The 9 Best Northern Lights & Hot Springs Tours

1.Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,278 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250Our pick

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group of up to 14. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, reserve dinner, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora with guides such as Tyler, Savvy, Shannon, and Gina. Hotel pickup and resort admission are included.

“When I went to purchase my tickets the credit card I used was declined (problem with credit card company) and Viator just cancelled my reservation, did not give me the option to use another card. Then when in Alaska they called to say they had no vans to pick us up but did make arrangements with another company which was great because had it not been for the guide we had we would not have known what to do when we got there. Chena Hot Springs had no one there to explain anything. The staff person in the ice museum acted as if he did not want to be there,…”

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2.Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 245 reviews · 15 hours · from $345

Travel from Reykjavík to Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerið, and the Blue Lagoon before an evening aurora hunt. Guides such as Addi, Toni, Siki, and Michael are praised for lively stories, extra stops, and help with night photography. Expect a full 15-hour day and a late return.

“Vala was a great guide, lots of history and great stops”

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3.Glacier Lagoon & Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 144 reviews · 14 to 16 hours (approx.) · from $242

Spend a full day leaving Reykjavik behind for Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon, Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, waterfalls, turf churches, and Vík. A local driver-guide such as Gummi, Trond, or Ian handles the road in a minibus for up to 17 people. Northern lights viewing runs from September 1 to April 1, weather permitting.

“Its a long day tour 14 hours. There is a lot to see and enough time for each sight seeing, enough tiolet break and even enough time for lunch and dinner break.”

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4.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $215Best value

Ride 60 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide, tour an ice museum, soak in 106 F mineral water, and search for auroras. Guides such as Gina, Greg, and Ron have helped guests make the most of cloudy skies and active northern lights.

“easy, friendly and overall great fun! Aurora John was the best! we felt safe and well tended to. And the sky! What a show!”

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5.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a driver-guide such as Ed, Paul, Jake, or Randy. Visit the Ice Museum, soak in the rock lake pool or indoor pool, and wait for the aurora until about 2 a.m. The group is limited to 12 people.

“We had a wonderful time and our guide was excellent! He was very kind and informative. The springs were very relaxing. You have to take off your shoes in the lobby, so I would suggest bringing flip flops or some type of shower shoes, or else you have to walk from the pool house lobby and through the locker rooms barefoot. The description for this tour says the ice museum is closed until Summer 2024, but it is open. Admission to the ice museum is not included in the price of this tour, and you can buy tickets online before going.”

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6.Private 2-Day Glacier Lagoon, Ice Cave and Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · 2 days (approx.) Top rated

Spend two days on Iceland’s South Coast with a private guide, comfortable vehicle, overnight stay, glacier gear, and a small-group ice cave excursion. Guides such as Einar, Robert, Arna, and Martin are known for flexible schedules, local stories, and careful driving in changing weather.

“Sight Seeing packed with guide that gives great historical information on the areas visited and in general. The sprinkle of local folklore was nice as well. Highly recommend for a great time in a short period of time.”

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7.Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 80 reviews · 8 hours · from $318

Spend an afternoon at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon with a silica mask, towel, and drink, then return to Reykjavik before an English-speaking guide leads a weather-based Northern Lights hunt. The tour lasts eight hours and includes transfers, but aurora sightings are never guaranteed.

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8.Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $245

Spend an evening at Chena Hot Springs Resort with guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, Gina, Donnie, and Kevin. You’ll visit the Ice Museum, soak in indoor and outdoor pools, enjoy optional dinner, and chase the Northern Lights from Fairbanks. Pickup, water, admission, and locker quarters are included.

“Our guide, Tony was personable, easy-going and knowledgeable. The hot springs were relaxing and calming. Though we didn't see the Northern Lights from Chena Hot Springs, we saw an amazing display on our 56 mile trek back to town. Tony pulled over so that ww could capture the images and assisted us so that we could really enjoy the experience. Kudos to him for his patience and kindness!”

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9.Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 59 reviews · 10 hours · from $240

Travel from Fairbanks in a small group to Chena Hot Springs for the Aurora Ice Museum, a long soak in the outdoor springs, and a late-night aurora watch. Guides such as Joe, Ryan, Daniel, and Ed are praised for clear explanations and flexible light-chasing.

“Ash was an awesome tour guide. He was personable, entertaining and we very much enjoyed the tour, even if the northern lights didn’t cooperate.”

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