Aurora nights here are all about moving. I really like the mobile chasing approach because the guides don’t sit and hope in one spot, they keep hunting as conditions change. I also love the photo setup: you can take your own pictures, and you get extra professional photos sent to you for free.

The main trade-off is time. This is a long, cold night out on the road, and even with good effort you can still end up with clouds or a weaker aurora than you dreamed about.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Mobile hunting route that improves your odds by changing locations when the sky clouds over
• Free photo delivery plus hands-on help so your shots have a better chance
• Comfort on board with WiFi, a restroom, warm drinks, and snacks during the chase
• A guided wait with purpose where the team keeps people engaged while you’re outside
• Arctic firepit-style stops in many conditions, with hot drinks and sweet treats
• Small group cap of 55 people, which feels less chaotic than the biggest mass tours

Big Bus Aurora Chase Basics: Tromsø to the Best Sky

This is a full-day northern lights-hunting tour out of Tromsø, priced at about $118.77 per person. It runs roughly 7 to 9 hours, and most departures are booked about 28 days in advance, which matters if you want a specific date in peak season.

You’ll start at Fiskekompaniet, Killengreens gate, 9008 Tromsø, and the tour returns to the same meeting point. The group size is capped at 55 people, so you get a guided experience without the feeling of being swallowed by a crowd.

One more thing up front: the tour includes the practical comforts that help during a long night—a restroom on board, WiFi on board, warm drinks, and snacks. Dinner is not included, so if you’re joining from Tromsø, plan to eat before you go or expect to have a later post-tour meal.

Also note the weather reality. This experience requires good weather, and if it gets canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Why Mobile Aurora Hunting Beats Waiting in One Place

Northern lights are shy. They don’t care about your schedule, and Tromsø weather can switch fast. The big idea here is simple: being mobile ups your chances.

Your night starts with the guides meeting you outside the bus in the Tromsø area, then searching for the aurora. As conditions shift—cloud cover, visibility, snow—your crew adjusts the plan. That’s why you’ll see many accounts where they end up going farther afield for clearer sky, including drives toward the Finland border when Tromsø is socked in.

This moving strategy matters because aurora viewing is basically three variables in a trench coat:

1) darkness (you’ll have that),

2) solar activity (no one can control),

3) cloud cover and visibility (this part you can influence by relocating).

When the guides are actively chasing conditions, you’re not wasting your best hours parked under a gray sky. Even if the lights don’t show dramatically at first, the team keeps working the plan.

Photo Mission Mode: Take Your Own Shots Plus Free Pros

If aurora photography is on your bucket list, this tour is built for it. You get two angles on the same goal.

First, you can snap your own photos with the crew helping with positioning and timing. Second, you also receive pictures sent to you free of charge. That combination is a big value move. Aurora nights can be unpredictable, and it’s comforting to know you’re not relying on your camera settings alone.

Tripod is not included, so you’ll want a plan for stability. That usually means setting up quickly, using something to steady your hands or camera, and keeping your gear simple. If you bring a tripod anyway, great—but the tour itself isn’t built around one.

Guides are a major reason people feel the photos come out better. You’ll hear names like Petra, Iris, Georgi, Vera, Angel, and Jeremias—often paired with the same theme: patience, lots of guidance, and a focus on helping everyone capture the aurora without panicking in the cold.

A small practical tip: dress for the cold first, then think about the camera. Gloves that let you control your camera smoothly are worth more than a fancy lens.

On Board During the Chase: WiFi, Restroom, and Warm Drinks

Long-night tours can feel brutal when you’re freezing, sitting in the wrong place, and counting down the hours. This one reduces the suffering in the boring ways that actually matter.

You have WiFi on board and a restroom on board. WiFi is listed as included, but don’t build your evening plan around it working perfectly. Still, it’s a good baseline perk for staying in touch when you’re stuck on the bus for long stretches.

Food and drink help you last outdoors. You’re included for warm drinks and snacks, which makes bathroom stops and photo stops less miserable. Many nights also include a firepit-style break with hot chocolate and sweet treats, and in some conditions people describe marshmallows and campfire time—exactly the kind of morale boost you want when the sky is taking its time.

One funny-but-true part of northern lights logistics: the best bathroom timing often lines up with aurora timing. A good crew tries to limit how long you miss key moments, and several people note how quickly the guides managed bathroom stops so you didn’t lose the window.

The Rhythm of the Itinerary: Tromsø Area First, Then Clearer Sky

Your hunt begins around Tromsø. The guides meet you outside the bus, and you search the skies in the Tromsø area for the aurora. One listed stop is Troms, with the tour time running about 8 hours 20 minutes for that viewing/search portion.

The real sequence isn’t just one fixed location. It’s a cycle:

• drive to a spot,
• scan the sky,
• watch for breaks in cloud cover,
• reposition when needed,
• wait with purpose.

If conditions are poor in Tromsø—rain, snow, heavy clouds—your crew may drive much farther than you expected to find clarity. That’s why some nights feel like they stretch into the early morning, with returns sometimes past 3 a.m. You can’t control the weather, but you can control your expectations. Go in knowing it’s a late one.

Another thing that makes the waiting part feel better is the guide energy. People repeatedly mention guides staying upbeat and actively encouraging the group. That matters because standing in the cold in near silence can turn into frustration fast. A positive guide helps you stay patient long enough for the aurora to show up.

Gear and Clothing: What to Pack for a Cold Night Out

This tour does not list warm clothes as included. That means you should treat the cold as serious business. Even when the crew provides warm suits and boots in some cases, you still need layers and gloves you can actually use.

Here’s what I’d pack for this kind of night in Tromsø:

• thermal base layers (top and bottom)
• a warm mid-layer
• a windproof outer layer
• hat and neck covering
• insulated gloves or mittens (ideally ones you can operate phone/camera with)
• warm socks and waterproof footwear

Even if the tour gives you Arctic-style outdoor gear in some situations, you’ll enjoy the night more if you already have your own comfort set.

For photography, dress for function. If you’re tugging on your sleeves every 10 minutes, you’ll miss the moment.

Tripod isn’t included, so plan to steady your camera without expecting a tripod setup to be part of the tour rhythm. If you’re bringing one, practice with it before you arrive at the viewing area.

When the Aurora Doesn’t Fully Cooperate

Let’s be real: aurora viewing can fail even when the crew is doing everything right. The tour depends on good weather, and the lights depend on solar activity plus a sky that lets you see them.

In conditions where clouds roll in, the crew can still work hard—driving, repositioning, and trying again. People describe scenarios where they didn’t get the strong show they hoped for, yet the experience still felt meaningful because of the firepit break, hot drinks, stories, and the feeling that the team stayed committed all night.

This is also why the free photo option matters. Even when the sky is faint, professional images can still capture light in ways that a phone or hurried camera setting might miss.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This is a strong choice if you want:

• the aurora hunt to be guided and active, not just a group standing still
• photo help paired with an extra layer of coverage (your own shots plus free professional images)
• bus comfort for the long stretches (restroom, snacks, warm drinks)
• a tour built around patience and repositioning

It may feel less ideal if you:

• hate late nights and long hours outdoors
• expect a guaranteed aurora display every time
• need constant entertainment. WiFi can be spotty, and you’ll spend lots of time outside scanning the sky.

If you’re traveling with kids, it’s still workable because there are warm breaks and on-board comfort, but plan for the fact that the night can run late and the cold isn’t optional.

Should You Book Arctic Explorers’ Big Bus Aurora Chase?

If your goal is the best chance to see the northern lights from Tromsø with guided searching and photo support, I’d book this. The combination of mobile chasing, hands-on photo help, and free professional photos makes the value feel practical, not just marketing.

Book it especially if you’re going to be stressed by weather and want a crew that keeps adjusting. The night is long, but the experience is structured: comfort on the bus, warm drinks and snacks, and guides focused on keeping everyone patient long enough for the sky to cooperate.

If you’re the kind of person who needs a quick, simple outing with no late return, then this might feel like too much. But if you can handle a long cold night for a shot at the aurora, this is a very solid match.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase?

It runs about 7 to 9 hours, depending on conditions and where the guides go to look for clearer skies.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Fiskekompaniet, Killengreens gate, 9008 Tromsø, Norway, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Included items are WiFi on board, a restroom on board, warm drinks, snacks, and free photo delivery. Admission ticket for the Troms stop is listed as free.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. Photos are sent to you free of charge.

Is WiFi available during the tour?

WiFi is listed as included on board, though it may not always work perfectly in every situation.

Do I need warm clothes or a tripod?

Warm clothes are listed as not included, and a tripod is not included. Pack layers you can comfortably wear for a long time outdoors.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 55 people.

What if the weather is poor or the northern lights are hard to see?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the aurora is faint or cloudy, the guides will still search and try to make the most of the night.

How does cancellation work?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the tour requires good weather to operate.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.