Highlights

• Your best chance to see the magical Northern Lights in Iceland!
• Learn everything you need to know about the Aurora Borealis from our knowledgeable guides!
• Enjoy a bucket-list experience, a night you’ll never forget!

Inclusions

• Round-trip transportation with convenient collections/drop-offs
• Professional tour guides with expert knowledge of the Northern Lights
• Free WiFi to keep you connected
• Modern, well-equipped coaches to keep you warm and comfortable

Tour Itinerary

Northern Lights Tour Reykjavik: Gray Line Iceland Experience

On our expertly guided Northern Lights tours from Reykjavik, you’ll have your best chance to see Iceland’s incredible Northern Lights dance across the night sky. We’ll whisk you away from the bright city lights of Reykjavik and into the remote Icelandic countryside, searching the skies for the Aurora Borealis.

The Northern Lights in Iceland are a natural phenomenon triggered by charged particles from the Sun colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere, high up in the heavens.

Seeing the lights from the ground also requires clear, dark nights, so we’ll need the right weather for a successful Aurora hunt! Our experienced Northern Lights guides will read the weather forecast and pick the right places each night, taking into account how solar wind particles interact with Earth's magnetic field to create the phenomenon.

What Are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a breathtaking natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. This spectacular display of colored lights can be seen in the night sky, typically at high latitudes, and is a popular attraction for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike. The Northern Lights are a unique and awe-inspiring experience, with vibrant colors and patterns that can be seen dancing across the sky.

What do you need to do to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

After you've completed the booking for your Northern Lights Tour, all you need to do is be ready for collection at the designated location for the tour departure, sit back and relax and enjoy the drive out of the city to the chosen places for aurora hunting. 

Our experienced guides will entertain you with fascinating facts about the Northern Lights and the locations we're visiting to search for the Northern Lights.

As soon as the Aurora Borealis has been spotted, you can witness this incredible natural phenomenon in eye-catching surroundings, taking as many photos of the Northern Lights as you want! 

We'll help you with your camera or smartphone settings if you need advice, but we do recommend familiarizing yourself with your equipment before your Northern lights tour.

Why should you book a Reykjavik Northern Lights tour with us?

Iceland is one of the most beautiful places on Earth to see the Northern Lights, with stunning landscapes just a short drive from the city.

As well as that, Iceland isn’t as built-up as other countries, so it’s much easier to reach secluded areas in complete darkness. That makes a big difference when you’re hunting the Northern Lights!

Our Northern Lights tours have over a decade of experience making the most of this magical phenomenon, discovering the best places to watch the skies dance.

So, let us do all the driving while you prepare for an experience with one of our amazing guides you’ll never forget. You’ll never have a better opportunity for seeing the Northern Lights on a guided tour!

Why Choose a Guided Northern Lights Tour

Choosing a guided Northern Lights tour is an excellent way to maximize your chances of witnessing this incredible natural phenomenon. Guided tours are led by experienced guides who have extensive knowledge of the best viewing locations, weather conditions, and solar activity. They can help you navigate the remote Icelandic countryside, avoiding city lights and light pollution, to find the perfect spot to witness the Northern Lights. Additionally, guided tours often provide educational insights into the science and lore behind the Northern Lights, making the experience even more enjoyable and memorable.

Ideal Conditions for Viewing

The ideal conditions for viewing the Northern Lights include dark skies, clear weather, and high solar activity. The best time to see the Northern Lights is typically during the winter months, from September to April, when the nights are longest and darkest. However, the Northern Lights can be seen throughout the year, and the best viewing times can vary depending on the location and weather conditions. It’s essential to dress warmly and be prepared for changing weather conditions, as the Northern Lights can appear and disappear quickly.

Iceland’s Prime Location for Northern Lights

Iceland is one of the best locations in the world to see the Northern Lights, due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle and low light pollution. The country’s unique geography, with its vast wilderness and minimal artificial lighting, makes it an ideal spot for viewing the Northern Lights. Additionally, Iceland’s location within the Auroral Zone, where geomagnetic storms occur, increases the chances of witnessing this incredible natural phenomenon.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What causes the Northern Lights in Iceland?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are generated by unpredictable activity on the Sun, including solar wind, solar flares, solar storms, and Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) in the upper atmosphere.

Charged particles are flung across the cosmos from the Sun, reaching the Earth’s atmosphere at different speeds, drawn to the magnetic fields around the North and South Poles.

The solar particles interact with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating tiny bursts of light, which we see as a colorful aurora.

Iceland’s long dark winters offer you a fantastic opportunity to see this natural phenomenon yourself!

2. When is the best time to see Northern Lights from Iceland?

The best time to see the Northern Lights from Iceland is during the winter months, from September to April, when the nights are longest and darkest. However, the Northern Lights can be seen throughout the year, and the best viewing times can vary depending on the location and weather conditions. The peak season for Northern Lights sightings is typically from December to March, when the nights are longest and the skies are usually clearer.

2. When is the best time to see Northern Lights from Iceland?

The best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is from late August until late April. The darker the nights, the brighter the lights may appear! 

The optimum time of day for aurora hunting is between 9 pm and 2 am.

Iceland's nights last longest in December (up to 20 hours of darkness!). When there's more daylight, the chances will reduce. That makes the Northern Lights a magnet for winter visitors to Iceland! 

Remember that we need clear skies, so we'll look for cloudless areas around the capital each night to increase your chances of success.  

3. Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

The chances of seeing the Northern Lights will change minute by minute on each night of the Northern Lights season. Your amazing guide will be prepared with a detailed itinerary to take you off the beaten path for the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

If the Icelandic skies are clear, that gives you the best chance to see the Aurora from your accommodation in Reykjavík by just looking up! But the light pollution from the street lights will significantly reduce the spectacle. Getting out into Icelandic nature is the best way to see the northern lights.

When the weather is changeable, clouds will obscure the Northern Lights from sight, so you need to be able to move quickly from one place to the next.

That's why it's always best to take an organized tour with our experienced guides, who know the best places outside the city to hunt the clearest and darkest skies for the best view possible! 

4. Are the Magical Northern Lights seen every night in Iceland?

The Aurora Borealis are a natural phenomenon, so there's no guarantee of seeing them. A successful Northern Lights tour needs the right weather and certain levels of aurora activity.

Aurora activity is measured by the Kp index, which indicates when the Northern Lights are most likely to appear. The scale is numbered from 0-9 - the higher the number, the greater the level of solar activity. The greater the solar activity, the higher your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

With more than a decade of experience, we know how to read the weather forecast and the Kp index to offer you the most excellent chance to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

5. Where else are the Northern Lights found?

The Aurora Borealis can be seen in a heavenly halo around the Earth's northern latitudes, across Alaska and Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Northern Scandinavia, and Russia. 

Its southern counterpart, the Aurora Australis, will be seen in a similar band around the Southern Hemisphere in places like Australia, Chile, and Argentina.

6. How long do the Northern Lights in Reykjavik last?

“How long will this rain shower last?”. “What time will that rainbow fade away?”. 

If you can answer those questions, you might also know how long a Northern Lights display will last! 

Sometimes the Northern Lights will dance across the sky for a few hours with a kaleidoscope of colors, including green, white, blue, red, and purple. 

On other nights, we might see the aurora may appear for a few minutes, with ethereal wisps of green creating an eerie glow. 

Nobody knows for sure, which makes this a magical mystery tour for you!

7. Why do the Northern Lights change color?

The Northern Lights are generated by solar particles drawn into the Earth's magnetic field, where atmospheric reactions charge those particles to generate a glorious range of colors in the sky.

Different gases in the Earth's atmosphere release different light colors depending on their type and height in the atmosphere.

Green is the most common color, appearing about 100 – 240 kilometers above. Blues and violets occur below 100 kilometers. And reds (rarely seen) will be above 240 kilometers. Every time you see the Northern lights they will look different.

8. How do I take pictures of the Northern Lights with my smartphone or camera?

Our expert guides will offer helpful technical advice to help you take the best pictures of the Northern Lights with your cameras and smartphones. 

The latest smartphones have Night Mode options, enabling you to capture fantastic images, even when it is hard to see the Northern Lights with the naked eye. 

If you've brought a digital camera to Iceland, read the manual in advance so you're ready to get those perfect pictures! Knowing how to adjust your shutter speed is very important.

Find more FAQ about the Northern Lights here.

9. Dressing for your Iceland Northern Lights tours.

During the winter months in Iceland, when the temperatures drop and the sky is dark, nature puts on a breathtaking display known as the Northern lights. These mesmerizing lights dance across the sky in dramatic shapes and colors, creating a truly unforgettable experience. To witness this natural phenomenon, many visitors opt for Northern lights tours offered by Gray Line Iceland. These tours provide the perfect opportunity to explore the Icelandic landscape while searching for the best spots to view the lights. It's important to dress warmly and come prepared with winter boots and necessary gear like a camera and tripod. With the right weather conditions and a bit of patience, the Northern lights can create a magical and awe-inspiring experience.

10. Popular additions to Northern lights tours in Iceland.

Gray Line Iceland is a renowned tour operator that offers a wide range of guided tours in Iceland, including the popular Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tours. We have a team of experienced local guides who take visitors on an unforgettable journey through Iceland's stunning landscapes. In addition to our popular Northern Lights tours, Gray Line Iceland also offers tours to the south coast and ice caves, which are a must-see for anyone visiting Iceland. Our Golden Circle tour is a best seller and is highly recommended for those who want to experience Iceland's natural wonders. Whether you're planning a trip to Iceland or just want to visit the country for a few days, Gray Line Iceland has the perfect tour for you.

11. How long will my Iceland Northern Lights tour take?

The duration of an Iceland Northern Lights tour varies, but typically it will take around 4 hours. These tours are specifically designed to provide visitors with the best opportunity to witness the captivating display of the Northern lights. Guided by experienced local guides from Gray Line Iceland, participants will embark on a journey through Iceland's breathtaking landscapes in search of the perfect spot to view the lights. It is recommended to dress warmly and bring necessary equipment like a camera and tripod to capture this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.

Please note

• You need clear weather and confirmed aurora activity to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. We’ll make a decision each day at 5 pm. You can check the tour status on book.grayline.is, contact your hotel or sales office.

• The Northern Lights Tour start times are:

  • August 25th - September 30th at 21:30

  • October 1st - March 14th at 20:30

  • March 15th - April 14th  at 21:30

  • April 15th - April 25th at 22:30

• Remember - the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get to see the aurora. But our experienced guides will make the most of every tour, taking you to the best places to maximize your chances!
• This tour is non-refundable. If you don’t experience the Northern Lights, you can rebook another Northern Lights tour for free! Just select REBOOK/CHANGE. 
• As we chase the aurora, we’ll remember your comfort, too, making stops for restroom breaks when possible.
• All tours include expert aurora-hunting advice given in English.

Pickup points

Not booked your hotel yet? Hotel not listed? Staying with a friend/family?

Don't worry, you can give us that information when you add this item to your cart.

Pickup Info

Please present your electronic travel voucher/ticket at the time of tour departure.

Pick up and drop off
Pick up from hotels, guesthouses and designated bus stops starts 30 minutes before the tour departure time stated on your voucher.

Need assistance?
Call: +3545401313 or e-mail: iceland@grayline.is