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

Chasing the Northern Lights is interesting because the sky is unpredictable, so the winning ingredient is the chase plan, not luck alone. This Tromsø coach tour adds a smart layer of base-station hunting and warm lavvo and campfire time. I love the built-in Aurora science talk and the photo guidance, and I like that the trip is set up for comfort, including a toilet onboard. The main drawback is the same for every aurora trip: if clouds and weather don’t cooperate, you can still end up waiting.

You start at Tromsø Havn Prostneset (Samuel Arnesens gate 5) at 6:15 pm, then spend the night moving between viewing spots around Troms County. The operator keeps group size to a maximum of 50 travelers, and guides can shift location when conditions change.

Key Things You Should Know Before You Go

• Coach chase, not one-stop waiting: you may move between multiple viewing areas depending on the forecast
• Warm breaks while you wait: lavvo (teepee-style tent) seating or campfire time plus hot drinks and snacks
• Sami-style camp atmosphere: you can base your night around a private heated location when conditions line up
• Aurora photo support and free downloads: guides help with shooting, and photos are offered for download (resolution options vary)
• Optional hot meal upgrade: reindeer stew or fish soup is available if you want more than snacks

Tromsø Aurora Safari Chase by Coach: How the Plan Actually Works

This tour is built for one big reality of the north: the aurora is only half the story. The other half is weather. Clouds can wipe out your view even when the solar activity looks promising. That is why I like the structure here. Instead of planting you in one field and hoping, the crew runs a moving program and uses a selected base station on the day for the best chance of sightings.

You travel in a climate-controlled coach, which matters because a long evening in the cold is exhausting in a way you do not fully feel until you are standing in it. And when you do get cold, the tour gives you real recovery time. You are not just waiting in a parking lot with a paper cup. You have hot drinks, snacks, and warm options at the viewing stop, which makes the night feel like an experience, not a chore.

One other comfort win: the tour includes a toilet onboard, so you are not scrambling later when you finally settle in. Small detail, big peace of mind.

The Evening Route: Prostneset, Troms County Stops, and Moving Again If Needed

The night starts at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, near the bus and terminal area. Expect a central meeting point where you can get organized fast, then meet your guide and climb aboard. The departure is 6:15 pm, and your total time is roughly 5 to 8 hours, depending on how long the chase needs to run.

Here is how the route plays out in practice:

Stop 1: Prostneset Bus, Boat and Hurtigruten Terminal

This is your launchpad. You begin with the guide team getting everyone set and helping you transition into the hunt. It is also where you get your first glimpse of the timing of the night, since the early part of aurora chasing often includes a bit of “get moving and get set.”

Stop 2: A Troms viewing area (up to about 2 hours)

Depending on conditions, you head into Troms County to find a better window of clear sky. This portion is partly about geography and partly about timing. The farther you are from town lights and the more you line up with clear air, the better your chances.

Stop 3: Private heated camp, then a quick meal and possible relocation

This is your warm reset point. You go to a private heated camp location, where you can get a meal and regroup. If weather changes, the coach can keep chasing. The key benefit of this stop is that it prevents the night from becoming one endless stretch of standing around in the cold.

Stop 4: Continue chasing, with picture stops and stargazing time

After the meal window, you keep hunting. This is where you spend time watching the sky and, if you are lucky, seeing aurora activity build. There are also moments built in for photos if sightings happen at the right time.

Stop 5: Back to Prostneset, close to central Tromsø hotels

You return to the city and end at the same general area near your start point, in a spot that is described as a short walk from many hotels.

Practical note: because this tour is a chase, exact timing can shift. That is not a flaw. That is the whole point.

Warm Lavvo, Campfire Drinks, and Sami-Style Night Atmosphere

One of the most consistently loved parts of this experience is what you do while you wait for the sky to cooperate. The tour builds in warmth and atmosphere. When you arrive at your chosen base station, you can typically choose between sitting inside a lavvo (teepee-style tent) or spending time beside a campfire.

Hot drinks are part of the plan. Think hot chocolate, coffee, and local snacks. This is not just comfort. It affects how long you can actually stand and look up. Cold hands and numb cheeks kill your attention fast. Warm breaks keep you in the game.

Some camps also feel more authentic than a typical tourist checkpoint. On nights tied to Sami reindeer herder centers, you can get that real sense of place, around a fire, with a setting that feels remote even if it is reached by coach.

The optional meal upgrade: reindeer stew or fish soup

You can upgrade to a hot meal, and the menu is described as things like reindeer stew or fish soup. Based on how this plays out on the ground, the meal can be hearty enough that you feel taken care of, but it is also one of the areas where value depends on what you expect. If you are a light eater or you worry that the meal stop could cost you peak aurora time, you will want to think carefully about whether you want to spend extra time in the camp versus staying ready to chase.

Also, plan for scent. One common theme in the notes is that campfire smoke can cling to clothes for a day or two. If you care about keeping your outer layer fresh, bring a spare scarf or a layer you are okay wearing for the ride home.

Northern Lights Viewing Time: What You Should Watch For, and What Helps Your Photos

The tour is designed for long, patient staring, but in a structured way. Dense stretches of sky viewing are part of the plan, and the guides guide you through what to look for, plus the science behind it.

You also get a video during the coach ride that explains the Northern Lights phenomenon. Even if you already know the basics, it helps you interpret what you are seeing when the aurora starts flickering into view. That matters because the aurora often begins subtle, like a faint green haze, then sharpens if conditions are right.

Camera support and photo downloads

Many people come for the aurora photos, and the guides try to help you capture them. Some guides have gone further, offering hands-on help setting cameras up. Names that show up in the guidance include Paolo and Jeanne, William, Alexandre, and Ricardo. You should not assume you will get the exact same guide, but it is a good sign that different guide teams consistently focus on helping people actually shoot.

Photos are also offered for download after the tour. The details described include a free download option in low resolution, with high resolution available for an added cost (noted as 300 NOK per picture in at least one case). So if photos are your priority, you may want to budget for high resolution, or at least plan to use the free versions for sharing and quick keepsakes.

Best expectations for your first aurora night

Set your expectation that the aurora might not look like the dramatic photos you see online right away. Even on strong nights, you might get bursts, shifts, and sometimes cloud interference. The tour helps you keep moving through that uncertainty so you are not stuck missing the best moment.

If you are shooting with a phone only, you might find it does not capture the full range the way a camera can. If you want the most control, bring a camera you know how to use and keep it protected from snow and wind while you shoot.

Guide Style and Group Size: Why Some Nights Feel Intimate and Others Can Feel Busy

The guides are a major part of the value here. A lot of the positive energy in the experience is tied to how the guide explains what is happening and how willing they are to help people point, focus, and shoot.

At the same time, group size and camp crowding can change the vibe. The tour caps at 50 travelers, but aurora viewing bases can still feel busy if more than one coach lands at the same time. When the camp has limited space by the fire and in the lavvo, it can get a little chaotic. That does not ruin the experience, but it does mean you might want to manage expectations if you hate crowds.

A balanced way to think about it:

• If you want a calm, quiet, almost private sky show, you might prefer a smaller group tour.
• If you want the best odds and comfort, a coach chase with a guided setup is a strong match.

Also worth noting: different nights bring different viewing strength. Some evenings end in a full show for hours, while others deliver brief flashes. The chase plan is there to reduce the risk of a totally dead night, but it cannot erase weather.

Price and Value: What $128.16 Really Buys You

At $128.16 per person, this tour sits in the mid-range for Tromsø aurora experiences. The value is not only the viewing. It is the whole support system.

You are paying for:

• Transport into the dark: a coach ride plus moving between areas in the search pattern
• Warm waiting setup: lavvo or campfire time, plus hot drinks and snacks
• Guided interpretation: the science video and on-site guidance
• Photo support: free download options, with help aiming and shooting
• Optional meal upgrade: if you want it, you can add it

If you compare this to private tours, the coach format is cheaper, and that makes sense. You are trading off some intimacy for flexibility and more chances to shift location. And because the operator can use different base stations depending on conditions, that flexibility is a big part of what you are buying.

Where value can slip a bit is the optional meal add-on. On some nights, the fish soup or reindeer stew is described as delicious, but at least one person felt the upgrade was not worth the cost for what they got. My advice: if you are hungry and warm meals keep you comfortable, it can be worth it. If you prefer to keep your time maximizing sky viewing, skip the upgrade and rely on drinks and snacks.

What to Pack and How to Survive a Tromsø Aurora Night

The tour is designed for cold-weather operation, and they tell you plainly to dress appropriately. Here is what I would do to feel comfortable:

• Wear layered clothing. You should be able to remove a layer on the coach if you run warm.
• Bring gloves you can work in. You will need them while handling your camera.
• Add a warm hat and something for your ears. If you feel your ears, you will feel cold fast.
• Use outerwear that can handle snow and wind. The nights in Tromsø are not the place for light jackets.

Also: plan for the campfire smell. If you are doing multiple activities after, consider using a jacket that you do not mind smelling like smoke for a day.

Who Should Book This Aurora Chase, and Who Should Rethink It

This tour is a great fit if:

• You want a guided Northern Lights night with a structured chase plan
• You value warm breaks like lavvo seating and campfire time
• You are okay with weather uncertainty in exchange for comfort and support
• You want free photo downloads afterward and some help shooting

You might rethink it if:

• You need a guaranteed show. No one can promise that, and weather can defeat even the best plan.
• You are traveling with very small kids. The tour notes it is not suitable for children aged 4 and under.
• You want maximum privacy and quiet. A coach format and shared camps can mean more people around the fire.

If you are vegetarian or you do not want fish, there is a stated option. You should specify it when booking using the special requirements field.

Should You Book This Tour?

If your goal is to maximize your odds while staying warm, this coach-led Aurora Safari Chase is a solid bet. The combination of moving between viewing spots, warm lavvo or campfire breaks, and on-site guidance plus photo downloads makes it feel like more than just a bus ride to a field.

Book it if you can handle the cold, you are flexible about timing, and you understand that the aurora is not guaranteed. Skip it or choose a different style if you need a private, quiet setup, or if you get overly stressed by the possibility of waiting through cloudier conditions.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 6:15 pm.

Where do I meet for the Northern Lights tour?

You meet at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

How long is the Aurora Safari Chase?

The duration is about 5 to 8 hours, depending on conditions.

Is there a toilet onboard?

Yes, there is a toilet onboard.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How many people are on the tour?

The maximum group size is 50 travelers.

What warm options are available at the base station?

At the viewing station you can sit inside a warm lavvo (teepee-style tent) or beside a campfire.

Is there an option for a vegetarian or non-fish meal?

Yes. A vegetarian or non-fish option is available, and you should request it at booking in the special requirements field.

Are meals included or is there an upgrade?

Hot drinks and snacks are included, and there is also an upgrade option for a hot meal such as reindeer stew or fish soup.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.