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Experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis in Iceland on a guided, small-group Northern Lights tour. Departing from Reykjavík and North Iceland, our tours run from September to April and head into the quiet countryside, far from light pollution, to give you the best possible chance of clear views. Stay warm and comfortable with included pickup and drop-off, cozy blankets and a cup of hot cocoa. Our guides will also take free Northern Lights photos of you during the tour, so you can cherish the memory forever.
Not sure which Northern Lights tour to pick? Here’s a clear overview of our most popular tours to help you decide what fits your group and travel plans best. Compare by group size, vehicle type, pickup locations, and driving range into the countryside. You’ll also see which options work best for families, photographers, couples, or first-time visitors. All tours are led by experienced local guides and follow flexible routes based on nightly weather and aurora conditions.
If you’re staying in the capital, these are the most popular Northern Lights trips from Reykjavík. Many tours include pickup or a meet-on-location option, travel to dark countryside viewing areas, and a late-evening return. On all our small-group Northern Lights tours in Iceland, we keep numbers low so guides can answer questions and adjust the route as conditions change.
If your tour runs and no aurora is seen, you’ll get a free Northern Lights retry, valid for up to 3 years.
Want to know what an aurora hunt with Arctic Adventures really feels like? Get a quick glimpse of our guides, vehicles, and small groups out under Iceland’s winter night sky.
The evening begins with pickup in Reykjavík, followed by a drive into the dark countryside, away from city lights. Guides use live cloud and aurora forecasts to choose the best viewing spots, while guests wait outside, often with hot drinks, blankets, and cameras ready. When the Northern Lights appear, there’s time to watch them, take photos, and enjoy the moment at your own pace.
Turn your Northern Lights experience into a full-day adventure and see more of Iceland in a single trip. These combo tours pair guided aurora hunts with South Coast waterfalls, glacier hikes, or the Golden Circle attractions. Many travelers choose a Northern Lights and Golden Circle tour, combining daytime visits to Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss with an evening aurora chase from Reykjavík.
On combo tours, your Northern Lights experience is covered by our Free Retry promise. If no lights are seen, you can join another Northern Lights tour at no extra cost. Daytime activities, such as the Golden Circle, run once and are not eligible for retry.
Multi-day Northern Lights tours give you the strongest overall chance of seeing the aurora in Iceland. With several nights under dark skies, your guide can adjust the itinerary around changing weather and cloud cover instead of relying on a single evening.
During the day, you explore waterfalls, glaciers, and other key sights, then look for auroras after dark when conditions allow. While the Northern Lights can’t be guaranteed, multi-day packages give you multiple chances to see them, combining several attempts into a single booking and pickup.
All multi-day Northern Lights itineraries include at least one dedicated Aurora Borealis trip. You’ll also visit some of Iceland’s best-known highlights, including the South Coast, the Golden Circle, and glacier regions. For a wider selection of winter packages and sights, explore our Iceland multi-day tours and winter tours in Iceland, many of which also include Northern Lights evenings.
Free Northern Lights retry—if your tour runs but no aurora is seen, you’ll receive a free retry, valid for up to 3 years.
Expert local guides—Experienced guides use real-time weather data and aurora forecasts to choose the best viewing locations on the night.
40+ years of experience—Thousands of Northern Lights tours are run safely across Icelandic winter conditions, supported by local knowledge and proven routes.
Pickup in Reykjavík—Convenient meeting points at central bus stops and selected hotels, so you can join the tour without needing a car.
Small groups—Fewer people per vehicle mean clearer views, easier interaction with your guide, and more flexibility during the tour.
Extra comforts included—Many tours include complimentary hot chocolate, warm blankets, and free photos taken by your guide.
Creating memories beneath the magical Aurora. Source: Arctic Adventures
The Northern Lights are a natural light display that appears when charged particles from the sun interact with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions create visible light in the night sky.
This phenomenon is most commonly seen near the Earth’s magnetic poles in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s known as the Aurora Borealis, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s called the Aurora Australis. Together, they’re often referred to as the polar lights.
The lights usually appear as moving waves or ribbons across the sky. Aurora Borealis colors are most often green, with occasional red or purple tones, standing out clearly against a dark night sky.
Northern Lights visibility depends on several factors, including solar activity, cloud cover, darkness, and distance from city lights. Iceland offers favorable conditions from September to April, when nights are long enough for aurora sightings.
Located close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland is well-positioned for observing the Northern Lights. You can follow weather and aurora forecasts online, or join a guided Northern Lights tour, where experienced guides monitor conditions and travel away from light pollution to improve viewing chances.
The Northern Lights season in Iceland runs from September to April, and our Northern Lights tours usually operate during this period because of consistent darkness. There is no single best month, but many travelers prefer October to March for a good balance of darkness and tour availability. Sightings are never guaranteed, even in peak season, as the aurora depends on natural conditions. For more details, see our full guide to the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Multi-day Northern Lights tours offer the highest overall chance because they include several nights in the countryside under dark skies and routing across different regions. If you only have one evening, a small-group Super Jeep tour can improve flexibility by adjusting routes based on real-time conditions. No tour can guarantee a sighting, but more nights and flexible travel increase your odds.
Yes, we offer Northern Lights combo tours that pair an evening aurora hunt with daytime activities like the Golden Circle, South Coast sightseeing, or glacier experiences. Combo tours are excellent if you have limited time in Iceland and want to see major sights by day without booking separate trips. Pickup and logistics are handled as one itinerary.
Most evening Northern Lights tours last 2–5 hours, including pickup, driving, and viewing time. Combo tours usually last 11–16 hours, covering both daytime activities and an evening aurora hunt. Multi-day tours last anywhere from 2 to 10 days, depending on the itinerary. Exact duration can vary based on weather and viewing conditions.
Northern Lights tour prices in Iceland vary by tour type, season, and availability. Shared minibus tours are usually the most budget-friendly, while Super Jeep, combo, and private tours cost more because of smaller groups and added flexibility. For the most accurate price, check the price box on each tour page for your selected date and group size. Special offers are sometimes available.
Most Northern Lights tours include pickup, an experienced guide, transportation, and countryside viewing locations. Many packages also include free WiFi, hot chocolate, warm blankets, and Northern Lights photos, depending on the tour. Check the “What’s included” section on each tour page for exact details.
Pickup is included from designated meeting points and selected hotels in the capital Reykjavík, and in Akureyri, North Iceland, where applicable. After booking, you’ll receive your exact pickup location and time by email. Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure, where your driver or guide will check you in.
Yes, many Northern Lights tours are suitable for families, especially standard small-group minibus tours. Age limits vary by tour, and some Super Jeep or late-night tours have higher minimum ages due to vehicle type and evening hours. You can check the age limit on the individual tour page before booking.
Wear warm, layered clothing, including a thermal base layer, insulated jacket, waterproof outer layer, hat, gloves, and sturdy winter shoes. The weather can be cold and windy while waiting outside. Bring a camera or phone if you want to capture the lights, and consider hand warmers if you want to stay extra cozy. See the complete Iceland packing list.
Yes, if the tour runs but no Northern Lights are seen, you’ll receive a free Northern Lights retry. Your retry is valid for up to 3 years, giving you another chance to join a Northern Lights tour when conditions are better. Full details are included in your confirmation email and voucher.
Yes, on many Northern Lights tours, guides take photos of the aurora and of you during the evening. These photos are often free and downloadable, depending on the tour. You’re also welcome to bring your own camera or phone, and guides can share basic photography tips.
Still have questions? See all Northern Lights FAQs →
Arctic Adventures is Iceland’s largest adventure tour operator, with over 40 years of experience leading travelers into nature’s wildest playgrounds. We are united by one purpose—creating unforgettable moments in Iceland.
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