From Reykjavík: Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

Raufarhólshellir gives this evening tour an unusual twist: you start underground, walking through an old lava tube, then head back into the dark to search for the Northern Lights. The cave is only about 45 minutes from Reykjavík, yet its colored rock walls and volcanic shapes feel far removed from the city.

I like the small-minibus format, which can reach darker viewing spots that larger coaches may miss. I also like the practical comforts: hot cocoa, blankets, Wi-Fi, and free aurora photos. The main catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and the cave floor can be uneven or slightly slippery.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different Icelandic experiences: Walk through a volcanic lava tube, then search the night sky for the aurora.
• Up to 900 meters underground: The guided cave walk lasts about an hour and includes a helmet, torch, and safety briefing.
• A flexible Northern Lights search: The guide follows weather and aurora forecasts, with possible stops around Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or South Iceland.
• Comfort after dark: Hot Icelandic cocoa, chocolate, blankets, and onboard Wi-Fi are included.
• A useful backup plan: If the aurora does not appear, you receive a free repeat Northern Lights tour.
• Pickup takes planning: You must use an authorized Reykjavík pickup point, not a private apartment, Airbnb, or Keflavík Airport.

Why the lava tunnel makes this more than a Northern Lights tour

A Northern Lights outing can turn into several hours of waiting in the cold. This experience gives your evening a solid first act, even if the sky refuses to cooperate.

Raufarhólshellir is Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube. Lava once flowed through the tunnel, leaving behind a long passage with unusual rock forms and mineral colors. The cave walls may show emerald green, red, turquoise, and lilac shades created by volcanic forces.

You do not simply walk into the cave and look around on your own. A certified caving guide provides the equipment, explains the safety rules, and points out the geology along the route. That makes the hour underground far more useful than a quick photo stop.

The cave walk reaches as far as 900 meters, or about 2,952 feet, into the tunnel. The route combines built paths and footbridges with patches of natural, uneven ground. I would call it an easy to moderate activity, but you need to feel steady on rough surfaces.

The darkness is part of the appeal. Your helmet torch lights the way, while the guide explains how the tunnel formed and why its walls have such varied colors. The cave is suitable for most people, including families, but it is not the right choice if uneven ground makes you uncomfortable.

The 7:30 p.m. pickup from Reykjavík

The tour begins at 7:30 p.m., with pickup from an approved location in Reykjavík. The minibus can collect you from many hotels, bus stops, and designated city points, including Hallgrímskirkja, City Hall, BSÍ Bus Terminal, Grand Hotel Reykjavík, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Reykjavík Natura, and Reykjavík Lights Hotel.

The pickup list is useful, but do not assume the minibus will come to your door. Private apartments and Airbnb apartments are not served directly. If your accommodation is not on the list, choose the closest authorized stop and be ready there from the start of the pickup window.

Pickup can take up to 30 minutes as the guide works through the route. I would arrive early and wait outside or at the stated meeting point. Missing the minibus because you were still getting ready would be a poor start to an evening that cannot easily be recreated on your own.

The vehicle holds a maximum of 28 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach. A minibus also matters later, when the guide is choosing dark viewing places away from Reykjavík.

One hour inside Raufarhólshellir

The first major stop is the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel. At the entrance, you meet the caving guide, receive a helmet with a light, and get a safety briefing before setting off.

The route has enough prepared flooring and footbridges to make the walk accessible to most people who can manage uneven terrain. You still need sensible footwear and a sure step. One part of the route may feel slightly slippery, although safety equipment is provided.

I like the way this stop uses time well. You are not waiting for the sky to clear or sitting in a parking lot. You are learning how Iceland was shaped by volcanic activity while walking through a real underground formation.

The guide adds the detail that makes the cave memorable. Look for changes in the rock surface, mineral colors, and the way the tunnel narrows or opens as you move along. The colors can be striking, especially under the beams of your helmet light.

There are toilets at the beginning of the lava tunnel, and you return to that same area after the walk. That is a small but useful detail, especially before the next part of the evening, which may involve waiting outdoors.

Chasing the Northern Lights after the cave

After the cave visit, you return to the minibus for the aurora search. This part lasts about two and a half hours, including the drive and time spent looking at the sky.

The destination is not fixed in advance. The guide uses current weather and Northern Lights forecasts to decide where to go. Possible areas include Þingvellir, Reykjanes, and other locations in South Iceland where the sky may be darker and clearer.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not locked into one viewing field if clouds settle over it. The smaller vehicle may also reach places that are less practical for a large bus.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. A skilled guide can improve your chances, but no operator can control cloud cover, aurora activity, or visibility. The tour has received high praise for guides who kept searching, including Nicolas, who helped with photographs, and Greta, who was singled out for her warm and capable guiding.

If the lights appear, the guide takes photos of you with the aurora. This is a welcome service because photographing the Northern Lights well can be difficult, especially when you are also trying to enjoy the moment. The images are shared digitally, with one account noting that the photographs arrived the next day.

Some outings see a strong display. One guide spent about 20 minutes taking photographs after finding the lights. On another night, the weather prevented an aurora sighting despite repeated attempts at different locations. That contrast tells you exactly what you are buying: expert searching, not a guaranteed natural show.

Hot cocoa, blankets, and a cold-weather pause

The tour includes Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and a blanket. These are not merely decorative extras. Northern Lights searches can involve standing outside while you wait for the sky to change, and a warm drink makes that pause far more pleasant.

You should eat dinner before pickup. Dinner is not included, and the tour does not provide a meal. A snack is sensible too, especially since the activity lasts about five hours from pickup to drop-off.

Onboard Wi-Fi is included, which is handy for staying connected during the drive. It also lets you message people back in Reykjavík without relying entirely on your own mobile service, although the quality of any connection can vary as the vehicle leaves the city.

What happens if the aurora does not appear

The free repeat Northern Lights tour is an important part of the value. If the lights do not show during your evening, you can use a complimentary retry for the Northern Lights portion.

The repeat option does not turn a cloudy night into a success, and you need to check the provider’s arrangements for using it. But it removes some of the pressure from booking a single aurora outing during a short Iceland visit.

The lava tunnel still goes ahead as a worthwhile activity when conditions allow. Several outings have resulted in a fascinating cave visit followed by a free reschedule for the aurora search. That is a much better fallback than spending the full evening with nothing to do.

One caution: the supplied information says poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That is different from simply not seeing the aurora during an otherwise suitable tour, which is handled through the free retry. Keep those two situations separate when you book.

Is $195.19 a fair price?

At $195.19 per person, this is not a budget evening outing. I think the price makes the most sense if you want two activities in one booking and value the practical extras.

You are paying for transportation from Reykjavík, a certified caving guide, safety equipment, an English-speaking Northern Lights guide, the cave admission, Wi-Fi, hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, and aurora photographs. The free retry also adds real value because a missed sighting is a normal risk.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is only to see the Northern Lights. In that case, you may prefer a simpler aurora tour, though this experience gives you a strong alternative when the sky is uncooperative.

The average booking lead time is about 39 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute during a busy season, especially if you want a specific date. It also gives you time to arrange a second evening in Reykjavík in case you want to use the repeat option.

Who should choose this evening tour?

I would recommend it for first-time visitors who want a compact introduction to Iceland’s volcanic geology and night sky. It also suits families with older children, couples, and solo visitors who prefer organized transport and a guide who keeps an eye on the group.

The tour is a good fit if you enjoy experiences that are more active than a simple coach ride. You walk for an hour, sometimes on uneven ground, then spend time outside searching for the aurora. You should be comfortable with both parts.

Solo visitors may appreciate the small-group setting. One account described the guide taking extra care to make sure a solo participant did not get left behind. That is the sort of practical attention that matters in a dark cave and on a nighttime stop.

I would think twice if you dislike rough footing, need a full dinner during an excursion, or have only one evening available and cannot accept the possibility of no aurora. The cave is not a substitute for the Northern Lights if that is your only priority.

Pickup, clothing, and useful preparation

Wear warm outdoor clothing and shoes with good grip. The cave and the outdoor aurora search call for different conditions, so layers are the sensible choice. A blanket and cocoa help, but they do not replace a warm coat.

Eat before pickup. Snacks and dinner are not included, and the tour can run for about five hours.

Check your pickup point carefully. Authorized locations include hotels, bus stops, the BSÍ terminal, and several central Reykjavík stops. Private accommodation is not collected directly, and Keflavík Airport is not included.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate, provided they are comfortable walking over some uneven surfaces. The maximum group size is 28.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Weather or minimum-group cancellations are handled with a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the lava tunnel and Northern Lights tour?

I would book this if you want an evening with a guaranteed activity plus a serious attempt at the aurora. The cave gives you something worthwhile even when clouds win, while the flexible minibus search and free retry improve your chances on another night.

I would skip it only if you want a dedicated Northern Lights hunt, cannot manage uneven ground, or need dinner included. For most visitors, the combination of Raufarhólshellir, warm cocoa, useful equipment, good guides, and a repeat aurora option gives the $195.19 price a fair case.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 p.m. Pickup is available from authorized locations around Reykjavík.

Can I be picked up at my Airbnb or private apartment?

No. Pickup is not available from private apartments or Airbnb apartments. You need to meet the minibus at the closest authorized pickup point.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on weather, cloud cover, and activity in the sky. The guide searches based on current forecasts, and a free repeat Northern Lights tour is offered if you do not see them.

What equipment is provided for the lava tunnel?

A helmet and torch are provided, along with the necessary safety equipment. You also receive a safety briefing before entering the tunnel.

Is the lava tunnel suitable for everyone?

Most people can participate, but parts of the tunnel have uneven terrain. You should be confident walking on rough surfaces and avoid this activity if you are uncomfortable with uneven ground.

Is food included?

Dinner and snacks are not included, so you should eat before the tour. Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and a blanket are provided.