Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

The best part of this Tromsø Northern Lights tour is that you are not tied to one viewing field. The driver and guides can chase clear skies across northern Norway and, when needed, into Finland. That flexibility has produced some remarkable nights, including dancing auroras, campfires, warm berry drinks, and professional photos sent to you afterward.

I like the free photography, which saves you from wrestling with camera settings in the dark. I also like the guides’ energy and astronomy knowledge. Soraia, Alex, Bailey, Taylor, Marius, Owen, Meda, and others are repeatedly praised for explaining the science, pointing out stars and planets, and keeping the group involved.

The tradeoff is real: this can mean many hours on a bus. A cloudy night may lead to a long drive with no guarantee of lights, and the return can be as late as 3 am. The large group, sometimes close to 50 people, also makes the experience less personal than a small minibus tour.

Key points to know before you book

• The route changes with the weather: The group may drive south from Tromsø or cross into Finland to find clearer skies.
• The outing lasts 5 to 9 hours: In difficult conditions, the return can be close to 3 am, and one reported trip lasted about 11 hours.
• Professional photos are included: Guides take portraits and aurora shots, then send the files free of charge.
• Warm drinks and campfires add comfort: Hot beverages, hot water, and on some nights cookies and a fire help during long waits outside.
• The group can reach 50 people: A big bus offers a warm base and easier transport, but viewing and photography can feel crowded.
• You must dress for Arctic conditions: Warm layers, gloves, sturdy shoes, and protection for your face are your responsibility.

A true aurora chase from Tromsø

This is not a short trip to a fixed viewpoint. You meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, outside Tromsø Bus Terminal, at 5:20 pm. From there, the guides assess the forecast and cloud cover, then choose a route.

That approach matters because the Northern Lights are not a scheduled show. Tromsø may be cloudy while the sky is clear a couple of hours away. The tour team can drive toward better conditions rather than simply waiting in town.

The route has reached several locations south of Tromsø and, on difficult nights, Finland. That may sound dramatic, but it also explains the long duration. You are paying for a serious attempt to find clear skies, not a quick evening transfer to the nearest viewing field.

The bus is your base between stops. Depending on the vehicle used that evening, you may have USB and USB-C charging points, and some buses have a toilet that can be used while the bus is stopped. A smaller group may sometimes be moved into a minibus, though that can mean no onboard bathroom.

What happens after the 5:20 pm meeting

The first part is usually transport and weather watching. Guides explain the plan, discuss the chances for the night, and begin the drive away from Tromsø. The exact route and number of stops depend on the cloud cover and aurora activity.

When the team finds a promising location, you get out for viewing and photographs. Some stops are brief checks of the sky. Others become longer sessions, especially when the aurora begins to move overhead.

The guides may ask the group to walk away from the bus to reach a darker spot. One outing involved a snowy path down to a lake, with uneven snow and slippery ice on the way back. That is worth taking seriously. You should carry a phone light, watch your footing, and avoid assuming that every stop will be flat and easy.

On successful nights, the group may visit more than one location. Meda and driver Brian, for example, used three stops before settling at a strong viewing site. Other outings found a wide snowy field where the aurora gradually grew brighter and began moving overhead.

The reward for this patience can be excellent. The lights may appear as a faint green arc at first, then brighten and ripple across the sky. The guides cannot control the display, but they can give you more chances to see it by moving away from cloud.

The guides make a big difference

A long night in a bus depends heavily on the people leading it. Chasing Lights uses professional photographer guides, and several names come up often in the supplied feedback: Soraia, Alex, Bailey, Taylor, Marius, Owen, Meda, Nick, Brian, Jefta, and others.

Their roles go beyond finding a photo location. They explain the physics of the aurora, discuss old stories and Sámi culture, identify stars and planets, and keep people informed when the plan changes. Alex is described as especially animated when explaining the aurora, while Soraia receives repeated praise for her photography and warm manner.

This is important on a cloudy evening. You may spend hours driving and waiting, so clear explanations help you understand why the bus is moving and what the team is watching. A good guide cannot create an aurora, but can make a slow night feel purposeful rather than random.

The guides also handle group logistics. They help position people for photos, explain when to return to the bus, and provide hot drinks at suitable stops. On some outings they light a fire and serve hot lingonberry or blackcurrant juice, sometimes with cookies.

Free photos are a major part of the value

Night photography is tricky. You need a steady camera, a long exposure, and often a tripod. The tour does not include a tripod, and you are responsible for your own clothing and equipment. The professional photos help solve the hardest part.

The guides take individual and group images beneath the aurora, then send the files to you without an extra photography fee. The photos include posed portraits, aurora scenes, and spontaneous shots. If the lights appear, this can be worth a large share of the ticket price because you return with usable memories rather than a collection of dark, blurry phone images.

You should still bring your own camera if you enjoy photography. The guides’ work is a bonus, not a replacement for personal equipment. A tripod is not included, so pack one only if you are serious about making your own images and can manage it in snow and darkness.

The big-bus advantage and its limits

The maximum group size is 50 people. That is large for a nature experience, and it affects the evening.

The positive side is comfort and capacity. You have a warm vehicle as a base, and the bus can carry people across long distances without the cramped feeling of a tiny van. If you are traveling with a child who may struggle to stay awake, the bus can be useful. You can return inside for warmth while the guides continue watching the sky.

The downside appears at the photo stops. People may compete for open viewpoints, and the guides can be busy photographing many members of the group. A large vehicle also cannot use every narrow road or small pull-off. One evening planned as a big-bus trip became a minibus outing, which created a friendlier atmosphere but also removed the onboard bathroom.

If personal attention matters most, look for a smaller tour. If your priority is a strong attempt to find clear skies, included photography, and a warm base during a long chase, the big bus has practical strengths.

Expect serious cold outside and excessive heat inside

You should dress for Arctic conditions, even if the bus is warm. Bring several layers, insulated gloves, a hat, thick socks, and sturdy winter footwear. Face protection is useful in wind, and the ground may be deep snow, icy, or uneven.

The tour does not provide clothing or thermal suits. Some people wished those were included, but the stated inclusions are limited to hot drinks and hot water. I would not rely on ordinary city clothing for a night that may involve standing outside for one or two hours.

The bus temperature can create the opposite problem. Several accounts describe the interior as very warm during the return drive, to the point that people removed most of their layers. Wear clothing you can adjust easily rather than one bulky piece. Keep your outer layers within reach, not buried in luggage.

Food is not included. Hot drinks are provided, and some nights include cookies, but you should eat before departure and carry a small snack if you need one. There is no promise of a full meal.

Timing, fatigue, and the late return

The advertised duration is 5 to 9 hours. The return to Tromsø is usually between 10:30 pm and 3 am, depending on the route and conditions. A difficult chase can run longer, with one reported outing reaching about 11 hours.

This is the biggest practical issue. If you have a fjord cruise, dog sledding, or an early flight the next morning, a late return can make the following day hard. Build the tour into a flexible evening and avoid placing your most demanding activity immediately afterward.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You return to the same meeting point at Tromsø Bus Terminal. If you are staying outside central Tromsø, check your route home before departure. At 2 or 3 am, walking may not be appealing, especially after standing in snow and riding a bus for hours.

The meeting instructions also deserve care. The stated meeting point is gate 5 at the bus terminal, outside in the number 5 bus parking area. Arrive early and confirm that you are in the correct place. Do not assume the bus will collect you at a hotel.

Is $151.15 a fair price?

At $151.15 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. You are paying for transport over a large area, guides, a professional driver, free photos, hot drinks, and the ability to keep chasing when Tromsø is cloudy.

The value improves if you see the lights and make use of the photography. A successful night can include several viewing locations, astronomy explanations, a fire, warm juice, and photos that would otherwise require hiring a photographer. The value is less clear if you dislike long drives or want a brief local outing.

One useful price check comes from the supplied booking information: a direct booking through Chasing Lights was reported at about 1,200 NOK, compared with roughly 1,500 NOK through some third-party sites. Prices change, so compare the company’s own website with other booking channels before paying.

I would also consider booking this early in your Tromsø stay if your schedule allows. The lights are never guaranteed, and a second attempt gives you another chance if the first night is cloudy. The cancellation terms allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Weather policies need careful reading

The tour operates in all weather conditions, and the team points out that poor-looking forecasts can sometimes produce good aurora gaps. At the same time, the booking conditions say the activity may be canceled because of poor weather, with a different date or full refund offered.

Those statements mean you should not expect every cloudy forecast to trigger cancellation. The operator may decide that driving is worthwhile, even if the odds look weak. If the tour runs, there is no refund or free replacement simply because the lights do not appear.

That policy is fair for a natural event, but it can feel harsh if you spend nine or more hours driving under solid cloud. Book only if you can accept the possibility of a long night with no aurora. The guides can improve your chances, not guarantee the result.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want a serious search rather than a quick photo stop. It suits you if you are happy to drive for several hours, wait outside in severe cold, and follow changing plans.

It is also a good choice if you want help with photography or if you prefer having a heated bus nearby. Families may appreciate the bus as a retreat, though children must be accompanied by an adult and the late return can be tiring.

You may prefer another option if you want a quiet, small-group outing, a guaranteed short schedule, hotel pickup, included thermal clothing, or a meal. This is an active chase, not a polished dinner excursion.

Should you book the Chasing Lights big-bus chase?

Book it if your main goal is to give yourself the best practical chance of seeing the aurora from Tromsø. The changing route, experienced guides, free professional photos, warm drinks, and willingness to drive into Finland make it a strong choice for a determined aurora hunter.

Skip it if you cannot tolerate uncertainty, long bus journeys, crowded viewing points, or a return after midnight. My best advice is to schedule it early in your Tromsø visit, leave the next morning light, dress more warmly than you think necessary, and check the direct price before booking.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour start?

The tour starts at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, at Tromsø Bus Terminal, in Tromsø, Norway. The meeting time is 5:20 pm.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Tromsø Bus Terminal. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately 5 to 9 hours. The usual return window is between 10:30 pm and 3 am, depending on the route and conditions.

Can the tour travel outside Norway?

Yes. The chase may travel south from Tromsø and can reach Finland when the guides are seeking clearer skies.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural event, and there are no refunds or free replacement trips simply because the lights are not seen.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. Professional photos taken during the tour are sent to you free of charge. Tripods are not included.

Is food provided?

Meals are not included. The tour includes a hot beverage and hot water. Some outings may also include cookies with the hot drink.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you can be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.