The Prices of Northern Lights Tours to Iceland
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For travelers seeking a truly magical experience, northern lights tours in Iceland offer the chance to witness one of nature's most spectacular phenomena. The shimmering auroras, with their vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple, illuminate the night skies in remote, pristine destinations. Whether you're gazing up from a cozy glass igloo, standing in the vast Arctic wilderness, or exploring the local villages, northern lights tours provide a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring natural wonder. In this article, we'll explore the costs of northern lights tours around Iceland, highlight some of the best options, and share the top destinations for catching this unforgettable light display.
To help you find the perfect northern lights adventure, we've carefully researched a wide variety of tours. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, viewing conditions, and included experiences, we've identified the best guided tour options in Iceland for those eager to chase the auroras. Whether you're traveling with a guide to maximize your chances of seeing the lights or combining the experience with other winter activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling, these tours offer an extraordinary way to connect with the wonders of the natural world. So, bundle up, look to the skies, and prepare for a breathtaking journey under the northern lights.
Why does Iceland appeal to winter travelers?
Iceland's Arctic regions are among the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Activities like dog sledding and ice hotels enhance the winter experience. Iceland's accessibility and pristine environment make it a prime destination for aurora enthusiasts.
How much do northern lights tours in Iceland cost?
The average price per day for northern lights tours in Iceland is $384, based on our analysis of 35 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $172 to $537 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $289 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $466 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in Iceland
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable northern lights tours in Iceland average $289 per day, with daily prices from $172 to $350. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out 3-Day Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical northern lights tours in Iceland that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $396 per day. Daily prices range from $352 to $428. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Iceland 2-Day Adventure: Ice Cave, Glacier Lagoon & Northern Lights.
Luxury Tours
Luxury northern lights tours in Iceland average around $396 per day, with daily costs ranging from $431 to $537. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is 8 Days Northern Lights Exploration – Small Group.
Which tour companies offer northern lights tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer northern lights tours in Iceland. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
GJ Travel
GJ Travel is a smaller tour company that focuses on Iceland and Greenland. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. The tours offered by GJ Travel are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service.
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
Globus
Globus is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Great Britain, Italy, and Canada. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, snorkelling, and whale watching.
Tasermiut
Tasermiut is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 3 countries, including Greenland, Iceland, and Denmark. While the cost of their tours may be on the higher side, the smaller groups ensure a more personalized journey for travelers. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.
Northern Lights Destinations in Iceland
Wondering where northern lights tours visit in Iceland? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It makes a good starting point for exploring the country, but many people head quickly into Iceland's countryside, as that is what the region is known for. In town you'll find the National and Saga Museums, which offer a fascinating overview on the country's Viking past. Just outside of town is the world famous Blue Lagoon Spa, which is in the town of Grindavik. The city has a thriving nightlife scene that is centered around its many festivals.
The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.
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Other popular destinations for northern lights tours through Iceland include Vik, Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Selfoss, Hella, and Reykholt.
Northern Lights Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're debating whether to plan your trip solo or join a guided tour, take some time to reflect on the pros and cons of both options.
Organized Tours
Pros- Guides take you to the best viewing locations based on real-time weather and aurora activity.
- A guided tour eliminates the stress of navigating remote areas in unfamiliar terrain.
- Experts provide insights about the science and folklore behind the Northern Lights.
- Tours often include specialized photography guidance for capturing the aurora.
- You’ll have access to equipment like warm gear, tripods, or heated shelters.
- Transportation is provided, ensuring safety on icy or unlit roads.
- Groups often create a shared sense of excitement during the experience.
- Tour operators handle permits and regulations for protected areas.
- You may not have flexibility to spend extra time at a promising viewing spot.
- There’s less control over the choice of locations or activities.
- Weather conditions can cause cancellations, and rescheduling isn’t always possible.
- Large groups can make it harder to enjoy the solitude of nature.
Independent Travel
Pros- You can choose your own viewing spots and stay as long as you like.
- Traveling independently allows for a quieter and more personal experience.
- You can design your itinerary to include other nearby attractions or activities.
- You have complete control over the pace and style of your trip.
- Finding the best viewing locations requires extensive research.
- Driving on icy roads in remote areas can be dangerous without experience.
- You need to monitor aurora activity and weather conditions yourself.
- Packing proper gear for cold weather and photography can be overwhelming.
- Viewing locations can be hard to access without local knowledge.
- The lack of a guide may result in missed opportunities or suboptimal spots.
- Travel delays or unpredictable weather may disrupt your plans.
- It can be challenging to photograph the aurora without professional guidance.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel cheaper than guided northern lights tours? The answer is not simple. Tours provide many of the services that you would otherwise pay for yourself on an independent trip. Hotels, transportation, food, entry tickets, guides, and activities are provided on organized tours, whereas you would pay for everything separately on your own. To deterine the difference in price, you would need to compare the combined price of everything in a tour with everything you would book separately. Sometimes you might want to stay in a cheaper hotel, or eat at a more expensive restaurant, so the price of a tour could be more or less than what you would otherwise pay on your own. Make sure you know what is included before making your comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Iceland, The Best Wildlife Tours to Iceland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Iceland, The Best Historical Tours in Iceland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Iceland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Iceland, The Best 3-Day Tours in Iceland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Iceland, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Iceland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Iceland, The Best Adventure Tours to Iceland, The Best Eco Tours in Iceland, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in Iceland, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in Iceland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Iceland, The Best Cultural Tours in Iceland, The Best Music Tours in Iceland, The Tours for Animal Lovers in Iceland, The Best Camping Tours in Iceland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Self Drive Tours in Iceland, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Iceland, The Best Walking Tours in Iceland, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Contiki Tours to Iceland, or The Best G Adventures Tours to Iceland for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Reykjavik, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Reykjavik, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Keflavik, The Best 10-Day Tours from Reykjavik, The Best 10-Day Tours from Keflavik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Reykjavik, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Keflavik for more package tour options.
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