Tromsø: My review of the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase
Seeing the aurora is consistently voted a number one travel experience worldwide. It beats iconic adventures like African safaris or exploring Machu Picchu, and it’s the absolute crown jewel of Arctic travel. While waiting out in the freezing cold might sound a little daunting, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is most definitely worth it.
We picked Tromsø, as it’s famed for being one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, and boy did it deliver! Here’s why we picked our tour, what happened and why you shouldn’t think twice before booking one too.
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At a Glance
We took this exact tour: Northern Lights Big Bus Chase, and it turned out to be the best decision we made on our trip to Tromsø.
Big Bus vs. Minibus: Why We Chose the Big Bus
The tour operator praised time and time again for northern lights tours in Tromsø is Chasing Lights. They consistently score near the top on platforms like Tripadvisor, with thousands of reviews recording their organized logistics, knowledgeable guides, and willingness to go the extra mile. I booked the tour through Viator, a tour aggregator I’ve used many times. It offers peace of mind with your booking, plus options if you need to cancel or adjust dates. You can do all of that easily through their platform. It also guaranteed the lowest price for this tour.
I also knew I wouldn’t get the best shots using my mobile phone, so the promise of free professional photography made our decision easier.
you can choose the sort of tour you take: a small minibus or a big coach. Here are the pros and cons of each.
| Feature | Minibus Chase | Big Bus Chase |
|---|---|---|
| Group Size | Up to 15 guests | Up to 50 guests |
| Price | Higher (From ~2,200 NOK) | Budget-friendly (From ~1,200 NOK) |
| Location Access | High flexibility to pull over in tight fjord laybys or narrow forest clearings. | Limited to larger parking areas, designated aurora camps, or spacious roadsides. |
| Included Gear | Thermal winter suits, snow boots, and tripods. | No tripods or winter suits or boots provided. |
| Food & Atmosphere | Warm expedition meal around a campfire; intimate and quiet. | Hot drinks and cookies; more social and lively. |
| Onboard Restroom | None (makes stops at public facilities along the way). | Onboard toilet available (can only be used when the bus is safely parked). |
We opted for the big bus. If we got really cold, we knew we could retreat to the comfort of a warm coach and watch from inside. And knowing there was an onboard toilet, played a part in the decision too. The big bus tour was nearly half the price of the minibus tour, so that helped swing it too.
And it turned out our big bus stopped in the same places as the smaller minibuses, so we had the same views of the northern lights as everyone else. Maybe if the lights had been trickier to find that night, the minibuses would have been nimbler and found spots the bigger coach couldn’t go. But for our trip, that was not the case.
While special clothes and a better campfire experience, are offered on the more expensive minibus trips, these factors were less important to us, We had come to Tromsø with just a small underseat bag each, but we had still come prepared. I feel the cold and wore pretty much every item of clothing I brought with me for the tour. And yes with so many layers I did look ridiculous. But I kept pretty toasty even at -20C.
Our Chasing Lights Experience
Pick-up & Setup
Our meeting time was 5.20 pm in the harbour area, which is a popular pickup point for many of the winter activities in Tromsø. Worth knowing if you’re picking accommodation. It definitely pays to stay close by. We stayed in a central apartment, a short walk away.
Our tour guides came armed with tripods, and fancy cameras and welcomed us on the bus.
Much of the planning was done in real time, as it’s the aurora activity and clear skies that dictate the route. Guides in different locations reach each other so everyone can reach the best spots for the evening’s light show. Between rushed phone calls, directing the bus driver, and preparing for each stop, our guide still found time to tell us all about the aurora, give tips for Tromsø and answer our questions. These guys earn their money!
The Chase
While some trips may go east, over the border into Finland and into an even colder interior, our route would took us west to the island of Sommarøy. Here the skies were clear, and the mountains and water made a stunning backdrop for what we were about to see.
We made 4 or 5 stops on the route back from Sommarøy.
Each set of lights was different, Some were multi-coloured including rich pinks, others were bright green and white. Sometimes waves of light swirled around our heads, othertimes the colours were still with the sky light and bright. We also experienced the lights appearing to drop like rain, dance around or race across the sky.
Photography Assistance
It’s not that easy to get quality photos of the aurora at night without professional equipment and expertise. Help was on hand so we could take our own photos and videos. But the best advice we received was to put our phones and cameras away and enjoy the show. The footage we received from the trip was way better than anything I could have taken.
The other thing to know, which I had not appreciated, is that what you see on film is a little brighter and sharper than what you can see with the naked eye, That’s thanks to the large lenses with long exposure settings, which enhance the colours and take the brightness up a notch.
We received a link to a huge album of photos and videos from our trip in the morning, along with a full trip report and map of where we had been.
The Extras
Make sure you eat before you come on the tour. There’s no stops for food along the way or meal around a camp-fire if you opt for the big bus tour as we did.
At one of the later stops, the guides lit a stove. By this time, we were into the dead of night and the temperature had plummeted below -20C. The heat from the stove meant we could stay out longer and watch the lights. We were offered cookies too.
We arrived back at the harbour just after 3 am. A longer trip than many Northern Lights tours, but that’s because there was so much to see that night and we made multiple stops. It was still early enough for us to get some sleep and make the most of the following day, albeit with a later start.
Northern Lights Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time to see the aurora?
The season in Tromsø runs from September into April with peak activity in the depths of winter (January – March). We visited in November and had a superb viewing experience. It was also a perfect time to see humpback whales and orcas.
Do I need to book a tour?
You might get lucky in Tromsø itself, especially on a clear night by the water, but light pollution makes it less reliable. A tour gets you out of the city into darker skies and the buses often head to several different locations depending on the weather and aurora activity.
How long does a Northern Lights bus trip last?
Most tours run around 6–8 hours. Be prepared for a late night. Buses often leave Tromsø between 5–7pm and return after midnight. We arrived back at 3am.
What should I wear on a Northern Lights trip?
Layers are key. Think thermals, a good down or insulated jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and warm boots. You’ll be standing around in sub-zero temperatures, so dress warmer than you think you’ll need.
How much can you see with the naked eye, or do you need a camera?
Yes, you can see them with your eyes, though sometimes they appear more as greenish wisps than the bright streaks you see in photos. Long-exposure cameras bring out the colours dramatically. Pick a tour where photographers are on hand to help you with photos, or better still, will take photos for you and include them in the price.
What happens if we don’t see anything?
Most operators don’t guarantee a sighting, since the aurora is a natural phenomenon. On this trip there was an offer of a second trip if the lights didn’t appear. Check the policy on your Northern Lights Tour before booking.
Are the big bus tours worth it compared to smaller groups?
They’re good value if you’re on a budget and don’t mind sharing the experience with more people. Smaller minibus or private tours are more flexible, but they cost a lot more. We were thrilled with everything we saw on our big bus tour and I’ve covered the pros and cons in this article.
How much does a Northern Lights bus tour cost?
Around €100–€150 per person is typical for a big-bus trip. Smaller group tours can be double that.
Should I go to North Norway or Iceland to see the Aurora?
You can see them in either place, although the sky can be clearer in North Norway and over the border into Finland. I’ve been to both places. My recommendation would be Tromso for a winter trip to see the northern lights and for other arctic activities. I rate a summer holiday in Iceland. There’s a huge variety of things to do in Iceland and a lot of them are more fun when the weather is warmer!
Where to next
If you’re thinking about a Northern Lights trip in north Norway, do give yourself enough time to explore the city of Tromso. There’s so much to see and do. I have a full city guide and review of a whale watching tour by silent catamaran too.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. If you have any questions or comments, do let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading my blog.
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