Northern Lights Chase with Photography from Tromsø

The real point of this Tromsø tour is movement. Your guide may drive deep into the Arctic countryside, wait under one patch of sky, or cross into Finland to find a clearer view of the aurora. I like the flexible route and the help with phone and camera settings, two things that can make a difficult night much more rewarding. The hot tea, coffee, and snacks also matter when you are outside in subzero weather.

I also like that the tour can keep searching for up to eight hours instead of giving up after one stop. The main drawback is scale: some departures use a large coach, and several buses may gather at the same viewing site. That can mean crowds, bright flashlights, noise, and a less personal experience than the price may suggest.

Key points at a glance

• The chase can last 4 to 8 hours: The route changes with cloud cover and aurora conditions, so your return time is not fixed.
• Photography help is included: Guides can assist with your personal phone or camera, but prints and digital copies from the tour team cost extra.
• Large groups are possible: Depending on the vehicle, the bus may carry about 50 people, and several company buses can reach the same site.
• You may cross into Finland: Bring your passport or national ID card in case the best parking area lies across the border.
• Warm clothing is essential: Thermal overalls are not included, and the vehicle can gradually become cold on especially frigid nights.
• A second attempt is discounted: If you do not see the aurora, the operator offers 50 percent off a later aurora tour, subject to availability rather than a cash refund.

The chase begins in central Tromsø

You meet at Roald Amundsens plass 1B, 9008 Tromsø, and must check in 30 minutes before departure. This is not a casual arrival window. If you miss check-in, you may be refused boarding without a refund or rescheduling, so I would arrive early and keep the meeting point easy to reach.

From there, the tour leaves town by coach or a smaller vehicle. The exact vehicle depends on demand. A small departure may have fewer than 16 people, with the driver also acting as the guide. At the other extreme, the coach can hold roughly 50 people, and busy winter periods may bring several buses from the same operator.

That difference shapes the evening. A smaller group makes it easier to ask questions, find your guide outside, and get individual help with a camera. A large coach offers a simpler price point and a heated seat between stops, but boarding can feel confusing when several buses leave together. I would confirm which vehicle you are assigned before settling in.

Why the route keeps changing

The aurora is not a scheduled performance. Cloud cover, wind, snowfall, road conditions, and solar activity all affect what you can see. Your guide may decide to stay at one location for the night, or keep driving in search of a break in the clouds.

That flexibility is the tour’s strongest practical feature. A cloudy sky over Tromsø does not always mean a hopeless night, and the guides may find clearer conditions farther along the coast or inland. Some trips reach Skibotn or another low-light area, while others may head toward the coast. The route is chosen for visibility, not sightseeing stops.

The tradeoff is time in the vehicle. On a difficult night, you could spend several hours sitting on the bus while the driver searches for a clear patch of sky. Some people enjoy the anticipation and the changing Arctic scenery. Others find six hours of driving for a short outdoor viewing session tiring, especially after a full day in Tromsø.

You may also remain at one parking area because moving would reduce your chances. Do not book this expecting a series of scenic attractions. The goal is a dark, open view of the sky, and that can mean a roadside pull-off or parking lot rather than a postcard setting.

What happens at the viewing stop

Once the group reaches a suitable place, you can step outside to watch and photograph the sky. You may see faint green bands, a stronger green arc, or a display that changes quickly. The tour cannot guarantee any of these outcomes. Even a clear night may bring little aurora activity.

Guides can show you how to use your own phone or camera in low light. This is useful because automatic settings often produce a black screen or a blurry green smear. The supplied information does not promise professional camera equipment for every participant, so bring your own device and learn a few basic night photography settings before you leave.

The included photography help is different from receiving finished pictures. The tour team may take photographs of you, but prints and digital copies are not included. There is also an important privacy and copyright condition: NorthernShots Tours retains full copyright to photographs taken by its staff, may upload images to a third-party platform for commercial use, and may publish video footage.

If you do not want to be photographed or published, tell the company before the tour and tell your guide before you pose. This is easy to overlook in the excitement of the aurora, but it deserves a decision before departure.

The cold is part of the experience

Temperatures can fall as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. That is a serious cold, not just an uncomfortable evening in a jacket. Thermal overalls are not included, so you need warm layers, winter boots, gloves, a hat, and clothing that remains useful when standing still for a long time.

The bus is normally heated, but the interior may cool gradually on especially cold nights. You may move repeatedly between the bus and the viewing area, so dress for both settings rather than assuming you can warm up fully inside.

Tea, coffee, and sometimes hot chocolate or snacks are available at the vehicle or at a stop. These are welcome, but they are not a substitute for proper clothing. Bottled water is not included, and eating inside the vehicle is not allowed. I would eat dinner before departure and carry water for use outside the bus.

The tour can be especially demanding for anyone who is not used to cold weather. One useful approach is to take short outdoor breaks, photograph the sky, then warm up inside before your hands and feet become painfully cold. You may also find that the excitement fades if you are exhausted, so rest before the chase.

Large groups can change the mood

The most important booking question is not only Will I see the lights? It is How many people will be there? The operator may use a vehicle with about 50 seats, and high season can bring multiple buses to the same area. One departure has been described as involving three buses and more than 160 people, while another had a smaller group of about 15.

A crowded site creates practical problems. Flashlights can spoil long-exposure photographs. People may walk through your frame, guides can be hard to locate, and vehicle lights from nearby buses can reduce the darkness. A quiet Arctic night can turn into a busy roadside gathering.

That does not make a large group automatically bad. A big coach can provide more seating, transport, and a better chance of operating on a busy date. Some people prefer having a warm bus nearby and a clear set of instructions. If solitude and careful photography are your priorities, though, I would compare this tour with a smaller group option.

The guides themselves can make a major difference. On successful departures, guides including Gerard, Andreas, Merco, and Tom have been praised for staying patient, explaining photography, and continuing the search until the lights appeared. Other departures have had complaints about repeated announcements, unclear bus assignments, or limited communication during delays. The individual guide and driver matter more here than a glossy tour description can show.

Driving, toilets, and Arctic delays

This is a long road outing in winter. The bus may drive for an extended period without a toilet break, especially on roads where stopping is unsafe. Some vehicles may not have a toilet onboard, and toilet use is not permitted while the vehicle is moving.

Road conditions can also change the schedule. Snow, ice, strong winds, and poor visibility may slow the journey or cause a vehicle to become stuck. A reported delay of several hours after a bus lost traction shows why you should not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward.

The operator warns that it cannot cover the cost of a missed flight or boat caused by a late return. I would not book this tour on the same day as an important departure. The advertised duration is approximately four to eight hours, but weather and road conditions can push the timing in either direction.

The company may cancel if conditions are known to be dangerous, with a full refund offered in that case. Yet the tour generally runs in cloud, rain, and snow because the aurora may still appear. That policy gives you more chances to go, but it also means you could spend the night driving in uncomfortable weather without seeing anything.

Safety and the possibility of crossing into Finland

Arctic excursions carry real weather risks. Frozen ground, snowstorms, avalanches, and sudden temperature drops are possible, even if they are uncommon. Follow the guide’s instructions, stay near the group in poor visibility, and do not wander away from the vehicle without checking first.

Some routes may cross the border into Finland to reach a suitable parking area. Bring your passport or national ID card. This is a small item, but forgetting it could prevent you from joining the route your guide considers best.

The operator also uses third-party transport companies. A punctured tire, an icy road, or a bus stuck in snow is treated as a natural incident rather than a reason for a tour refund. That may be frustrating, but it is useful to understand before you book. The transport provider handles claims connected to the vehicle itself.

Is $171.07 a fair price?

At $171.07 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transport into the countryside, an experienced aurora search, and help with your camera. A single successful display can make the cost feel worthwhile, particularly if you do not have a rental car or the confidence to drive Arctic roads at night.

The value is weaker if you are mainly paying for personal attention or a quiet setting. A large group, several coaches at one site, or hours spent on the bus can make the experience feel more like organized transport than a private photography outing. The fee does not include thermal clothing, bottled water, or finished photographs.

I would also avoid treating the 50 percent second-tour discount as a guarantee. If the aurora does not appear, the operator offers half off a later tour, but the offer depends on available seats and must be arranged at the company desk. It is not a cash refund, and it may be difficult to use during the busiest period from December 15 through January 9.

How to prepare for a better night

A few choices can improve the experience:

• Book early in your Tromsø stay: If clouds or weak activity spoil the first attempt, you may still have time to use the discounted second tour.
• Check in 30 minutes early: Several buses can make the meeting point confusing, and late arrival can remove your right to board.
• Dress for minus 30 degrees: Use multiple warm layers and sturdy winter footwear. Do not rely on the coach heater.
• Eat beforehand: Food is not allowed inside the vehicle, and the included snacks are limited.
• Charge your phone and camera: You may spend hours outside or moving between locations, and cold temperatures can reduce battery life.
• Bring identification: You may cross into Finland.
• Learn basic aurora photography first: The guides can assist with your phone or camera, but a little preparation lets you spend more time enjoying the sky.
• Protect your schedule: Leave generous time after the tour in case of snow, a long search, or a vehicle delay.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and cancellations are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of dangerous weather or because too few people book, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this aurora chase?

I would choose this tour if you want a practical way to get beyond Tromsø without driving, accept a flexible return time, and care more about having a chance at the aurora than having a quiet or private outing. It also suits you if you want basic photography guidance and a heated vehicle nearby.

I would hesitate if you dislike long bus rides, need a dependable return time, or expect a small group. You may also prefer another option if finished professional photographs are central to the plan, since they are not included and the photo copyright terms are significant.

My advice is simple: book it as a weather-dependent search, not as a guaranteed show. The strongest experiences come when the guide finds a clear, dark place and patiently waits, sometimes for hours. The weakest come when several buses crowd the same site, the road becomes difficult, or the sky never opens. At $171.07, it can be good value for transport and persistence, but you should arrive prepared for cold, delays, and a very large group.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Roald Amundsens plass 1B, 9008 Tromsø. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The expected duration is approximately 4 to 8 hours. The timing can change if the guide needs to drive farther to find clear skies or if the aurora appears earlier.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach the central meeting point yourself.

What photography help is provided?

Guides assist you with photographing the aurora using your personal phone or camera. Prints and digital copies of photographs taken by the tour team are not included.

Are thermal clothes included?

No. Thermal overalls are not included. You should bring warm layers, winter boots, and clothing suitable for temperatures that can fall as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The aurora cannot be guaranteed. If you do not see it, the operator offers a 50 percent discount on a later aurora tour, subject to availability. This offer is not a cash refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of dangerous weather or too few bookings, you should be offered another date or a full refund.