Rent a car to chase the Northern Lights

It's a question we get all the time: Should I rent a car or go on an aurora tour?

Aurora tours are generally a very good option and the safest one too. Guides will normally know where to go and should also know how to read the space weather and local magnetic data.

On the other hand, renting a car allows you to travel on your own at your own pace to any location you wish. This is especially important if you're a photographer that needs time to find the perfect, most photogenic locations.

Although Iceland is known for being cloudy, it's seldom completely overcast everywhere. Conditions can be vastly different between short distances, even only one or two hours drive away from where you are staying.

By being mobile, you can improve your chances of catching the Northern Lights immensely. That's precisely why renting a car to chase aurora is highly recommended. There are, however, few important things to keep in mind.

Tips for successful aurora hunting by renting a car

• Rent a car from carrental.is and use the coupon code icelandatnight for a 10% discount
• Make sure you are not too tired to drive. Really, Northern Lights are beautiful but not worth taking any unnecessary risks.
• Check the road conditions at road.is. Sometimes the sky opens up after a day of snow or rain and the roads become icy. Are you comfortable driving in snow or icy conditions? If not, aurora tours are definitely the way to go.
• Drive safely, drive safely, drive safely. Take your time, there's no rush.
• Chase openings in the cloud cover by following the weather forecast and satellite images. Just make sure your travel buddy does so if you are driving. No cell phones at the wheel, please!
• Find a safe place to park - never park on the edge of a road.
• While parked, keep an eye on the real time space weather data.
• Bring warm clothes and snacks and loads of patience. Iceland can be windy and cold and sometimes you do have to wait a bit for aurora to appear.

Want to visit the highlands? Rent a 4x4

The Icelandic highlands are stunning. Gravel roads and occasional river crossings mean that you have to rent a 4x4 to drive there. Keep in mind that during the winter roads often become impassable.

Late August and early September is the perfect time to visit the highlands. The late summer nights are especially beautiful. Just after midnight, there's sufficient darkness to see the Northern Lights. We highly recommend Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll.

Rent an electric vehicle

Iceland's electricity generation is almost entirely from renewable sources, primarily hydropower and geothermal energy. So make your travel a little bit more eco friendly by renting an electric car. There are numerous charging stations in multiple locations, even at many hotels.

This story is written in cooperation with carrental.is. Please use the coupon code icelandatnight for a 10% discount on your rental car in Iceland.