Northern lights nights are mostly about timing. This Tromsø bus chase is built around that reality, taking you out of town and working the sky with your guide. I like the easy downtown meetup and the fact that the guide is actively choosing where to look. The possible downside: aurora sightings depend on weather, and a big-group bus night can feel like a lot of waiting if the sky stays cloudy.

You’ll spend about 8 hours out on the move, starting at 6:00 pm, with coffee or tea breaks along the way. If the lights show up, you can use the tripods and get aurora portrait digital photos afterward. Even if the lights are faint, the goal is to put you in the best position for your camera and your eyes.

This is run by Norwegian Travel, in English, with a max group size of 48 travelers. You’ll have 1 English-speaking guide per 20 guests, so you’re not completely lost in the dark—but on crowded bus tours, it can still be tricky to feel like the guidance is very personal.

Key things to know before you go

• Downtown start means less stress: meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, then you’re on your way.
• A real aurora search, not just parking: your guide aims to pick the best spot if conditions change.
• Tripods and aurora portraits are part of the deal: helpful if you want better results than phone snapshots.
• Weather decides the headline: you can end up with little or no aurora even when you do everything right.
• Group size is a factor: up to 48 people can mean standing room and crowded sightlines.

Meeting in Tromsø: getting on the bus without drama

You’ll start at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. The big win here is that it’s in the downtown area, so you’re not coordinating taxis to some far-off dock or industrial zone at the beginning of your night. When you’re dealing with cold hands and winter darkness, not having to chase down a hard-to-find meeting point matters.

The tour begins at 6:00 pm and ends back at the same meeting spot. That loop is comforting. It’s not a one-way transfer where you later scramble for transportation. Plan to arrive a little early so you can check the vibe and find your guide before you’re herding your coat layers into place.

The 8-hour bus ride: comfort vs. crowded reality

This is a bus-based aurora chase, so you should think of it like a moving viewing platform. The core promise is that you’ll ride out of the city to chase clearer skies, and your guide will try to position the group where the aurora has the best shot.

Value-wise, the tour includes coffee and/or tea, which you’ll probably appreciate more than you expect. It’s not a meal, but it helps you stay human while you wait for the sky to cooperate.

Now, the tradeoff. Multiple reviews point out that the bus can feel crowded and that it can be more standing than relaxing. If you’re older or you don’t love long stretches in the cold, you may want to consider whether a smaller-group option would suit you better. That said, one review also praises that the guides didn’t rush to leave, and the group got extra time when the night was going well. So the experience can swing based on conditions and the guide’s approach.

How the guide actually chases the aurora

The best part of this kind of tour is the search behavior: don’t just sit and hope. This one is designed around guides with experience finding places to see the Northern Lights, and the guide picks locations based on conditions.

On nights when the sky cooperates, that strategy is exactly what you want. One review credits guide Diego with keeping a hopeful plan even as heavy snow storms rolled in. The group ended up going far—over two hours toward the Finland border—and the lights finally appeared during a brief break in the clouds. Another positive review mentions moving through multiple locations and catching the aurora after changing spots.

That’s the practical lesson: the tour isn’t magic, but it is action. Your guide is supposed to keep looking when conditions shift.

The caution is that not every night turns into a heroic story. Some feedback complains there was little real chasing, with the group spending time at just one location. Others mention feeling that expectations were lowered early—especially around what you can see with the naked eye versus what shows up in photos. In other words, you’re buying the chance and the process, not a guaranteed light show.

Viewing and photos: tripods, portraits, and realistic expectations

If you want to photograph aurora, this tour has two helpful built-ins: tripods and aurora portrait digital photos. Using a tripod can make a huge difference because it stabilizes long exposures. Phone pictures struggle when the lights are faint and the sky is moving.

You also get aurora portrait digital photos as part of the package. That’s a nice extra because it reduces the burden on you to capture everything yourself. One review notes confusion about where the professional camera setup was placed, so you may want to pay close attention when the guide says where to stand and sit for photos.

About what you’ll actually see: one review describes the guide explaining that many aurora photos are edited and that the lights may look different to the eye than on camera. That lines up with reality. Cameras can pull more detail out of faint aurora than your naked eyes can. If you’re expecting dramatic swirls visible at a glance, you might feel let down on a dim night.

Here’s a balanced way to plan: aim to see the aurora with your eyes, but also treat the camera and tripod as your backup plan for turning faint light into something you can enjoy later.

Group size, guide ratio, and why it can feel hit-or-miss

This tour caps at 48 travelers and uses a guide ratio of 1 English-speaking guide per 20 guests. That sounds good on paper, and it likely means you get enough attention to find your footing and understand the plan.

Still, bus tours can feel chaotic once you step outside at night. One review mentions confusion with lots of people from other buses, which can make it harder to track your guide and set up a shot without someone’s silhouette walking through your frame. Another review points to a bus speaker issue, which reduced the quality of on-board guidance.

So if you’re the type who values lots of instruction—how to read the sky, where to stand, how to frame shots—know that this is still a large-group operation. You’ll get help, but it may not feel like a private workshop.

On the positive side, the guide effort stands out when the night goes well. Names from reviews like Diego (guide) and Andrew (driver) show up in the stories where things worked out, and that matters because you can’t fake safe driving and good decision-making in winter darkness.

Price and value: what $128.88 buys you

At $128.88 per person for about 8 hours, you’re paying for logistics and guided “search time,” not just a view from one spot. The included pieces help justify the cost:

• Aurora sightseeing by bus with an English-speaking guide
• Coffee and/or tea
• Tripods
• Aurora portrait digital photos
• A 50% discount on the next tour if they do not spot aurora on your tour (no refund)

That discount is worth paying attention to. If you end up on a no-aurora night, it doesn’t erase the disappointment, but it gives you a reason to try again rather than walking away feeling like you paid for nothing.

Now, the reality check: you’re still buying a weather-dependent experience. One review bluntly states disappointment about not seeing aurora with the naked eye and questions about whether photos are edited. Another points to spending a lot of time waiting when the lights didn’t appear. So you should treat this as a fair gamble: you’re paying for the best effort and the right tools, not for guaranteed results.

What to bring so you’re comfortable all night

The tour gives you tripods, but you’re still the one dressing for Tromsø winter. Bring warm layers and something windproof. Think about hand warmth too, because operating a camera or even holding your phone steady in cold air is harder than it sounds.

Also, if you want photos, plan on spending time standing outside. Long bus tours can include long stretches of waiting at stops. Wear shoes that don’t punish you when the ground is cold and uneven.

Finally, keep your expectations flexible. On a clear night you’ll likely get a show. On a cloudy night you may get a faint glow, or nothing at all.

Should you book this Northern Lights bus chase?

I’d book it if you want a guided, action-based aurora search from Tromsø with the practical extras: tripods, aurora portrait photos, and a real effort to move locations when conditions change. The best reviews line up with exactly what you hope for: guides pushing to find a break in the sky, plus drivers doing the hard parts safely.

I’d think twice if you strongly prefer smaller groups, lots of hands-on instruction, or you can’t handle standing outside for long stretches. If you’re the type who gets irritated by crowded photo spots and unclear positioning, look for a smaller-group alternative.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: this is a guided chase in winter weather, and the night is always a negotiation with the sky.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Northern Lights Chase by Bus?

You meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

What time does the tour start and how long does it run?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm and runs for about 8 hours.

Does the tour guarantee the Northern Lights?

No. The experience requires good weather, and sightings depend on conditions.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes aurora sightseeing by bus, an English-speaking guide (1 guide per 20 guests), coffee and/or tea, aurora portrait digital photos, and tripods.

Are meals included?

Dinner is not included.

Will I get photos from the tour?

Yes. You receive aurora portrait digital photos.

Are tripods provided?

Yes, tripods are provided.

What if you do not spot the aurora during the tour?

If they do not spot aurora on your tour, you get a 50% discount on the next tour. It notes no refund.

What happens if weather is poor before or during the tour?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

How big is the group, and is it an English tour?

Maximum group size is 48 travelers, and it’s offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and it’s near public transportation.