Aurora Safari Chase by big bus, free Photos, toilet onboard

Green skies are the goal here. This Northern Lights chase from Tromsø is built around coach-based aurora hunting, then a warm lavvo or campfire base where you can actually wait comfortably. The setup focuses on putting you at the right viewing spot on the right night, with a guide explaining the lights as you go.

Two things I really like: the tour’s “chase the forecast” approach (they can move between viewing areas if conditions shift), and the practical photo support, including free photo options after, plus help that ranges from camera tips to actually setting you up when you’re stuck. A possible drawback is the group size and weather reality, on some nights you may spend a long stretch waiting while clouds win.

Key Aurora Safari Takeaways

• A coach hunt plus multiple stops means you are not stuck in one place all night if the sky changes.
• Warm waiting areas like a lavvo (teepee-style tent) or a campfire help you stay alert instead of freezing through.
• Hot drinks, snacks, and a meal upgrade keep the night from feeling like a total endurance test.
• Photo help and free downloads are part of the experience, which matters because phones often miss the real colors.
• Small-ish group for a coach (maximum 50) is better than the mega-bus chaos.

Aurora Safari Chase by Big Bus in Tromsø: the Point of This Whole Night

If you want the Northern Lights but hate the idea of doing guesswork on cold roads, this tour is a clear fit. It is a guided, coach-based aurora chase that runs from central Tromsø in the early evening, then keeps moving around the Troms region when the forecast or clouds call for it.

The “value” here is not just that you travel north. It is that the tour organizes the night: you get picked up, you learn the aurora basics on the way, then you arrive at a base station designed for watching and photographing. And because the waiting part is where most people lose momentum, you get warmth built in, with options like a lavvo and campfire time plus hot drinks.

Starting at Prostneset: your 6:15 pm launchpad in Tromsø

Your evening begins at Tromsø Havn Prostneset at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, with a start time of 6:15 pm. This matters because you do not burn daylight driving yourself around town, you just meet your guide and roll out together.

From there, you head into the winter dark in a climate-controlled coach. One nice touch is that you do not arrive as a blank slate. A video on the science behind the Northern Lights plays during the journey, so you get oriented before you point your camera at the sky.

If you care about capturing aurora color, this is more than trivia. Knowing what you are looking for helps you set your expectations and adjust your settings faster when the lights finally show up.

How the coach chase improves your odds without promising miracles

Northern Lights tours always have the same rule: no one can guarantee the sky. What you can judge is how a company builds a plan around that uncertainty.

Here, the plan is movement. Depending on conditions, the tour can stop, reposition, and change base locations during the night. The itinerary description includes shifting around Troms County for clearer skies, then returning to another heated base, and continuing the chase again after dinner.

In plain terms, this is the difference between:

• Waiting in one clouded spot and hoping, versus
• Spending the night where the forecast looks better and adjusting when it changes.

That flexibility is also why the tour duration ranges from 5 to 8 hours. You are not on a tight schedule where the show can end early. You are on a “follow the best chance” schedule.

Stop-by-stop breakdown: what each phase is really doing for you

Prostneset terminal area, where the night officially starts

At the start point near the Prostneset bus, boat, and Hurtigruten terminal, you meet the guides and get oriented. In practice, it sets the tone: the guides are there, the group loads in, and you head out as a unit instead of splitting up into random clusters.

Moving through Troms for clear sky windows

Next you spend time in the Troms region, with the stated idea of shifting depending on weather. This portion is about hunting conditions, not just “being out there.” If you show up to Tromsø and your first aurora night is cloudy, this is the part of the tour that can help you avoid that disappointment.

Heated camp with a quick meal, plus possible relocation

The tour includes a private heated camp stop where you can warm up and eat. This is also where the plan can change again, since if the weather is not cooperating, the bus can chase to a new location after the meal.

This is an important decision point for you. If the sky starts showing hints while you are still at the camp, you may have to balance eating and warmth against staying ready to move quickly. The good news is the tour is designed to support waiting, not just dragging you from one cold corner to another.

The final stretch: photo stops and continued aurora searching

After the meal, the tour continues with additional stops for pictures and any Northern Lights sightings. This is where patience pays off for most people, because aurora can appear in waves.

It is also where having a guide who can help you adapt matters. If the aurora is faint, you need different camera settings than when it is strong and moving across the sky.

Back to Prostneset, near hotels and easy recovery

You return to the Tromsø city area for drop-off near the meeting point, with a short walk from most hotels. That is a practical detail people overlook when planning a night out. You are not stuck far from civilization at midnight with a frozen face and no easy way home.

Lavvo vs campfire warmth: why the base setup changes everything

This tour gives you a choice at the viewing base: sit inside a warm lavvo, or stay near a campfire. In a Northern Lights chase, the temperature and comfort level affect everything from how long you can stand still to whether you can keep your camera steady.

Warm-up options also make the night feel more like an Arctic evening experience and less like cold punishment. You get hot chocolate, coffee, and local snacks while you scan the skies for the green glow.

And yes, if you are the kind of person who gets cold fast, warmth is not a luxury here. It is what keeps you engaged when the sky takes its time.

Food and upgrades: reindeer stew, fish soup, and the best way to decide

The standard experience includes hot drinks and snacks. You can also upgrade for a hot meal, with options mentioned like reindeer stew or fish soup.

From the way people describe the meal, the upgrade can be a win if you want a real pause in the middle of a long night. A warm bowl can also help you conserve energy, which matters when you are holding your camera and standing outside for hours.

But here is the practical caution: people care a lot about portion size and value. If you are the type who would rather skip a meal than miss possible lights, consider sticking with snacks and drinks. The tour moves based on conditions, so you may want to stay nimble mentally, not weighed down by a long sit-down.

Also, you can request vegetarian or non-fish options when booking using the special requirements field. That is good to know if you do not eat fish or want a real alternative.

Photography support and free photos: how to get shots that look like the sky

Northern Lights photography is where many first-timers get frustrated. Phones often capture faint light or weird color, and even decent phone attempts usually miss the full aurora effect.

This tour aims to help. You get guidance for photographing the Northern Lights, and the experience includes free photo downloads after the tour. The free option may be lower resolution, while higher resolution images can cost extra, so check what is included when you book or on the follow-up site.

In multiple accounts of the tour, guides are credited for actively assisting with camera setup and giving advice that helped people get results. Some nights even include help with tripods if you need them, which is a big deal because stability and longer exposure settings can make the difference between a blurry streak and a clean aurora capture.

My practical tip: if you want to rely less on luck, bring a camera that can handle manual settings, or at least a phone with night mode you can trust. Either way, dress for cold hands so you can adjust settings without fumbling.

Group size, coach comfort, and the trade-offs of chasing

The coach is climate-controlled, and the tour is capped at 50 travelers. That ceiling helps keep the viewing base from turning into pure crowd chaos compared with bigger mega-tours.

Still, this is a coach tour, so you should expect a mix of energy levels at the base: people photographing, people warming up, and people trying to chat while pointing their lenses at the sky. If you hate waiting near crowds, choose an earlier decision mindset. You are here for the lights, and the warmth setup is there to make the wait tolerable.

Comfort is also why the toilet onboard detail matters. This is not glamorous, but when you are in cold weather and the plan keeps moving, you do not want to lose time or end up skipping water because you are worried about access.

Value for money at about $128: what you are paying for

At roughly $128.16 per person, you are not buying a private snowmobile fantasy. You are buying organized aurora hunting, coach transport from Tromsø, guided instruction, and warm viewing base time with drinks and snacks.

So the real question is: does this tour increase your chances enough to justify the price over DIY?

For most people, the answer is yes, because:

• You get to the best viewing areas without planning routes.
• The tour can reposition when weather changes, which is hard to manage on your own.
• You get warmth and hot drinks while you wait, which makes it more likely you will stay outside long enough to see aurora waves.
• You get photo help plus free photo options afterward.

If you are already a hardcore aurora photographer with gear and patience to spare, you might do fine going independently. But if you want a guided night that maximizes your comfort and your likelihood, this price range feels fair for Tromsø.

What to wear for a long cold night, starting at 6:15 pm

The tour runs in cold weather conditions, and you should dress appropriately. That is not a vague suggestion. You will be outside enough that your body will judge your outfit fast.

I recommend dressing in layers so you can manage temperature during bus stops and camp time. Your goal is to stay warm without overheating when you move between warmth and open sky. Cold hands are the enemy of photography, so prioritize gloves that let you use your camera.

Also, keep in mind that the program can last up to 8 hours. Plan like it might be a full Arctic evening, not a quick 2-hour hit.

Who this Northern Lights chase suits best

This is a strong match if you:

• Want a guided aurora experience from Tromsø without doing route planning.
• Appreciate warm waiting zones like a lavvo or campfire.
• Want help with aurora photography and access to free photo downloads.
• Like the idea of a flexible hunt, where the plan can move based on sky conditions.

It may be less ideal if you:

• Hate being in a larger group near other people at the base.
• Get very impatient if the sky stays cloudy for a long stretch.
• Expect a consistent, bright aurora show every hour. No one can promise that.

Should you book Aurora Safari Chase?

If you want a practical, organized Northern Lights night with warm waiting areas and real support for photographing the aurora, I think it is a solid booking. The biggest strength is the chase strategy, plus comfort that keeps you engaged until the sky finally cooperates.

I would book it if you are okay with the weather being unpredictable and you can handle spending time waiting outside. If that sounds miserable, then you should think hard about what you expect from a Northern Lights tour in the first place.

On the other hand, if you are prepared with warm layers and you want someone else to handle the hard parts, the coach chase model here is a good way to make Tromsø’s winter nights work for you.

FAQ

What time does Aurora Safari Chase start in Tromsø?

The tour starts at 6:15 pm and is designed to run about 5 to 8 hours depending on conditions.

Where is the pickup meeting point?

The meeting point is Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

Will the tour include opportunities to move to different viewing areas?

Yes. The plan includes shifting around Troms County depending on weather, and there is also a heated camp stop where the bus may move again if needed.

What viewing setup do we get once we reach the base?

You can choose to sit inside a warm lavvo (teepee-style tent) or beside a campfire.

Are meals and drinks included?

Hot drinks and snacks are included. A hot meal upgrade is available, such as reindeer stew or fish soup, and vegetarian or non-fish options are available if you request them at booking.

Are there restrooms on the tour?

Yes. There is a toilet onboard the coach.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy if weather affects the tour?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.