Small-Group Northern Lights Tours Across Iceland: 9 to Book

1.Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,977 reviews · 4 hours · from $107Our pick

Leave Reykjavik after dark in a small minibus and follow the clearest skies in search of the aurora. Guides such as Ody, JP, Michael, Axel, and Roman explain the science, help with photographs, and may stop at several dark locations. Hot chocolate is included, and you get a free retry if the lights do not appear.

“JP was the best guide we could've asked for! Informative, funny, kind, passionate, and determined. He really did an amazing job with taking us to places where the giant busses were not, and this gave the whole experience an even more premium and private feel. It was a super awesome experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,068 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $172

You’ll leave Reykjavík in a minibus carrying no more than 19 people, following the aurora forecast to dark viewing spots. Guides such as Baldvin, Michaela, Devin, and Simon help with camera settings, explain Icelandic folklore and aurora science, and take group photos when conditions allow. Hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, and wool blankets make the waiting easier.

“Our guide Wojtek found the perfect spot to view the lights. He even knew what time they would be at their peak. It was overall an incredible experience. I definitely recommend this activity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Small-Group from Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 965 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $140Top rated

Search for the aurora with guides such as Tomas, Siggi, Almar, and Patrick on a small-group night trip from Reykjavík. You’ll ride in a heated minibus, stop at dark viewing spots, learn how the lights form, enjoy hot chocolate, and receive guide-taken photos when conditions allow. The lights are never guaranteed, but a free retry is offered if you miss them.

“Northern lights aee not guaranteed and we didnt get to see them. However Sunny was a fabulous guide and did her best to find them, stopping at different locations. I would definitely do it again”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Northern Lights Tour w/Pro Photos – Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 400 reviews · 4 hours · from $148

Join Aurora Viking for a four-hour evening hunt from Reykjavík, led by guides such as Emil, Kolbeinn, Tomas, Kobe, or BG. The minibus carries no more than 18 people, reaches darker spots than big coaches, and includes professional aurora and Viking-costume photos, museum replica weapons, hot chocolate, cookies, and free repeat outings until you see the lights.

“Our guide Kobe was the best!! We went on another Northern light trip 2 days before which was horrible, we didn't see anything. Decided to book this one as it was recommended by another tourist. Kobe knew exactly what he was doing, took us to places where there was no other tour and we saw the Northern light with red, orange, green. We were so happy and glad we spent the additional money to see it again as we only came to Iceland to see the northern lights. I will be recommending Kobe and this tour to everyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Reykjavik Northern Lights Tour with Pro Aurora Photos Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 349 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $148

Leave Reykjavik with Aurora Viking guides such as Tomas, Emil, Felix, Jonas, or Kobe, then chase clear skies and aurora activity by minibus. You get cocoa, snacks, Viking costumes and props, professional aurora photos, and free retries if the lights stay hidden. Groups are capped at 18, and the outing lasts about 3 to 5 hours.

“Was a great time. We were very lucky and the lights were extremely easy to find and see. Thanks for the experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Northern Lights and Stargazing Small-Group Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 308 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $234

Leave Reykjavik by modified 4x4 with a small group of up to 14 people. Your guide follows the cloud and aurora forecasts, then sets up a telescope for stars, planets, and nebulae while you wait. Guides such as Ástþór, Dominic, Vikingur, and Throster are known for lively explanations, hot chocolate, and taking photos when the lights appear.

“This was the best northern lights experience I could have wished for. Having tried and failed many times to see the lights, I appreciated the teams honestly both about the time they decided to cancel on the basis there was no real chance of seeing anything, their flexibility in rebooking and their utter professionalism in calling it a go at the last minute for the night we went. And they were right - the lights were wonderful. They took some amazing pictures too! Such perfect memories. I really welcomed the hot chocolate and cake (I don’t even like hot chocolate but theirs was delicious!) and we finished the night with…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Northern Lights Small-Group Tour From Reykjavik with Hot Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 264 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $109

Leave Reykjavik’s city lights behind with an experienced BusTravel Iceland guide such as Ody, Michael, Roman, or Harold. Over about four hours, you’ll follow cloud breaks and aurora activity to darker viewing spots, with help for night photography, hotel pickup, and hot chocolate outdoors. If the lights fail to appear, you can try again free.

“Prompt pick up from our hotel by an energised guide Michael. He had a great sense of humour was knowledgeable and engaging. We ‘chased’ the lights following a tip off and headed to an area near the airport. We stood in the darkness for not too long to see some amazing lights. We moved again after this to find another place which also had great views. We were lucky to see some great aurora. Lovely hot chocolate and candy as a little distraction whilst watching/waiting. Would throughly recommend. We choose this as it was a group of 16 people or less.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Free Photos & Hot Chocolate

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $118

You’ll leave Reykjavik in a minibus of up to 18 people, following cloud gaps and dark skies with guides such as Juliana, Nelu, and Jonas. The roughly four-hour outing includes hot chocolate, an Icelandic chocolate bar, WiFi, and digital photos of you beneath the aurora. Pickup begins around 9 p.m., or 10 p.m. in September.

“We were fortunate to have a clear night and the lights were very clear at all three locations we stopped. The driver was safe, very friendly, courteous and went out of his way to ensure that all participants had the chance to have a photo with the lights. The rating I gave was for the experience - the driver could have described and explained the lights and the phenomena to the group - but did not. Nevertheless - the tour was on time, safe and comfortable! Thanks!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Northern Lights Small Group Guided Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 158 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $120

Travel from Reykjavik with a local aurora guide such as Kalli or Sol, using weather and cloud cover to choose the evening’s viewing area. The tour lasts about three hours, includes WiFi and transport, and may stop more than once. You can be returned to the meeting point, though group size and pickup timing may vary.

“The Aurora was spectacular. Our guide was brilliant explainined so much to us. A fantastic experience that I will never forget.”

Check availability →Read our full review