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

The best aurora plans leave room to roam. This Tromsø chase uses a large heated coach to search for clearer skies across Troms County, then settles at a camp with hot drinks, snacks, and sometimes a fire or lavvo tent. I like the flexible base-station plan and the onboard toilet, two useful comforts on a long winter night.

I also like the guides’ practical help, especially with cameras and the science behind the lights. The main drawback is the group size: with up to 50 people, and sometimes more than one bus at a base, the experience can feel less personal than a minibus tour. Weather still decides the night, and no guide can promise an aurora.

Key points to know before booking

• Several possible viewing sites: The bus can move around Troms County if clouds block the first camp.
• A comfortable long-night setup: You get a climate-controlled coach, onboard toilet, heated indoor space, hot drinks, and access to a campfire or lavvo when conditions allow.
• Useful camera assistance: Guides such as William, Ricardo, Alexandre, and Paolo have helped visitors set up cameras and take northern lights photographs.
• Food is an optional upgrade: The meal may be fish soup, reindeer stew, or another hot local dish, with vegetarian and non-fish options available if requested at booking.
• Photos require careful checking: Free photographs may be available in low resolution, while high-resolution images have been reported at 300 NOK each.
• Expect a full evening outside town: The tour lasts about five to eight hours, beginning at 6:15 p.m. at Prostneset in central Tromsø.

Leaving Tromsø at 6:15 p.m.

The meeting point is Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, close to the bus, boat, and Hurtigruten terminal. The return is to the same area, which is handy if your hotel is in central Tromsø.

You make your own way to the pickup point and board a big coach. The vehicle is climate controlled, and the onboard toilet is a real advantage. A five-to-eight-hour aurora chase can involve long stretches on the road, so you will appreciate not having to wait for the next roadside stop.

The large coach also gives you more room than a cramped van, but it limits the tour in another way. A bus carrying up to 50 people cannot turn around or pull into every small roadside viewpoint as easily as a smaller vehicle. One group described the route as comfortable but somewhat restricted by the coach size.

During the drive, a video explains the science of the Northern Lights. This is a worthwhile use of travel time, especially if you are new to aurora watching. You get a basic explanation of solar activity and why the lights appear, rather than simply sitting in the dark hoping for green streaks.

The drive to the first base can take around 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the site and road conditions. The exact route is not fixed because the guide team chooses locations according to cloud cover and the forecast.

How the moving base-station plan works

The strongest feature of this outing is its willingness to move. The initial camp is selected on the day, with the aim of finding clearer skies and a better chance of seeing the aurora. If the first site becomes cloudy, the bus may continue to another location.

That flexibility matters in Tromsø. The sky can be clear near one fjord and fully covered a short distance away. On some nights, the bus has driven farther toward the Finnish border or stopped at another site on the return journey when the lights appeared.

Still, you should understand the limits. This is a search for better conditions, not a guarantee of clear skies. Some nights have involved rain or heavy snow, with the group waiting at a camp and seeing no aurora at all. If the forecast is clearly poor, a long bus ride can feel like a lot of time for very little reward.

The tour is best viewed as a night of aurora watching, northern scenery, warm drinks, and shared anticipation. The lights are the prize, but the whole evening depends on cloud cover, solar activity, and luck.

At the first Troms viewing site

The first major stop is a private heated camp or viewing station. Depending on the location, you might sit in a warm lavvo, a Sami-style tent with a peaked roof, or outside beside a fire. The camp arrangement gives you somewhere to warm up while you wait.

The setting can be memorable even before the aurora appears. One base was surrounded by snowy mountains and offered a quieter, less commercial feel than expected. Another used a Sami reindeer herder center, where the fire, hut, local setting, and conversation with a Sami host added something beyond simply standing in a car park.

Hot chocolate, coffee, and local snacks are included. Cookies, lefse, and homemade bread have all been part of the food experience described on different outings. Your clothes may pick up the smell of wood smoke, but that is a small price for a genuine campfire atmosphere.

The warm shelter is especially valuable for anyone who does not enjoy standing outside for hours. You can go in, warm your hands, and then step back out when the guide spots activity. The fire and hut also make the evening more pleasant when the sky refuses to cooperate.

On the other hand, a large group can fill the hut and crowd the fire. With two or three buses at one location, seating and shelter may not be available to everyone at once. If personal space and quiet observation matter most to you, a small-group chase may be a better fit.

Food choices and the meal upgrade

You can choose the basic tour with hot drinks and snacks, or pay extra for a hot meal. Possible dishes include fish soup and reindeer stew, while vegetarian and non-fish meals can be arranged if you state the request during booking.

The meal quality appears to vary by night and expectation. Fish soup with homemade focaccia, bread, and lefse has been warmly received, while another outing included food described as unappealing. Even positive reports sometimes found the extra charge high for a single bowl with limited meat.

I would treat the meal as a comfort feature rather than the reason to upgrade. A hot bowl is welcome in Arctic weather, but you may not want to spend much time inside eating if the aurora is active outside. If the meal is important to you, confirm exactly what is included and mention dietary needs before the tour.

The basic package still includes hot drinks and snacks, so you are not left without refreshments if you skip the meal. The experience provider also accepts requests for a vegetarian or non-fish option.

Waiting for the Northern Lights

Once you reach the camp, the pace slows. You look at the stars, listen for updates from the guides, and move between the warm shelter and the open air. The aurora may appear quickly, or you may wait for hours with little more than cloud and darkness.

Some nights have produced strong displays that lasted for hours. Other nights have offered only brief green flashes or pale bands that were easier to see through a camera than with the naked eye. Cloud can turn a promising forecast into a frustrating evening.

This is where the guides make a real difference. Guides including William, Alexandre, Ricardo, Paolo, Jeanne, and Suzanna have been praised for explaining the aurora, sharing local information, and helping with photography. The strongest accounts describe guides who stayed engaged even when the display was weak.

If you see the lights, the moment can be spectacular. The color may begin as a faint gray-green smear and then brighten into moving bands across the sky. Your eyes may see less color than your camera, because modern cameras collect light over several seconds.

Do not judge the night only by photographs. A camera can reveal structure and color that is difficult to see directly, but the sight itself may be subtle. A professional camera and tripod give you the best chance of recording the display. The operator may provide tripods for use, and some guides offer a short camera clinic or help with settings.

Bring a camera if photography matters to you, but do not assume a phone will produce the same results. One visitor specifically found that mobile phones did not capture the full spectrum well. The guides can help, but they may be busy assisting many people at once.

Photos, tripods, and the fine print

The tour promotes free photos, and guides may take pictures of the group beneath the aurora. The practical detail is that free downloads may be low resolution, around 300K according to one account. High-resolution photographs have been reported at 300 NOK per image.

That distinction matters if you want large prints or detailed files. Ask the guide how the photo system works before the night gets busy. It is also worth checking if the free images cover everyone in the group or only selected shots.

Tripods may be available to borrow, which is helpful if you did not pack one. Still, supply can be limited on a full coach. If photography is a major purpose of your trip, bring your own tripod and learn the basic night-camera settings before leaving Tromsø.

The guide’s help is a bonus, not a private photography lesson. On a crowded night, one guide cannot adjust every camera. You will have a better experience if you arrive with your camera charged and ready.

The second chase and the return to Tromsø

After the first camp period, the bus may move again. The stated itinerary allows about two hours at one Troms location, another two hours at the camp, and a further two hours chasing the lights and stopping for photographs. In reality, the exact timing depends on weather, road conditions, and aurora activity.

The bus can stop when the lights appear on the road back. One outing saw the Northern Lights only during the return journey, with the driver pulling into a safe layby as soon as possible. That flexibility can rescue a cloudy evening.

The downside is that much of the tour can be spent seated. One particularly poor experience involved several hours on the bus with little to see beyond snowy weather and a distant border area. You should be comfortable with a long evening of waiting, driving, and uncertainty.

The coach returns to Prostneset, usually after midnight. From there, it is a short walk to many central hotels. The return point is simple and useful, especially when you are tired and dressed in several layers.

Is $128.16 good value?

At about $128.16 per person, this is priced below many private aurora chases. You are paying for transport, a guide, access to a selected viewing site, hot drinks and snacks, and the chance to move if weather conditions change. The heated coach and onboard toilet add real value during a five-to-eight-hour winter outing.

The price is strongest if you see a good display and use the camp facilities. Several people have found the tour memorable because the lights lasted for hours, the guides helped with cameras, and the base was attractive and comfortable.

The value is weaker if the sky stays fully covered. No company can control solar activity or clouds, but a large bus can make a disappointing night feel more impersonal. The optional meal may not offer enough food for the added cost, so I would only pay for it if a hot dinner at the camp appeals to you.

The free cancellation policy gives you some protection. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the 6:15 p.m. start for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who should book this aurora chase?

I would choose this outing if you want a reasonably priced introduction to the Northern Lights and prefer a heated bus to a small van. It suits you if you value a toilet, indoor shelter, hot drinks, a campfire, and the chance to change sites.

It is also a good match for first-time aurora watchers. The science video gives useful context, and guides such as Ricardo, William, Alexandre, and Paolo have provided practical camera help and clear explanations.

Families should note that children aged four and under cannot join. Most other participants can take part, but you need to dress for cold weather even though the coach and camp provide warmth. You will spend time outdoors, sometimes standing still in snow or wind.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet, intimate outing or a dedicated photography trip. A group of up to 50, and occasionally more than one bus at a camp, can mean queues, crowded shelter, and less one-to-one help.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a sensible balance of price, comfort, and flexibility. The moving base-station plan gives you a better chance than staying in Tromsø, while the camp, fire, drinks, and warm coach make the waiting easier.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed green sky or a gourmet dinner. Check the forecast, bring serious winter clothing, prepare your camera in advance, and confirm the photo-resolution terms if free images matter to you. For a first aurora night in Tromsø, this is a practical choice, especially when comfort matters as much as the chase.

FAQ

Where does the Aurora Safari Chase start?

It starts at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, near the bus, boat, and Hurtigruten terminal.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 6:15 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to eight hours, depending on weather, driving conditions, and the aurora chase.

Where does the tour end?

It returns to the Prostneset meeting point in central Tromsø.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

Yes. The experience includes an onboard toilet.

Is food included?

Hot drinks and local snacks are provided. A hot meal, such as fish soup or reindeer stew, is available as an upgrade.

Can I request vegetarian or non-fish food?

Yes. A vegetarian or non-fish option is available if you request it when booking.

Are photographs included?

Free photographs may be available, but the supplied information indicates that low-resolution files may be free while high-resolution photographs can cost 300 NOK per image. Ask the guide for the current arrangements.