Every year the first days of December change the mood in Rovaniemi. The Christmas lights go on along the main street, the first charter families land, and suddenly everyone we know in the tourism trade is asking the same question: how many aurora tours are still free?

We live here, and Joona has spent years working around Lapland tourism, so this is the advice we give friends who write to us in late autumn. This page is about one product in particular, the guaranteed bus hunting tour, and about how to use the first week of December well. If you would rather browse the whole area first, start with our guide to activities in Rovaniemi.

Why the first week of December is a good time to look for aurora

People assume the aurora belongs to the very coldest months. In reality it depends on two things: darkness and clear sky, plus some solar activity that nobody can promise. By early December the nights in Rovaniemi are long, so the dark window is generous, and December often brings stretches of crisp, clear weather between snowfalls.

What changes in this week is not the sky but the crowd. The Christmas season is starting, flights and hotels fill, and the evening tours that are easy to book in October begin to show gaps. If your dates are fixed, treat the aurora tour as the thing you lock in first, then build the daytime plans around it.

We never promise anyone the lights. What we do tell people is that the odds of seeing them rise a lot when you give yourself several evenings and a guide who is willing to drive to where the clouds break. That is the whole idea of a hunting tour.

A practical rhythm we suggest: look at the forecast each afternoon, check the cloud map, and keep your phone charged for the evening confirmation message. Tour operators in Lapland usually confirm the start time and meeting point close to departure, because the plan depends on where the sky is clearest. Treat that flexibility as part of the product rather than an annoyance. Guests who arrive relaxed, dressed warmly and willing to wait usually have the best evenings, whatever the sky does.

What the bus hunting tour actually is

This is not a short stop beside the road. The listing describes a five-hour guided evening on a bus, with expert guides who choose the route according to the weather, and professional photos are included. The ages listed are 13 and over, plus a 3 to 12 category, so it works for families with older children as well as couples and friends.

Think of it as a moving search. The guides watch cloud cover and forecasts, then take the group towards the best opening they can find. You spend part of the evening on the bus, part standing outside, and the photos taken for you mean nobody has to fight with a phone at minus fifteen.

The price shown for the tour starts from €109 per adult, which is the lowest entry point among the three hunting tours that StayLapland sells. The other two, a small group of two to eight guests and a fully private version, cost more because the group is smaller.

Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

Check dates and prices for the bus hunting tour →

The refund promise: what it covers and what it does not

The line that matters most is the one in the listing: 100% refund if no aurora photos are captured during the tour. That is a rare thing in this business, and it is why we are comfortable pointing readers to this product when the forecast is uncertain.

It is still worth reading the exact wording in the live booking window before you pay, because terms can be updated. Look at the cancellation rules for your date as well, so you know how far ahead you can change plans. We would never describe a natural phenomenon as guaranteed ourselves, so we simply quote what the operator states and suggest you save a screenshot of the conditions.

The practical consequence is that the risk of a cloudy week is lower for you than with an ordinary tour, but your time is still limited. That is why we repeat the next point so often.

One more honest point: no operator can control solar activity. If the Sun is quiet and the sky is clear, you may see a faint green arc that looks grey to the eye and shows clearly only on a camera. That is exactly where professional photos help, and it is a real reason to choose a guided tour over standing at the end of your hotel driveway. Set your expectations at a gentle glow, and anything stronger becomes a bonus.

Which night to book in a short trip

If you have three nights in town, book the aurora tour for the first or second evening, not the last. A last-night booking leaves no safety net. If the first attempt is clouded out, you can try again with a different tour or move the date.

If you have only two nights, we would still go for night one, and keep the second evening loose with something calmer. For ideas that work after a late arrival, our post on landing in Rovaniemi at lunchtime in December shows how we would fit the first day together.

Avoid stacking a very early morning activity the day after your tour. The evening can run late, and a tired child at a husky farm is not the memory you want.

Also think about dinner. Eat a proper meal before the tour, not a sandwich on the run, and avoid heavy alcohol, which makes the cold feel worse and the night longer. If you are staying outside the city centre, ask your hotel about the pickup point early, since December traffic around the main hotels can be slow. These small things decide whether the evening is relaxed or rushed.

Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

See which December evenings are open →

What to wear and what the tour provides

Winter overalls, boots and gloves are the usual in this kind of tour, and several StayLapland listings include thermal clothing in adult and child sizes. Check the inclusions on your chosen date in the booking window rather than assuming, because details differ from product to product.

Underneath, wear what we call the Finnish onion: a thin wool or synthetic base layer, a warm middle layer, then the outer clothes provided. Thick cotton socks are a mistake, since they hold moisture. Bring a charged phone, but leave the tripod at home since photos are part of the service.

One small thing from us: carry a small snack and a hot drink for the bus ride if you are travelling with a child who gets hungry. Breaks and food arrangements can vary, so confirm in your booking message.

Bus, small group or private: how we would choose

All three hunting tours follow the same logic, and the difference is group size and price. The bus tour is the budget way in, from €109 per adult. The small group version, Small Group Northern Lights Hunting Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5, is listed from €199 and takes two to eight people, so it is quieter and often more flexible. The private tour is listed from €1,990.

Book the bus if you want good odds at a fair price and you are happy to share with other travellers. Skip it if you hate group logistics or want the guide to yourself.

For a fuller comparison, our guide to bus, small group and private aurora hunting goes through the differences in more detail.

Pairing the tour with a gentler daytime plan

The aurora evening takes a big piece of the day, so keep daylight for something easy. Many families like a quiet reindeer experience such as Kuoksa Reindeer Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5, which is listed from €159 and lasts about three hours. Another option is the campfire aurora tour at Northern Lights Tour at the Campfire5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5, listed from €99 for three hours, if you prefer a stationary evening as your second attempt.

Both are different in spirit from the hunting tour, so they add rather than repeat. If you are travelling in the days around Christmas itself, our guide to what sells out first at Christmas and New Year will help you decide which dates to reserve first.

Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

Check the campfire aurora tour →

Frequently asked questions

Is the northern lights bus tour from Rovaniemi really guaranteed?
The listing states a 100% refund if no aurora photos are captured during the tour. We recommend reading the exact conditions in the booking window for your date, since the aurora itself can never be promised.

How much does the bus hunting tour cost?
It is listed from €109 per adult. Prices can vary by date and age category, so check the live calendar.

How long is the tour?
The listing says five hours, starting in the evening. The guides pick the route based on cloud and weather.

Can children come on the bus tour?
The listing shows age categories 13 and over and 3 to 12. For younger children think about the late finish and the cold before you book.

Is photography included?
The listing mentions professional photos included, so you do not need a tripod or special camera.

Is there a discount code?
Yes, type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off every StayLapland tour. It has no expiry date.

Our final pick for the first week of December

If you are travelling in the first week of December and want one clear aurora plan, we would book the guaranteed bus hunting tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 for your first or second evening. It starts from €109, photos are included, and the refund wording lowers the risk of a cloudy night.

Upgrade to the small group tour if you want fewer people around you, and keep a second evening free if you can. Whatever you choose, book soon, because this is the week when the evenings start to disappear.

Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off. The live calendar below shows real availability.

Check dates and book the bus hunting tour →