Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

Northern lights nights in Tromsø are a mix of hope and planning, and this tour is built for the hope part. I like that you are not just parked in one place, you’re actively chasing the best conditions, guided by people who keep an eye on what the sky is doing. I also like that you get free professional pictures afterward, so you’re not stuck gambling on your own camera settings in the dark. One thing to consider: it can be a long, cold night with lots of driving, and the return can land between 22:30 and 03:00.

If you book, you’re signing up for a real group adventure with a tight start time. You’ll meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5 at 5:20 pm, then ride out with professional photographer tour guides, like Soraia, Alex, Marius, Meda, Owen, Taylor, Irene, and Mark, who are mentioned by name in guest stories. The tradeoff for that high-success strategy is crowding, uneven footing at viewing spots, and a few people reporting the bus can feel too warm on the way back.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Big-bus aurora chasing with a real return window: Plan for a late finish, often well after midnight.
• Free pro photo package: Your guides take pictures for you, and those images are sent free of charge.
• Runs in all weather, so your best night might be the messy one: The tour operates even when forecasts look rough.
• Max group size of 50: You get a lively group atmosphere, but photo spots can get competitive.
• Hot drinks are included: Expect hot beverage and hot water, plus campfire-style warmth at the viewing end.
• Bring layers for snow walks: Several reviews describe slick, dark paths and cold exposure away from the bus.

Price and What Makes It Feel Worth It

At $151.15 per person for a 5 to 9 hour outing, this is not a casual, half-hour photo stop. You’re paying for three things that matter in Tromsø: transportation, time, and guidance that helps you react quickly when conditions change.

First, you get a true chasing plan. The tour drives wherever the conditions look best that night, instead of betting everything on one viewing field. Second, the tour leans into photography with photographer guides and a pro photo deliverable. Third, there’s real warmth built in with hot beverages and hot water, plus fire time at the viewing end on many nights.

Is it worth it if you just want a quick aurora peek? Maybe not. If you want the best odds and you’re willing to dress for a long cold evening, the value can feel strong.

How the Night Actually Plays Out in Tromsø

Start in Tromsø at 5:20 pm, then go hunting for clear skies

The experience begins at 5:20 pm at Samuel Arnesens gate 5 in Tromsø, and it ends back at that same meeting point. There is pick-up and drop-off at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal, so do pay attention to your exact instructions and meet them as early as you can.

From there, your guides set the tone: gear checks, a plan for where you might go, and ongoing updates as the sky shifts. This tour is explicit that it operates in all weather. That means if the forecast looks grim, you’re still going out, because the better aurora opportunities can show up when the weather prediction is worst.

Driving time is part of the deal

Expect many hours of driving in the chase. The return time to Tromsø is listed as anywhere from 22:30 to 03:00. That matters for your day-after plans. If you’re booking this right before a tight itinerary, build in buffer time, or you’ll feel it the next morning.

In real-life terms, some nights stay closer to Tromsø, and some nights involve serious distance. One review describes a long drive that stretched well past what they expected, including time into Finland. This is the nature of aurora chasing: you’re trading certainty for probability.

Viewing stops can include multiple spots

The tour itinerary calls out Tromsø as the main starting point, but the lived experience is usually more than one viewing stop. Several stories mention moving between locations until conditions click. One guest describes three different stops with the guides taking everyone’s photos and pointing out stars and planets during the waits.

Plan for standing outside, dark-to-snow walks, and the kind of patience that feels easy to forget when you’re staring at your breath.

Stop 1: Tromsø and the Aurora Chase Strategy

You start in Tromsø and then move out on a guided hunt designed to maximize your chances.

What your guides are doing when you stop and wait

The big difference here is that the guides are not just watching; they’re making location decisions and managing the group. On nights that work, you’ll see lights more clearly once you get away from town glow and toward the better conditions.

This is where you’ll feel the impact of guides who are also photographers. Many reviews mention guides like Soraia, Soraia and Michiel, Marius, and others taking frequent pictures for the group and helping people compose shots. Even if you use your own camera, it helps to have someone guiding where to point and when to shoot.

Warm-up moments along the way

The included hot beverage and hot water are there for a reason. Several reviews describe hot juice, warm drinks like lingonberry tea, cookies, and a fire at the final viewing area. That warmth changes the vibe from endurance mode to experience mode.

One review even highlights teaching the physics behind what you see, plus myth and stories from the region. That can make the waiting feel productive, not just idle.

The Photo Package: Why It’s a Big Deal

This tour includes professional pictures sent to you for free. That’s a practical win. Northern lights can be hard to capture well on your first try, especially with cold fingers and constantly changing intensity.

In guest stories, you’ll see names tied to this strength: Soraia is repeatedly mentioned for excellent photos, and couples like Bailey and Taylor, plus guides like Jefta and Meda, show up in descriptions that focus on picture quality and friendliness. Even when people call the group size a little crowded, they often still rate the photo results as a highlight.

If you care about memory more than tech, this is one of the cleanest ways to protect your payoff.

Group Size, Crowd Energy, and Bus Comfort

Max 50 people is lively, not intimate

The tour caps at 50 guests. That’s big enough to feel like an event, not big enough to feel like a stadium. Still, multiple reviews point out that photo spot competition can happen. If you like personal space and slow, calm movement, this may test your patience.

The bus can feel very warm

One caution that comes up: the bus temperature on the ride back. Some people describe it as sweltering or so hot that they felt they had to strip down to lighter layers. Bring a system. Wear layers you can adjust quickly without freezing once you’re outside again.

Charging and basic onboard comforts

From reviews, the bus may include USB and USB-C charging ports. There can also be a toilet on board, but it only works when the bus is stopped. Don’t count on it as a constant option during the drive.

Walking on Snow, Dark Paths, and Practical Safety

This is one of those tours where your feet matter as much as your camera.

Even though most people can participate, some locations involve walking down a hill into a snowy area and then walking back up. Reviews describe slick paths, ruts, and ice patches in the dark. That’s a real consideration for anyone who is not steady on uneven snow.

If you have hiking boots with good grip, bring them. If your shoes are made for paved sidewalks, you’ll feel it. Also bring gloves you can live in for a few hours outdoors, plus a face covering or something that keeps wind off your cheeks.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Rethink It)

This tour tends to suit people who want strong odds and do not mind a late night.

You’ll probably love it if:

• You want the best chance through active chasing, not just waiting in one spot.
• You like learning, since guides often explain what you’re seeing and share sky stories.
• You want professional photos without needing to master aurora photography on your own.

You might want to consider another option if:

• You have a very inflexible schedule the next day, since return time can be as late as 03:00.
• You dislike groups, or you want a quiet, low-stress experience.
• You have difficulty with dark, snowy walks and slippery conditions.

One review also criticized the choice to keep driving even with a forecast that sounded like no-win odds. That points to a simple reality: no one can control the sky. If disappointment would hit hard for you, book with the right mindset.

Useful Booking Tips That Actually Help

Buy the tour directly if you want to compare pricing

One guest notes that the company website price can be lower than prices found on third-party tourism sites. If you’re comfortable booking direct, it’s worth a quick price check.

Schedule a second aurora attempt if your dates allow

Multiple reviews mention stronger success on other nights. If you’re in Tromsø more than a day or two, consider booking a second northern lights outing so one “weak sky” night does not sink the whole trip. This tour is designed to chase, but Mother Nature still has the final say.

Arrive early and double-check your meeting details

A recurring practical issue is not finding the right spot fast enough. One review said the pickup meeting instructions felt vague and that they had to ask around outside in the parking area. Do yourself a favor: arrive early, locate where the group lines up, and get your bearings before 5:20 pm.

Should You Book the Chasing Lights Northern Lights Big Bus Chase?

Book it if you want an organized aurora chase built for probability, you’re okay with a late return, and you love the idea of getting free professional photos plus hot drinks after cold waiting.

Skip or think twice if you need an early night, if you strongly dislike crowding, or if walking on dark snowy paths would be a problem for you. Also, be realistic: this tour does not promise a guaranteed aurora. It promises effort, planning, and a chase strategy.

If you go in dressed for the cold, on time, and mentally ready to move when the sky shifts, this is one of the more satisfying ways to do Tromsø’s signature experience.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 5:20 pm in Tromsø.

Where do I meet the group?

The meeting point is Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. The included pickup and drop-off location is Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 5 to 9 hours. The return time to Tromsø is between 22:30 and 03:00.

What’s included in the price?

Included are professional pictures sent to you free of charge, pick-up and drop-off at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal, professional photographer tour guides, hot beverage and hot water, and the 5 to 9 hour tour.

What should I bring with me?

You should bring clothes for cold weather. Meals are not included, and tripods are not included.

Will I see the Northern Lights for sure?

No. The tour does not promise the aurora, and there are no refunds or free trips if the aurora is not seen.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour says most people can participate, but it is still a winter outdoor experience with group movement and a long night.