Top 5 Bodo Car Tours: An Honest Review

Top 5 Bodo Car Tours: An Honest Review

Scenic winter drive in Bodo Norway

So, you are seriously thinking about a trip up to Bodø, Norway. It’s almost a magical spot, you know, sitting just above the Arctic Circle where the world feels a little bit wilder. Frankly, getting around and seeing all the good stuff on your own can seem like a pretty big task. That is why a car tour is arguably the best way to really soak in the incredible nature all around you. You just get to sit back and watch the amazing scenery roll by, which is honestly the best part. We have checked out quite a few options, and to be honest, these five are the ones that really stood out for us.

Aurora Chasers Bodo: The Northern Lights Experience

Aurora Chasers Bodo: The Northern Lights Experience

Okay, let’s talk about the main event for many people, which is obviously the Northern Lights. With Aurora Chasers Bodo, it really feels less like a tour and more like you are on a genuine expedition. Basically, these guides are completely obsessed with the aurora, and they use, you know, all sorts of apps and local knowledge to literally chase down the clearest skies. Our guide, a local fellow named Lars, was so incredibly passionate; he just made the whole experience pretty special. He drove us, like, an hour out of the city to a spot that was totally dark, which at first was a bit spooky. Still, when the sky started to glow green, well, that feeling was absolutely unforgettable.

What they do, as a matter of fact, is set up a small, cozy base camp with a crackling fire. You just get to stand there with a warm cup of berry juice, staring up at the sky in complete silence, which is a very powerful feeling. The silence up there is almost as amazing as the lights themselves, you know? They actually help you with your camera settings too, so you can go home with some seriously amazing photos. At the end of the day, it’s not just about seeing the lights; it’s the whole adventure of the chase that makes this one really stand out from the crowd.

Saltstraumen Whirlwind Tours: Up Close with the Maelstrom

Saltstraumen Whirlwind Tours: Up Close with the Maelstrom

Honestly, you can’t visit Bodø and not see the Saltstraumen. It’s basically the world’s strongest tidal current, and frankly, it is a sight to behold. We went with Saltstraumen Whirlwind Tours because they seemed to really know their stuff about timing, which is definitely the most important part of seeing this natural wonder. The tour is, more or less, planned around the exact peak time when the water is moving the fastest. You know, you are driven to a few different viewpoints along the strait, some high up and some right down by the water’s edge. Our guide was an absolute expert; he seriously knew every eddy and whirlpool by name.

The sound is probably the first thing that hits you; it’s a deep, powerful roar that you can sort of feel in your chest. Then you see the water itself, which is just churning and twisting in these massive whirlpools that could, like, easily swallow a small boat. It’s a very humbling display of nature’s raw power, to be honest. This tour is pretty short, maybe just a few hours, but it’s so incredibly impressive. They provide you with some great information about the geology and the marine life too, which I mean, really adds a lot to just watching the water swirl.

Arctic Coastal Drives: The Kystriksveien Scenic Route

Arctic Coastal Drives: The Kystriksveien Scenic Route

Now, if you are looking for a more relaxed, full-day experience, the tour with Arctic Coastal Drives along a piece of the Kystriksveien coastal road is just phenomenal. This one is sort of all about the stunning views that just keep on coming, you know? It’s really less about a single destination and more about the incredible drive itself. The car was extremely comfortable, and our driver was great at stopping whenever we wanted to, like, snap a picture, which was pretty much every five minutes. The landscape here is honestly jaw-dropping; think jagged, snow-dusted mountains plunging straight into these bright, turquoise-colored fjords.

We actually stopped at a tiny, picturesque fishing village for lunch, which felt very authentic. The guide had some wonderful stories about life on the coast, both now and in the past, which really brought the whole region to life. It’s a very different vibe from the high-energy aurora or maelstrom tours; this one is sort of quiet and beautiful. It’s just you, the open road, and some of the most beautiful coastal scenery you will ever see, period. You’ll also get to take a ferry or two, which, you know, breaks up the drive and offers some really different perspectives of the coastline.

Bodø’s Hidden Gems Tour: A Local’s Perspective

Bodø's Hidden Gems Tour: A Local's Perspective

For those of us who kind of like to get away from the main tourist trail, the Hidden Gems Tour is an absolutely perfect choice. It is run by a small family operation, and it basically feels like a local friend is just showing you their favorite spots for the afternoon. We skipped the big, famous landmarks and instead visited places that, frankly, we never would have found on our own. For example, we explored an old coastal fort with some really amazing views and learned about its history during the Second World War. It was really quite moving, in a way.

Later, the guide took us to this little-known white sand beach that, you know, honestly looked like it belonged in the Caribbean, just with mountains instead of palm trees. The highlight for me was a stop at a local bakery in a small town for what was, seriously, the best cinnamon bun I have ever eaten. It’s those kinds of little, authentic moments that make a trip special, right? This tour is so much more personal and intimate than the others; you really get a sense of the real, everyday life in this part of Norway, which is just wonderful.

Viking Trails & History Tour: A Drive Through Time

Viking Trails & History Tour: A Drive Through Time

As a matter of fact, the Bodø area is steeped in a very rich history, especially Viking history, and the Viking Trails Tour does a fantastic job of connecting you with that ancient past. This isn’t just a boring history lesson, you know; it is an interactive and really engaging drive through landscapes that have barely changed in over a thousand years. Our guide was a history buff who told these incredible sagas and stories that, I mean, really made you feel the past come alive. It was just a little spooky but also pretty cool.

We drove to see ancient burial mounds that are just sitting there in a field, and we visited a reconstruction of a Viking chieftain’s longhouse which was utterly impressive. You could almost hear the echoes of the feasts and stories that happened there. The guide explained how the Vikings used the very same waterways and mountains that you see today, which honestly gives you a totally new appreciation for the landscape. For anyone interested in history or just looking for a story-filled day, this car tour is, at the end of the day, an absolutely captivating choice that gives a lot of depth to your visit.

“Frankly, letting someone else do the driving in the Arctic is the best decision you can make. You just get to press your face against the glass and absorb the wild beauty of it all, you know?”

  • Best for Lights: Aurora Chasers Bodo is seriously the top pick for a dedicated Northern Lights hunt.
  • Best for Power: Saltstraumen Whirlwind Tours is, you know, perfect for a short, powerful burst of natural awe.
  • Best for Scenery: Arctic Coastal Drives offers a full day of just ridiculously beautiful landscapes.
  • Best for Authenticity: Bodø’s Hidden Gems Tour is basically your ticket to seeing the area like a local.
  • Best for History: The Viking Trails & History Tour really connects you to the deep, ancient past of the region.

Read our full review: Bodo Car Tours Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Bodo Car Tour)