Can you see the northern lights in Reykjavík tonight?

Visit Reykjavík describes the city as the world's northernmost capital, located directly beneath the auroral oval. Visit Iceland says you need darkness and clear skies, or at least openings in the cloud cover, and that sightings are greatly improved outside populated areas away from the capital's light pollution. Visit Iceland notes that there are no guarantees with the northern lights, so staying several nights gives you more opportunities for clear skies and favourable aurora activity.

When to see the northern lights in Reykjavík

Visit Iceland, the official travel guide of Iceland, gives the best time to see the northern lights as winter, between September and April, when dark and long nights have replaced the bright summer nights. Visit Reykjavík says that in summer the bright night sky makes sightings impossible, even when auroral activity is present. You can check how long the nights are across these months, or compare with Tromsø northern lights or night length in Akureyri in the north of Iceland.

Visit Iceland says the lights are said to be most active around the September and March equinoxes, but that the chances also improve in mid-winter, which brings more darkness. Visit Iceland says you need darkness and clear skies, or at least openings in the cloud cover, and that you can check weather conditions, cloud cover and aurora activity on the Icelandic Met Office website.

Visit Iceland says there are no guarantees with the northern lights, so the more nights you have, the better your chances; staying several nights gives you more opportunities for clear skies and favourable aurora activity.

The Icelandic Met Office says the aurora requires dark and partly clear skies. On its aurora forecast page, the map of Iceland shows a forecast of cloud cover, with green areas cloudy and white areas clear.

How to get to Reykjavík

Visit Reykjavík says Keflavík Airport is about 50 km from Reykjavík. Visit Reykjavík says several car rental companies operate directly from Keflavík Airport.

Visit Reykjavík says Flybus, operated by Icelandia, offers regular connections timed with arriving flights, with a choice of coach transfers, shared door-to-door shuttles or private rides, and drop-offs at central Reykjavík stops, selected hotels and guesthouses. Isavia says Flybus leaves Keflavík Airport for the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík 40 minutes after each plane lands, stopping at Aktu taktu in Garðabær and Fjörukráin in Hafnarfjörður on the way. Isavia gives the Flybus journey to Reykjavík as 45 minutes and suggests booking in advance.

Strætó's public bus route 55 runs between the capital area and Keflavík Airport every day of the week. Strætó says not all airport bus trips drive to and from BSÍ in Reykjavík; some drive to and from Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður, so remember to check the timetable.

Where to stand to see the aurora

Visit Iceland says that in most cases sightings are greatly improved outside populated areas, especially away from the capital's light pollution, and that excursion leaders are skilled at hunting the lights, finding where conditions are best on any given night.

• Grótta Lighthouse: Visit Reykjavík says Grótta Lighthouse, on a small peninsula in Seltjarnarnes, faces the open ocean with few establishments around it, giving a clear northern horizon where the aurora often first appears. The path to Grótta Lighthouse is submerged at high tide, so check the tide schedule before walking out.
• Elliðaárdalur: Visit Reykjavík says Elliðaárdalur, a wide green valley just outside the city centre, has little light pollution and is great if aurora activity is moderate.
• Heiðmörk Nature Reserve: Visit Reykjavík says Heiðmörk Nature Reserve, just beyond the south-eastern edge of the capital, is a protected area with very little light pollution, and that the shoreline of Lake Elliðavatn is one of its quietest places.
• Þingvellir National Park: Visit Reykjavík lists Þingvellir National Park as 45 minutes away and says its wide plains and clear horizon make it ideal for viewing the northern lights.

Visit Reykjavík says the yellow city buses run until around midnight and the Strætó app finds routes to Grótta or Elliðaárdalur; for the more remote spots, such as Heiðmörk or the lakes, a car is essential.

Visit Reykjavík says you can see the lights without a tour by renting a car, checking the forecast and driving outside the city, but to be cautious on icy roads. Visit Reykjavík advises dressing in layers, because you will be standing still in the cold for long periods, and bringing a red headlamp, because red light preserves your night vision while letting you move safely. Visit Reykjavík says most tour operators offer a free retry if the lights do not appear on your first night, so it is a good idea to book your tour at the start of your trip.