Minibus vs Big Bus Northern Lights Chase 2026: Which to Book

Booking choice: The minibus chase, from $257 per person. Check dates Tour details

Both tours start at the Prostneset bus terminal, both last 5 to 9 hours depending on the weather, and both are led by photographer guides who share a full gallery after the night. Both have the same rule if the lights stay away: no refund and no free trip.

The choice comes down to group size, warm gear, food and how you get home.

The quick answer

Pick the minibus ($257) for a group of up to 15, a winter suit and boots, a warm meal, tripods and hotel drop-off in the centre. Pick the big bus ($128) if you already own proper winter clothing and want the lowest Chasing Lights price; it takes up to 50 guests and includes a hot drink.

How do the minibus and big bus compare?

Same operator, start point and hours; different group size and inclusions.

	Minibus chase	Big bus chase
From (per person)	$257	$128
Group size	Up to 15	Up to 50
Length	5 to 9 hours	5 to 9 hours
Winter suit and boots	Included (send sizes)	Not included
Food	Warm meal, snacks, hot drinks	Hot drink and hot water
Tripods	Included	Not included
Photos	Full gallery	Full gallery
End of night	Hotel drop-off in the centre	Back to Prostneset terminal
Children	Full price from age 4	Child rate 0 to 12
Rating	4.9 (1,410)	4.9 (1,703)

Like the sound of 15 seats and a warm meal? Check dates for the minibus chase.

Check dates for the minibus chase

Does the minibus see more northern lights?

Not necessarily: both are real chases led by the same company, and neither can promise a sighting.

Big bus guests also report long drives to clear sky; one wrote that the bus drove about three to three and a half hours to find it, and others mention reaching the Finnish border. No listing claims a higher success rate for the minibus, and we do not either.

A tour bus with blue interior lights parked under a band of aurora — The big bus chase also drives to wherever the sky is clearest.

Is the warm suit worth it?

If you do not own Arctic-grade winter clothing, yes: you can spend hours standing outside at night.

On the minibus, the winter suit and boots come with the ticket, as long as you send your sizes through the link you receive after booking. On the big bus, warm clothes are your responsibility. See what to wear on a northern lights tour for layers either way.

Winter layers, wool socks, boots, hat, mittens and a headlamp on a wooden floor — Thermal layers go under a suit, or under your own winter coat on the big bus.

What food do you get?

The minibus includes a warm meal, snacks and hot drinks; the big bus lists a hot drink and hot water.

Guests on the minibus describe meals by a campfire, and one remembers a hot blackcurrant drink with cookies. Opinions on the food vary. If you have a big appetite or dietary needs, bring something of your own and tell the operator in advance.

Want dinner sorted on the night? The minibus chase includes a warm meal and hot drinks.

★ 4.9 · 5 to 9 hours · from $257

Explore the minibus chase Tour details

How do you get home at the end?

The minibus drops you at your hotel in the city centre; the big bus returns to the Prostneset terminal.

The return time is between midnight and 03:00 on the minibus and 22:30 to 03:00 on the big bus, depending on how far the guide drove. Neither includes hotel pickup at the start.

Which is better for families?

The big bus is cheaper for children, with a child rate for ages 0 to 12; on the minibus everyone from age 4 pays the full price.

Children must be with an adult on the big bus. On either tour the night is long and late, so it suits children who cope well with cold and a late bedtime.