.
You leave the city behind and follow the night sky to carefully selected Northern Lights viewing locations chosen for stronger visibility and low light pollution. The guide and driver actively search based on what they can see and what they’re tracking in real time.
In practice, that can mean:
- One spot where things look promising, with time to look and adjust.
- A move to another location if conditions shift.
- Sometimes multiple locations in the same outing, which is exactly what people describe—seeing Aurora at two separate places, or searching through three different spots when the first attempts didn’t work.
The guides don’t treat it like a bus stop tour. They talk through what the lights might look like and what to do if they’re faint. Daniel, for example, comes up in feedback as someone who has a strong astronomy background and explains not just aurora basics, but also stars and satellites. Jennifer shows up as upbeat and hands-on, including tips for how to use mobiles for photos.
One more important point: the team’s persistence is part of the value. Even when the lights take time, they keep trying rather than giving up fast. That’s the whole game here—patience plus smart movement.
Photography tips you can use immediately (phone and camera)

If you want photos that look more like you actually saw something magical, you’ll benefit from this part. The tour includes photography tips specifically aimed at capturing the Northern Lights.
What I like is that the guidance isn’t only theoretical. People mention practical camera preparation and night-photography thinking, plus clear mobile tips. Daniel is noted for explaining camera setup for best results, while Jennifer gives tips geared toward using phones.
Here’s the takeaway for you:
- You’ll be taught how to improve your odds before you even get to the first viewpoint.
- You can adjust on the fly if the aurora is weak at first.
- You’ll learn what to do when people are holding up phones and nothing looks dramatic yet—because sometimes the biggest show is subtle before it brightens.
Also, the tour’s timing helps. You’re out late, in darker areas than you’d manage alone, and you get a group of people focused on the same target. That means you can copy the small techniques you see others using—like how they frame the sky, not just how they point at it.
Even if your photos aren’t perfect, the coaching helps you learn fast. And if you’re returning from this night to try again in Reykjavik, you’ll carry those photo instincts with you.
The Icelandic surprise: fun, local, and a little bit unpredictable

Every guest gets a small local Icelandic surprise. It’s intentionally not spoiled, and feedback hints that it’s more than a generic chocolate or postcard-type token.
One review specifically mentions the fermented shark as the kind of Icelandic surprise people are offered, though not everyone chooses to try it. That tells me the surprise is truly local food culture, not just a novelty.
So here’s how to approach it:
- If you like trying odd regional snacks, you’ll probably enjoy the extra bite of culture during the wait.
- If you’re squeamish about strong flavors, treat it like a choose-your-own-adventure moment. You can decide how adventurous you want to be.
The surprise works well because it gives the night a second form of enjoyment besides the aurora chase. Even on nights when the lights don’t fully cooperate, that small ritual can still make the tour feel like more than transportation.
Price and logistics: does $67.50 feel like good value?

At about $67.50 per person, this tour sits in the “serious but not wild” range for a Reykjavik night activity. The best way to judge value is what you’re getting for that money.
You’re paying for:
- A professional English-speaking guide
- A comfortable coach with Wi‑Fi and an onboard toilet
- A Northern Lights hunt to strong viewing locations
- Complimentary hot drinks
- Photography tips
- The included local Icelandic surprise
That’s not just sightseeing. You’re buying infrastructure: the vehicle, the nighttime expertise, and the built-in education so you’re not staring at the sky with zero strategy.
What you should weigh is the group format. Some people call it a big bus and note waiting in the cold while others take photos. If you hate crowds or you get impatient standing around, the comfort will help—but you still might feel the delay at viewpoints.
Also remember the aurora isn’t guaranteed. If you go in expecting certainty, you’ll be disappointed. If you go in expecting a guided night hunt with smart stops and coaching, the price starts to make sense.
When the sky doesn’t cooperate: what to expect and how to plan

Overcast nights happen, and they can shut down aurora visibility fast. One experience described an especially cloudy week around Christmas/New Year, with no lights visible despite going to two locations. Another night involved searching multiple spots but no success.
So what do you do if the sky is not cooperating?
- The team tries multiple locations and keeps working the problem.
- If you don’t see the Northern Lights, you may be offered a free second-chance tour valid for the next two years.
That second-chance policy is key for your planning. It turns the odds from stressful into manageable. You can book once, accept that weather rules, and then rebook later if you strike out.
One more planning tip: if your time is short, do this early in your Reykjavik schedule. A person suggested doing it first so you have time to rebook if weather goes sideways. I agree with that logic. Aurora season in Iceland can be great… or it can throw a cloudy curveball.
In cases where the tour is canceled due to poor weather, the company offers either a different date or a full refund (details vary by situation). Bottom line: you’re not locked into one shot with zero options.
Should you book this Reykjavik comfort coach aurora hunt?

Book it if you want:
- A straightforward aurora hunt with pro guidance and photo coaching
- Comfort on a cold night, including hot drinks, Wi‑Fi, and a toilet
- A plan that uses multiple viewing locations rather than one stop and a shrug
- A reasonable price for the included support and extras (like the surprise)
Skip it or rethink it if:
- You get cranky about waiting in cold weather before pickup or during busy photo moments
- You need a guaranteed outcome (you won’t get one with Northern Lights)
- You strongly dislike any food surprises tied to local Icelandic culture
My call: this tour is a good value for people who want the practical side of Northern Lights—transport, guidance, and the chance to learn how to shoot and spot the lights better. If you’re flexible, dressed for cold, and ready to be patient, you’re exactly the kind of traveler this was built for.
FAQ
What time does the Northern Lights tour start?
The tour starts at 9:00 PM. You should be ready at your pickup location at 9:00 PM and expect the bus to arrive around 9:00–9:30 PM, depending on road and weather conditions.
Where is the meeting point in Reykjavik?
The meeting point is Bus Stop #12, Höfðatorg (Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland). The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is the guide English-speaking, and do I get a ticket on my phone?
Yes. The tour is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket.
How long does the tour last?
It lasts about 4 hours (approximately), with the main aurora hunting time around 3 hours.
What’s included on the coach besides the guide?
The coach includes Wi‑Fi and an onboard toilet. You also get complimentary hot drinks during the outing.
Is the local surprise included?
Yes. A small local Icelandic surprise is included for each guest, along with the aurora hunt and photography tips.
How many people are on the tour?
The tour has a maximum group size of 57 travelers.
What happens if I don’t see the Northern Lights?
Northern Lights aren’t guaranteed. If you don’t see them, you can join a free second-chance tour valid for the next two years. If the activity is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
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