Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

A good aurora night is half sky, half logistics. This tour is built around a real chase plus professional guidance and photos, so you are not just waiting around. The big thing to note is the schedule can run late, and the snow walk can be slick and dark.

One of the best parts is that you get photo help without doing a thing. The guides act like a mini photo team, and you receive professional pictures free of charge after the tour. I also like that you start with a clear plan to drive toward better conditions, because aurora forecasts can be wrong in practice.

Your one drawback is simple: no one can force the aurora to show up. If the lights do not appear or you miss the group on time, there is no refund, and the experience can turn into a long, cold bus and field night.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• A true aurora chase with changing locations, not a single stop
• Pro photos included, taken by your guide team for free
• Hot beverage and hot water to take the edge off when it is freezing
• Group size capped at 50, so you are not packed shoulder to shoulder the whole time
• Return window varies, often late, so plan the next morning like a grown-up
• Works in all weather, because the best night can come when the forecast looks worst

Price and What You Get for It

At $151.15 per person, this is not the cheapest northern lights option in Tromsø. You are paying for three things that matter when you are chasing something unpredictable: skilled searching, time on the ground, and “help” that does not require extra gear.

First, you are not just buying a seat on a bus. You are buying the ability to move. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and the whole point is to drive toward places where aurora odds improve. That matters because aurora viewing is often about clearing cloud gaps, not about picking the “prettiest” spot on a map.

Second, the tour includes hot drinks and hot water. That sounds minor until you are standing out in the cold for a while. Warm liquid support makes the difference between feeling miserable and feeling focused.

Third, you get professional pictures sent to you free of charge. If you have ever tried photographing aurora with a phone, you know the pain. The included photo support means you are more likely to leave with images that actually look like what you saw.

Where You Start in Tromsø and Why Timing Is Everything

Your meeting point is at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø. The tour starts at 5:20 pm, and it ends back at the meeting point.

That starting time is smart. You are heading out while the evening is forming and before the cold really locks in. It also gives the guides time to get to a viewing area before the best chance of aurora activity starts.

The return time is where you need to manage expectations. You can get back anywhere between 22:30 and 03:00. That means this is not a “quick evening activity.” If you have a morning plan, book something flexible the next day.

Practical tip: if your hotel is not walkable to the meeting point, double-check your late-night transport options ahead of time. Several people highlight that the late return can make it tricky to get back comfortably.

The Aurora Chase Strategy: Why This Tour Drives So Much

This is a mobile “chase” format. Your guides drive wherever conditions look best that night, to maximize your chances of seeing the aurora. And yes, it can involve many hours of driving.

Here is the key idea: northern lights success often depends on cloud cover and visibility at the exact time the aurora shows up. A single static viewing spot can be a gamble. A moving search is a different bet, and it is the one this tour is designed to take.

You also get professional photographer tour guides. That means they are not only looking at the sky. They are thinking about angles, timing, and how to help the group get good results. Even if you do not use a tripod, you benefit from that attention.

One more important detail: the tour operates in all weather conditions, and the best aurora displays may show up on nights with worse forecasted weather. That can sound backwards until you remember that forecasts are never perfect. The “we drive anyway” approach is part of why this works for many people.

What the Guides Actually Do When the Sky Changes

On a night when clouds roll in, your guides do not just shrug. The whole operation is about adjusting.

In practice, this often looks like multiple viewing stops. Some groups experience three different spots during the evening, then a longer wait when activity starts. If aurora comes in waves, you may stay at a location while the sky builds and then fades. That is why the night can feel longer than you expect.

It also helps that the guides bring energy. Many descriptions of the tour highlight how friendly and engaging the team is, with guides explaining what you are seeing along the way. You will get astronomy guidance, and you may also get cultural context related to Norway and Sámi traditions, depending on the guide.

Names that show up often in guide stories include Soraia, Marius, Marius and Ivanka (as a guiding duo in one account), Meda, Alex, Jefta, Owen, Nik, Taylor, Irene, Mark, and Brian. You should treat these as examples of the kinds of people you might meet, not a guarantee of the exact lineup.

Tromsø Evening to First Viewing: Expect Cold, Then Focus

The experience begins in and around Tromsø, and the first phase is getting you into the viewing rhythm. You depart near the Tromsø harbor and bus terminal area, and you head out toward where your guides think the sky will cooperate.

Once you reach a viewing spot, the vibe shifts from travel mode to waiting mode. This is when being properly dressed matters most. People repeatedly point out the cold factor, and the photos are worth it only if you can stand still comfortably long enough to see the aurora build.

What I like about the setup is that warmth is built into the experience. You get hot beverage and hot water, and on some nights the guides add extra comfort like campfire time with warm drinks and snacks.

Also, this is a real group atmosphere. Some nights start with a more social feel, then quiet down once the lights begin. The guides often split time between managing the group and finding the best windows of visibility.

The Walk, the Fire, and the Comfort Tradeoffs

You are likely to step out and walk to a viewing area in the dark. One review calls out a treacherous walk down a snowy hill to a lake, with slick paths and ice patches. You should assume you may deal with uneven ground.

If you are not steady on your feet, or you dislike walking in the snow at night, bring the right footwear and consider whether this format matches your comfort level. There is no mention of special gear like thermal suits, so you should plan on layering yourself.

Comfort inside the vehicle is mixed. Some people mention the bus gets extremely warm on the return, to the point they were shedding layers. If that happens to you, it is still a good thing that you can adjust. The best strategy is to wear layers so you can control your temperature.

A few helpful extras show up in guide stories: some buses have charging ports (USB and USB-C), and there is a toilet on board, but it can only be used when the bus is stopped. Plan accordingly if your evening stretches late.

Photos Included: How to Get Better Results Without Extra Gear

Aurora photography is a whole hobby, and most people do not have the patience to master it at minus temperatures. The tour reduces that stress by giving you professional photos.

The guides also take time to position people and help with shooting opportunities. Some guides are specifically described as taking terrific photos, and those files are included free of charge. That is a huge value boost because you are not paying extra for a photo pack later.

If you bring your own camera, you might still want to practice basic settings, but you do not need to. The tour is set up so that even if you only want to watch, you will still get images after.

What I suggest: bring your camera bag and keep it simple. In cold weather, fumbling with gear is slow and stressful. Focus on enjoying the sky first, and let the photo pros do the hard part.

How Long Is the Whole Thing, Really?

The tour runs 5 to 9 hours. That is a wide range, and the big reason is the chase nature of the event. Some nights you might move faster. Other nights the team may spend more time driving, searching, waiting, and moving again.

You should plan your day with the possibility of a long night. If you have dinner reservations, schedule them earlier. If you are traveling with kids, plan for staying power, because it is late.

One practical upside: having the bus as a base helps you recover between field moments. Several accounts mention the comfortable structure of the bus portion, which can be helpful when you are balancing fatigue and excitement.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• Guided aurora searching, not passive waiting
• Included professional photos
• A team that talks while you wait, so the time feels productive

It is also a good choice if you are traveling with family and want a group format with a central “home base” on the bus.

It might be a tougher fit if:

• You have limited mobility and do not want a dark, snowy walk
• You have strict early-morning obligations the next day
• You cannot handle delayed returns, given the 22:30 to 03:00 range

Should You Book This Northern Lights Chase?

I would book this tour if you value the combination of real chasing, pro guide energy, and professional photos included. In Tromsø, where conditions can swing quickly, this format gives you more chances than a single-location setup.

I would pause before booking if late timing will derail your trip plans, or if you know you struggle with dark, snowy walking. In that case, choose a more comfortable viewing style, or schedule your next day with plenty of buffer.

If you are flexible, dress for serious cold, and can handle a long evening, this one is designed to maximize your odds and your payoff.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Tromsø?

The tour starts at 5:20 pm. It ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 5 to 9 hours. Your return time to Tromsø is typically between 22:30 and 03:00.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes pick-up and drop-off at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal, professional photographer tour guides, professional pictures sent to you free of charge, hot beverage and hot water, and the 5 to 9 hour tour itself.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

Are the northern lights guaranteed?

No. The tour is designed to maximize your chances, but the aurora is a natural phenomenon and not guaranteed. There are no refunds if the northern lights are not seen.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothes, since clothes are not included. Tripods are also not included, and you should be ready for cold outdoor time.

How big is the group?

It is a group tour with a maximum of 50 guests.

What if I cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience start time, you will not get a refund. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.