Should You Book a Northern Lights Tour in Iceland?

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Every year, millions of people visit Iceland with the hope of catching a glimpse of the incredible Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights. But chasing the Northern Lights is not easy. Many people spend years trying to spot the Aurora with no success.

Ahead of my own trip to Iceland, one of the big questions I asked myself was whether I should book a Northern Lights tour or hunt for them myself. And now, having been to Iceland to witness the Northern Lights successfully, I want to give you all the information you need to decide whether or not you should book a Northern Lights tour in Iceland.

So if you’re making a special trip to Iceland with the hopes of seeing the Aurora, how can you maximise your chances? Are Northern Lights tours worth it? Or should you self-drive?

Are Northern Lights Tours Worth It?

If you’re looking for a quick answer as to whether Northern Lights tours are worth it, there really isn’t one, as it depends on a few factors.

Before I embarked on my trip to Iceland, I did some research and decided to book a Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik with a reputable tour company. I opted for a tour rather than a self-drive Northern Lights hunt for a few reasons.

However, with this experience and a lot more knowledge about the science behind the Northern Lights, next time I go to Iceland, I will do things differently.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to book a Northern Lights tour in Iceland.

Pros and Cons for Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Pros

• No driving – you won’t have to drive late at night when there is a risk of snow and ice on the roads.
• Leave it to the experts – tours are equipped with the best technology and sightings knowledge to ensure you see the Aurora if there is any activity.
• Photography advice – many tour guides will be happy to provide you with advice on how to photograph the Northern Lights.
• Learn about the science – tour guides will usually be happy to share their knowledge with you, meaning you’ll get to learn about the science behind the Northern Lights and ask questions.

Cons

• No flexibility – you go where the tour guide takes you, with little to no say over where you stop or when you leave.
• Large groups – there could be 3-4 coaches (150-200 people) all on the same hunt, which means large groups getting in the way and spoiling the ambience.

Let’s dive into these elements a bit deeper…

What Will the Weather Be Like?

This was one of my main considerations when it came to seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. The Icelandic winter weather can be fiercely unpredictable, with beautiful clear skies turning to blizzard snow conditions within minutes.

I visited Iceland in January, when the weather is extremely changeable, with long hours of darkness due to late sunrise and early sunset times. So I was a bit apprehensive about driving into the mountains late at night. In addition, this was my first trip to Iceland so I had no idea what the roads would be like or how safe it would be to drive in the dark.

After driving around Iceland for a week, I can say that the roads are mostly straight and wide, which means driving was fairly easy. However, there was one day where we had to turn back due to heavy snowfall and very strong winds which made driving a little scary.

So, if you’re driving in Iceland in winter, which you most likely are if you’re hunting for the Northern Lights, watch the weather carefully and only venture out if the forecast is good and you’re confident in your driving abilities. Getting your hire car stuck in a snow drift in the middle of the night in the Icelandic mountains isn’t fun, and could actually be life-threatening.

If you’re looking for a hire car in Iceland, I recommend booking through Rental Cars.

So, with all that in mind, the benefit to booking a Northern Lights tour in Iceland is that, even in bad weather conditions, you’ll be able to venture out with your tour company, safe in the knowledge that you won’t need to drive. Although, if there is a lot of cloud, your tour may be cancelled anyway.

Are You Interested in Learning More About the Aurora Borealis?

If all you want to do is look up at the sky and witness the amazing spectacle that is the Aurora Borealis, then self-drive may be for you. However, if you want to learn more about the facts, figures and folklore behind the Northern Lights, you’d probably enjoy a tour.

Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and, as a professional photographer, he was able to give us some welcome tips on how to photograph the Northern Lights too. It was quite interesting to learn more about the phenomenon and find out what causes the Aurora.

How Strong is the Solar Activity?

Unfortunately, Aurora activity is never guaranteed, which is why so many people leave Iceland without seeing the Northern Lights at all.

The Icelandic Aurora forecast will give you a good idea of the kind of activity levels to expect during your trip, on a scale of 0 to 9. If the forecast sits at 0-2, it’s quite likely Northern Lights tours will be cancelled. The forecast also gives you an idea of what weather conditions will be like, and how much cloud is forecast. You need clear skies to see the Northern Lights – if it’s very cloudy, you won’t see them.

While the forecast is mostly accurate, our tour guide explained that, on some occasions, he had seen amazing displays with a forecast of 2 and on other occasions, had seen nothing when the forecast was 6. So, as long as you have reasonably clear skies, it’s worth heading out on the off chance.

Tour companies watch the weather and solar activity forecasts daily and know where to take people to maximise the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. Also, tour guides and buses are in regular contact with each other and will report sightings and locations to ensure everyone gets a chance to see the Aurora. So, if you’d rather not spend time watching the forecast, you can always book a tour and leave the details up to the tour guides.

Would You Prefer to Enjoy the Aurora Alone?

The one thing that really detracted from our Iceland Northern Lights experience was being surrounded by dozens of other people. Due to heavy cloud cover, our tour was cancelled three nights in a row, which meant by the fourth night, there were hundreds of people booked on to the same tour.

At one point, there were three coaches (approximately 150 people) traipsing around in the snow hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights. Unfortunately, they never appeared and we were booked on to another tour the next night.

Suffice to say, when we boarded the coach for a second time, I was glad to see there was only one coach departing. Although this still meant there were over 50 people getting in the way of photographs (as you can see from the photo above) and bumping my camera.

This is one of the main reasons I’d prefer to self-drive next time – to enjoy the peace and quiet that comes from the Icelandic wilderness and the beautiful display of the northern lights alone.

You can opt for a small group tour or even a private Northern Lights tour but these will obviously be more expensive than a large group tour.

It’s worth bearing in mind that to enjoy a great Northern Lights show, you need to get away from light pollution. This means coaches generally travel 60 minutes from Reykjavik, so if travelling on a coach for a long time makes you travel sick, you may not enjoy the experience!

So Are Northern Lights Tours Worth It?

During our trip, we were very fortunate to catch a glimpse of the northern lights in Iceland. Although the solar activity wasn’t strong and we didn’t witness a jaw-dropping display, we definitely saw the aurora in the sky above us. It was a truly beautiful experience and one of the best things we did in Iceland.

Whether or not you choose to book a Northern Lights tour depends on many factors.

Ultimately, I left Iceland having seen the Northern Lights, so we weren’t disappointed that we booked a group tour. For first-timers to Iceland, I think a Northern Lights tour is definitely worth it.

What Tour Should I Book?

So you’ve decided to book a tour, but which tour should you book for the best experience? These are my recommendations.

Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik – This very popular large-group 4-hour bus tour has great reviews. If you don’t see the lights on your first tour, you’ll be offered another tour the following night.

Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik – This small group tour has great reviews and even offers a 3-year open return if you don’t see the lights on your first trip. Great value for a smaller, more intimate tour.

From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos – This tour from Reykjavik includes hot chocolate and pastries while enjoying the warmth of Icelandic wool blankets.

From Reykjavík: Private Northern Lights Minibus Tour – A great tour if you want an exclusive private experience away from the crowds while enjoying hot chocolate and Icelandic snacks.

Reykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise – For something a little different, head out of Reykjavik onto the water for a Northern Lights cruise!

Can You See the Northern Lights Without a Tour?

Absolutely! It’s recommended that you hire a car to escape the light pollution from towns and cities, but you can absolutely see the northern lights without booking a tour.

The best option is to download a northern lights app or check online on Facebook groups to see what the northern lights activity is like each night. Then you’ll need to drive to a dark location without light pollution and wait for the show. The sky needs to be clear, with no clouds. If it’s cloudy, you are guaranteed to see nothing.

It’s important to remember that, just like anything in nature, seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed, no matter what time of year you visit Iceland.

Have you decided whether to book a Northern Lights tour in Iceland? If you’re heading to Iceland soon, I hope you get to witness this amazing phenomenon! If you have any questions, you can get in touch via the contact form.