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Green and red northern lights

NORTHERN LIGHTS TRIP FROM REYKJAVÍK: TIPS & TRICKS TO PLAN YOUR NORTHERN LIGHTS HUNT

Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those bucket-list experiences that Iceland makes unforgettable. With the right planning, cozy gear, and a little luck from Mother Nature, you can witness the night sky dance in green, purple, and pink right above you.

Whether you want expert guidance or prefer a self-guided adventure, here’s how to plan your Reykjavík Northern Lights trip like a pro.

Why Reykjavík Is a Great Base

Top Northern Lights Experiences – From Reykjavík

Best Tour Options

What to Pack for a Northern Lights Trip

How to Read the Northern Lights Forecast

DIY vs. Tour: What’s Best?

Choose Your First Available Night

Final Tips for Your Reykjavík Northern Lights Adventure

Why Reykjavík Is a Great Base

Reykjavík is ideally positioned for Northern Lights adventures: close enough to dark rural skies, yet with easy access to tours and transport. The biggest challenge in the city itself is light pollution, which is why heading out of town is key.

Before diving into tours and logistics, here’s a quick overview of how to beat the lights and improve your odds of seeing the auroras.

Northern Lights over an Icelandic farm

This could be you! Join a northern lights tour for an unforgettable experience

Red Northern Lights over Iceland

Northern Lights over Hraunfossar – West Iceland

Full moon aurora at Þingvellir National Park, Iceland

Top Northern Lights Experiences – from Reykjavík

While it is sometimes possible to see the northern lights from the Icelandic Capital, it is by leaving the city lights behind that you will experience the Aurora in full force.

Reykjavík is the departure point for most northern lights tours in Iceland. Just get on board, we’ll get you there!

Here are some of the best ways to chase the northern lights away from the city, when based in Reykjavík.

Best Tour Options

Premium Adventure – Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour

Perfect if you want an off-road hunt in style, these tours go beyond the city lights for serious northern lights seekers. Expect free pickup, great photos, hot drinks, and a higher chance of clear skies. 

This is a memorable choice if it’s your first visit and you want a guided chase with local insight.

Book here: Northern Lights Superjeep Tour

Northern Lights super jeep tour - www.aurorareykjavik.is

Northern lights in the wilderness, during a superjeep tour

Aurora over Hot spring in Iceland

Northern lights over a frozen lake

Small Group Fun – Northern Lights Small Group Tour

A popular choice for travellers who want expert guidance without the private tour price tag. Includes pickup/drop-off, free photos, heisse Schokolade, and treats.

Find out more: Northern Lights Minibus Tour

Scenic & Unique – Northern Lights by Boat

Seeing the aurora over the water, away from land lights, can create amazing reflections and a special experience. Ferry tours often include comfy seating, bar service, and free Wi-Fi. 

Join our Northern Lights Cruise

 

Budget-Friendly – Northern Lights by Bus

A Northern Lights Bus tour is great for travellers on a budget. These tours head out of Reykjavík to darker skies with a guide, hot drinks, and aurora guarantee (free retry if you don’t see them). 

Northern lights seen from the boat

Reykjavík northern lights cruise

Private Tours & Special Combos

Looking for something more adventurous, private, or combined with other activities? There are private tours und multi-day combos that blend northern lights chasing with glacier hikes, waterfalls, and south coast scenery.
Here are some of our top picks:

Find out our hand-picked selection of northern lights excursions and day tours here.

Northern lights over a farm house

Northern lights in the countryside

What to Pack for a Northern Lights Trip

Winter in Iceland is cold, dark, and magical, so let’s get you packed right:

Clothing Essentials

  • Thermal base layers
  • Insulated winter coat
  • Water- and wind-proof outer layers
  • Warm hat + scarf
  • Gloves 
  • Thick wool socks
  • Sturdy winter boots

Night-Hunting Gear

  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Portable charger + spare batteries
  • Tripod + camera with manual settings
  • Thermos with a warm drink 

Find out more about tips and recommendations for travelling in Iceland in winter here.

Useful Tools

Pro tips: Checking real-time KP index and cloud patterns before you head out and be patient: auroras are fickle but worth the wait! 

NORTHERN LIGHTS AND SOUTH SHORE Combo Tour with Reykjavik Sightseeing and AURORA REYKJAVIK
Green and red northern lights

Green and red northern lights

How to Read the Northern Lights Forecast

Auroras are unpredictable, but forecasts help you game-plan your nights.

As reading the northern lights forecast is tricky, we have put together a guide for you: How to Read an Aurora Forecast: Your Complete Guide to Not Miss the Northern Lights

 

Ideal Conditions

  • Moderate to high KP
  • Clear skies
  • Optimal darkness: peak aurora activity
  • Away from city lights: unpolluted skies improve visibility

DIY vs. Tour: What’s Best?

TOUREN are great if:

  • You want local guidance and transport
  • Roads and weather are unfamiliar
  • You’d like photos + hot drinks included

DIY aurora hunting is great if:

  • You’re confident driving Icelandic winters
  • You want freedom to chase breaks in the clouds
  • You have your own camera plan

Both work: locals and travellers alike find success with both approaches. If you’re unsure, booking a tour early in your trip gives you a safety net while you explore independent options later.

Check out our tips and tricks to driving yourself to see the northern lights.

Couple under green and pink northern lights
Aurora Expert Grétar Jónsson, owner and CEO of AURORA REYKJAVÍK capturing the Northern Lights at Sólheimarkökull, Iceland

Aurora Expert Grétar Jónsson, owner and CEO of AURORA REYKJAVÍK capturing the Northern Lights at Sólheimarkökull, Iceland

Choose Your First Available Night

Since Northern Lights sightings depend on clear skies and solar activity, tours can occasionally be postponed or rescheduled due to weather conditions. 

To improve the likelihood of actually seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, it’s smart to schedule your Northern Lights tour for the very first night of your trip. 

 

Maximise Your Chances

By planning your Northern Lights adventure early in your stay, you’ll have extra nights as backup options in case you need to try again.

This is why most Northern Lights tours from Reykjavík offer free rebookings or “retry” guarantee. In case of an unsuccessful first Aurora tour, you’ll be able to go again – at no additional cost. 

Northern Lights at Reykjanes captured by AURORA REYKJAVÍK

Final Tips for Your Reykjavík Northern Lights Adventure

Book early: the best tours fill up in high season.
Plan multiple nights: auroras don’t show every night.
Stay flexible: weather and aurora activity can change fast.
Bring warm layers: it can get very cold out under the stars.

JOIN US ON ICELAND'S BEST NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR

So, if you can – buy the ticket, get the ride. You will find our hand-picked selection of tours here:
View all tours

OUR BESTSELLER

Northern Lights Superjeep Tour from Reykjavik with free Pickup
Buchen

NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPER JEEP TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS:

 ✓ Premium-Tour mit einem Superjeep ✓ Free pick-up and drop-off ✓ Professionelle Fotos ✓ Selbstgemachte heisse Schokolade ✓ Beheizte Jeeps in denen Sie sich jederzeit aufwärmen können

Höchste Erfolgsrate

Gratis: Museums-Eintritt ins Nordlichtmusem

NORTHERN LIGHTS AND SOUTH SHORE Combo Tour with Reykjavik Sightseeing and AURORA REYKJAVIK
Buchen

Nordlicht-Tour und Südküste

HIGHLIGHTS:

✓ 2IN1 Angebot: Sparen Sie über ISK 2000 ✓ Visit Sólheimarjökull Gletscher ✓ Entdecken Sie die berühmte Stadt Vík ✓ Spazieren Sie am schwarzen Sandstrand Reynisfjara ✓ Erleben Sie die majestätischen Wasserfälle Skógafoss und Seljalandsfoss ✓ Kommen Sie mit uns Nordlicht-Tour am Abend   BESTES PREIS-LEISTUNGS-VERHÄLTNIS NORDLICHT-GARANTIE: KOSTENLOSER ZWEITER VERSUCH, WENN KEINE LICHTER ZU SEHEN WAREN

Small Group Northern Lights Photography tour with free pickup in Reykjavik
Buchen

Nordlicht-Minibus-Tour

HIGHLIGHTS:

Geführte Nordlicht-Tour im Minibus (max 19 Teilnehmer)

✓ Fotos von Ihnen unter dem Nordlicht

✓ Homemade hot Chocolate und Pastries

✓ Abholung an oder nahe Ihrer Unterkunft

Unser Bestseller

FAQ ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

When can I see northern lights in Iceland ?
The northern lights season in Iceland begins in late August and continues through mid/late April.
During this long period, Iceland experiences sufficient darkness for the Aurora to be visible at night.
However, chances of experiencing the northern lights vary depending on the time of year. Find out which months are the best for seeing the Aurora here.
Can you see the Northern Lights during a full moon?
Yes. Strong auroras remain clearly visible even during a full moon.
What time do the northern lights show up?
Northern lights are statistically often seen between 9:00pm and 1:00am, but they may appear at any time as long as it is dark (and the sky clear). During the winter months, when the hours of light are limited, the northern lights can often appear as early at 7:00pm. As the exact time of an Aurora display cannot be predicted, keep your eyes at the sky. And remember, patience is key!    
How long do the northern lights last?
Auroras can last any time between few minutes and hours. Each northern lights display is different, and varies in duration. Furthermore, the northern lights are not always visible for the entire duration of a single Auroral episode: they often change in intensity throughout a single display, and can go from very bright to incredibly faint, to the point they are hardly visible at all any more. Learn more about how the northern lights behave duration-wise here.
Can I see the northern lights when it is cloudy?
Well, that depends. First of all, Iceland is well-known for its unpredictable weather: the fact that it is cloudy now does not mean that the sky will still be cloudy 5 minutes from now. As long as we can find some gaps in the cloud cover, some windows of clear sky – there’s hope. And, even when it’s cloudy, keep in mind that not all clouds are the same. For example, high clouds are often see-through and do not necessarily disrupt our view. Rule of thumb: if you can see the stars, you can potentially see the northern lights too. Once again, keep your eyes at the sky und check the forecast regularly for the most reliable prediction.
Do the northern lights only appear when it is cold?
Das northern lights season in Iceland starts in late summer. As you can imagine, this means that you don’t need cold temperatures to see an Aurora (although you should not expect t-shirt weather at night in Iceland, not even in August). The northern lights happen way above the weather systems, and are not influenced by weather systems and temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere. Find out more here.
Are the northern lights visible all over Iceland?
Iceland is located within the so called “aurora belt“, the area where the northern lights are typically seen. In the Arctic region, the belt extends between 60°N and 70°N latitude. As Iceland in its entirety is included between 63°N and 67°N, and therefore well within the aurora belt, chances of seeing the northern lights are virtually the same everywhere around the island – if weather allows. That said, the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights is higher away from the city lights, and some areas around the country are especially scenic. Here are our favourite locations for northern lights spotting in Iceland.
Are the northern lights really colourful?
     
Is a new moon better for aurora viewing?
It can help with faint auroras, but solar activity and cloud cover matter far more.    
Is the full moon good for aurora photography?
Yes — it often improves landscapes, foregrounds, and image sharpness.    
Katarina Raker photographing The Northern Lights In Iceland

Katarina Raker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: KATARINA RAKER

Katarina Raker is a passionate Northern Lights expert and award-winning photographer based in Iceland. With years of experience chasing the aurora across the Arctic, she combines her love for storytelling with a deep knowledge of the science behind the Northern Lights. As a team member at Aurora Reykjavík, Katarina is dedicated to helping travelers experience the magic of the aurora borealis through expert tips, guided tours, and stunning photography. When she’s not capturing the sky’s most dazzling displays, Katarina enjoys exploring Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes and sharing her adventures with the world.