Seeing the northern lights by car
Last updated: 8 November 2026
Prepared by Ring Road Cars at Keflavík Airport and checked against the official sources listed at the end of this page.
Short answer
From September to April, on a dark, clear night, the northern lights can appear anywhere in Iceland. Check the aurora and cloud forecast on vedur.is, drive away from town lights, and park only in a proper parking area — never on the road or its shoulder. In winter, check umferdin.is before you set off, because roads can turn icy after dark.
When you can see them
- September to April: the nights are dark enough, and activity often peaks around the equinoxes in September and March.
- Clear skies matter more than anything — the lights shine far above the clouds.
- Darkness: town lights and a bright moon wash out faint auroras.
- Solar activity can't be predicted far ahead, so plan a few possible evenings rather than one.
Reading the forecast
The Icelandic Met Office's aurora forecast combines the expected aurora activity with a cloud-cover map of Iceland, plus sunset, sunrise and moonlight. Look for clear areas you can reach on main roads, and check again before you leave — the forecast changes through the day.
The clouds decide the night
A strong aurora behind thick cloud stays invisible, while a modest one under a clear sky can be beautiful. The cloud map is often the more useful half of the forecast.
Where to stop
- Drive away from town lights; even a short drive out of town makes a difference.
- Stop only in proper parking areas: viewpoint car parks, trailhead parking or other marked areas — never on the road, its shoulder, a bridge or a junction.
- Never drive off the road. Off-road driving is prohibited in Iceland, damages fragile nature and, under our rental terms, costs €1,000 (40(f)).
- Move carefully in the dark: take a flashlight, and don't step onto the road to take pictures.
Driving at night in winter
- Check umferdin.is and the weather on vedur.is before you leave; roads can freeze after dark. In winter the road map is updated only until 22:00.
- Keep the fuel tank well filled and dress in warm layers — you may wait outside for a long time.
- Tell someone where you are going, and in an emergency call 112.
- Watch for other drivers looking at the sky, and for animals on the road.
More on winter roads: How to check road conditions in Iceland.
Questions about the northern lights by car
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland?
Between September and April, on dark nights with clear skies; activity often peaks around the equinoxes in September and March. Solar activity can't be predicted far ahead, so check the forecast on the day.
Can I see the northern lights on my own with a rental car?
Yes. A car lets you drive to wherever the sky is clear. Check the aurora and cloud forecast on vedur.is, and park only in proper parking areas.
Where should I stop to watch the northern lights?
In a proper parking area, viewpoint or trailhead car park, away from town lights. Never stop on the road or its shoulder, and never drive off the road.
Is it safe to drive at night in winter to see the northern lights?
With care, on main roads. Roads can turn icy after dark, so check umferdin.is and the weather before you go, keep the tank well filled and dress warmly.
Do I need a 4x4 to see the northern lights?
No. Main roads are fine in a car on winter tires, but from November to March we strongly recommend AWD or 4×4 for winter driving.
Official sources
The facts on this page come from these sources (checked 8 November 2026):