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

The best part of this Tromsø Aurora chase is the willingness to move. Instead of parking in one fixed spot and hoping the clouds clear, the coach can travel across Troms County to find a better patch of sky. You may spend the evening at a heated base station, then move again if weather conditions turn sour.

I like the comfortable heated coach with an onboard toilet, especially on a cold outing that can last up to eight hours. I also like the camp setup: hot chocolate, coffee, snacks, a fire, and a warm lavvo give you somewhere pleasant to wait between sightings. The main drawback is the group size. A coach can carry up to 50 people, and more than one coach may use a base station, so this is not an intimate photography expedition.

Key points to know before booking

• The bus keeps your options open: The route can change according to cloud and weather conditions across Troms County.
• You get a warm base: A campfire, heated lavvo, hot drinks, and snacks make long periods beneath a cold sky easier.
• Photos are part of the experience: Guides can help with camera settings, and low-resolution photographs may be downloaded free. High-resolution images cost 300 NOK each.
• The meal is optional: You can upgrade for reindeer stew or fish soup, but the food is not the central reason to book.
• The group is large: The maximum is 50 people, and additional buses may make the camp feel crowded.
• Your chances are never guaranteed: Even a mobile coach cannot defeat solid cloud, snow, or weak Aurora activity.

What this Tromsø Northern Lights tour is really like

This is a practical, lower-cost way to search for the Aurora from Tromsø. You meet at Prostneset Bus, Boat and Hurtigruten Terminal, at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, with departure scheduled for 6:15 pm.

From there, you board a climate-controlled coach and head away from the city lights. The trip itself is part of the evening. A video explains the science behind the Northern Lights, which gives you useful context before you begin looking skyward. Guides also explain the local area and help with camera settings when the lights appear.

The coach is more comfortable than a small minibus, and the onboard toilet is a real advantage. You are not trapped in a roadside stop every time nature calls. Still, comfort does not mean luxury. This is a long winter outing, and you should expect time spent sitting, waiting, walking outside, and getting back on the bus.

The total duration is listed as roughly five to eight hours. The exact length depends on weather, sightings, and how far the coach needs to travel. Return is to the same central terminal, usually within easy walking distance of many Tromsø hotels.

The drive from Prostneset to the winter sky

The first stage takes you from central Tromsø into the wider Troms region. A typical drive to a base station can take around 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the chosen site and road conditions.

This flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features. The operator uses different base stations according to the forecast, rather than promising one permanent viewing field. If one area is cloudy, the bus may continue farther. If the Aurora appears later, the driver can stop at a suitable roadside area when it is safe to do so.

That said, a big coach has limits. A smaller private vehicle can change direction faster and use narrower roads. This bus tour is best for you if you value price and a warm ride more than maximum freedom of movement.

The drive can also feel long when the sky is completely covered. Some people have spent much of the night traveling through rain or snow, only to reach another cloudy area. The ability to chase is useful, but it is not a promise of clear skies.

What happens at the selected base station

At the chosen site, you may sit beside a campfire or enter a heated lavvo, a traditional Sami-style tent. The setting can be simple and atmospheric, with benches, firelight, snowy mountains, and a dark sky away from Tromsø.

The base station is not just a place to stand in a field. You can warm up, take a break, and have hot coffee, tea, or chocolate while waiting. Local snacks are also provided. Some sites offer the chance to speak with a Sami host or learn more about local traditions, although the exact setting changes from night to night.

The warm shelter matters. Aurora watching often involves long stretches when nothing happens. You might see a faint glow, a brief flash, or nothing at all for an hour. Having a heated place to return to makes the waiting far easier than standing in exposed snow for the full evening.

The atmosphere can vary with the number of buses. One coach may feel friendly and manageable. If two or three coaches arrive together, the fire, hut, and seating area can become crowded. The tour remains usable, but it loses some of the quiet feeling many people imagine when they picture a Northern Lights camp.

Watching the Aurora, and handling disappointment

The Northern Lights are caused by activity from the sun interacting with Earth’s upper atmosphere. The result may appear as pale green clouds, bright ribbons, or sweeping bands that change quickly. A camera often records stronger color than your eyes can see, especially when the Aurora is faint.

On a good night, this tour can deliver several hours of strong viewing. The coach may reach a clear area, and the Aurora can remain visible for a long time. In other cases, you might see only brief green flashes through breaks in the cloud. A few people have seen the lights appear during the return journey, with the driver stopping at a safe layby so everyone could get out.

You need to accept the risk of seeing nothing. Cloud, snow, and low solar activity can defeat the best route. A forecast may show a decent chance, yet conditions can change before the bus leaves Tromsø.

I would be wary of booking this as the only reason for an expensive Norway trip. Treat it as a strong attempt rather than a guaranteed show. If the skies are fully overcast, you may spend hours waiting in a field or hut without even seeing the moon. That is not necessarily poor guiding, but it can make the evening feel expensive.

Photography help, free downloads, and extra charges

Photography is one of the better parts of this outing. Guides such as William, Paolo, Jeanne, Alexandre, and Ricardo have helped people set up cameras and tripods. Their assistance can make the difference between a black screen and a photograph showing the green Aurora above you.

Bring a camera that allows manual settings if you want the best chance of a clear image. A tripod is useful, and tripods may be available to borrow at the base station. A mobile phone can record some Aurora activity, but it may not capture the full color or detail visible with a proper camera.

The tour includes access to photographs taken by the guide, but you should check the download terms carefully. Low-resolution images around 300K may be downloaded free. High-resolution versions cost 300 NOK per photograph. That charge has surprised some people, particularly those who assumed all photographs were included.

It is also worth asking early in the evening how the photo service works. Not everyone is automatically aware that photographs may be available, and a guide may be busy when the Aurora arrives. If you want a picture of yourself beneath the lights, make your request before the sky becomes active.

The meal upgrade: reindeer stew or fish soup?

You can upgrade the booking for a hot meal, with options such as reindeer stew or fish soup. The exact dish depends on the base station, but fish soup with bread and lefse has been served, as has reindeer soup or stew.

The food can be welcome after hours in the cold. A hot bowl is more useful than a large restaurant meal when you are waiting outdoors. Some meals have been described as tasty and filling enough for a winter evening.

I would not pay the upgrade expecting a substantial dinner. The portion may be modest, and some people have found the extra cost hard to justify. There has also been confusion when meal arrangements were not clear at the start of the trip. Confirm whether your booking includes food before departure, particularly if you have a vegetarian or non-fish requirement.

A vegetarian or non-fish option can be arranged if requested when booking. Do not leave that request until boarding. The meal is not essential, since hot drinks and snacks are available, but it can improve the comfort of a long night.

How the evening unfolds, stop by stop

1. Prostneset terminal at 6:15 pm

You begin at the central Tromsø waterfront terminal. Allow time to find the correct meeting area and arrive ready for the cold. The terminal is convenient if you are staying in central Tromsø, and the tour returns here at the end.

2. The first weather search across Troms County

The coach heads toward the area selected for that evening’s forecast. This part may take around two hours when you include the journey and the first search for clear sky.

Watch the Aurora science video and listen to the guide’s explanation of Tromsø, the weather, and the conditions that affect visibility. This educational part is useful, especially if you have never tried to photograph the lights.

3. The heated camp and meal stop

The main base station provides a place to warm up, eat if you purchased the upgrade, and wait for a break in the clouds. You may sit inside the lavvo or outside near the fire.

If the weather shifts, the coach may move again. That can interrupt the comfortable camp atmosphere, but it is the reason to choose a chase tour over a fixed camp.

4. A second search and photography stops

After the meal or warming break, the bus may continue searching for clearer conditions. The group can stop for photographs and Aurora sightings along the way.

This stage can be exciting when the lights appear, but tiring when the sky stays dark. You should be prepared to get off the bus in cold conditions, wait outside, and then return to the heated cabin.

5. Return to central Tromsø

The final drive can take about an hour, depending on the location. You return to Prostneset, close to central accommodation and public transport. The end time is not fixed because the whole outing depends on weather and sightings.

Price, group size, and who gets good value

At $128.16 per person, this is much cheaper than a private Aurora chase. You are paying for transport, a guide, the ability to use more than one base station, hot drinks, snacks, and access to a heated facility. The toilet onboard adds practical value on a five to eight-hour night.

The trade-off is personal attention. With up to 50 people, the guide cannot spend equal time with every camera. A large group can also make the camp less peaceful and limit space around the fire.

I think the price is fair if your priority is a serious attempt with warm transport and basic comforts. It is less attractive if you want a quiet, highly personal photography trip or a generous meal. You also need to account for the optional food charge and possible high-resolution photo fees.

The tour suits adults, couples, families with older children, and first-time Aurora watchers who want an organized outing. Children aged four and under are not accepted. Most people can take part, but you must be comfortable with cold weather, late hours, and periods of waiting.

What to wear and bring

Dress as if you will spend a long time outside, even though the coach and lavvo provide warmth. Wear several insulating layers, a winter coat, warm socks, gloves, and a hat. Sturdy winter footwear matters more than fashionable clothing.

Bring a camera, spare batteries, and a tripod if you have them. Cold drains batteries quickly, and night photography works best when the camera remains still. Your phone is fine for snapshots, but it may not show faint green light as clearly as a proper camera.

You should also bring patience. The best Aurora displays may come after a long quiet spell, and the first base station may not be the final stop.

Cancellation and weather flexibility

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 6:15 pm start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of bookings is not reached. The tour itself does not guarantee an Aurora sighting, so cancellation due to weather is different from simply having a disappointing cloudy night during an outing that still operates.

Should you book this Tromsø Aurora chase?

I would book this tour if you want a reasonably priced, heated coach, a toilet onboard, several possible viewing areas, and a proper base camp with hot drinks. The guides can add real value, especially when they explain the science and help you set up a camera.

I would choose something smaller if privacy, silence, and one-to-one photography help matter most. I would also think twice if you dislike long coach journeys or would be very upset by spending the whole evening under cloud.

The smart approach is to book early enough to allow another attempt if your schedule permits. Keep your expectations realistic, request dietary needs in advance, ask about the photo download process, and wear more warmth than you think you need. With clear skies, this big-bus chase can give you a memorable night beneath the Aurora. With bad weather, the heated bus and camp make the disappointment easier, but they cannot create a show in a covered sky.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour start?

It starts at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, at 6:15 pm.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Prostneset meeting point in central Tromsø.

How long does the Aurora chase last?

The tour lasts approximately five to eight hours, depending on weather, travel distance, and Aurora sightings.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

Yes. The tour is advertised with a toilet onboard.

Is food included?

Hot drinks and snacks are available. A hot meal such as reindeer stew or fish soup requires an upgrade.

Can I request vegetarian or non-fish food?

Yes. A vegetarian or non-fish option is available, but you should request it when booking.

Are photographs included?

Low-resolution photographs around 300K may be downloaded free. High-resolution photographs cost 300 NOK per image.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient bookings, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.