Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

The best part of this Tromsø excursion is that you do not sit in one viewing spot and hope the clouds move. Chasing Lights follows the clearest skies, sometimes driving for hours and even crossing into Finland to find a better opening for the aurora.

I like the free professional photos and the guides’ strong mix of astronomy, local stories, and practical help. I also like the hot drinks, campfires on some evenings, and the fact that guides such as Soraia, Alex, Marius, Bailey, Taylor, Owen, and Meda are praised for keeping the mood lively. The tradeoff is real: a group of up to 50 people can feel crowded, and the return may be as late as 3 am.

Key points to know before booking

• This is a true chase: You may spend many hours on the road rather than waiting beside Tromsø.
• The route follows the weather: The bus can travel south, east, or into Finland when conditions look better.
• Free professional photos are included: Guides photograph the aurora and send the files after the tour.
• The night is long: Plan for roughly 5 to 9 hours, with some outings lasting longer in difficult conditions.
• You need serious winter clothing: Clothes, tripods, and meals are not included, and the cold can be severe.
• This is a large group outing: The maximum is 50 people, so it offers value and comfort but less privacy.

Leaving Tromsø at 5:20 pm

The meeting point is at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, beside the Tromsø bus terminal at Tromsø Havn Prostneset. The stated start time is 5:20 pm, and the bus returns to this same point.

Give yourself extra time to find the exact boarding area. The pickup instructions use gate 5 and the bus terminal, but the wording can feel vague if you do not know Tromsø. Look for the number 5 bus parking spot outside, not an indoor waiting area. Arriving early is wise, especially if snow, darkness, or several buses make the terminal harder to read.

There is no hotel pickup. You are responsible for getting to the meeting point and arranging your own way back after the tour. This matters because a late return can leave you walking through Tromsø in the early morning, when taxis and other transport may be less convenient.

A chase, not a fixed northern lights stop

The itinerary lists Tromsø as the only stop, but this is not a sightseeing tour of the city. Once the bus leaves, the guides study the forecast, cloud cover, and expected aurora activity, then choose a direction.

That flexibility is the heart of the experience. Tromsø can be cloudy while nearby areas have clear skies. A short drive might be enough on a lucky night, while a poor forecast can send the bus across long stretches of northern Norway. Some outings reach Finland, and the drive in both directions can take several hours.

You should think of the bus as a moving base rather than the main attraction. It gives you shelter between viewing stops and lets the team cover more ground than a walking tour. The cost is time on the road. One difficult outing involved almost 11 hours of effort for only a few minutes of visible aurora. The guides cannot control the clouds, so the chase improves your odds but cannot promise a show.

This is a good fit if you would rather make an active attempt than remain in Tromsø hoping for luck. It is less suitable if a late night, long drive, or uncertain schedule would spoil the next day.

What happens at the viewing sites

The exact locations change each night. You might stop beside a snowy field, near a lake, or at another dark site away from city lights. The ground can be uneven, icy, or covered in deep snow. One reported stop involved walking down a snowy slope to a lake, then climbing back up in the dark.

Take small steps and keep your hands free when walking. Sturdy winter boots matter more here than fashionable footwear. A tripod is not included, so photographers should bring their own if they want long exposures, but remember that carrying equipment over snow and ice adds work.

At a good stop, the guides help position people for views and photos. They may explain the science of charged particles and solar activity, point out stars and planets, or share northern lights folklore and Sámi cultural information. Guides such as Alex, Soraia, Meda, Marius, Bailey, Taylor, Owen, and others have been praised for clear explanations and warm interaction, though your exact team will vary.

Some evenings include a fire, hot blackcurrant or lingonberry drink, cookies, or hot water. These touches matter after standing outside in freezing air. They also give the group something pleasant to do while waiting for the sky to change.

The aurora may appear as a pale green arc, then strengthen into moving bands overhead. Colors depend on the conditions and your own eyes, so photographs can show more vivid greens and purples than you see at first glance. A successful night can last only minutes or continue in waves for an hour or two.

Free photos are a serious part of the value

Professional photographs are included in the price and sent to you after the tour. The guides do more than point a camera at the sky. They often take portraits with the lights behind you, along with wider shots of the group and the aurora.

This is especially useful if you do not know how to set up a camera in the cold. Phones often struggle with dark skies, moving lights, and frozen fingers. A guide who already understands night photography can give you a much better record of the evening.

The quality depends on the weather, the strength of the aurora, and the photographer on duty. Still, the included images add real value to a $151.15 experience. You are not paying only for transport. You are also paying for a team that searches for the lights and documents the result.

If photography is your main goal, the large group may be frustrating at times. People gather around the best viewing spots, and guides may need to photograph many participants. The images are a welcome extra, but this is not a private photo session.

Big bus comfort, large group limits

The maximum group size is 50. That makes the tour more affordable than a private chase and gives you a warm place to wait between stops. It also means a slower group movement at outdoor sites, more people competing for clear photo angles, and less room for quiet reflection.

On some dates, a smaller group means the operator switches from a big bus to a minibus. That can create a friendlier atmosphere and make it easier to reach narrower roads or smaller sites. The tradeoff is that a minibus may not have the same facilities or capacity as the full-size coach.

The bus itself has received mixed practical comments. It is useful as a warm shelter, but the heating can become uncomfortably strong on the return journey. You may need to remove several layers once you are back inside. A USB or USB-C charging port may be available, but do not rely on bus facilities for every departure.

There is no meal included. Hot water or a hot beverage is provided, and some outings add a fire drink and cookies, but you should eat before departure and carry a snack. Meals are not part of the package.

Dress for the wait, not the bus

Northern Norway can be brutally cold when you stand still under a clear sky. Bring more layers than you think you need: thermal base layers, an insulating middle layer, a windproof outer shell, warm socks, gloves, and something to cover your face. One visitor wished for double socks, warmer gloves, and a face covering after a very cold evening.

The operator does not provide winter clothing or thermal suits. That is an important cost to include when comparing tours. If you arrive with ordinary city clothing, the bus may feel like your only comfortable option, and you could miss the best part of the evening outside.

Wear boots with good grip. Snow may hide ice, ruts, or steep patches. Keep your camera and phone batteries warm when possible because cold drains them quickly.

The timing can shape your whole Tromsø stay

The tour starts at 5:20 pm and normally lasts 5 to 9 hours. The stated return window is approximately 10:30 pm to 3 am, but a long chase can run later than the shortest estimate.

That late finish is not a minor detail. You may return tired, hungry, and ready for bed. Avoid booking an early morning activity the next day if you can. A late return can also be awkward if your accommodation is far from the terminal, since hotel transport is not included.

For the best chance of success, schedule this experience early in your Tromsø visit. If clouds defeat the first attempt, you may still have time to try again. The operator does not offer a free trip simply because the aurora fails to appear, so building a second night into your plans is the sensible approach if seeing the lights is a top priority.

What the $151.15 price really buys

At $151.15 per person, this is not a cheap evening bus ride. It is a practical package that combines transport, guides, a weather-based route, hot drinks, and professional photos.

The value is strongest when the team must drive a long way to find clear skies. You are paying for the ability to move away from poor conditions rather than being tied to one viewpoint. The value is also strong if you want photos but do not own a camera suited to night work.

The price is less attractive if you want a short outing, a small private group, or guaranteed comfort outdoors. Clothes, food, a tripod, and hotel transport cost extra. You may also spend most of the evening seated on the bus if the clouds force a long chase.

A useful price check is the company’s direct website. The supplied information includes a lower direct price of about 1,200 NOK, compared with roughly 1,500 NOK through some booking sites. Check the current rate before paying, since prices can change.

Weather, cancellations, and the no-guarantee rule

The tour operates in all weather conditions because poor conditions in Tromsø do not always mean poor conditions everywhere. That policy supports the chase format, but it also means the outing may continue on a night with heavy cloud or a weak forecast.

The aurora is never guaranteed. If you do not see it, there is no automatic refund or free replacement trip. The practical answer is to book with enough time for another attempt and accept that the experience includes a substantial element of chance.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of weather or because too few people have booked, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity is open to most people, but the long hours, cold, dark paths, and uneven snow deserve serious thought if you have limited mobility or do not manage late nights well.

Who will enjoy this chase most

I would choose this tour if you want the best practical odds of seeing the aurora from Tromsø and like the idea of following the weather. It suits first-time northern lights hunters, families who need a heated bus between stops, and anyone who wants professional photos without arranging a separate photographer.

It also works well for people who enjoy the science and stories behind the lights. The strongest guide teams do more than point upward. They explain what you are seeing, keep the group organized, and make the waiting time feel useful.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, crowded photo spots, or uncertain return times. A private or small-group outing would offer more quiet and flexibility, but it would usually cost more. This big-bus trip is about access and persistence, not privacy.

Should you book the Chasing Lights big bus chase?

Book it if you are willing to trade comfort and certainty for a stronger search effort. The mobile route, experienced photography guides, included photos, hot drinks, and access to distant viewing areas make the price reasonable for a serious aurora attempt.

Go in prepared. Eat beforehand, arrive early at gate 5, bring proper winter gear, keep the next morning free, and expect the bus to travel for hours. If you can accept the possibility of seeing little or nothing, this is a well-equipped way to give the northern lights a real chance.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase start?

It starts at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway, at Tromsø Havn Prostneset bus terminal.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 5:20 pm.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Tromsø Havn Prostneset.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 to 9 hours. The expected return to Tromsø is between about 10:30 pm and 3 am, depending on the chase.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 50 people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are provided at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, but hotel transportation is not included.

Are professional photos included?

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

What should I bring?

You should bring warm clothing, since clothes are not provided. Tripods and meals are also not included. Good winter layers and footwear with firm grip are especially important.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

There is no refund or free trip if the aurora is not visible. The tour operates as a real weather-based chase, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.