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

Seeing the Northern Lights in Tromsø is already a good idea, but this tour adds one smart twist: you get driven to a base station picked on the day for the best odds. I like the mix of “coach comfort plus real wilderness waiting” and the way the night is built around staying warm, staying flexible, and watching the sky until it happens. One consideration is the weather, the lights are never guaranteed, and you may spend time chasing when the sky stays cloudy.

Two things I really appreciate are the warm lavvo or campfire setup with hot drinks and snacks, and the practical photo help plus free photos after the tour. The possible drawback, besides the Aurora uncertainty, is that if the group is large and the camp is busy, you can feel a bit squeezed around the fire or hut, even if the guides do their best.

Key things to know before you go

• Day-of base station chasing to improve your odds of clear skies
• Warm Sami lavvo or campfire waiting with hot chocolate, coffee, and local snacks
• Toilet onboard on the coach, so you are not constantly hunting for bathrooms in winter
• Free photo download options after your guide helps you capture the night
• Upgrade option for a hot meal like reindeer stew or fish soup
• Small-coach feel (max 50 people) compared with some mega-bus setups

Northern Lights in Tromsø, but with real chasing and warm waiting

This is an Aurora Safari chase out of Tromsø, and you start with the right mindset. You are not buying certainty, you are buying a system. A comfortable, climate-controlled coach takes you out of the city, you get a weather-aware plan, and you switch base locations if conditions demand it.

The viewing part matters, because the best Aurora nights reward patience. Instead of standing outside shivering for hours, you spend time in a heated lavvo-style tent or beside a campfire, with steaming drinks on hand. That changes your experience. You last longer, your attention stays on the sky, and you can actually enjoy the moment rather than just surviving it.

Price-wise, $128.16 per person is not “cheap,” but it is also not trying to be a luxury private chase. You are paying for transport, guide time, warm amenities, and the added photo support that can help you get results beyond a phone screen.

Meeting point near Prostneset, and why the start time matters

You meet at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, with the tour starting at 6:15 pm. That start time is smart. In winter, darkness arrives early, and you want to be ready before the most Aurora-friendly hours roll in.

Also, you are dropped back at the same meeting point area near the end, so the night does not leave you stranded across town in freezing weather. The tour is offered in English, and it runs roughly 5 to 8 hours, depending on where the chase takes you and how the sky behaves.

If you are thinking about timing with dinner plans, build in the reality that the most exciting part can happen later, not right at departure. This tour is designed around staying out and waiting, not racing back as soon as it gets interesting.

The comfy coach ride, plus a science lesson that actually helps

Once you climb aboard the coach, you are not just sitting in silence until your stop. During the trip, the guide provides a video about the science behind the Northern Lights. It is not heavy stuff, but it gives you helpful context for what you are seeing.

That matters because Aurora watching is not only visual. If you understand the basics, you are more likely to notice patterns, understand why the sky shifts, and avoid the common mistake of thinking the show must be constant to be real.

This is also where the “small practical comfort” shows up. You get a climate-controlled vehicle, and there is a toilet onboard. In Tromsø winter, that can be the difference between a relaxed evening and a distracted one.

Stop-by-stop: how the chase night is staged

This tour is set up as a sequence of viewing stops, with time built in for weather changes. Here is what that looks like on the ground, and what each stage is really for.

Stop 1: Tromsø Havn Prostneset Bus, Boat & Hurtigruten Terminal

You begin at Prostneset, near the bus, boat, and Hurtigruten terminal area. The guides bring you into the winter routine right away, and this first phase is basically your launchpad.

You typically spend about 15 minutes here. It is short, but it helps you get organized, use the toilet before you head out, and settle into your layers.

Stop 2: Troms area for up to 2 hours of first searching

Next you head into the Troms region. If weather allows, you settle in and you scan the sky. This stage lasts about 2 hours.

What I like about this approach is that you are not forced to sit in one location just because you arrived first. You start early, you watch early, and if the conditions do not cooperate, you are not stuck for the whole night.

For your comfort: keep your gloves on until you are ready to shoot or adjust your camera settings. Aurora often looks subtle at first, and fiddling with gear with cold hands is a fast way to miss the moment.

Stop 3: Heated camp base, with meal time and a location rethink

This is your warm break, and it is a key part of why this tour feels manageable in cold weather. You arrive at a private heated camp and location and spend about 2 hours there.

You get a quick meal during this stop. Depending on the option you chose, it can be hot drinks and snacks, or you can upgrade to a hot meal such as reindeer stew or fish soup. You also have the chance to reset mentally. The sky can be slow, and warm food helps you keep attention without rushing.

A nice detail here is that the operation can shift locations based on conditions. The bus is described as chasing if needed, so the basecamp is not a dead end. It is a breathing space before the next push.

Stop 4: More chasing, more photo opportunities, and continued sky watching

After your camp time, you continue scanning. This stop is another 2 hours, with the potential for extra picture breaks and sightings.

If you want to photograph the Northern Lights, this is where your preparation pays off. The tour format gives you enough time on-site to actually settle, aim, and shoot long exposures without feeling like you have to rush.

In the photo help department, the vibe is very supportive. Guides are frequently described as helping people set up cameras for better Aurora shots, and some nights include free tripod use. If you are relying on a phone, it can still work for the vibe, but you should calibrate your expectations. Aurora often looks more dramatic in photos than in your naked-eye memory, especially if it is not blazing brightly.

Stop 5: Return to the city at Prostneset

Finally, you drive back to Tromsø and get dropped near the terminal area, close to many hotels. This is about 1 hour of return time.

If the lights are active near the end, it can be tempting to push for “one more location.” The good news is that the tour is designed to keep chasing long enough for actual sightings to happen, not just to complete a checklist.

Warm lavvo, campfire snacks, and the Sami atmosphere that makes waiting tolerable

This is not just a bus to a field. It is built around staying warm while you wait for a sky show.

You can opt to sit inside a lavvo (teepee-style tent) or outside by a campfire. Either way, you get hot drinks like hot chocolate and coffee plus local snacks. It sounds simple, but it solves the biggest problem with Northern Lights tours: cold patience.

When the camp includes traditional-style ambiance, you are not only waiting in weather. You are experiencing a winter way of life that fits Tromsø and the Sami cultural landscape. Even if you are focused only on the sky, the warm setting helps you stay grounded in the moment.

A few upgrade notes are worth knowing. If you choose the hot meal option, it is positioned as reindeer stew or fish soup. Vegetarian or non-fish options are available if you request them during booking.

Free photos, plus real guidance if you want to shoot

One of the best value add-ons here is free photos. That can save you the stress of getting a perfect shot yourself. You still get the experience of watching and shooting, but you do not have to bet everything on your settings.

Some guests mention that photo quality options exist. If you want higher-resolution images, there may be an extra cost per photo. The core takeaway for you is simple: you will have a photo path ready, and you can decide how much you want to pay for crisp files afterward.

Camera support is a recurring theme. Guides are often described as helping with camera setup, and some nights include a more hands-on approach, like adjusting settings or coaching people on how to capture the Aurora.

If you bring your own camera, do this: practice focusing and long exposure before the lights go wild. Once you are under a dark sky, every second counts, and fumbling in winter cold is real.

Guides and group vibe, from friendly coaching to occasional crowding

The experience often rises or falls on guide style, and there are clear examples here. People mention guides by name, including Paolo and Jeanne, William, Alexandre, and Ricardo, plus a guide named Suzanna. Across these stories, a consistent pattern shows up: guides explain the Aurora in a way that makes the sky feel less mysterious and more readable, and they help people set up cameras.

Still, group size can affect your comfort. Even with a max of 50 travelers, you may share the viewing area with other groups if multiple busloads are running at once. Some nights can feel crowded around the fire or inside the warmth. That does not ruin the tour, but it can change how intimate it feels.

If you hate crowds, plan for it. Choose this tour because it is a solid value and keeps you warm, not because it promises a private, quiet snowfield.

Price and value: what you are paying for at $128.16

At $128.16, you are paying for the elements that add up fast on your own.

You are getting:

• a coach out of Tromsø and back
• guided Aurora chasing tied to changing conditions
• heated waiting time at base stations
• hot drinks and snacks
• free photo download
• onboard convenience like a toilet
• English-speaking guidance and a science intro on the ride

The upgrade for a hot meal is optional. Some people feel it is worth it for the warmth and the sit-down break, while others prefer to spend every minute watching the sky. Either way, the base package already includes warm drinks and snacks, so you are not locked in.

Compared with private tours, this is less expensive and still gives you the chase strategy that boosts your odds. Compared with the cheapest options, the warm camp and photo support tend to make it feel more like a complete night, not just a transport service.

Who this tour fits best, and who might want something else

This works best if you want a guided Northern Lights night without dealing with winter logistics yourself.

You will likely love it if you:

• want coach comfort plus a real wilderness setting
• like having help with photography
• value warm lavvo or campfire breaks
• want a structured night with multiple chances

You might consider a different format if you:

• strongly prefer smaller, quieter groups
• get impatient with waiting and weather uncertainty
• expect Aurora to be bright and constant all night, every night (it usually is not)

Also note the age guidance. It is not suitable for children aged 4 and under.

Practical tips that make a difference in real winter

• Dress like you expect to stand still in the cold for long periods. Bring warm layers you can move in, plus a hat and gloves that stay usable for camera work.
• If you are bringing a camera, check whether you have a sturdy support. Some trips include tripod availability for free use, but you should still be ready for winter handling.
• Keep your phone charged. Even if free photos are provided later, you will still want a few quick captures.
• If the Aurora is faint, do not panic. Give it time. Some nights start slowly and then improve.

Should you book Aurora Safari Chase by Big Bus?

I think you should book if you want a well-managed Tromsø Northern Lights night where the “chase” part is real, the waiting part is warm, and the photo support is included. The mix of a comfortable coach, heated base stations, and free photos gives this tour a strong practical edge for your money.

I would hold off or compare alternatives if you hate crowding or if you need a totally guaranteed, bright-light show. This is a weather-dependent experience built on odds, not a fixed spectacle. If you go with that mindset, you are set up for a memorable night, even when the sky takes its time.

FAQ

What time does Aurora Safari Chase start in Tromsø?

The tour starts at 6:15 pm at Tromsø Havn Prostneset.

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

The duration is about 5 to 8 hours.

Is there a toilet on board the coach?

Yes, there is a toilet onboard.

Are hot drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Hot chocolate, coffee, and local snacks are included, with warm lavvo or campfire waiting.

Can I request a vegetarian or non-fish meal option?

Yes. Vegetarian or non-fish options are available if you include your request at booking.

Do I get photos included?

Yes. There are free photos included as part of the experience.