From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos

The sky may put on a show tonight. This four-hour Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik takes you away from city glare in a small minibus, where guides track weather and cloud cover to find a promising viewing place. I especially like the maximum group size of 19 and the thoughtful comforts: hot cocoa, kleina pastries, wool blankets, and free photos. The catch is simple: no guide can control the aurora, so you need high hopes but low expectations.

I also like the way the guides treat the search as part science lesson and part night adventure. Guides such as Baldvin, Devin, Simon, Gummi, and Michaela are praised for explaining forecasts, photography, and the aurora itself while staying patient with photo requests. Still, even a determined guide may return without a visible display, and photos are not provided if the lights do not appear.

Key details worth knowing

• Small minibus access: A vehicle carrying no more than 19 people can reach darker viewing areas more easily than a large coach.
• Comfort in the cold: Icelandic wool blankets, hot chocolate, and kleina, a traditional Icelandic donut, are included.
• Free professional photos: The guide photographs you beneath the aurora and sends the images when the lights are successfully seen.
• Flexible search route: The exact stop depends on cloud cover, forecasts, and aurora activity rather than a fixed sightseeing circuit.
• Second chance available: If you attend and do not see the lights, you may rebook for free, subject to availability. There is no refund after an attended unsuccessful trip.
• Late-night timing: Departures begin at 20:30 from October 1 through March 31, and at 21:30 during the listed shoulder-season dates.

Why this Reykjavik aurora tour works

Northern Lights tours require a different mindset from ordinary sightseeing. You are not visiting a monument with fixed opening hours. You are following a natural event that may appear for minutes, hide behind clouds, or fail to show at all.

This trip handles that uncertainty in a sensible way. The guide studies weather forecasts and searches for clearer skies and darker conditions. Several guides also use satellite or aurora-monitoring information while driving, then adjust the route when conditions change.

That effort matters. Reykjavik has plenty of artificial light, and clouds can spoil an otherwise active aurora. The best possible location may be some distance from the capital, and the tour can involve more than one stop. One outing described stops near a thermal plant and at Thingvellir National Park, while another drove north for roughly one to one and a half hours to find clearer skies.

You should not expect a standard sightseeing route or a guaranteed viewing platform. The secret stop is chosen for the night’s conditions. That makes the trip less predictable, but it gives the guide room to chase a better chance instead of sticking to a disappointing first stop.

Pickup across Reykjavik, with one important wrinkle

Pickup is offered from a long list of hotels and designated bus stops around Reykjavik. Options include Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa, City Hall, the Culture House, Tjörnin, Skúlagata, Lækjargata, and several hotels such as Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Hotel Cabin, Reykjavik Lights, and The Reykjavik EDITION.

You need to be ready 30 minutes before departure. Downtown hotel pickup is restricted by local regulations, so some people staying in central Reykjavik will be directed to the nearest bus stop rather than collected at their accommodation. Check the assigned location carefully and use busstop.is if you need help finding it.

This is a small practical issue, not a major flaw. The long pickup list makes the tour easy to join, but the transfer around central Reykjavik can take time. If your hotel is not listed, contact EastWest before the evening of the tour rather than guessing.

The timing changes with the season:

• From October 1 through March 31, departures begin at 20:30.
• From August 15 through September 30, and April 1 through April 18, departures begin at 21:30.

The advertised duration is four hours, though the search can run longer when the aurora suddenly becomes active. One outing continued past 2:00 in the morning because the display was especially strong. Do not schedule a tight early-morning activity after this tour.

The minibus ride and the value of a smaller group

The minibus carries up to 19 people. That is still a group, but it feels more manageable than a full-size coach, especially when everyone needs to get out, find a viewing spot, and take photos.

The smaller vehicle has a practical advantage. It can use roads and pull-off points that may not suit a large bus, helping the guide search farther from city lights. Several accounts also praise the minibus as clean, warm, and comfortable.

You will spend a fair portion of the evening riding. During that time, the guide explains how solar activity creates the aurora, how cloud cover affects visibility, and how to read forecasts. Guides including Simon, Devin, Gummi, and Baldvin are repeatedly praised for making the drive entertaining as well as useful.

The ride is not a scenic tour with a long list of named attractions. Darkness is the point. You may pass through rural areas, tunnels, or places with horses, but the main goal is finding a clear sky. If you need a fixed schedule packed with sights, this is not the right excursion.

The secret stop: waiting for the sky to cooperate

The tour includes a guided visit and photo stop at a location selected during the search. The stop may be close to Reykjavik or farther out, depending on the night.

At the first stop, the guide assesses the sky rather than simply unloading everyone and waiting. If the cloud cover is poor, the group may move on. In one account, the first two locations failed before a final stop produced a spectacular display. On another evening, the first stop was already excellent, but the guide continued looking for an even better view.

This flexible approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose the trip. A fixed location can be easy to advertise, but it cannot adapt. Here, the guide can respond to changing clouds and activity.

The drawback is that the search can feel slow if the lights remain hidden. You may spend time standing outside in the cold, then climb back into the minibus and move again. The included blankets and drinks help, but you still need proper winter clothing and comfortable shoes.

The aurora itself: nature sets the terms

A strong aurora can fill the sky with fast-moving green light and, at times, shades of pink, red, or purple. A weaker display may appear as a pale band that looks more impressive through a camera than to the naked eye.

That difference is worth understanding before you book. A camera can collect more light than your eyes, so the free photographs may show stronger color than you perceived at the time. That does not make the experience false, but it does mean your own view may range from faint and ghostly to truly dramatic.

The tour cannot promise a sighting. If you attend and do not see the Northern Lights, you can join another tour free of charge, subject to availability. This is a useful safety net if your schedule allows another evening. It is not a refund, and photos are not delivered when the aurora is not visible.

If EastWest cancels before you attend because of poor weather, you receive a full refund. If you have already taken part, you may rebook for up to two years, subject to availability, but no refund is offered. That policy is fair for a weather-dependent activity, though you should understand the difference between a cancellation and an unsuccessful search.

Hot cocoa, kleina, and blankets that matter

The refreshments are not just decoration. Icelandic nights can be bitterly cold, especially when you stand still waiting for a cloud gap. A wool blanket over your coat makes the outdoor pauses much easier.

Hot chocolate is served with kleina, a fried Icelandic pastry often described as a donut. The combination gives you a warm drink and a small local treat without turning the tour into a meal stop. The cocoa has been described as having an especially distinctive, authentic flavor, and the pastry is a welcome reward after time outside.

Bring your own warm layers anyway. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for cold evening conditions. The blankets are borrowed, not a substitute for a proper coat, hat, gloves, and warm socks.

Free photos and helpful camera advice

The photo service adds real value to the $169 price. Northern Lights photography is tricky. Long exposures, steady framing, and careful timing are needed, and a phone may struggle in the dark.

The guide takes photographs of you with the aurora behind you, often at more than one stop. Devin is praised for giving camera-setting advice, while Gummi, Baldvin, Al, and others are singled out for taking attractive group and individual photos. The guide may also help you choose where to stand and when to look up.

You should still arrive with your phone fully charged. Keep it available for your own pictures, but do not expect a phone snapshot to match a camera made for night photography. The professional images are likely to become your best visual record of the night.

There is one firm condition: photos are not delivered if the aurora is not visible. That makes sense from the operator’s point of view, but it is worth knowing before you count the photography as guaranteed.

The guides make or break the evening

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. The route matters, but the guide decides when to stop, when to move, how to explain the science, and how to keep spirits up during a slow search.

Baldvin is repeatedly praised for his enthusiasm and long experience with aurora guiding. Devin receives high marks for photography, humor, and persistence in difficult weather. Simon is described as realistic, funny, and well informed about the night sky. Gummi and Gummi Bear are praised for spotting activity quickly and helping with photos.

Other named guides include Michaela, Einar, Slavi, Ionut B, Diogo R, Arni, Wojtek, and Rosie. The accounts suggest that guide quality is a major strength across the team, though the exact style will vary from person to person.

I like that the better guides set honest expectations. They explain that seeing the aurora depends on solar activity, cloud cover, darkness, and luck. You get a better evening when the guide is enthusiastic without pretending to control nature.

Is $169 a fair price?

At $169 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for hotel or bus-stop pickup, a four-hour minibus outing, an English-speaking guide, route decisions, blankets, hot chocolate, kleina, and free photographs.

The price makes the most sense if you value convenience and do not want to rent a car or study Icelandic weather maps at night. The photography alone can be useful, especially if this is your first aurora trip and you have no tripod or night-sky camera.

The value drops if you are comfortable driving yourself, already have good camera equipment, or plan to make several attempts on your own. A self-guided search gives you more freedom, but you lose the local guide’s experience and the backup rebooking option.

For a first attempt from Reykjavik, the smaller group, warm transport, and photo service make the price reasonable. I would regard the drinks and pastry as pleasant extras, not the main reason to book.

Who should book this experience?

This tour suits first-time visitors who want a simple, guided search from Reykjavik. It is also a good fit for anyone who wants professional-looking photos without learning night photography in freezing conditions.

It works best for people who can keep their schedule flexible. If you have two or three possible evenings, an unsuccessful first trip is less painful because you can use the rebooking option. Booking near the start of your Iceland stay may also give you more time to try again, though the aurora itself remains unpredictable.

The tour is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. It is not stroller accessible, and infant seats are unavailable. You should be comfortable getting in and out of a minibus and standing outside in cold conditions.

Should you book the EastWest Northern Lights tour?

I would book this tour if you want a guided, comfortable aurora search with a small group and useful photos. The guides are the main reason to choose it, and names such as Baldvin, Devin, Simon, Gummi, and Michaela appear often for good reason: they combine route decisions, clear explanations, humor, and patience.

Book it with realistic expectations. You may see a faint glow, a full sky display, or nothing at all. The tour gives you a second chance after an unsuccessful attended trip, but it cannot manufacture clear skies.

For the best chance of enjoying it, bring serious warm clothing, charge your phone, arrive at pickup 30 minutes early, and keep the following morning open. If you accept that the chase is part of the adventure, the cocoa, wool blankets, and photographs turn a cold night into a very worthwhile Iceland memory.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik?

The tour lasts four hours, although the evening may run longer if the aurora becomes especially active.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $169 per person.

What time does pickup begin?

From October 1 through March 31, departures begin at 20:30. From August 15 through September 30 and April 1 through April 18, departures begin at 21:30. Pickup begins 30 minutes before departure, so you should be ready early.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from many Reykjavik hotels and designated bus stops, including Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa, City Hall, Tjörnin, Skúlagata, Lækjargata, and several listed hotels.

Can I be picked up directly at my downtown hotel?

Not always. Local regulations prevent pickup from certain downtown hotels, so you may be directed to the nearest designated bus stop.

What is included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, minibus transport, hot chocolate, borrowed Icelandic wool blankets, kleina, and free photos are included.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

If you attend the tour but do not see the aurora, you may join another tour free of charge, subject to availability. You do not receive a refund after attending.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

If EastWest cancels the tour because of poor weather and you have not attended, you receive a full refund. If you already took part, you can rebook subject to availability, but no refund is provided.

Is the tour suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. It is also not stroller accessible, and infant seats are unavailable.