Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

The sky does not follow a schedule. That is the point of this Tromsø aurora chase. Chasing Lights sends you out with trained photography guides and a driver who can follow clearer skies, even across the border into Finland. I like the free professional photos and the warm drinks by a fire, along with the lively guides who explain the science, stars, and Sámi culture. The catch is simple: this can mean a long night on the road, with a return as late as 3 a.m.

The tour costs about $151.15 and runs roughly five to nine hours, though difficult conditions can stretch the evening. I also like that the company does not simply park in Tromsø and hope for a show. It makes a real attempt to find one. But a bus carrying up to 50 people can feel crowded, and the coach may become uncomfortably hot on the ride home.

Key points to know before you book

• A real aurora chase: The bus goes wherever the weather and cloud cover offer the best chance, sometimes driving for hours toward Finland.
• Professional photos included: Guides take portraits and aurora shots, then send the files to you at no extra charge.
• A long, late evening: The advertised duration is five to nine hours, with returns reported between 10:30 p.m. and 3 a.m.
• Big-bus value: A group of up to 50 keeps the price lower than a private outing, but popular viewing spots can feel busy.
• Warmth is basic, not luxurious: You receive a hot drink or hot water, and some trips include a campfire, cookies, or warm berry juice.
• Good guide teams matter: Names such as Soraia, Alex, Bailey, Taylor, Marius, Owen, Meda, and Brian have been praised for their energy, photography, and clear explanations.

Why a Tromsø chase beats waiting in town

The Northern Lights are not a show that begins at a fixed hour. Clouds can cover Tromsø while clear skies sit an hour or two away. Chasing Lights builds its evening around that problem, using a mobile bus operation rather than committing to one viewing site.

That approach gives you a better chance than standing outside your hotel and hoping. It does not guarantee the aurora. No honest company can do that. Solar activity, cloud cover, wind, and road conditions all matter.

The strongest part of the experience is the effort. Guides watch conditions, discuss where to go, and may change direction during the evening. Several outings have reached clear fields after leaving a cloudy Tromsø, while others have driven south or east for hours with only brief flashes of aurora.

That uncertainty can be exciting if you treat the evening as an expedition. It can be frustrating if you expect a quick photo stop and a tidy return before midnight.

Meeting at Samuel Arnesens gate 5

The tour begins at 5:20 p.m. at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, outside the Tromsø bus terminal area. The practical detail matters because the meeting instruction can feel vague. Look for the number 5 bus parking spot outside, not a hotel lobby or an indoor desk.

I would arrive early. The meeting area can be busy with several tour companies, and the pickup point is not described with the same precision some other operators use. Ask nearby groups or staff if you are unsure, but do not wait until the last minute. The company does not offer a free trip if you miss the departure.

Pickup and drop-off are at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way to the bus and back at the end. That final return may happen well after midnight, so check your accommodation’s location before you book.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. If you are staying far away, plan for a walk or arrange a taxi in advance. The tour does not promise a hotel transfer.

The bus ride and the art of chasing clear skies

Once the group is aboard, the evening becomes a moving search. The exact route is not fixed because it depends on that night’s conditions. You might stay around Tromsø, travel south, or cross into Finland in pursuit of a gap in the clouds.

This flexibility is the tour’s main strength. A fixed viewpoint can be lovely on a clear night, but it cannot move when the clouds arrive. A chase bus can at least try.

The trade-off is time. One trip involved roughly four hours of driving each way toward Finland. Another lasted about 11 hours while the guides searched for a short appearance of the lights. The stated return window is 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., so you should not schedule an early morning activity immediately afterward.

The bus gives you a warm base between stops. It also has USB and USB-C charging ports, according to one detailed account. A toilet is available on the bus on some outings, but it can only be used while the vehicle is stopped. Because the vehicle setup can change, do not count on a full bathroom break whenever you want one.

Comfort is mixed. Some people describe the bus as comfortable, while others found it too warm on the way home. After several hours outside, a heated vehicle is welcome. After everyone climbs aboard wearing several layers, it can become stifling. Wear removable layers rather than one heavy outfit you cannot adjust.

What happens at the viewing stops

The number and type of stops depend on the night. One successful outing used three locations. Another reached a large snowy field where the aurora appeared in waves for 90 minutes to two hours. A different group watched from beside a lake after walking down a snowy slope.

That variety is part of the fun, but it also means the ground may not be easy. You could walk through deep snow, over rutted paths, or down a slippery incline in darkness. One stop involved a trek to a lake with icy patches and uneven snow. This is not a paved viewing platform.

Bring proper winter footwear with good grip. Add warm socks, gloves, and something that covers your face. The supplied details make clear that clothes are not included, and several people stressed how cold it became outside. You might find the bus warm enough between stops, but you still need to handle long periods outdoors.

The guides generally explain the plan before asking you to leave the bus. That helps, especially when the group is tired and the surroundings are dark. At good sites, guides spread out, help with photographs, and point out stars and planets while everyone waits.

When the aurora appears, the mood changes quickly. The sky can begin with a faint green arc and then brighten into moving bands overhead. Strong displays may include green and purple color, but the intensity varies from night to night. Cameras often show color more clearly than your eyes, particularly when the display is weak.

Free photos are a real part of the value

The professional photography is one of the best reasons to consider this tour. Guides carry cameras and take individual portraits beneath the aurora, as well as wider shots of the sky. The files are sent to you for free after the outing.

That matters because aurora photography is not easy. You need a steady camera, the right settings, patience, and often a tripod. None of those items are included, and tripods are specifically excluded from the tour. If you bring one, you must manage it yourself in a crowded group.

The guides have been praised for taking both posed images and candid shots. Soraia, Bailey, Taylor, Owen, and Meda are among the names singled out for good photography. Do not assume you will have unlimited private time with a photographer, though. With up to 50 people, guides must work through the group.

Crowding is the main weakness here. People may gather around the same viewing area or wait for their turn in front of the camera. A smaller group would offer more quiet and more personal attention, but it would usually cost more.

Campfires, hot drinks, and the human side of the evening

The included refreshment is modest: a hot beverage and hot water. On some outings, the staff also served warm blackcurrant or lingonberry juice, cookies, and drinks around a fire. These touches can make a big difference after standing in snow.

The campfire is not guaranteed as a separate promise for every departure, so think of it as something you might receive when conditions and the site allow. It also adds a welcome pause after the chase. Instead of sitting silently in the bus, you can warm your hands and listen to the guides.

The strongest guide teams turn waiting into part of the experience. Marius has explained the physics behind the aurora, while Soraia and others have shared mythology. Guides have also discussed Sámi and Norwegian culture, stars, and planets.

Names and staffing change, but the pattern is clear: good guides are central to the evening. Alex has been praised for lively explanations, while Jefta, Brian, Irene, Mark, Jamie, Ivan, Ivanka, and others have received strong personal praise for their care and organization. A good driver matters too, since the route may involve long winter roads.

Is $151.15 a fair price?

At about $151.15 per person, this is not a cheap evening. But the fee covers a full chase, transportation, guide service, photography, and at least a basic hot drink. If you see a strong aurora and receive several good photographs, the value is solid.

The price also reflects the possibility of many hours on the road. You are paying for the company’s ability to search, not for a guaranteed light display. That distinction is important. A cloudless, active night can make the tour feel like excellent value. A night of driving with only a few faint minutes of aurora may feel expensive, even if the team worked hard.

One useful price check comes from a direct booking tip: the company website has been listed at about 1,200 Norwegian kroner, while outside booking sites have shown prices closer to 1,500 kroner. Rates can change, so compare the current direct price with the price shown where you found the tour.

A private or small-group chase could offer more space and a quieter experience, but this big-bus option gives you a lower-cost way to put serious effort into finding clear skies. It suits people who value the chance of success and included photos more than privacy.

The hard parts you should accept

The largest concern is the late return. A successful chase can finish at 1 or 2 a.m., and difficult weather may push the return close to 3 a.m. One outing lasted 11 hours. You need to be comfortable losing most of the next morning.

The second issue is the group size. The maximum is 50 people, although a smaller number may sometimes lead to a minibus instead. A minibus can feel friendlier and may reach places a large coach cannot, but the change is based on group size rather than a guaranteed upgrade.

The third issue is the weather policy. The experience is described as operating in all weather conditions because poor-looking forecasts can sometimes produce the best displays. At the same time, the booking terms say the activity can be canceled because of poor weather, with a different date or full refund offered. If the company runs the tour and you do not see the lights, there is no refund or free repeat trip.

That is standard for a natural phenomenon, but you should understand the risk before spending the money. If an all-night drive in cloud sounds like a terrible use of your time, choose a shorter fixed outing or skip the chase.

Who should book this aurora outing?

I would choose this tour if seeing the Northern Lights is a major reason for your Tromsø visit. It gives you a serious search rather than a quick drive outside town, and the included photos remove much of the pressure to create your own camera setup.

It also works well for families with older children who can manage a late night and cold outdoor stops. One parent valued the bus as a warm base for a younger child who might not stay awake comfortably outside for hours. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a good fit for photographers who want portraits and sky shots without paying a separate photographer. It is also suitable for solo visitors, since the guides may create a friendly group atmosphere and encourage introductions.

I would hesitate if you need a predictable finish, dislike long drives, have trouble walking on snow and ice, or expect a quiet small-group outing. The tour is not designed as a quick, polished evening with a fixed view. It is a patient search with real uncertainty.

Booking, cancellation, and useful preparation

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the 5:20 p.m. start for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If the company cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Bring winter clothes, sturdy footwear, gloves, and extra socks. A tripod is not supplied, and meals are not included, so eat before departure and carry anything you may need during a long evening.

Most people can take part, but the snow and darkness deserve respect. Move carefully, stay aware of uneven ground, and follow the guide when walking away from the bus.

Should you book Chasing Lights?

Book it if the aurora is your priority and you can accept uncertainty. The guides put genuine effort into finding clear skies, the free photographs are useful, and the best nights include fires, warm berry drinks, good explanations, and spectacular displays.

Skip it if you want a short, guaranteed schedule or would resent driving for hours without a show. For many people, the long chase will be worth it. Just bring warm clothes, protect the next morning, and remember that nature gets the final vote.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase start?

The tour starts at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway, near the Tromsø bus terminal. The start time is 5:20 p.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Pickup and drop-off are at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is about five to nine hours. The expected return time can range from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.

How large is the group?

This is a group tour with a maximum of 50 participants. A smaller group may sometimes use a minibus instead of the big bus.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and the company does not provide a refund or free trip if the lights are not seen.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. Professional photos taken during the tour are sent to you free of charge.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach the meeting point and arrange your own way back after the tour.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If the company cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.