How These Combination Tours Work
Most operators structure these tours as evening departures from Reykjavik, usually between 17:00 and 19:00 depending on the season. The guide checks the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast and cloud cover before departure to choose the best route. You drive to a dark location away from city lights, spend 30 to 60 minutes aurora hunting, then continue to a geothermal pool for a one- to two-hour soak.
The sequence varies by operator and venue. Some tours visit the hot spring first if cloud cover is expected to clear later in the evening. Others finish with the pool so you can warm up after standing in the cold. Total duration typically runs four to six hours including driving time.
Tours operate from late August through mid April, matching the aurora season in Iceland. The hot spring element means you get value from the trip even on cloudy nights when auroras remain hidden. Most venues offer changing rooms, lockers, and sometimes a cafe or restaurant.
Popular Hot Spring Venues for Aurora Tours
Sky Lagoon sits on the Reykjavik coastline about 10 minutes from the city center and offers oceanfront pools with a seven-step ritual. The facility has modern changing rooms, a swim-up bar, and minimal light pollution along the waterfront. Tours that include Sky Lagoon usually depart late evening and hunt for auroras before or after the soak depending on forecast conditions.
Secret Lagoon near Fludir lies about 90 minutes from Reykjavik in the Golden Circle area and has very low light pollution. The pool is a natural hot spring with water temperature around 38-40°C year-round. The surrounding farmland stays dark, so if auroras appear overhead while you soak, visibility can be excellent. Some operators combine Golden Circle sightseeing with northern lights hunting and a Secret Lagoon stop.
Fontana Geothermal Baths sit on the shore of Laugarvatn lake, about 75 minutes from Reykjavik. The facility has multiple pools at varying temperatures, steam rooms built over natural hot springs, and direct lake access. The rural location offers good dark skies when weather cooperates.
Smaller geothermal pools sometimes appear on private aurora tours when guides know local access arrangements. These can offer more solitude but usually have fewer facilities than the main commercial venues.
Book Northern Lights and Hot Springs Tours
More tours on GetYourGuideWhat to Pack and Wear
You need a swimsuit, towel, and flip-flops or waterproof sandals for the pool area. Many venues provide towels for a small rental fee, but bringing your own saves that cost. Pack a small waterproof bag to keep your swimsuit separate from dry clothes on the return journey.
For the aurora hunting portion, dress in the same warm layers you would for any standard northern lights bus tour. Thermal base layers, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof waterproof outer shell work well. Bring a warm hat, gloves, and sturdy winter boots. You'll remove outer layers at the pool but need them again for the drive back.
Most Icelandic pools require a thorough shower without a swimsuit before entering the water. Changing rooms have private cubicles, but the shower areas are communal. This regulation maintains water quality and reduces the need for harsh chemicals.
If you wear contact lenses, consider glasses instead or bring lens solution. Steam from hot pools can make lenses uncomfortable. Long hair ties help keep hair out of your face while soaking and during windy aurora viewing stops.
Booking Considerations and Timing
Budget combination tours typically use larger coaches and visit one of the more accessible hot springs like Secret Lagoon. Mid-range options offer smaller group sizes, sometimes under 19 passengers, and may include hot spring entrance fees or refreshments. Premium private tours can arrange exclusive access times at certain venues or visit multiple locations in one evening.
The best time to see northern lights in Iceland runs from September through March when you get the longest dark hours. December and January offer maximum darkness but also the coldest air temperatures, making the hot spring portion especially appealing. September and March provide milder weather and still deliver full nights dark enough for aurora viewing.
Tours typically require advance booking, especially for Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon where operators reserve time slots. Weekend and holiday departures fill quickly during peak season. If you're traveling in December or February, book several days ahead.
Cancellation policies vary by operator. Most offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Some tours promise a second attempt if auroras don't appear, though the hot spring visit usually counts as delivered value regardless of aurora activity.
Aurora Visibility from Hot Springs
Viewing auroras from the pool itself depends on the venue's light pollution and weather conditions. Secret Lagoon and Fontana have darker surroundings than Sky Lagoon, which sits closer to Reykjavik's light dome. On nights with strong aurora activity (KP index 3 or higher), you may see green curtains directly overhead while soaking.
Steam rising from the warm water can obscure your view, especially on very cold nights when the temperature difference between air and water creates thick vapor. Some visitors prefer to watch from the pool edge or exit briefly when auroras intensify, then return to the water between displays.
The northern lights forecast helps set expectations but remains a prediction rather than a guarantee. Cloud cover matters more than KP index for visibility. A KP 2 night with clear skies delivers better viewing than KP 5 under clouds. Guides monitor real-time conditions and adjust routes when possible, but weather in Iceland changes rapidly.
If aurora viewing is your absolute priority and the pool is secondary, consider a dedicated small group northern lights tour or super jeep tour that can chase clear skies more aggressively. Combination tours balance aurora hunting with the guaranteed experience of the hot spring.
Alternatives to Combination Tours
You can visit hot springs independently during the day and book a separate evening northern lights tour from Reykjavik. This approach gives you full daylight to enjoy the geothermal facilities and lets you choose a tour focused entirely on aurora hunting after dark. Secret Lagoon stays open until 21:00 or 22:00 in winter, and Sky Lagoon offers late bookings, so you could theoretically visit before or after a tour.
Some travelers staying outside Reykjavik combine self-drive aurora hunting with hot spring visits. If you're based near Vik on the south coast or exploring the Snaefellsnes peninsula, you can soak at a local pool then watch the sky from nearby dark locations. This requires confidence driving in Icelandic winter conditions and understanding aurora visibility factors.
Multi-day tours sometimes include both activities on separate evenings. A multi-day northern lights tour might dedicate one night to aurora hunting and another to a hot spring visit, giving you more total time for each experience. These longer itineraries often explore regions beyond the capital area, visiting locations like Jokulsarlon or Akureyri.
Photography and Practical Tips
Cameras and phones don't handle the transition between cold outdoor air and warm humid pool areas well. Condensation forms immediately on cold lenses when you enter the changing rooms or pool deck. Keep your camera in your bag during the hot spring portion unless the operator provides waterproof cases or you have experience protecting gear in these conditions.
If you want serious aurora photographs, dedicated northern lights photography tours provide tripods, camera settings guidance, and locations chosen specifically for composition. Combination tours focus more on the overall experience than photographic instruction, though guides usually help with basic phone camera settings during viewing stops.
The hot spring entrance often requires leaving valuables in a locker. Bring a small lock or coins for locker systems that require payment. Most venues have secure facilities, but traveling light reduces worry. Leave passports and unnecessary cards at your accommodation.
Alcohol and hot water don't mix well. Some venues serve drinks, but guides recommend limiting consumption before the return drive. Dehydration from the heat combined with alcohol can make you uncomfortable on the bus journey back to Reykjavik. Drink water before, during, and after your soak.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the northern lights while soaking in a hot spring in Iceland?
Yes, when aurora activity is strong enough and skies are clear, you can watch the lights from the pool itself. Venues with less light pollution like Secret Lagoon and Fontana offer better visibility than locations closer to Reykjavik. Steam from the warm water may partially obscure your view on very cold nights, but many visitors still see green curtains overhead during strong displays.
What is included in a typical northern lights and hot springs tour from Reykjavik?
Most tours include round-trip transportation from Reykjavik, an aurora hunting stop at a dark location, and entrance to a geothermal pool. Some operators include towel rental, while others charge separately for that. The total experience usually lasts four to six hours including driving time. Hot spring facilities always have changing rooms and lockers, and many offer cafes or restaurants where you can purchase food and drinks.
How long do you spend at the hot spring during a combination northern lights tour?
You typically get one to two hours at the geothermal facility depending on the tour structure and venue. This gives you time to shower, change, soak in multiple pools if available, and warm up thoroughly. The aurora hunting portion usually takes 30 to 60 minutes at one or more viewing locations, with remaining time spent driving between Reykjavik and the sites.
Are northern lights and hot springs tours worth it if the aurora doesn't appear?
Yes, because the hot spring experience provides value regardless of aurora visibility. You still enjoy a relaxing soak in geothermal waters and see rural Iceland at night. Many travelers appreciate having a guaranteed experience to balance the unpredictable nature of aurora hunting. If seeing the lights is your absolute priority, consider booking a dedicated aurora tour and visiting hot springs separately during daylight.
Which hot spring is best for combining with northern lights viewing near Reykjavik?
Secret Lagoon offers the darkest skies and best aurora visibility because it sits in rural farmland about 90 minutes from Reykjavik with minimal light pollution. Sky Lagoon provides more modern facilities and sits only 10 minutes from the city but has more light interference from Reykjavik. Fontana at Laugarvatn balances good dark skies with strong facilities and sits about 75 minutes from the capital.
What should I bring on a northern lights and hot springs tour in Iceland?
Pack a swimsuit, towel if not provided, flip-flops, warm winter clothing in layers, waterproof outer shell, hat, gloves, and sturdy boots. Bring a small waterproof bag for your wet swimsuit on the return journey. Consider a small lock for lockers and leave valuables at your accommodation. Long hair ties help during both the windy aurora stops and while soaking.
Can you do a northern lights and hot springs tour in Iceland during summer?
No, because Iceland has 24-hour daylight from mid-May through July, making auroras invisible even when geomagnetic activity occurs. The aurora season runs from late August through mid April when nights are dark enough for viewing. Hot springs remain open year-round, so you can visit them independently during summer, but combination tours with aurora hunting only operate during the dark months.
How cold is it standing outside during the aurora viewing part of a hot springs tour?
Winter temperatures during evening tours typically range from -5°C to +5°C, though wind chill can make it feel colder. You'll spend 30 to 60 minutes outside during viewing stops before heading to the warm pool. Proper layering with thermal base layers, insulating mid-layers, and windproof outer shells keeps you comfortable. The hot spring soak afterward is especially satisfying after standing in the cold Icelandic air.
