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

The sky can change your whole night. This Northern Lights coach tour from Tromsø combines a mobile base camp, warm lavvo, campfire, hot drinks, and free photographs with a serious effort to find clearer skies. Guides may move the bus around Troms County rather than remain fixed in one place, which gives you a better chance than simply waiting beneath city clouds.

I especially like the comfortable, heated coach and onboard toilet, practical comforts during a five to eight-hour winter outing. I also like the guides’ hands-on help with cameras, with guides such as William, Alexandre, Paolo, Jeanne, Ricardo, and Suzanna praised for their explanations and friendly support. The main drawback is scale: a big coach, and sometimes more than one, can make the camp feel crowded and limit how freely the bus can chase the lights.

Key points to know before booking

• A coach-based chase from Tromsø: You travel from the city into Troms County, with the final viewing area chosen around the weather forecast.
• A warm base station: You can wait in a heated Sami lavvo or around an outdoor fire while coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks are served.
• Five to eight hours outside: The evening begins at 6:15 pm and can run late, so keep the next morning easy.
• Free photographs are available: Low-resolution images may be downloaded at no charge, while high-resolution pictures can cost extra.
• A hot meal is optional: Reindeer stew, fish soup, or another listed meal may be available as an upgrade. Vegetarian and non-fish choices must be requested when booking.
• A maximum of 50 people: This is cheaper than a private chase, but it is not an intimate small-group outing.

Leaving Tromsø at 6:15 pm

Your evening begins at the Prostneset Bus, Boat & Hurtigruten Terminal on Samuel Arnesens gate 5. The meeting point is central, close to many hotels and public transport, and the tour ends at the same place.

The first part is simple: meet the guide, board the climate-controlled coach, and settle in for the drive. A video explains the science of the aurora, including why the lights appear in far northern skies. That is a useful touch, especially if this is your first Northern Lights outing and you want more than a green blur in a photograph.

The drive can take about 45 minutes in some cases, while the full outing may last five to eight hours. The exact route depends on cloud cover and the forecast. You may spend much of the night on the road, so bring patience as well as warm clothing.

The large coach is comfortable for a long winter evening. It also has a toilet onboard, which is easy to overlook until you have been outside in the cold for several hours. Still, this is not a quick excursion. You may return around midnight or later, particularly if the guide keeps chasing breaks in the cloud.

Stop 1: The Prostneset meeting point

The terminal is an easy place to find in central Tromsø. Arrive early enough to locate the coach and avoid starting the evening flustered, especially if you are wearing bulky winter layers.

There is no sightseeing stop here. Its value is convenience. You begin and end in the same central area, so you will not need a separate taxi across town after a late return.

The tour is offered in English. The group can be as large as 50 people, and some evenings may involve more than one coach. That size helps keep the price at $128.16 per person, but it also affects the mood. A single coach can already feel busy around a small fire or hut, and multiple buses can make the camp more crowded.

Stop 2: Driving through Troms County

The coach heads into the darker parts of Troms County, away from Tromsø’s city lights. The guide and driver use the forecast to decide where to go, with the aim of finding a clearer patch of sky.

This flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not tied to one viewing platform if clouds settle in. On good nights, the bus may continue to another location after reaching the base station. One evening can bring clear skies only an hour from Tromsø, even when the city is cloudy and snowing.

But a coach cannot turn and stop as easily as a small vehicle. One review described the route as restricted by the size of the bus. You should see this tour as a practical group chase, not a nimble private expedition that can explore every side road.

The drive is also part of the experience. Snow, darkness, and mountain views around the fjords create a strong Arctic setting, even if the aurora never appears. The video during the journey gives the trip some structure rather than leaving you to stare out a dark window for hours.

Stop 3: A warm base station and Sami setting

The main stop is a private heated camp selected for the night. Depending on the route, you might find a Sami reindeer herder center or another base station surrounded by snowy mountains.

You can sit inside a lavvo, the traditional Sami tent with a teepee-like shape, or gather beside a campfire. The warm shelter matters. Northern Lights viewing is mostly waiting, and waiting outside in Tromsø’s winter cold can become uncomfortable quickly.

Hot coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and local snacks are included. Cookies and other simple treats have been praised, and the fire adds a pleasant smoky scent to coats and scarves. You may still smell the campfire for days afterward, which is either a charming souvenir or a laundry problem.

Some evenings include contact with a Sami host and an explanation of local life. That can give the night a sense of place beyond the aurora itself. In one particularly memorable outing, the setting included a conversation with the site owner and even an interview by Norwegian television. Those extras are not guaranteed, but the base station can offer more than a bare roadside stop.

The camp is also where you may eat if you have selected the meal upgrade. Reindeer stew and fish soup are listed options, and fish soup with homemade bread or focaccia has received praise. Still, the meal is not consistently seen as good value. Some people found the serving small for the extra charge, and one complaint described the food as unappetizing.

If you are unsure, think of the meal as a warm convenience rather than the reason to book. Vegetarian and non-fish options are available if you request them in the special requirements field when booking.

Stop 4: Waiting, photographing, and chasing clearer skies

After the meal or snack break, the guide continues watching the sky. The bus may move to another location if conditions improve elsewhere, or it may stop along the return route when the aurora appears.

This is where expectations matter most. No Northern Lights outing can promise a display. Cloud, snow, and solar activity decide what you see. One evening may bring green lights lasting several hours. Another may offer only brief flashes through cloud, or nothing at all.

A useful guide can make a major difference on a mixed night. Guides named William, Alexandre, Paolo, Jeanne, Ricardo, and Suzanna have been praised for explaining the aurora, helping with camera settings, and keeping the group positive during long waits. Several guides also offer practical advice on using tripods and photographing the lights.

Your phone may record a faint glow, but it is not the best tool for showing the full color and movement. Bring a proper camera if you have one, and ask for help early rather than waiting until the strongest display begins. Tripods may be available for use, which is helpful if you did not bring one.

The photo policy deserves attention. The experience is promoted with free photos, and low-resolution images may be downloaded without charge. A report from the tour noted a charge of 300 NOK per high-resolution photograph. Ask the guide exactly what is included before the night gets busy. A group photo would also be a nice addition, but it is not something you should count on.

You may spend two hours or more at the viewing area, then another couple of hours stopping for photos and watching the sky. If nothing appears, that time can feel long. Bring extra layers, gloves that let you handle a camera, and the willingness to step into the warm hut when the cold wins.

Stop 5: Returning to Tromsø

The final drive takes you back to Prostneset, usually after a long night. You can relax on the coach instead of driving unfamiliar snowy roads yourself, which is a real benefit for visitors who do not want to rent a car in winter.

The return may take about an hour, though weather and the night’s route affect the timing. Since the coach returns to the central terminal, you are within a short walk of many hotels.

Do not plan an early-morning activity immediately afterward. Even a successful sighting can keep you outside for hours, and an unsuccessful chase may still run late because the guide is waiting for a possible break in the weather.

What $128.16 gets you

At $128.16 per person, this is a midrange group option for Tromsø. You are paying for transport into darker skies, a guide, a heated coach, a toilet onboard, a base camp, hot drinks, snacks, and the chance to move if the forecast changes.

The value is strongest if you want practical support without paying for a private vehicle. You avoid driving in winter, do not need to study cloud maps yourself, and receive help with photography. The ability to use several base stations is another reason the price can make sense.

The value is weaker if you expect a small, quiet group or a generous included dinner. The group may reach 50 people, and some evenings involve multiple buses. The optional meal may be tasty, but portions and value have not impressed everyone.

You also need to separate the cost of the tour from the cost of certainty. The fee buys a well-organized attempt to find the aurora, not a guaranteed show. If the sky is fully overcast, the coach may drive a long way only to wait in snow or rain. That is frustrating, but it is the nature of this activity rather than a failure that the company can always prevent.

The provider, Best Arctic AS, offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the outing, you should be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Who will enjoy this coach chase

I would choose this tour if you want your first Tromsø aurora outing to be straightforward. The guide handles the route, explains the science, and can help you set up a camera. The heated lavvo, campfire, hot drinks, and onboard toilet make the long wait easier.

It also suits you if price matters more than privacy. A private chase may give you more control, but this coach tour keeps the cost lower while still offering movement between locations.

It is less suitable if you dislike uncertainty, cold, or long road journeys. You may spend six hours on a bus and see only a faint glow. A large group can also make photography and time by the fire less relaxed.

Children aged four and under cannot join. Most other people can participate, but you must dress for cold weather. Wear your warmest layers, not just the clothes that look good in Tromsø’s cafés.

Seven practical tips for a better night

• Keep the following morning free. The tour starts at 6:15 pm and can last eight hours.
• Ask about the photo package. Confirm whether your free images are low resolution and what high-resolution files cost.
• Bring a camera and tripod if possible. Guides can help, but camera support improves your results.
• Request food changes at booking. Vegetarian and non-fish meals are available when requested in advance.
• Dress for standing outside. The warm coach and lavvo help, but you still need proper winter clothing.
• Expect smoke on your clothes. The campfire is part of the charm, but the smell lingers.
• Treat the meal as optional comfort. Choose it for warmth and convenience, not as a major dining experience.

Should you book the Aurora Safari Chase?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, organized attempt to see the Northern Lights from Tromsø, with a comfortable coach, toilet onboard, warm shelter, hot drinks, and useful camera help. The best nights can be extraordinary, with bright auroras lasting for hours above snowy mountains.

Skip it if you want a private, nimble chase or if a large group would spoil the evening. Also skip the meal upgrade unless you value having food at the camp more than getting a substantial dinner.

My practical call is this: use the tour early in your Tromsø stay, so you still have another chance if clouds defeat the first outing. Go with realistic expectations, dress properly, and ask about the free photo terms before leaving the bus. That approach gives you the best chance of enjoying the whole Arctic night, even if the sky keeps its green lights hidden.

FAQ

Where does the Aurora Safari Chase begin?

It begins at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 6:15 pm.

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to eight hours.

Does the tour return to Tromsø?

Yes. The coach returns to the Prostneset meeting point, which is within a short walk of many central hotels.

Is there a toilet on the coach?

Yes. The tour includes an onboard toilet.

Are photographs included?

Free photographs are offered, but low-resolution downloads may be the included option. High-resolution photographs may cost 300 NOK per picture, so confirm the current terms with the guide.

Is a meal included?

Hot drinks and snacks are provided. A hot meal, such as reindeer stew or fish soup, is available as an upgrade. Vegetarian and non-fish options can be requested when booking.