Northern Lights Chase with Photography from Tromsø

The real appeal here is the chase. From Tromsø, you ride into darker Arctic countryside, following breaks in the cloud rather than simply waiting beside town. On a good night, guides such as Gerard, Merco, Tom, or Andreas may help you set up a phone or camera while you watch the sky turn green.

I like the persistence of the chase, especially when the crew drives toward a clear patch or stays put until the aurora finally appears. I also like the practical photography help, since a little guidance can make the difference between a black phone screen and a usable aurora photo. The main drawback is scale: this can be a large coach outing, sometimes with several buses sharing one viewing site.

Key things to know before you book

• The chase can last four to eight hours: You may spend much of the night on the road or waiting for clearer skies.
• The group may be large: One bus can hold roughly 50 people, and several buses may gather at the same location.
• Photo help is included: Staff can assist with your own phone or camera, but finished photographs are not included.
• Hot drinks are provided: Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks may be offered at a stop or by the vehicle.
• You need serious winter clothing: Thermal overalls are not included, and temperatures can fall to -30°C.
• The aurora is never guaranteed: A 50 percent discount on a later aurora tour may be offered if you see nothing, subject to availability and conditions.

Leaving Tromsø for darker skies

You meet at Roald Amundsens plass 1B in central Tromsø, checking in 30 minutes before departure. This is not a casual suggestion. If you do not check in on time, you may be refused boarding and lose your right to a refund or rescheduling.

Once everyone is accounted for, the group heads out by bus. The basic plan is simple: find a place with darker skies and a better chance of seeing the aurora. The exact route depends on cloud, snow, wind, and the forecast. Some outings remain in one spot, while others keep driving for a clear opening.

That flexibility is useful because the northern lights do not follow a timetable. A cloudy sky above Tromsø does not always mean a lost night. The guides may look for a break along the coast, drive inland, or go farther into the Arctic countryside. On some trips, the route may cross into Finland, so bring your passport or national identity card.

The tradeoff is time. You might drive for several hours, and you may spend much of the night seated inside the vehicle. The listed duration is approximately four to eight hours, but the operator can finish earlier if the lights appear quickly or stay out longer when conditions are difficult.

This is best understood as an overnight weather mission, not a sightseeing drive with a fixed collection of stops. You will not be promised a scenic attraction at each turn. The sky is the attraction, and the route changes to serve it.

Waiting for the aurora in the Arctic cold

When the bus reaches a suitable location, you can step outside to watch the sky and take pictures. If the aurora is active, this can be wonderful. One outing reached the Skibotn area, where the display continued for nearly an hour. Another stayed in one place after finding clear skies, allowing plenty of time to watch and photograph the lights.

But waiting outside is hard work in winter. Temperatures reported on outings have reached about -7°C with strong wind, and the operator warns that conditions can fall as low as -30°C. The bus is normally heated, but on very cold nights it may gradually cool while doors open and close.

Wear warm layers from your hotel. Add thermal underwear, a winter coat, a hat, gloves, and sturdy warm boots. Thermal overalls are not included, and the tour does not promise bottled water. You should bring your own water and any food you need before departure, since eating inside the vehicle is not allowed.

Hot coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and snacks may be served at a stop or beside the vehicle. These are welcome, but they are not a replacement for proper clothing. The cold can drain your energy quickly, especially if you are standing still while waiting for a faint glow to strengthen.

You can usually return to the bus to warm up, but do not count on constant access to a toilet. Some vehicles have no toilet onboard, and the bus may drive for a long stretch without stopping. Toilets cannot be used while the vehicle is moving.

What the photography help really means

The tour includes photography assistance with your personal phone or camera. This is one of its most useful features, especially if you have never photographed the night sky.

Aurora photography often needs a steady camera, a dark setting, and suitable exposure settings. A guide may show you how to use the night mode on your phone or adjust your camera for the dark sky. Guides including Merco and Tom have been praised for teaching phone photography, while Andreas has been noted for giving clear information during a difficult, cloudy night.

Bring a small tripod if you have one, though the supplied information does not promise that one will be provided. Keep your battery warm and charged. Cold weather reduces battery life, and a long night of photography can quickly use the charge on a phone.

The tour’s own photographers may take pictures of you beneath the aurora. Those photographs are not automatically included in the price. Prints and digital copies are listed as extras.

Pay close attention to the photo ownership terms before booking. NorthernShots Tours retains full copyright to photographs taken by its team. The company may upload images of you to a third-party platform, monetize them, and publish video footage. If you do not want photos or video taken or published, tell the booking staff and your guide before the tour, and do not pose for the photographers.

That policy matters. The included service is assistance with your equipment, not a free professional photo package.

Group size, buses, and the viewing experience

The biggest variable is the number of people around you. The vehicle may carry approximately 50 people, and high-season outings can involve several buses. Some outings have had more than 150 people together, with only a few photographers working among them.

A large group does not automatically ruin the aurora. You may still get a strong display, and the guides can still find a dark location. But it changes the feel of the night. A quiet Arctic shore can become a crowded parking area, with headlights, flashlights, and people moving through the frame.

If you want a clean photograph, move away from the densest part of the group when it is safe to do so. Avoid using your phone flashlight near other people’s cameras. Ask where the assigned photographer is located as soon as you arrive, since finding one person in a crowd can take time.

The bus itself can be comfortable and roomy, but the experience depends on the vehicle and driver. There is no guaranteed onboard toilet, and the operator says vehicle problems such as a puncture or getting stuck on an icy road do not qualify for a refund. One outing was delayed for several hours after a bus became stuck, while another had a cautious driver who took extra care in bad weather.

This is also why you should not schedule a tight connection afterward. The company accepts no responsibility for missed flights, boats, accommodation, or replacement tickets if the return is late.

Guides and the human side of the night

The strongest outings depend heavily on the guide. Guides named in guest accounts include Gerard, Merco, Tom, Andreas, Louis, and Alba. Their roles can overlap, and on smaller departures the guide may also be the driver.

A good guide does more than point at the sky. The best examples have kept searching through changing weather, explained what was happening, helped with camera settings, and checked that people were coping with the cold. Gerard was praised for waiting patiently until a late display appeared, while Andreas and driver Louis were credited with sharing useful astronomy information and caring for the group in a remote setting.

The weaker side of the operation appears when communication is poor. Large groups can make boarding confusing, especially when several buses leave together. Repeated safety rules may feel tiresome, and some outings have included complaints about harsh instructions, limited updates, or guides who were difficult to locate at the viewing site.

Your expectations should match the price and format. This is a shared coach trip, not a private photography workshop. You are paying for transport, a search strategy, and basic photo assistance. You are not paying for a personal guide beside you all night.

Is $171.07 a fair price?

At $171.07 per person, this is not a cheap evening. Its value rests on the driving and local route choices. Hiring transport into the countryside, finding a clear area, and having a guide help with camera settings can make the fee reasonable if the aurora appears.

The price is harder to justify if you want a small group, a quiet setting, or guaranteed professional photographs. Thermal clothing, bottled water, prints, and digital copies are not included. You also need to make your own way to the central meeting point, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided.

I would compare this price with the cost of a smaller minibus tour before booking. If the smaller option costs much more, this coach tour may be a sensible way to give yourself another chance at the lights. If the price difference is modest, a smaller group could offer better access to the guide and less distraction at the viewing spot.

The overall rating of 4.3 from 303 ratings suggests many people have had a satisfying night, but the spread from one-star to five-star experiences is important. Aurora tours are unusually dependent on weather, solar activity, road conditions, and crowd size. A beautiful show can make the whole outing feel magical. A cloudy night, a long wait, or a stranded bus can make the same format feel poor value.

Safety, weather, and the fine print

Arctic weather can change quickly. Snowstorms, icy roads, frozen ground, avalanches, and other natural hazards are possible. The operator can cancel when conditions are considered dangerous, in which case you should receive a full refund.

At the same time, the company normally runs tours in cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather because clear skies may appear later. That policy gives you more chances, but it also means you may spend hours in unpleasant conditions without seeing the aurora.

You cannot claim a refund simply because the temperature felt uncomfortable inside or outside the vehicle. Dress for the cold even if the bus is warm when you board.

The cancellation rules are straightforward. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, changes and cancellations are not accepted. If the operator cancels because of weather or because the minimum number is not reached, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

If no aurora appears, the operator offers a 50 percent discount on a later aurora tour, subject to seats and availability. You must arrange this at the company desk. It is not a cash refund, and it cannot be used if no suitable place is available or if you cannot return for another tour.

Who will enjoy this Tromsø aurora chase?

I would choose this outing if you want a practical way to get beyond Tromsø without arranging a rental car or studying Arctic roads. It suits first-time aurora hunters, casual photographers, and people who value a determined search more than a polished sightseeing program.

It can also work well for mixed groups. Someone who wants to photograph the sky can use the staff’s advice, while someone less interested in cameras can watch from the bus or enjoy the scenery and astronomy talk.

I would be cautious if you dislike long bus rides, need regular toilet stops, or find cold-weather waiting difficult. It is also a poor match if you expect a private, quiet beach, a small group, or guaranteed one-to-one photography help.

Plan this early in your Tromsø stay if possible. The tour is often booked about 24 days ahead, and the period from December 15 to January 9 can be especially full. Scheduling it before your final night leaves room for the discounted return option if the sky stays stubbornly dark.

Should you book NorthernShots Tours?

Book it if you accept the gamble and want a determined, transport-based chase with basic camera help. The best nights can deliver exactly what you came for: a long green display, a dark Arctic setting, and guides who keep working until the sky opens.

I would not book it expecting a small photography group. The possibility of 50 people per bus, several buses at one site, long waits, and limited personal attention is real. Bring serious winter clothing, a charged phone, patience, and a flexible schedule.

For a first attempt at seeing the aurora from Tromsø, this is a reasonable option at $171.07, but it is not a sure thing. The natural show decides the final verdict.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour meet?

You meet at Roald Amundsens plass 1B, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

You must check in 30 minutes before departure. Boarding is permitted only after check-in, and late arrival can mean losing your refund or rescheduling rights.

How long does the tour last?

The expected duration is approximately four to eight hours. It may finish earlier if the aurora appears quickly or run longer if the guides need to search for clearer skies.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Can the tour cross into Finland?

Yes. Some trips may cross the border to Finland to reach a suitable parking area. Bring your passport or national identity card.

Is thermal clothing included?

No. Thermal overalls are not included. You should dress in warm layers and bring suitable boots, gloves, and other winter clothing.

Are food and drinks included?

Coffee or tea is available by the vehicle or at one of the stops. Hot chocolate and snacks may also be offered. Bottled water is not included, and eating inside the vehicle is not allowed.

Are professional photographs included?

No. The tour includes photography assistance with your own phone or camera, but prints and digital copies made by the company are not included.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The aurora cannot be guaranteed. If you see nothing, the operator may offer a 50 percent discount on another aurora tour, subject to availability. This is not a cash refund.