Northern lights

tycho

It's my hubby's 40th next year, and he's always wanted to see the northern lights. Looking at going the least weekend in Feb. I've got a price of £866, b&b, flights, transfers, tour to see the lights, and a visit to the blue lagoon. I'm guessing about £500 spending money for 2 of us, dinners for 4 days?

That's with Iceland air. A lot of the other sites won't give quotes online, and we both work from home so he'd hear if I was on the phone! Anyone confirm if that's a good price? I'm happy with it, but obviously if I can get it cheaper I'd rather!!!

Anyone been that can give advice on booking and spends?

Thanks.

PeacefulWaters

I saw them near Oldham when visiting family earlier in the year. Bargain!

Having priced up a similar trip recently it seems about right. You might be able to check what Easyjet are offering from (I think) Bristol or Manchester.

martinthebandit

We went on a 15 night northern light cruise last year and saw the lights on three sperate nights, while we were in Alto at the top of Norway we got chatting to an English couple who had flown up there for two nights bed and breakfast to see them.

Their break cost more than our cruise and it had been overcast both nights they were there so they hadn't seen them.

Just cautioning you that there are no certainties but the longer you are up there the more likely you are to see them.

tycho

Thanks. I'm aware it's all weather dependant, but we can only do 3 nights due to work - and I've got to get, hopefully the in-laws, to stay at ours with the 4 kids for school etc. If nothing else, we've been together 15 years and have never had a holiday in our own - so that will be a whole new experience in itself!!! ;-)

cubegame

Iceland isn't a great destination to see the lights to be honest. It's rather overmarketed as such. The mid north Atlantic position means it quite rare to get clear skies in Winter.

It is a stunning destination to see in itself, but I probably wouldn't want to limit a visit to only Reykjavik.

Another point of note, the lights look better in photos than to the naked eye.

gallygirl

Alternatively if money is tight you could try an evening flight:

http://omega.reader.travel/tour.php?c=67&s=419&t=298

Only £199 and 80% chance of seeing them :j, considering it myself!

glitterpuss

That price is okay. Have you priced it up yourself independently with Expedia. We went in Feb for 4 nights, and saw the lights on our first night out which were amazing.
It's very easy to book Northern Lights trips when you are in Iceland - we went out with Time Tours who had minibuses rather than large coaches. We were able to stop in places the coaches couldn't fit!
Blue lagoon is fabulous, if you can have a meal in their restaurant as the food was typically Icelandic and very well presented.

Iceland is expensive, but there are plenty of places in Reykjavik to have a great meal which won't cost the earth. If you can pick up snacks at the Bonus supermarket which you can use for a picnic lunch on a day trip or 2!

Gavin83

Just to second what a few people have said, if your main aim is to see the Northern Lights I'd be looking elsewhere. Iceland really isn't the best place for it. Try northern Norway instead.

C_Mababejive

I would echo the other iceland comments. The other thing to note is that the oft seen stunning pictures of northern lights are not as seen by the naked eye but as taken by highly sensitive DSLR cameras which paint a better picture!