When is best to book the Northern Lights?

Many factors mean that the Northern Lights can’t always be seen. In summer, for example, the northern lights aren’t visible, as the light of the sun will be too strong. Even in winter, they won’t be on display all the time. Sometimes the night sky will be cloudy, or the light of the moon will be too bright. At other times, the aurora just won’t be strong enough to be visible. It is recommended to book your Northern Lights tour for the first night of your stay. In case your tour is cancelled due to bad weather, you will have time to reschedule for an alternative date.

Do the Northern Lights happen every night?

Fortunately, the Northern Lights do occur frequently however, it will depend on the weather conditions as to whether you will be able to see them. The sky needs to be dark, clear of any clouds and you should be away from light pollution for best results.

Tickets
Full Details
T’s & C’s
FAQs

Golden Circle & Northern Lights

Free cancellations*

Mobile ticket

Not Available

This ticket is currently not available

This could be because:

We have sold out
New seasonal tickets are not yet available

In the meantime:

Call us on 1800 927 467
Sign up to hear the latest news and offers:

Ticket Details

Pick-up and drop-off from most hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik if this ticket selected
Pick-up and drop-off from BSI Bus Terminal if this ticket is selected.
Transport by coach
*BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE - flexibility to cancel your tickets with a full refund up to 72 hours before the ticket start date

Full details

Explore a few of Iceland‘s most famous landmarks as well as go on a search for the northern lights in one day.

Our guide to Golden Circle & Northern Lights

Begin the day at 12:30 with a Golden Circle tour, where you will visit Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park.

Geysir is the place from which all other geysers in the world get their name. The famous Geysir does not often erupt anymore but the smaller, but very impressive, Strokkur erupts every 4-8 minutes and shoots a column of water up to 40 metres up in the air.

Gullfoss waterfall is a part of the glacial river Hvítá which gets its water from Langjökull glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland. The step-waterfall is quite the sight, and from many viewpoints it looks like the waterfall falls straight into an abyss, but in reality, it falls into a crevice which is 32 metres deep.

The last stop of the day is at Þingvellir which is known for being one of the very few places in the world where you can see the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates above ground (other places are all in Iceland). The park is a UNESCO world heritage site.

You will arrive back in Reykjavík around 18:30 so you will have few hours to spend before you join our Northern Lights tour.

The three-hour long Northern Lights tour will take you out of the city for the best possible view of the lights. The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the North Pole.

The locations visited during the Northern Lights tour vary from day to day depending on weather conditions. Because this tour is weather dependent, sightings are not guaranteed. However, if you do not see any northern lights during this tour, you are welcome to join the tour again, free of charge. Indicated return times may vary if the activity is good.

Available departures:

Golden Circle Direct: 12.30pm - 6.30pm

The Northern Lights tour:
9:00pm - 00:00 (1 October - 14 March)
10.00pm - 01.00am (25 Aug - 30 Sept & 15 March - 15 April)

Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions for Golden Circle & Northern Lights

In the event of inclement weather, road closures or other causes which may impact your hotel pick-up, you will be advised of the nearest collection point. It is the customer's responsibility to be at this location in order to be collected.
You will receive a voucher for this experience. Please read it thoroughly.
You will be required to present a printed copy of your voucher at the time of tour departure.
Only two children under the age of 18 are allowed per one paying adult.
Pick-up from hotels and guesthouses starts 45 minutes before the tour departure time. You will be advised specific times upon reconfirmation locally.
Depending on hotel locations etc. this can sometimes take 15-45 minutes. Once everyone is present, your tour will depart.
The Northern Lights Tour depends on weather & sightings are not guaranteed. Indicated return times can vary.
No liability is accepted for losses or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departure of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, war or other causes outside the control of Reykjavik Excursions. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveller.
*CANCELLATION POLICY: Free cancellations for bookings cancelled with the operator up to 72 hours before your chosen activity date. No refunds are given for cancellations made within 72 hours.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for Golden Circle & Northern Lights

General Information

When is best to book the Northern Lights?

Many factors mean that the Northern Lights can’t always be seen. In summer, for example, the northern lights aren’t visible, as the light of the sun will be too strong. Even in winter, they won’t be on display all the time. Sometimes the night sky will be cloudy, or the light of the moon will be too bright. At other times, the aurora just won’t be strong enough to be visible.

It is recommended to book your Northern Lights tour for the first night of your stay. In case your tour is cancelled due to bad weather, you will have time to reschedule for an alternative date.
Do the Northern Lights happen every night?

Fortunately, the Northern Lights do occur frequently however, it will depend on the weather conditions as to whether you will be able to see them. The sky needs to be dark, clear of any clouds and you should be away from light pollution for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions for Golden Circle & Northern Lights

General Information

When is best to book the Northern Lights?

Many factors mean that the Northern Lights can’t always be seen. In summer, for example, the northern lights aren’t visible, as the light of the sun will be too strong. Even in winter, they won’t be on display all the time. Sometimes the night sky will be cloudy, or the light of the moon will be too bright. At other times, the aurora just won’t be strong enough to be visible.

It is recommended to book your Northern Lights tour for the first night of your stay. In case your tour is cancelled due to bad weather, you will have time to reschedule for an alternative date.
Do the Northern Lights happen every night?

Fortunately, the Northern Lights do occur frequently however, it will depend on the weather conditions as to whether you will be able to see them. The sky needs to be dark, clear of any clouds and you should be away from light pollution for best results.