Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights

If you want the Northern Lights in Tromsø, this tour is interesting because it treats the aurora like a hunt, not a waiting game. You leave at 5:20 pm, and the team drives wherever conditions look best that night, with guides like Soraia and Alex spotting opportunities and keeping the group focused.

I especially like that you get free professional pictures after the tour, plus the pickup and drop-off points make it easier to fit into your Tromsø plans. The other thing I like is the tone: the guides explain what you are seeing and why it matters, and they also help you get practical under the dark, cold sky.

One real drawback to consider is time and comfort. This can be a long night with a return between 22:30 and 03:00, plus you may need to walk on snowy paths to reach the best view, and one big bus can also mean crowding and heat.

Key Highlights You Can Actually Plan Around

• A true aurora chase with lots of driving and changing locations based on the sky
• Free professional photos sent to you after the tour, including images taken by the guides
• Hot drinks included, plus hot water, so you are not stuck freezing with only cold air
• Small-group feel in a max of 50 guests, which helps when everyone is watching the same patch of sky
• Flexible viewing, sometimes multiple spots in one evening to improve your odds
• Dress for real outdoor time, because cold and dark are part of the job

The Northern Lights Hunt: Why This Feels More Active Than Most Tours

In Tromsø, most Northern Lights tours boil down to this: you sit, you wait, you hope. The Chasing Lights approach is different. This is a real chase, meaning you drive to where the guides think the aurora has the best chance to show up based on conditions that shift hour to hour.

I like that mindset because it matches how the aurora actually behaves. Clouds can move, the sky can clear in patches, and light activity can start and stop quickly. When the guides keep moving, you are not locked into one view that becomes useless.

The tour also leans into “information plus action.” Names that pop up again and again in the group experience include Soraia, Marius, Meda, Jefta, Owen, Taylor, Alex, and Nick, plus drivers like Brian and Bjørn. Whether you get a big-bus or minibus setup that night, the common thread is a team that stays alert, communicates what is happening next, and works the plan hard.

Meeting at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Then Into the Dark

You meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø. The start time is 5:20 pm, and you get pickup and drop-off at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal.

Why I think that matters: Tromsø is compact, but winter evenings still make timing tricky. A clear departure time helps you avoid the trap of arriving early, waiting around, and then rushing later. With a scheduled 5:20 pm start, you can eat beforehand and get ready without scrambling.

Also keep your sleep and next-day plans flexible. The return time you can expect is between 22:30 and 03:00, and that wide window is not just a guess. It reflects how long the chase may take that night.

If you are traveling with someone who struggles with late nights, plan the rest of your day accordingly. This is not a quick evening activity. It is an all-in aurora session.

The Chasing Part: Driving, Multiple Spots, and Campfire Warm-Up

At the core of the experience is a single goal: maximize your chance of seeing the aurora. The tour moves you around Tromsø in search of better conditions, and they operate in all weather conditions. The logic is simple. Forecasts can be wrong, and the best displays often happen when the outlook looks bleak.

In practice, the chase can feel like the evening keeps evolving. Some nights turn into a series of viewing stops where the guides move you away from crowds to find a clearer, darker patch of sky. You might hear the plan laid out at each stage, then get taken to a spot that matches the conditions at that moment.

One detail I really like is the way they add warmth and breaks into the cold. Many people describe moments like standing around a fire, warm drinks, and small comfort touches like hot juice and cookies. A couple of reviews also mention astronomy talk while you wait, and even myth and culture stories as the lights develop. That turns waiting into something more human, not just freezing in silence.

There is also a practical tradeoff. The chase can include many hours of driving. So even when you are moving toward a better viewing spot, you should expect the evening to feel long and concentrated.

What to Expect at the Viewing Sites (and the Real-Winter Footnotes)

The most “Northern Norway” part of the tour is the part where you step out into the cold, walk a bit, and look up. People describe at least some evenings as involving outdoor walking on snowy, dark paths. One review mentioned a trek down a hill to a lake viewpoint, with slick climbs and ruts in the snow.

I cannot promise the exact terrain every night, but I can tell you what to prepare for: dark footing and cold hands that get numb fast. If you have mobility limits, bring footwear with grip and take your time. If your group is large and everyone is trying to find the same best spots for photos, you may feel some jostling at key moments.

Now the good part. The guides do not just drop you at a random place and disappear. People credit guides for patiently finding better locations and waiting for aurora waves to show up. One account even described aurora arriving in waves and sticking around for a while once they found the opening.

The tour also includes hot beverages and hot water, which is not glamorous but it is effective. When you are cold enough that your hands stop working, hot drink breaks can make the difference between “I saw it” and “I actually enjoyed it.”

Guides and Photo Magic: Why People Keep Mentioning Names

Northern Lights tours live or die on two things: guiding skill and atmosphere. Here, the guiding shows up in how the guides run the night, how they keep people organized, and how they explain what you are seeing.

I keep seeing guide names like Soraia and Alex paired with compliments about organization, energy, and photo help. Other names that come through include Meda, Marius, Jefta, Irene, Mark, Owen, Taylor, and Bjørn, along with drivers like Lorenza, Brian, and Jamie. The common praise is that the guides are friendly, engaged, and proactive about keeping you comfortable and informed.

The big practical win is that you do not have to become the photographer. Professional photographer tour guides take pictures, and the professional photos are included at no extra charge. That is huge value if you do not own the right camera gear, do not want to juggle a tripod in snow, or just want to focus on enjoying the sky instead of fighting with settings.

Two more photo-related points to be aware of:

• Tripods are not included, so plan on handheld and guide-assisted shooting.
• Some people mention a crowded feeling in a big bus setting, which can affect where you stand when everyone is trying to frame the sky.

If you want a smoother photo setup, dress for comfort, arrive early to get your bearings at the meeting spot, and follow the guides when they point out the best angles.

Price and Value: Is $151.15 a Good Deal?

$151.15 for a 5 to 9 hour Northern Lights chase in Tromsø is not a bargain, but it also is not overpriced when you compare it to what you are actually getting.

Here is what you get that directly affects the experience:

• Pickup and drop-off at the Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal area
• Hot beverage and hot water to keep your hands and mood alive
• Professional pictures included, delivered after the tour
• Professional photographer tour guides who are focused on getting you usable images, not just showing you a view

That bundle matters. A tour that only sells “a chance to see the lights” can feel expensive if the aurora is weak. This one prices more like a guided evening production where the team works actively for better sky time and also gives you photos as a payoff.

If you are budget-tight, the decision is simple. You are paying for transport, guidance, and the photo result. If those three matter to you, this is a solid value play.

Bus Comfort, Heat, and the Small Logistics That Matter

Let us talk about the vehicle. The tour is a group experience with up to 50 guests. Most of the time, that means a big bus. People describe a big-bus setup as comfortable in some ways, but also note crowding.

One frequent practical issue: temperature. One review said the return bus got so hot people felt like they had to remove layers. Another review described the bus as very warm. That can happen when bodies stay packed and heat builds up during long drives.

So my advice is to dress in layers you can adjust quickly. Bring extra socks and gloves, but also plan for the possibility that you may want to peel off a layer when you are inside.

Also, there may be a toilet on board, but it can be used only when the bus is stopped. Another review mentioned that in a smaller-group situation with a minibus there was no bathroom. This is one of those “it depends” details, so do not count on onboard facilities. Treat comfort as something you manage with timing and breaks.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a guided aurora hunt with driving and moving spots to improve your odds
• Appreciate that professional photos are included, so you can enjoy the night without lugging gear
• Are okay with a late return, meaning 22:30 to 03:00, and you can handle a long evening

It might not be the best fit if you:

• Need an early night with a predictable return time
• Struggle with walking on snowy, uneven ground in the dark
• Strongly prefer a quieter, small-group viewing where everyone can spread out for long periods

A nice surprise from one review was that a parent traveling with a younger child liked having the bus as a home base. The guides also communicated the plan at each step, which helps kids and adults stay oriented in a long, cold experience.

Should You Book This Tromsø Northern Lights Chase?

I would book this if you are serious about your odds and you want a guided evening that does not waste time. The reason is simple: a real chase with active driving and professional photo support gives you more chances for both seeing the aurora and getting pictures you will actually keep.

I would also book it if you have limited days in Tromsø. When you are on a tight schedule, going out once and hoping can feel like gambling. This tour is structured to work the problem, moving when conditions change.

Skip it or rethink if late-night timing will derail your trip, or if you cannot handle cold outdoor walking. In those cases, a different style of aurora experience might suit you better.

If you do book it, treat the night like a mission. Dress for snow and darkness, keep layers ready to adjust, and plan for that late return.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 5:20 pm in Tromsø.

How long is the Northern Lights chase?

The duration is about 5 to 9 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is there pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Bus Terminal. It also starts and ends at the meeting point described above.

How many people are in the group?

This is a group tour with a maximum of 50 guests.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. Professional pictures are included and sent to you free of charge.

Are hot drinks included?

Yes. Hot beverage and hot water are included.

Do I need to bring a tripod?

Clothes and tripods are not included, so if you want one, you need to bring your own.

What if we do not see the Northern Lights?

There are no refunds or free trips if you do not see the Northern Lights.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. It may be a real chase that still aims for the best conditions even when forecasts look poor.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.