Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Free Photos

The best part of this Northern Lights Big Bus Chase is the freedom to keep moving. If clouds settle over Tromsø, your guide can send the bus toward clearer skies, sometimes as far as Finland. This is not a quick roadside stop, but a long Arctic night built around the search.

I like the serious effort from the guides, who keep checking conditions instead of giving up after one cloudy stop. I also like the campfire setting, hot drinks, snacks, reindeer skins, marshmallows, and free photos. The main catch is simple: this can be a very long night, with some groups returning around 3 a.m., and the bus may carry as many as 55 people.

Key points to know before booking

• The route can reach Finland: Cloudy weather in Tromsø may send the bus far inland or across the border in search of clearer skies.
• Guides work with the conditions: Petra, Iris, Georgi, Angel, Tomas, and others have helped guests wait, move, photograph the lights, and stay positive during poor weather.
• You get more than a bus ride: Campfires, hot chocolate, warm drinks, biscuits, marshmallows, and occasional food such as reindeer soup or curry may be part of the night.
• Free photos are included: Guides take professional aurora portraits and send the pictures to you, though one report noted that photos did not arrive.
• The big bus saves money: At $118.77 per person, it is priced below many small-group options, though you trade intimacy for capacity.
• Bring serious winter gear: Warm clothing is not included, and a tripod is not supplied. Some outings have included suits and boots, but you should not count on that.

Chasing clear skies from Tromsø

The meeting point is outside Fiskekompaniet on Killengreens gate in central Tromsø. From there, you board a coach with WiFi, a restroom, and a guide who explains the plan. The tour lasts about 7 to 9 hours, with the advertised itinerary lasting roughly 8 hours and 20 minutes.

The first part is often a wait-and-watch game. Tromsø may be cloudy, snowy, or rainy while the forecast points toward better conditions elsewhere. Your guide studies the sky and decides if the group should hold its position or keep driving.

That flexibility matters. A stationary tour is at the mercy of one patch of cloud. A moving bus gives you a better chance of finding an opening, though it also means more time sitting in the coach. In poor conditions, the bus has driven for several hours before reaching Finland or the northern coast of Norway.

The first stops: testing the sky

The listed itinerary names Tromsø as the main stop, but this is really a mobile search rather than a fixed attraction. Guides may pause at more than one location to check cloud cover and aurora activity. A first stop might offer only a faint glow or a break in the clouds, while the next one becomes the night’s main viewing point.

This stop-and-check method is useful because the aurora can appear weakly at first. One group reached a location in Finland and saw signs of the lights within about 20 minutes. Another spent much of the evening moving through bad weather before a green swirl finally appeared close to midnight.

You should not expect a tidy schedule. The bus may stop quickly, then move again. Or the guides may decide to stay put once the lights begin dancing. One fortunate group saw nearly two hours of strong aurora at its first stop, so there was no reason to chase farther.

The payoff can be dramatic. The best conditions described on this outing included ribbons, cascades, green swirls, and lights visible to the naked eye. But the lights may also appear as a pale smudge, or not at all. A tour can improve your odds, but it cannot control the sun, clouds, or darkness.

When the bus reaches Finland

Driving into Finland is one of the more memorable parts of this experience, especially when Tromsø is buried under cloud. The trip is not just a short ride outside town. In difficult weather, the bus has gone roughly 90 kilometers away and, on some nights, all the way to the Finnish border or beyond it.

That distance has a cost. You may spend three hours on the road before reaching a promising viewing spot, then face another long return through snow or poor visibility. One evening ended just after 3 a.m. The experienced driver mattered as much as the aurora itself on the way home.

The bus lets you stay warm between stops, but the long ride can test your patience. Families may appreciate the restroom and onboard WiFi, although the WiFi has not always worked. If you have young children, think carefully about the late hour and the possibility of long stretches with little to see outside the windows.

Still, the border run makes sense when the weather demands it. Guides such as Iris, Angel, Vera, Georgi, and Tomas have been praised for trying different routes rather than settling for a poor view near Tromsø.

Campfires, hot drinks, and Arctic waiting time

The campfire is more than a pleasant extra. Aurora watching involves long periods when nothing happens, and sitting beside a fire gives the night a shape even during a weak display.

Expect warm drinks and snacks, with examples including hot chocolate, tea, biscuits, and marshmallows for toasting. Some outings have also included reindeer soup, Thai curry, and ready-to-eat dinner. Dinner is not listed as an included item, so treat those fuller food options as something that may vary rather than a promise.

Guides have used the fire time to explain the Northern Lights and share Norse mythology. You may sit on reindeer skins in the snow, which adds a distinctly northern feel to the evening. One practical complaint was the lack of something to sit on around the fire, so do not assume the setup will be equally comfortable every night.

This is also where the guide’s personality matters. Iris has been praised for keeping people cheerful and patient. Angel and Virginia kept spirits up during a cloudy night, lighting fires and serving drinks before the aurora finally appeared. Jessica was described as genuinely pleased when the group got its display. Those small signs of enthusiasm can make a long wait feel less like dead time.

Taking your own aurora photographs

You can take your own pictures, and the guides help with the basics of photographing the lights. They also take professional photos of the group and send them to you free of charge.

That is a real value at this price. Aurora photography is tricky, especially when you are cold, tired, and trying to frame both people and sky. Several guides, including Petra and Georgi, have been praised for producing strong portraits with the lights behind the subject. Photos have sometimes arrived within an hour of returning to an apartment.

Results are not guaranteed. Some professional shots turn out well while others miss the aurora or capture an awkward pose. One person never received the promised photos after emailing the company, so keep your own camera ready and regard the free images as a welcome extra, not your only record.

Bring a tripod if you want full control over your camera. A tripod is not included. The tour also does not list warm clothes as part of the package, so pack a proper winter coat, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear even though some outings have supplied suits and boots at no extra charge.

How the large group changes the experience

The coach can carry up to 55 people. That size keeps the price at a reasonable $118.77 per person, but it also affects the feel of the evening.

You will not get the quiet, personal rhythm of a tiny photography group. Boarding, unloading, finding a place near the fire, and gathering everyone after a sighting can take time. One person also felt that group-wide updates could have been clearer.

On the other hand, a large bus gives you a social evening. You can chat with people from different countries, share the excitement when someone spots a glow, and stay inside while the driver covers long distances. The restroom is useful, and the bus provides a practical base during a night that may last until the early morning.

The company has sometimes moved people from the big bus to a smaller vehicle at no added cost. That happened on more than one outing, but it should be viewed as a possible upgrade, not something to book expecting.

The guide team makes the difference

The strongest part of the outing is the human effort. Guides have kept searching in bad weather, explained what was happening, helped with camera settings, and made sure people had a chance to take pictures.

Petra has received praise for both route decisions and photo help. Iris has been singled out for patience, cheerfulness, and finding clearer skies. Georgi has been praised for aurora information and photography. Angel has kept groups moving through difficult conditions, while Tomas has been described as unusually warm and attentive.

These names matter because an aurora chase is not a self-guided bus transfer. You depend on the team to read the forecast, choose the next stop, keep the group informed, and decide when it is worth waiting. A good guide cannot produce the Northern Lights, but can make a cloudy night feel worthwhile.

The tour has also handled problems sensibly. On one outing, a coach issue led to a quick replacement. When a passenger became ill, the guide team and driver provided help and arranged support. Those are not glamorous details, but they matter on a long winter excursion.

What the $118.77 price really buys

At $118.77, this is a strong-value option for a full-night aurora search. The price includes transportation, WiFi, a restroom, warm drinks, snacks, and professional photos. You also get a chance to reach areas with better skies instead of staying within Tromsø.

The value is strongest if you want a first aurora experience and do not need a private guide or a small photography class. The campfire, drinks, and photos add useful comfort and memory-making value, especially when the lights are faint.

The value is less clear if you dislike long bus rides or large groups. A 7 to 9 hour outing can become longer in bad weather, and the tour may return well after midnight. Dinner is not included, warm clothing is not listed as included, and the free photos can vary in quality and delivery.

The tour receives a 4.8 rating from 174 reviews, with 95 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest a consistently strong experience, but the weather remains the deciding factor. A five-star night may bring two hours of green aurora, while another may offer only a faint glimpse after a long drive.

Who should book this aurora chase

I would choose this tour if you want the best practical chance of seeing the lights without paying for a private vehicle. It suits first-time visitors to Tromsø, couples who want photos together, and families who value a restroom and a warm bus between stops.

It also suits people who can accept uncertainty. You need patience for cloud, snow, long drives, and late returns. The experience works best when you treat the campfire, Arctic scenery, guide stories, and night drive as part of the outing, not as compensation for a guaranteed aurora.

Photographers should bring their own gear and tripod. You can use the guides’ help, but a big group is not the same as a dedicated photography workshop. People who need an early bedtime, a quiet setting, or a guaranteed meal should consider a different style of excursion.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before departure. If poor weather forces the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this Northern Lights Big Bus Chase if you want a determined, mobile search at a fair price, and if you are prepared for a very late night. The chance to reach Finland, wait by a fire, receive free photos, and learn from guides such as Iris, Georgi, Petra, Angel, and Tomas gives the evening more substance than a simple bus ride.

Skip it if you need a short, tightly timed activity or a small private group. No operator can promise the aurora, and this tour may involve hours of driving before the sky clears. For most people who want one serious attempt during a Tromsø stay, though, the combination of route flexibility, practical comforts, and persistent guides makes it a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase start?

The tour starts outside Fiskekompaniet at Killengreens gate, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tromsø.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 9 hours. The listed itinerary gives an approximate duration of 8 hours and 20 minutes.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 55 people.

Can the bus travel outside Norway?

Yes. Depending on weather and cloud conditions, the bus may travel toward Finland or reach the Finnish border while searching for clearer skies.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. Photos taken by the tour team are sent to you free of charge. You can also take your own photos.

Is food included?

Warm drinks and snacks are included. Dinner is not included, although some outings have provided items such as soup, curry, or ready-to-eat food.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the company cancels because of poor weather. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.