Reviewed · NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS

Northern lights – TeslaX Ecofriendly Car

★ 4.0 · 30 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $192 Operated by Arctic Cruise In Norway AS · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best part of this Tromsø aurora tour is the quiet Tesla Model X, which carries you into the dark Arctic countryside without the rumble of a large tour bus. Guide Kurt Arild searches for clear patches and dark skies, then may change position if the first stop fails.

I like the very small group, limited to five people per booking, and the fact that coffee, tea, snacks, bottled water, and photos are included. You also get a little local orientation along the drive, with Kurt pointing out Tromsø and sharing stories from the area.

The main concern is reliability. Several bookings were canceled with very little notice, including one cancellation after the scheduled meeting time. At $192.75 per person for roughly three hours, this is a premium-priced outing, so clear communication and dependable operation matter.

Key points to know before booking

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - Key points to know before booking

  • Tesla Model X transport: You ride into the Arctic night in a comfortable, quiet electric car rather than a full-size coach.
  • Small-group format: The normal arrangement is no more than five people per booking, allowing more personal attention and flexible routing.
  • Aurora hunting, not a fixed viewpoint: Kurt Arild may drive to another location when clouds block the first stop.
  • Warm refreshments included: Coffee, tea, bottled water, and snacks help during waits in cold conditions.
  • Photos are provided: The guide takes pictures during the outing and has sent them within 24 hours in at least one case.
  • Weather and operation can change plans: Poor weather may lead to a new date or refund, but some cancellations have happened close to departure.

A quiet electric start in central Tromsø

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - A quiet electric start in central Tromsø

The tour begins at 7:00 p.m. at Fredrik Langes gate 2, 9008 Tromsø. That central meeting point is near public transportation, and the outing returns there at the end.

You should arrive ready for winter conditions. The tour includes warm drinks, but you still need proper outdoor clothing because seeing the aurora may require waiting outside the car. The supplied information does not specify a clothing rental service or heated outdoor shelter, so bring your warmest layers, hat, gloves, and footwear.

The Tesla Model X is a key part of the experience. Its quiet electric motor suits a night drive through northern Norway, where the silence is part of the appeal. You are not simply being delivered to a viewing platform. The drive itself gives you a taste of Tromsø after dark, with Kurt explaining what you see and sharing stories connected with the area.

That quiet cabin can also make a small group feel more private. With up to five people per booking, you have a better chance to ask questions, discuss possible viewing spots, or request advice about Tromsø than you would on a large coach.

The published information also says the overall activity can have a maximum of nine people. Since the booking limit is stated as five people, confirm the exact vehicle arrangement if you are booking as part of a larger party. The clearest expectation is a small booking, but the maximum figures are not perfectly aligned.

More Northern Lights Tours in Tromso

The first drive: Tromsø fades into the dark

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - The first drive: Tromsø fades into the dark

The route is not fixed. The usual plan is to drive for about 45 minutes to an hour before reaching an initial viewing area. The exact destination depends on clouds, visibility, and where the guide thinks the sky may open.

This matters because the aurora is not a scheduled show. A clear forecast does not guarantee a display, and a cloudy evening can hide strong activity. The value of a guide here is not a promise of lights. It is the ability to read the conditions, make a sensible decision, and take you away from Tromsø’s city glow when that may improve your chances.

Kurt Arild is described as a Tromsø-area native with a strong interest in nature. His role includes more than driving. During the journey, he gives a short introduction to the evening, talks about the city and surrounding area, and answers questions about places to eat and things to do.

That local advice can be useful if this is your first night in Tromsø. One outing included a brief city tour on the return drive, along with recommendations for restaurants and other activities. You should not expect a full sightseeing tour of Tromsø, but the drive can help you get your bearings.

Waiting under the aurora sky

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - Waiting under the aurora sky

At the first location, you may stop and wait for the sky to improve. If clouds cover the stars or the aurora is not visible, the guide may suggest another position.

One particularly successful outing involved a second drive of about 30 minutes after the first location failed to produce a view. The group then saw the Northern Lights and stayed for more than an hour while the guide continued looking for better views. That is the kind of flexibility that can make a short tour worthwhile.

Still, flexibility does not always mean constant movement. If the aurora appears through a gap in the clouds, staying in one place may be the right choice. The guide has explained that once the lights are visible, there may be no reason to keep driving to another spot. You may spend more time watching the sky and less time chasing a better viewpoint.

This is an important distinction. Some people want an active chase with several stops. Others prefer to settle into a dark place and watch the display develop. The experience can provide either approach, but the decision belongs largely to the guide and the conditions on the night.

One criticism of the tour involved leaving just as the aurora became strongest because the scheduled return time was approaching. A three-hour tour gives you a useful evening outing, but it also places a firm limit on how long you can wait. If you want the longest possible aurora hunt, compare this with tours offering substantially more time.

Warm drinks, snacks, and photographs

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - Warm drinks, snacks, and photographs

Coffee, tea, bottled water, and snacks are included. These are simple additions, but they matter when you are standing outside in Arctic winter weather. A warm drink gives you a reason to pause and makes the waiting period more comfortable.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. That is sensible for a cold-weather driving activity, and you should not count on alcohol being available during the tour.

Kurt takes pictures during the outing and shares them later. One booking received the photos within 24 hours. That can be a real benefit because photographing the aurora requires more than pointing a phone at the sky, especially when you are also trying to watch the display yourself.

Do not treat the photos as a guaranteed professional photography package unless that is confirmed when you book. The available information says the guide takes and shares pictures, but it does not specify the number, editing style, camera equipment, or delivery method.

The photo service also has practical value for people who travel with limited camera gear. You can enjoy the sky rather than spend the entire evening adjusting settings. Even so, bring your own camera or phone if personal pictures are important to you.

Same fjord country, a very different day out:

What $192.75 buys you

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - What $192.75 buys you

At $192.75 per person, this is expensive for an activity lasting about three hours. The price is easier to understand when you consider what is included: private-feeling electric transport, a very small group, a guide who can alter the route, refreshments, and photographs.

You are paying for a more personal format rather than a low-cost ride to a single viewing area. If the vehicle is full with five people, the cost per person supports a compact evening experience. If you are traveling alone or as a pair, the price may feel harder to justify, particularly if clouds block the aurora.

The strongest value comes on a night when Kurt needs to adjust the plan. Driving from Tromsø to one location, then changing course for another opening, takes time and judgment. A large bus may have less freedom to make that sort of quick decision.

The weak value comes when the tour stays at one spot, ends just as the display improves, or is canceled close to departure. The current rating is 3.8 out of 5 from 30 ratings, which fits that mixed picture: strong praise for the guide and successful aurora hunts, but serious complaints about cancellations and communication.

If seeing the Northern Lights is the central purpose of your Tromsø visit, you may want to budget for more than one attempt. No operator can guarantee the aurora. The small group and flexible driving improve your chances, but they cannot control clouds or solar activity.

The cancellation risk deserves attention

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - The cancellation risk deserves attention

The cancellation record is the most important drawback to weigh. Several bookings were canceled shortly before the 7:00 p.m. departure, and at least one party had already reached the meeting point before the operator canceled after a phone call.

The stated reason in different cases included internal problems or technical difficulties. The operator apologized and explained that replacements can be hard to arrange during the busiest period. That may explain the problem, but it does not erase the practical cost of standing outside in freezing conditions or losing a valuable evening in Tromsø.

The normal policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before departure, you are not entitled to a refund under the stated terms. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

That policy is separate from an operator cancellation caused by staffing or technical trouble. If the tour is canceled, contact the booking company promptly and keep written confirmation of the cancellation and refund arrangement.

I would avoid making this your only chance to see the aurora if you have just one night in Tromsø. If you have several evenings, the risk is easier to manage. Booking well ahead may also be sensible, since the average booking is made 59 days before the date, though same-day bookings have also been accepted in some cases.

Who will enjoy this Tromsø aurora tour

Northern lights - TeslaX Ecofriendly Car - Who will enjoy this Tromsø aurora tour

This outing suits you if you want a small, calm experience rather than a large bus trip. It is especially appealing if you like electric vehicles, prefer a quieter ride, and value conversation with the guide.

It can also work well for first-time visitors to Tromsø. Kurt may answer questions about restaurants and local activities, and the return drive can include a short look at the city. The service is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

You should think twice if you want a long, all-night chase. Three hours is enough for a focused evening, but not enough to follow every possible change in the sky. You should also be cautious if a last-minute cancellation would leave you without another way to see the aurora.

A private version can be arranged. The supplied details do not give a private-tour price, but the operator says a private booking can offer more flexibility. Ask for the cost and exact group limit before paying.

How this compares with a typical aurora outing

The appeal here is not a fixed attraction. It is the combination of transport, guide, and changing conditions. You start in town, ride quietly into darker country, stop to check the sky, and may continue to another location if the first attempt fails.

That approach is more personal than sitting on a coach with a large crowd. You can ask questions directly, and the guide has fewer people to manage. It also means the experience depends heavily on one guide and one vehicle.

The Tesla is comfortable and distinctive, but the car itself does not make the aurora more likely. The real advantage is the small format and the ability to move. You are paying for a focused search in a comfortable vehicle, not for a guarantee or a luxury lodge.

I would also keep your expectations realistic about the word eco-friendly. The Tesla is an electric vehicle, so the road transport uses an electric car. The tour still involves driving considerable distances, and the supplied information does not provide wider environmental figures. It is fair to call the vehicle electric, but not to assume the entire activity has no environmental impact.

Booking advice for your Tromsø evening

Book this if you value a small group, want a quiet electric ride, and like the idea of a guide making decisions based on the sky. The included refreshments and photographs add useful touches, and the best outings can involve a second drive and an extended wait for a clear view.

Before booking, check the meeting address carefully: Fredrik Langes gate 2 in central Tromsø. Confirm the group and vehicle arrangement if more than five people are involved. If you are considering a same-day booking, be especially careful, since one complaint connected a late booking with guide availability problems.

Keep your schedule flexible around the outing. Do not place an important dinner reservation immediately after the tour, since the exact route and time at the viewing spot may vary. At the same time, the advertised duration is approximately three hours, so you should not expect an unlimited chase.

Should you book the Tesla aurora hunt?

I would recommend it for couples, small families, and solo visitors who want a personal alternative to a large coach. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of Kurt Arild’s local guidance, a five-person booking limit, and the ability to search for a better patch of sky.

I would not choose it without a backup plan if you have only one night in Tromsø. The low rating compared with a perfect score is driven mainly by last-minute cancellations and a few timing concerns, not by a lack of enthusiasm when the tour runs well.

If you accept the weather risk, understand the three-hour limit, and confirm the cancellation terms, this can be a memorable way to look for the Northern Lights. Just remember the honest rule of aurora travel: the guide can chase the sky, but nobody can order it to appear.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Tesla tour begin?

The tour begins at Fredrik Langes gate 2, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 7:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join?

The booking limit is a maximum of five people. The additional information also gives a maximum activity size of nine travelers, so larger parties should confirm the exact arrangement before booking.

What is included in the price?

Coffee, tea, snacks, and bottled water are included. The guide also takes photographs and shares them later.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel your own booking for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

More like this

Northern Lights Tours, compared.

The full Northern Lights Tours list →
Aurora Borealis Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 4,206 reviews· from $181

Aurora Borealis Tour

Read our review →
Northern Lights Chase Minibus Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.4· 2,687 reviews· from $172

Northern Lights Chase Minibus Tour

Read our review →
Reindeer Sled, Dinner, and Chance of Northern Lights
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 2,651 reviews· from $219

Reindeer Sled, Dinner, and Chance of Northern Lights

Read our review →
Tromso Aurora Hunt with Bonfire, Soup, Winter Gear & Transfers
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,290 reviews· from $226

Tromso Aurora Hunt with Bonfire, Soup, Winter Gear & Transfers

Read our review →
Northern Lights Chase with Free Photos
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 2,097 reviews· from $181

Northern Lights Chase with Free Photos

Read our review →
Northern Lights Tour with Free Professional Portrait
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 1,939 reviews· from $181

Northern Lights Tour with Free Professional Portrait

Read our review →
Northern Lights Safari
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 1,916 reviews· from $146

Northern Lights Safari

Read our review →
Northern Lights Husky Visit with Traditional Dinner
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 1,666 reviews· from $187

Northern Lights Husky Visit with Traditional Dinner

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Scandinavia

Pick a coastline, a capital or an Arctic night.