Fewer people, more aurora
Small-group tours are the highest-rated way to hunt the aurora from Reykjavik. A minibus with a handful of guests can change direction quickly, stop in quieter places and give you a guide who has time to help with photos. Here are the best options and how they differ.
Small groups usually cost $30 to $80 more than the big bus. This is what that buys you.
A minibus can use small roads and switch spots in minutes when clouds move in.
Many small-group tours include portraits under the aurora or show you how to set up your camera.
With fewer guests, the guide answers questions, explains the forecast and keeps an eye on everyone.
All include Reykjavik pickup and a minibus hunt. Ratings and review counts from GetYourGuide.
The most popular small-group hunt from Reykjavik. A minibus with a limited number of guests means the guide can take smaller roads, move quickly when the forecast changes and stop where a coach cannot. Expect more personal attention and help with camera settings. A good step up from the big bus without a big jump in price.
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The best-rated hunt in this comparison. Small group, a photographer-guide, professional photos included and a free retry if the lights do not appear. It costs about twice the big bus, and many reviewers say it was worth it.
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A highly rated minibus hunt that includes portraits of you under the aurora, taken by the guide with professional gear and sent after the tour. Ideal if you want a photo of yourself with the lights but do not want to fight with tripod settings in the cold.
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A slightly longer hunt of around five hours with a photo session under the lights included. A middle-priced option for travellers who want photos and a bit more time out in the dark.
Check availabilityBoth see the same sky. The difference is how you experience it. On a bus tour you share a car park with a full coach, maybe several. On a small-group tour you are more likely to stand somewhere quiet with a few others, and the guide can drive another forty minutes if one spot clouds over. If this is your only aurora night in Iceland, or photos matter to you, the small group is usually worth it.
Photographing yourself under the northern lights is hard. You need a tripod, manual settings, a long exposure and someone to light you correctly. Photo tours solve this: the guide sets up professional equipment and sends you the pictures after the tour. If you would otherwise spend the night fiddling with settings, the photos alone justify the price difference.
A private tour gives you the vehicle and guide to yourselves, with complete freedom over how long you stay and where you go. It makes sense for families, photographers with specific goals or a special occasion such as a proposal. Prices are per group, so they work out more reasonable for four to six people. Several small-group operators offer a private option on the same booking page; select it when you choose the date.
Group sizes vary by operator but are far smaller than a full coach. The exact maximum is listed on each booking page.
In October 2026 small-group tours from Reykjavik started at about $110 to $165 per adult on GetYourGuide.
Many do. The minibus tour with hot cocoa and photos, the tour with pro photos and the guided tour with a photo shoot all include pictures taken by the guide.
Yes. Some small-group operators offer a private option for your own group; choose it on the booking page. Prices are per vehicle.
