Renowned for its stunning landscapes and natural beauty, Iceland is also home to the magical Northern Lights. To maximize your chances of seeing them, we strongly recommend that you hire a local guide. Here are the 17 best private northern lights tours in Iceland.
If you’re looking to experience an otherworldly holiday adventure, then Iceland and its northern lights are the right choice. Iceland is not just the land of northern lights, but also of ice and fire!
From colorful sky dances to explorations of volcano craters, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, frozen glaciers, unique rock formations, hot springs and waterfalls, you can plan yourself a dream 6 days south Iceland itinerary.
During the winter season, northern lights happen every night, but it will take a good expert to catch them at the right time and place!
Here are the absolute best-graded northern lights tours in Iceland, with different cool benefits to choose from depending on what you are looking for.
Is Iceland a good place to see the northern lights?
Located near the Arctic Circle, Iceland is one of the best countries on earth to see the northern lights. Its expansive open spaces, crystal clear night skies, and lack of light pollution make it one of the best places in the world to witness the Aurora Borealis.
Private northern lights tours Iceland: top 17
Here are the best and trust-worthy northern light tours in Iceland, based on their grades, reviews, departure city, price for quality and side advantages.
Northern lights tours from Reykjavik
Iceland northern lights tours with private guide
1. Very private northern lights hunt
You just arrived in Iceland and you want to go straight from Reykjavik to northern lights? This private tour is for you.
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the northern lights on an unforgettable 3-hour adventure from Reykjavík. The local guide of this well-graded tour is a professional aurora hunter.
After picking you up at your hotel, they will take you to the perfect vantage point.
Depending on the weather conditions, they will drive either towards the enchanting valley of Haukdal, the town of Arborg or the famous Thingvellir National Park.
While waiting for the northern lights to appear, your guide will tell you all about the sacred history and captivating mythology behind this mesmerizing natural phenomenon.
- Price: $210 USD (194€) per person
- Length: 3 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: private tour for you and your travel buddies
2. Private northern lights tour with champagne and chocolate
This excursion offers the ultimate aurora adventure – a private Northern Lights tour that includes Champagne and Chocolates!
Imagine yourself snuggled up in cozy Icelandic blankets, sipping sparkling wine and savoring the finest local chocolates under a starry sky. At the north, the northern lights start to dance above your head.
This mesmerizing show is one of the most beautiful that nature has to offer.
If you decided to go on this trip to Iceland to see northern lights, choosing a private tour with a few bonuses will make your experience even better.
Whether you are on a romantic getaway, seeking the perfect engagement setting, or just wanting to see an enchanting nature phenomenon, your tour guide will make sure you have THE perfect experience you dreamed of.
- Price: $990 USD (898€) per group, up to 5 people. The price per person if you are a group of 5 would be $198 USD (179€).
- Length: 4 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: the never-seen-before chocolate and champagne combo while admiring northern lights
3. Private northern lights hunt with a SuperJeep
This third private tour has a vehicle that most people traveling to Iceland love: the SuperJeep!
Discover the mesmerizing Northern Lights in the untouched Icelandic countryside by embarking on an off-road adventure in a powerful super-Jeep.
Your tour guide will pick you up at your Reykjavik hotel with the SuperJeep, and drop you off afterwards.
They are super knowledgeable and will ensure you have the best possible chance of witnessing the northern lights.
If you don’t get to see the northern lights on your tour, you can hop on another tour for free. If the tour is canceled due to bad weather, you will get a full refund. That is how sure they are that you will see the northern lights!
✔️ Tip: book your Iceland aurora borealis tours on your first few nights of the trip, to make sure you can go again if the northern lights are nowhere to be seen!
- Price: $1365 USD (1243€) per group (up to 6 people). If you are part of a group of 6, the price per person would be $227 USD (207€)
- Length: 3,5 to 4,5 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: tour with a SuperJeep
4. Private northern lights tour in Super Defender with photographer
The last well-graded private tour we recommend is the northern lights tour in a Super Defender, with a professional photographer!
We know there is a huge Defender lovers community. We get it, this car is so photogenic and reliable, especially for off-road journeys like this one.
Experience the adventure of a lifetime on this exclusive Northern Lights tour! Join a skilled photographer and guide on a breathtaking northern lights hunt in a state-of-the-art Super Defender.
You will not only get to witness nature’s most captivating show with our own eyes, but also have incredible photos of it to prove it was not just a dream.
For the thrill-seekers, this private tour also offers off-road options for a darker and more exhilarating experience.
💚 Just like the previous tour, if the weather decides to play hide-and-seek with the lights, they give you an opportunity to hunt them down absolutely free of charge.
- Price: $1226 USD (1116€) per group up to 5 people. The price per person if the car is full would be $245 USD (223€).
- Length: 3 to 4 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: private Defender tour with photographer
SMALL groups northern lights tours in Iceland
The following tours are not private Northern Lights Tours Iceland but all accept only small groups of travelers. They are all highly rated and the guides are experts in northern lights’ forecast and science.
5. Reykjavik northern lights tour: the cheapest option
Good news, you can go on one of the best northern lights tours even if you are traveling on a budget.
For as little as $56 USD, one of the best guides in town will pick you up from the Reykjavik Bus Station for an unforgettable adventure under the night sky.
On the way to the best viewing points, your guide will unravel the secrets of the mesmerizing Northern Lights. You will learn a lot about these ethereal lights.
💡 In short, these magnificent natural wonders are the result of an extraordinary interaction between the sun’s particles and the Earth’s atmosphere near the North Pole. Collisions between gaseous particles and charged particles from the sun come together to create a breathtaking spectacle of colors and brightness.
The good news is that you will be able to witness their awe-inspiring beauty with your own eyes during this tour. If the northern lights don’t show up, you can go on another tour in the following days.
Book your spot now and get ready for an evening that will leave you spellbound!
- Price: $56 USD (51€)
- Length: 3 hours
- Meeting point: Bus Terminal Reykjavík (Vatnsmýrarvegur 10)
- Coolest thing about this tour: high quality tour for the cheapest price you could find
6. Small group northern light tour: northern light guaranteed or second tour offered
If you’re looking for a good-value northern lights tour from Reykjavik, this one is a super good deal.
It has two additional bonuses compared to the one recommended above: a pick up from your hotel and a free admission to Reykjavik Aurora Museum!
You can join this small-group tour knowing that if the northern lights make an appearance tonight, you WILL see them. The guide uses real-time weather data to make sure he takes its groups to prime viewing locations.
If the lights don’t make an appearance, you can join another tour for free.
- Price: $85 USD (78€)
- Length: 4 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: free admission to Reykjavik Aurora Museum
7. Iceland aurora tour with a SuperJeep and professional photographer
Enhance your chances of witnessing the mesmerizing northern lights by going on a small-group tour with a SuperJeep!
The 4×4 cars in Iceland can access viewing locations that are not accessible for larger vehicles. It means the probability to see auroras is higher as you can access remote locations with super dark skies.
The guide handpicks the best observation spots on every tour. You can comfortably marvel at the dancing colors of the awe-inspiring natural phenomenon knowing you are in good hands.
The guide will also offer hot chocolate and take free pictures of you with the northern lights.
- Price: $183 USD (167€)
- Length: 4 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: small-group tour with a SuperJeep and photographer
8. Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Cruise
Yes, you read that right! As if seeing the northern lights was not enough already, this tour company took it to the next level. Why not witnessing this magical phenomenon while doing a yacht cruise?
Have you ever been on a yacht cruise before? Embark on an unforgettable one along the Reykjavik coast and bay. You will first have a beautiful view of the old harbor and Harpa Musical Hall of Reykjavik.
As the boat slowly leaves the city’s lights, get ready for a breathtaking encounter with the enchanting aurora borealis. You can either admire them from the outside platform with blankets, or from the warm inside area.
And to top it all off, you will also be able to indulge in a hot drink from the on-board café of the yacht. This night boat tour to see the northern lights will be a moment of pure magic and wonderment.
💚 You can attend a new yacht trip if you were not lucky with the northern lights on your first tour.
- Price: $92 USD (84€)
- Length: 2 hours to 2 hours and a half
- Meeting point: Harpa Yachts (Ægisgarður 5G Reykjavík Old Harbour)
- Coolest thing about this tour: see the northern lights from a yacht
9. Northern Lights hunt by ATV Quad
Quad tours are quite common in Iceland, as many natural spots are accessible with dirt roads, or no roads at all. Icelanders and travelers love off-road, and therefore, quads are a great option.
This is no surprise that clever locals thought about offering quad tours to see northern lights in Iceland.
With guides looking out for you to have the best experience, you will ride along Lake Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell. This route offers beautiful panoramic views of Reykjavík and the nearby town of Mosfellsbær.
They did not forget about the main reason people book this tour… This journey is absolutely perfect to see the northern lights.
You will be in the middle of nature, and with a bit of luck, you will witness a marvelous colorful sky show.
- Price: $203 USD (185€)
- Length: 2 to 3 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: quad tour to Iceland’s marvelous nature at night, with a big chance to see the northern lights
Iceland northern lights tour from Akureyri
10. Northern lights tour from Akureyri, with cookies and hot chocolate
Yay, there are also great northern light tours from Akureyri, the capital of north Iceland! Travelers doing the Ring Road, the circular road going all around Iceland, always stop at Akureyri.
Akureyri being higher than Reykjavik, you could see the northern lights with more intensity if the sky is clear. An experienced aurora-hunter guide will take you to the best viewing spots outside of Akureyri.
Your guide has a wealth of knowledge and will make sure that if the northern lights appear in the north of Iceland, you will see them. In the wait time, they will offer cookies and hot chocolate to keep you warm.
If they are nowhere to be seen, you have a free entry for the tour of the following night.
- Price: $137 USD (125€)
- Length: 2 to 3 hours
- Meeting point: choose your pick-up point among the many offered
- Coolest thing about this tour: cookies and hot chocolate to keep northern light seekers warm
11. Northern lights tour from Akureyri, with a 4×4 Jeep
Another good tour to see the northern lights in Akureyri is the one operated by Star Travel Iceland.
Escape the city lights of Akureyri and embark on an exhilarating journey through the rugged terrain in a 4×4 Jeep. Your guide will explain how the northern lights are created.
This storytelling will for sure get you excited to witness one of Mother Nature’s most breathtaking spectacles! Furthermore, this remote area in northern Iceland is renowned for its stunning displays of the aurora borealis.
As you await the magical show, indulge in a comforting cup of hot chocolate and savor an authentic Icelandic doughnut.
- Price: $192 USD (175€)
- Length: 2 to 3 hours
- Meeting point: Akureyri (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: 4×4 tour that allows to go on more secluded roads
Packages to Iceland for the northern lights
If you are only spending a few days in Iceland and want to see as much as you can, you could opt for a two in one tour. It includes some of the best Iceland tours for northern lights with an additional typical activity.
12. Golden Circle and aurora borealis tour: the holy trinity
What is pretty raw about combination tours is that it allows you to uncover Iceland’s most spectacular sights in one epic adventure! This tour takes you to Iceland’s most visited area (for good reason!): the Golden Circle.
Your guide will first drive you through the beautiful Thingvellir National Park. In this park, you will witness the explosive power of the Geysir Geothermal Area, and be mesmerized by the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall.
As the night falls and the sky gets darker, the magic doesn’t stop. Your guide will take you to the best northern light viewing spot in the Reykjavik and Golden Circle areas.
- Price: $157 USD (143€)
- Length: 10 hours
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: going to the Geysir and Gullfoss Waterfall
13. Blue Lagoon and northern lights tour: relax and admire
If this is not the coolest Icelandic combination ever, we don’t know what is. If you never heard of the Blue Lagoon, you must have seen pictures of it.
Located between Keflavik Airport and downtown Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon is a natural geothermal spa in the Reykjanes Peninsula.It is known for its milky blue water, which comes from the thermal springs beneath.
With temperatures ranging from 37 to 39 degrees Celsius (98-102 Fahrenheit), these sources are perfect for relaxing and letting go of stress of any kind.
After swimming and soaking in and soaking up all the natural minerals of the Blue Lagoon, this tour ends with a wonderful northern light hunt.
✔️ Tip: a solo entrance ticket to Blue Lagoon costs between $73 USD (67€) to $106 USD (97€) per person depending on the hour and season. It means booking it with an additional northern light tour is a real bargain!
- Price: $175 USD (160€)
- Length: 10 hours
- Meeting point Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: admission to the northern lights
14. Whale Watching and northern light tour in Iceland: the best deal ever
Wild animal lovers, this tour is for you! This incredible package offers not just one, but two separate excursions that will leave you breathless.
Not only will you witness the awe-inspiring northern lights, but you will also get a chance to encounter magnificent whales in their natural habitat.
During the 3,5-hour whale-watching tour, your guide will share its knowledge of the marine wildlife of Iceland. You will get a chance to see remarkable marine creatures, including majestic humpback whales, graceful minke whales, and adorable harbor porpoises.
Last but not least, to add to the magic, the northern light hunt also happens on a boat! If you choose this excursion, you will hop on a 2.5-hour cruise in Faxaflói Bay to see the Northern Lights.
Those are true once-in-a-lifetime experiences and having an opportunity to do both only happen once.
- Price: $153 USD (140€)
- Length: 5 hours and a half
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: whale-watching tour and seeing the northern lights from a boat
15. Laugarvatn Fontana spa and northern lights: the best one for the body and soul
Iceland is famous for its northern lights, but also for its incredible hot springs scattered all around the island. One of them is Laugarvatn Fontana, located at the beginning of the Golden Circle close to the capital.
On your way to Laugarvatn Fontana hot springs, you will learn a lot about the volcanic activity of the region. The volcanic activity in Iceland is a huge part of the country’s economy.
It provides geothermal energy for hot springs, but also for cooking and heating houses. At Laugarvatn Fontana, you will be able to dip into pools with various depths and temperatures. They are all surrounded by wonderful and serene lake views.
For the brave-hearted, venture into the invigorating cold waters of the lake, accessible from a nearby platform. This contrast is said to improve circulation and rid your body of toxins.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! After unwinding at the incredible Fontana Geothermal baths, you will embark on a quest to see the northern lights with a guide.
- Price: $96 USD (88€)
- Length: 7 hours
- Meeting point: BSI Bus Terminal (Reykjavik)
- Coolest thing about this tour: Laugarvatn Fontana Spa admission
16. 8-day Iceland trip with northern lights: all in one
Visiting Iceland is something anyone should do at least once in their life, but we know it is an expensive trip. Going on a 8-day full tour of Iceland could actually save you a lot of money and reduce your Iceland trip cost.
On this well-graded 8-day tour, you will discover Iceland’s main landmarks, with a focus on northern lights.
During this excursion, you will visit Reykjavik, Borgarfjordur Saga Valley, Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the famous Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, Vatnajökull National Park, an entrance to the Blue Lagoon…
The price of the tour includes accommodation in comfort tourist-class hotels including breakfast for 7 nights, transportation with a guide for all the trip, as well as many entrance tickets and bonuses.
You will also maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland as you will be with a local guide for 7 nights! The probability of failure is almost non-existent.
- Price: $2337 USD (2129€)
- Length: 8 days
- Meeting point: Hotel Klettur (Mjolnisholt 12-14)
- Coolest thing about this tour: all-inclusive tour of South and West Iceland with a local guide
17. 5-day South Coast West Iceland: wonderful ice caves and northern lights combo
Last but not least, this 5-day West and South Iceland tour is one of the most well-graded you can find online. Northern lights are hard to see, but natural wonders can be found every fifty meters in those regions of Iceland.
Spending 5 days there, with a guide and a small group of travelers, allows you to truly immerse yourself in the beauty of the country. From the iconic Golden Circle to the captivating landscapes of Snaefellsnes, prepare to be amazed at every turn.
In the west of Iceland, your guide will take you to the famous but also the lesser known spots of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. In the south of the island, you will visit the Golden Circle and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Maximizing the chances to see the northern lights in Iceland is obviously a big part of the tour. Your guide will try its very best for you to see this colorful sky dance.
Once again no need to worry about driving or finding accommodations. It is all taken care of for you to have the epic Iceland adventure you dream of!
- Price: $1638 USD (1492€)
- Length: 5 days
- Meeting point: Reykjavik (your hotel)
- Coolest thing about this tour: explore the south and west coasts of Iceland without worrying about anything
Northern lights Iceland tour FAQ: things to know to see the aurora borealis
Where to stay to see the northern lights in Iceland?
Afternoon Cottages – located in Hella, not far from the Golden Circle, this dreamy cabin has big windows and is the coziest place you could dream of to see the northern lights.
Aurora Lodge Hotel – the absolute best hotel to be isolated in the middle of the nature of Hvolsvöllur on the south coast. It is super well decorated and ideal to spot auroras.
Dimmuborgir Guesthouse – located in front of the lake of the geothermal area of Myvatn, this guesthouse offers cozy individual cottages. It is an absolute dreamy place with adorable hosts.
Where can you see the northern lights?
As their name says, northern lights mostly happen in the northern hemisphere. You are more likely to see this enchanting phenomenon in countries between the latitudes 60 to 75, such as Iceland, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Sweden, Scotland, Norway, Finland, Russia…
Best area to see northern lights in Iceland
You can see northern lights anywhere in Iceland, as long as you are in a nature area away from the town lights. The Golden Circle, Jokulsarlon Glacier in the south of the country, as well as the Westfjords and north of Iceland are great places to see them.
The Westfjords and north of Iceland typically have less clouds. The fact that they are located at a higher latitude also means you have more chance to see them even if they have a very small intensity.
Iceland aurora borealis best time: when should you plan your trip?
We recommend planning an Iceland northern lights trip in October, November, March or beginning of April.
You can see the northern lights in Iceland from the end of September to mid-April, but deep winter is not an ideal time to visit. They are not visible in summer because the nights are too short and the sky does not get dark enough.
Northern lights Iceland forecast: tips for seeing the northern lights
There are two things to check before going on a northern lights hunt in Iceland: the probability on the application Aurora and the cloud coverage on the website Vedur.is.
The application Aurora, which has a purple and blue logo, is incredibly useful as it tells you the probability to see them, on a scale from 0 to 9.
To give you a global idea of how it works, you can see northern lights in France when it is 8 or 9, but only needs an indicator of 2 or 3 to see them in Iceland. The indicator can change very quickly and it is worth having your notifications on.
Then, the clouds can move very quickly too and the website Vedur helps you picture where there is a clear sky near you. Even if it is cloudy above your guesthouse, sometimes you just need to drive 15 minutes to have a clear sky and actually see the northern lights!
Last but not least, you also need to be in an area with no light pollution of houses or small towns.
You might not always see them with your own eyes, so it is worth checking with your camera or phone if they are around! The camera sees much better than our human eyes.
How many days do you need to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
How often can you see the northern lights in Iceland? Well, they happen very often in Iceland, and it is very hard to catch them at the right time and place. You should stay at least 5 to 7 nights to have a higher chance to see them with your own eyes.
The longer you stay in Iceland, the more likely you are to witness the northern lights!
How much does a northern lights tour in Iceland cost?
Booking trips to Iceland to see northern lights are pretty common, but actually seeing them is a whole other story. If you really want to see them, you should absolutely book a tour.
That being said, the prices range from $56 USD (51€) for a basic tour with no additional bonuses, to $250 USD for luxury northern lights tours.
Can you take kids to northern lights?
Yes, there is no issue with taking kids to an Iceland aurora borealis tour as long as they wear warm clothes. It is better to go on a northern light hunt with a local guide, in order not to waste time as it is past your kids’ bedtime.
You can also have activities planned for toddlers to keep them entertained while waiting for the northern lights. Explain to them what the northern lights are to get them excited.
You can also take them to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik.
Aurora borealis Iceland tours: final thoughts
If you want to boost your chances of seeing magical Northern Lights during your stay in Iceland, then private tours are the way to go.
With plenty of amazing and informative guides dedicated to helping you get the most out of this natural phenomenon, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience you’re sure to never forget.
Make sure to book one of these incredible 17 magical small-group or private northern lights tours Iceland to create some magical memories!
Another magical experience that you must do during your trip is finding one of the free hot springs in Iceland, or hiking to Seljavallalaug swimming pool.
