Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Free Photos

The best part of this Tromsø excursion is the willingness to keep moving. If clouds cover the sky near town, your guide may drive north along the Norwegian coast or as far as Finland in search of clearer conditions. On one night, the group reached Finland after several hours and eventually saw the aurora for two hours.

I like the determined guides, who keep checking conditions instead of simply parking and hoping. I also like the mix of practical comforts and Arctic atmosphere: professional photos, warm drinks, snacks, campfires, reindeer skins, and stories about the lights. The main drawback is the size of the bus and the long night. With up to 55 people and a return that can come after 3 a.m., this is not a quiet, quick outing.

• A true moving chase: The bus can cover long distances to get beyond cloud cover, including routes toward Finland.
• Free professional photos: Guides take portraits and aurora shots, then send the images to you at no extra charge.
• Campfire Arctic stop: Expect hot drinks, biscuits or snacks, marshmallows, and time around an open fire.
• Strong guide involvement: Petra, Iris, Georgi, Angel, Vera, Tomas, and others are praised for patience, photo help, and persistence.
• Large-group value: The price is lower than many small-vehicle options, but you give up space and quiet.
• Weather remains in charge: A good guide can improve your odds, but no tour can promise an aurora display.

The Chase Starts in Central Tromsø

Meet outside Fiskekompaniet on Killengreens gate in central Tromsø. The tour ends at the same meeting point, which makes the start and finish fairly simple if you are staying in town or can reach the area by public transport.

The bus leaves for a night that usually lasts about 7 to 9 hours. The listed running time is approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes, though actual return times depend on weather, road conditions, and how far the group travels. This matters more than it might seem. A short forecast problem near Tromsø can turn into a long drive toward clearer skies.

At the start, the guides explain the plan and how it may change. That flexibility is central to the experience. You are not visiting one fixed viewing site. You are joining a mobile search that reacts to cloud cover and aurora conditions.

The bus has WiFi and a restroom, useful features on a long Arctic drive. Still, one report found the WiFi did not work, so I would treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to book. Bring something else to occupy yourself, especially if you are traveling with children.

Why a Big Bus Can Be Good Value

At $118.77 per person, this is priced as an accessible way to try an aurora chase. The cost includes transport, a guide, warm drinks, snacks, onboard WiFi, a restroom, and photographs sent to you free of charge.

The free photos are a real part of the value. Aurora photography is tricky. You need a steady camera, a long exposure, and some idea of how to pose in the dark. Guides such as Petra, Georgi, Iris, and Vera are praised for helping people get usable pictures, not just pointing at the sky and moving on.

You do not need to bring a tripod, though one is not included. You may want your own if you are serious about photographing the sky. For a casual photo record, the guide’s camera service may be enough.

The tradeoff is capacity. The bus can carry as many as 55 people. That keeps the price down, but it also means more people getting off for photos, gathering around the fire, and waiting for instructions. Some reports describe an upgrade from the big bus to a smaller vehicle, but you should not count on receiving one. Book this tour expecting the full-size bus.

Following the Weather Toward Norway or Finland

The route is not a sightseeing itinerary with a set list of stops. The main stop is described as Tromsø and the surrounding area, but the actual chase can reach far beyond the city. Guides have driven along the north coast of Norway and across the border into Finland when the forecast looked better there.

That long-distance option is the tour’s biggest practical advantage. Tromsø can have rain, snow, or thick cloud while another area has a clearer sky. Several outings continued toward the Finnish border, and one drove about 90 kilometers from the city. Another reached Finland after roughly three hours on the road.

You should be ready for a lot of bus time. The road journey is part of the search, but it is not always scenic in the way a daytime excursion is. Darkness limits the views, and much of the night may involve waiting, checking the sky, and driving again.

The reward comes when the guide makes a good call. One group found a strong display within an hour and a half, then stayed at the same spot for nearly two hours because the aurora kept dancing overhead. In that case, there was no need to keep chasing.

On cloudier nights, the timing can feel less certain. A group once waited through rain and snow, drove deep into Finland, and saw only a faint smudge at first. Near midnight, the sky opened enough to reveal a green swirl and cascade. The return to Tromsø came around 3 a.m. This is a good example of both the tour’s persistence and its late finish.

Campfires, Hot Chocolate, and the Waiting Game

Aurora tours involve waiting. That waiting is much easier beside a fire than beside a bus in the cold. Arctic Explorers includes warm drinks and snacks, and the outdoor stops may feature a campfire, biscuits, marshmallows, and hot chocolate.

Several outings also included food such as reindeer soup or Thai curry, but dinner is not listed as part of the standard inclusion. Treat those meals as something that may vary, not as a guaranteed feature. Pack your own dinner if you need a proper meal during a long night.

The campfire setting gives the outing more character than a simple roadside stop. You may sit on reindeer skins in the snow, listen to stories about the aurora and Norse mythology, and warm your hands while the guides watch the sky. One useful criticism was the lack of something to sit on around the fire, so comfort at the stop may differ from one night to another.

The guide’s attitude matters here. Iris is praised for keeping the group cheerful and patient. Angel and Virginia kept spirits up during a difficult cloudy night. Jessica was described as visibly happy when the group finally saw a good display. That enthusiasm helps, but it also means the experience depends quite a bit on the individual guide assigned to your bus.

The Free Photos: A Useful Extra, Not a Guarantee

The professional photo service is one of the clearest reasons to compare this tour with a cheaper basic bus ride. Your guide can photograph you with the aurora behind you, while you also have time to make your own images.

The results can vary. Some professional pictures turn out excellent, with sharp portraits and green lights in the background. Others may miss the aurora or produce less appealing framing. Night photography is hit or miss even for an experienced guide, especially when clouds move quickly or the lights weaken.

The photos are sent to you free of charge after the trip. One group received them within an hour of returning to its apartment. Another person had trouble receiving the files despite emailing for them, so save the contact details and follow up promptly if your pictures do not arrive.

Bring a charged phone and spare battery if you have one. The provided service is best viewed as a safety net for your memories, not a replacement for your own camera. You will also want to dress for standing outside while people take turns posing.

What to Wear for a Tromsø Night

Warm clothing is not included in the stated tour package. This is important. The bus is heated, but aurora viewing happens outdoors, often beside a fire and sometimes in snow or wind.

Wear several warm layers, insulated trousers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy winter footwear. The standard information specifically excludes warm clothes and a tripod. Some outings did provide Arctic suits and boots, and one person received warm clothing and shoes at no extra charge, but that appears to vary by departure or vehicle. Ask the operator before your date rather than assuming this will happen.

You may be outside for a long period while the guides wait for the sky to change. Comfortable clothing is not a minor detail here. It can decide whether you enjoy the night or retreat to the bus before the aurora appears.

If you have mobility concerns, the information says most people can participate, but the tour can involve getting on and off a large bus, standing outdoors, and moving around snowy ground. Contact the provider if you need a specific accessibility answer.

Guides Who Make the Difference

The strongest part of this experience is the human effort behind the chase. Guides including Petra, Tomas, Iris, Georgi, Jere, Angel, Virginia, Vera, Jessica, and Louis are praised for staying positive, explaining the science, helping with cameras, and continuing the search during poor conditions.

Tomas received particular praise for working hard to find a good display and treating the group warmly. Iris is repeatedly noted for patience, humor, and encouragement. Georgi is praised for both aurora information and portrait photography. Angel is singled out for persistence when cloud and low activity made the odds poor.

That does not mean every guide will give the same amount of information. One outing could have used more announcements to the full group, even though the guides were friendly. With a large bus, communication can sometimes be harder than on a small-vehicle tour.

The driver is just as important. The bus may travel for hours over snowy roads, and one outing included a vehicle replacement before the trip continued. Another return took place during a blizzard, with the driver getting everyone safely back. You should expect a professional transport operation, but the road conditions can still make the night tiring.

Who Will Get the Most from This Tour

I would choose this experience if your main goal is to give yourself a strong chance of seeing the aurora without paying for a private guide. The moving route is more useful than a fixed viewing spot when cloud cover is scattered across the region.

It also suits you if you want a social evening with a fire, hot drinks, snacks, and some explanation of what you are seeing. The free photos are especially helpful if you are not carrying a camera or do not know how to photograph the night sky.

The tour is less suitable if you dislike long drives, large groups, or late returns. Families can participate, and most people can take part, but young children may find an 8-hour night ride and outdoor waiting period demanding. The unreliable WiFi is another small issue if you were counting on it for entertainment.

You should also avoid treating this as a guaranteed show. The aurora depends on cloud cover and solar activity. Several groups saw spectacular green ribbons and moving curtains. Others saw little or nothing despite the guides driving for hours and trying different areas.

Booking, Timing, and Cancellation

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is commonly booked about 28 days ahead, which gives you a useful planning clue for the busy aurora season. If your schedule allows, I would place the tour early in your Tromsø stay. That leaves room for another attempt if weather cancels the trip or conditions are poor.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

The meeting point is Fiskekompaniet, Killengreens gate, 9008 Tromsø. Check the exact pickup instructions carefully. One group had confusion over the meeting point and needed help with collection, so do not wait until the last minute to confirm where you should stand.

Should You Book the Big Bus Chase?

I would book it if you want an affordable, determined aurora search and can handle a long night. At this price, the combination of transport, guide support, campfire comforts, and free photographs offers good value, especially when the bus reaches a clear patch of sky and the aurora appears.

I would choose a smaller tour instead if personal space, quiet, and faster decisions matter more to you than price. The big bus can hold up to 55 people, and a successful night may still involve hours on the road.

The most honest reason to book is not the promise of green lights. It is the chance to have a worthwhile Arctic evening even when the sky refuses to cooperate. Sitting by a fire in the snow with hot chocolate and reindeer skins will not replace the aurora, but it can keep a difficult weather night from feeling wasted.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Big Bus Chase start and finish?

The tour starts outside Fiskekompaniet on Killengreens gate, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 9 hours. The stated itinerary time is about 8 hours and 20 minutes, but the return can be later depending on the route and conditions.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes WiFi on board, a restroom on board, warm drinks, snacks, and photos sent to you free of charge.

Are warm clothes and a tripod included?

No. Warm clothes and a tripod are not included in the stated package. Some outings provided Arctic suits and boots, but you should confirm this before departure.

Can the bus travel outside Norway?

Yes. The guides may drive toward the Finnish border or into Finland when conditions appear better there.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.