The aurora hunt starts at 9 pm. This Northern Lights trip runs like a field mission: a comfortable coach, expert aurora guidance, and a chase for darker skies just outside Reykjavik.

I like the professional English-speaking guides who talk you through what to look for, and I especially like the photo help for both cameras and phones, not just vague advice. One thing to plan for: Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and you may wait in the cold while the team searches.

Key Things I Think You Should Know Before You Go

• 9:00 pm departure (pickup can run until about 9:30 pm depending on weather and roads)
• Comfort coach setup with Wi‑Fi and an onboard toilet for a longer night outdoors
• Photo tips included, including guidance for mobile shooting and camera prep
• A small Icelandic surprise with each guest (one surprise has included fermented shark for the adventurous)
• Max group size 57, so it can still feel like a bigger bus outing at popular stops
• A real second-chance option if you do not see the aurora (free retry noted in the experience info)

Aurora Hunt From Reykjavik: 9 pm Departure in a Comfort Coach

This tour is simple: you meet in central Reykjavik, board a comfortable coach, and head out after dark to hunt for the Northern Lights. It starts at 9:00 pm from Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg (Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík), and they’ll pick you up if you’re at your designated spot. Just know pickup is sometimes later than you want. One review mentioned about a 25-minute delay, with people waiting outside in roughly -10°C.

The big reason I like this format is timing. Going out at night gives you the best shot at chasing a moving, unpredictable sky. And the coach is built for reality: you’re not just standing around waiting, you’re riding in a setup with Wi‑Fi and an onboard toilet, plus complimentary hot drinks when you’re warmed up enough to enjoy the hunt.

Duration is about 4 hours total (with around 3 hours focused on the aurora hunt). That’s a sweet spot. It’s not a half-day grind, and it’s not a quick in-and-out that leaves you with almost no time outdoors.

The Guides: How They Improve Your Odds (Without Promising Magic)

Here’s what makes the experience feel more than just bus transport: the aurora guidance is part science, part street tips. The people behind the microphone don’t treat the Northern Lights like a lucky lottery ticket. They explain what you’re seeing, how to interpret it, and how to react fast when the sky changes.

I saw clear patterns in the guide styles from real names you might meet:

• Daniel: described as deeply astronomy-focused, with a strong emphasis on how to find auroras and also how satellites and stars fit into the night-sky story. He also gave camera prep tips, like getting your settings ready rather than fumbling once activity starts.
• Jennifer: known for being upbeat and very practical about shooting on a phone. In one example, she shared mobile photo tips, teaching how to frame and capture as conditions shift.
• Cooper and Kuba (drivers): the driver side matters because auroras can brighten, fade, and move location-to-location. Strong driving helps the group stay in the right area when visibility changes.

The most useful part is the “how to look” coaching. You’ll get real-time tips for photographing the aurora and what to do while waiting. That’s valuable even if the lights don’t show immediately, because you leave with skills you can use again from Reykjavik later.

The Aurora Hunt Route: Low Light Spots Beyond the City

This is not a “stand in one place and hope” situation. The plan is to leave Reykjavik behind and chase viewing areas with strong visibility and low light pollution. The key is that the team is selecting spots based on what the sky is doing and what the conditions allow at that moment.

Expect multiple stops or changing locations during the hunt, with the group regrouping so everyone can see. Some people loved getting to two separate locations, which matters because aurora conditions can vary across a region. On nights when cloud cover or haze blocks one direction, another area can give you a cleaner view.

The catch: the weather runs the whole show. Even in “good timing” season, an overcast sky can smother aurora activity. One review described a night with heavy clouds where the team tried multiple spots and still came up blank. That’s not a failure on the guides so much as the reality of Iceland at night. The tour is built to adapt, but it can’t control clouds.

Comfort Matters at Night: Wi‑Fi, Toilet, Hot Drinks, and the Cold Wait

You’re going to be outside in the Icelandic winter or shoulder season, which means cold is part of the deal. What makes this tour easier is that you’re not suffering the whole time without breaks.

Inside the coach you get:

• Wi‑Fi
• Onboard toilet
• Hot drinks included

That trio is underrated. When you’re waiting for the sky to cooperate, the ability to warm up and reset your hands and camera gear makes a difference. It also helps you stay patient when the group is taking photos in a tight window. Some reviews noted the stop-and-wait rhythm can feel long, especially with a larger bus and everyone trying to shoot at once. If you go in with the right mindset, it’s fine. If you’re expecting constant motion and immediate lights, you might feel bored during the quiet stretches.

Also, dress for delays. Even if the hunt is scheduled for 9:00 pm, pickup can slide. And once you’re outside, you’ll want layers that handle wind. If you’re the type who gets cold fast, plan extra warmth for your face and hands. You’ll thank yourself when you’re trying to stabilize a phone or camera in the cold.

Hot Drinks and the Local Surprise: Fun, Not Filler

This tour includes more than aurora talk and bus seats. There’s complimentary hot drinks and a small local Icelandic surprise for each guest.

The surprise is small, but it adds a little personality to the night. One person said they expected something like a postcard or basic chocolate and were surprised that it was something more interesting. Another mentioned that the surprise can include fermented shark, which you might not want to try unless you’re curious and brave. If you’re food-adventurous, that twist is part of the fun.

Either way, the timing of hot drinks plus the surprise works well psychologically. You’re out for a while; having a warm drink and something local helps break up the tension of waiting for the sky to deliver.

Price and Value: Why $67.50 Can Make Sense Here

At $67.50 per person for about 4 hours, this is priced like a mainstream Reykjavik aurora outing. But value depends on what’s included, and this one stacks a few things together:

• Transport in a comfort coach
• An English-speaking professional guide
• A northern lights hunt to the best available viewing locations
• Photo tips (not just “look up”)
• Hot drinks
• A small local surprise

A lot of aurora tours charge similar money, but not all of them give real photo coaching or bring enough comfort for a long wait. Here, the Wi‑Fi and onboard toilet reduce the “logistics stress tax,” and the guidance reduces the “guessing game” stress. If you care about capturing the aurora well, those photo tips alone can be worth more than the price difference between basic tours.

Booking tends to happen early. On average it’s booked about 20 days in advance, so if you’re traveling during peak weeks, don’t leave it to the last minute.

Group Size Reality: 57 People on a Big Coach

There’s a limit of 57 travelers, and that can feel like a lot when everyone is stepping off for photos. You might spend time waiting while the group lines up, and at popular viewing moments people all try to frame the same sky in the same direction. One review called out the big-bus vibe and the waiting time in the cold for everyone to get pictures.

That said, a larger group also has a benefit: more eyes spotting changes. And because the guides are moving between viewing spots, the group size doesn’t automatically ruin your chances, as long as you’re flexible and patient.

If you hate crowds and standing around, consider whether you’d prefer a smaller group aurora experience. If you can handle a bus tour and just want the best organized odds, this works.

What I’d Do to Prepare (So You Get More From the Night)

If you want to maximize your chances without stressing, focus on the controllable parts.

For your body:

• Dress like you’re going to be outside longer than expected, not like a quick stop.
• Plan warm layers for standing still. Your camera hands matter.

For your photos:

• Use whatever photo tips they give you on the night. If you bring a phone, listen closely during the mobile guidance portion.
• Don’t wait until the sky turns active to test settings. The photo coaching from guides like Daniel is aimed at helping you be ready quickly.

For your expectations:

• Go in knowing the aurora is not guaranteed. Even when conditions look promising, clouds can erase the view.
• If you get no lights, you’re still likely to leave with better spotting and shooting skills for a later night.

One review specifically noted that after a first night without aurora, they rebooked and saw better conditions the second time. That’s the reality of northern lights hunting: persistence can pay off.

Should You Book This Northern Lights Comfort Coach With Surprise?

Yes, I think it’s a good pick if you want a well-run aurora hunt with comfort and real photo help, and you’d rather pay for organization than gamble on DIY. The combination of English-speaking guides, hot drinks, photo coaching, and a local surprise makes the night feel like an experience, not just transportation.

But if your top priority is avoiding crowds or you’re very sensitive to cold waiting, keep the group size and pickup timing in mind. You may wait outside if the bus runs late, and you may stand around at stops while everyone takes photos.

My quick call: Book it if you want structured aurora hunting from Reykjavik and you’d use the photography guidance. Skip it only if you strongly dislike bus groups or you need guaranteed results, because Iceland will not promise the sky.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 pm. You should be ready at your pickup or meeting point at that time.

Where do I meet the tour in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. The guidance says you should be ready at your designated pickup location at 9:00 pm, and the bus may arrive around 9:00 pm to 9:30 pm depending on road and weather.

What’s included with the tour besides the guide?

You get a comfortable bus with Wi‑Fi and an onboard toilet, complimentary hot drinks, northern lights hunt to the best viewing locations, and photography tips.

Are Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on natural conditions, and the guides will try multiple locations when needed.

How many people are on the tour?

This activity has a maximum of 57 travelers.

Do I need to buy tickets or pay extra for entry?

No additional admission is listed for the activity (it’s shown as Admission Ticket Free).

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the guide is English-speaking.

What is the local surprise?

Each guest receives a small local Icelandic surprise. One mention in the information provided includes fermented shark as a possible surprise option for those who choose to try it.

What if I don’t see the aurora on the first night?

The experience info notes that if you don’t see the Northern Lights, you can join a free second-chance tour (valid for the next two years).