In short
- Cheapest guided option: a big-bus chase, from about 1,285 NOK per adult (up to 50 passengers).
- Best value for most visitors: a small-group minibus chase (max 15–16 guests), about 1,550–2,500 NOK, usually with thermal suits, food and photos.
- Most personal: a micro-group of max 8 guests, about 2,600–3,000 NOK.
- Families or photographers: a private van for up to 8 people, from about 14,900 NOK per group.
Prices come from operators' own pages and official tourism listings, checked October 2026 (Greenlander's from a recent independent guide). Many operators use dynamic pricing, so always confirm the price on the booking page.
The comparison table
| Tour | Type | Group size | Duration | Price from | Included | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Lights Tour by Bus Destination Tromsø |
Big bus | Up to 50 | 6–7 h | 1,285 NOK child 4–11: 642 NOK |
Hot drinks, biscuits | Check dates |
| Small Group Chase + All-Inclusive Northern Horizon |
Small group | Max 15 | 6–7 h | 1,548 NOK (Oct) 1,584–2,480 NOK Nov–Feb |
Thermal suit & boots, campfire reindeer sausage, pro portrait. Ages 13+. | Check dates |
| Aurora Chase Tromsø GuideGunnar |
Small group | 1–16 | 5–8 h | 1,895 NOK | Veteran local guide (21 seasons). Min age 12. | Check dates |
| Northern Lights Minibus Chase Chasing Lights |
Small group | Up to 15 | 5–9 h | 2,200 NOK discount on extra nights |
Flexible route, can cross into Finland. Dynamic pricing. | Check dates |
| Northern Lights Adventure Northbound |
Micro group | 2–8 | 6–8 h | 2,600 NOK | Thermal suits, campfire dinner, full-resolution photos and a timelapse video of the night. | Check dates |
| Northern Lights Adventure Greenlander |
Small group | See booking page | See booking page | about 2,970 NOK dynamic pricing |
One of Tromsø's most popular operators. | Check dates |
| Private Aurora Chase Green Gold of Norway |
Private | 1–8 (your group) | 5–8 h | 14,900 NOK per group | Warm suits, boots, tripods, coffee, tea, muffins, photos. | Check dates |
Want more options? Browse all Tromsø northern lights tours on GetYourGuide, with reviews and free cancellation on most tours.
Which type of tour should you book?
Big bus (about 1,300 NOK): best if you're on a tight budget
A big bus still chases clear skies; it just can't stop anywhere a minibus can. You get less guide attention, no thermal suit as standard, and you'll share the viewing spot with up to 50 people. If you're in Tromsø for four or more nights and want to try more than once, two bus tours can make more sense than one premium tour.
Small group, 15–16 guests (about 1,550–2,500 NOK): best for most visitors
This is the sweet spot. Guides watch cloud and aurora forecasts in real time and drive to wherever the sky is clearest, sometimes over the border into Finland. Most include a warm suit, hot food by a campfire and photos of you under the lights, so you don't need to buy expensive gear or a good camera.
Micro group, max 8 (about 2,600–3,000 NOK): best for couples and photographers
Fewer people means faster stops, more help with camera settings and a quieter night. Northbound, for example, sends a timelapse video of the evening even if the aurora is weak, which softens the blow on a cloudy night.
Private (from about 14,900 NOK per group): best for families and groups of 4–8
Split between six or eight people, a private chase can cost about the same per person as a micro-group tour, and you set the pace. This is the most practical choice with younger children, because many small-group tours have a minimum age of 12–13.
How to raise your chances of seeing the aurora
- Book on your first night. If it's cloudy, you still have time to try again. Leaving it to your last night is the most common mistake.
- Choose a tour that will drive far. Tromsø's coast often clouds over; the clear sky is frequently inland or across the border.
- Plan two or more nights. Clear skies matter more than the aurora forecast. More nights means more chances.
- Check the weather, not just the aurora forecast. Cloud cover decides whether you see anything. See our month-by-month guide.
Where to stay
Almost every tour picks up in the city centre, near the harbour and Radisson Blu. Staying central means you can walk to the meeting point at night. Compare hotels in central Tromsø.
Also worth doing in Tromsø
From late October to January, orcas and humpback whales gather in the fjords north of the city, and day tours leave from the harbour. See our Tromsø whale watching tour comparison. For a daytime adventure, compare husky sledding tours.