Are helicopter tours worth the money? If you ask me, I would say YES! But if you asked my Mom, the answer would be “When are we going?”. So yes, helicopter tours are worth it!
I got a lot of questions in the past few days after re-sharing a memory on my Facebook from one of my helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
BEST PLACES TO BOOK A HELICOPTER RIDE IN THE WORLD:
• Great Barrier Reef, Australia (see the heart reef! I recommend 100%)
• New Zealand South Island (one of my top heli landing tours)
• Sydney, Australia (see iconic harbour from above)
• Dubai, UAE (nothing better in the city of gold)
• Iceland (see the erupting volcano from above)
• Grand Canyon, USA (land inside the Grand Canyon)
• Hawaii, USA (epic views around the island)
As you might have guessed, yes, I love helicopter rides! I’ve done a couple in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and other parts of the world, so I know helicopter tours can be pricey.
Can be, yes! If you do your research, this unique and thrilling experience doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. But even if they are more upscale, you can’t put a price on memories.
Helicopter tours provide a bird’s-eye-view of some of the most breathtaking landscapes and cities around the world. They provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They are more time-efficient compared to traditional sightseeing tours, and an aerial experience you should try at least once in your life.
Below you will find reasons why are helicopter tours worth it!
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
Is a helicopter ride worth it
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Helicopter tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime view of landscapes like waterfalls, volcanoes, coastlines, or cities.
● They can be expensive, but the value often comes from the unique perspective, time-saving, and exclusivity, especially for special occasions or bucket-list destinations.
● Helicopter tours aren’t for everyone. Consider your budget, fear of flying, pilot, and travel priorities before booking to make sure it’s the right splurge for you.
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Reasons to book a helicopter tour
They offer a unique perspective
Helicopter tours offer a unique perspective of the scenery that is not possible from the ground.
You get to see stunning views of the landscape from a bird’s-eye view. Which is especially breathtaking if you’re flying over natural wonders such as waterfalls, canyons, or mountains.
Flying over a city, above the glacier, above the Hawaii island admiring waterfalls, or inside the Grand Canyon. This allows passengers to see the scenery from different angles, a new perspective, and a new way of seeing things.
A sightseeing helicopter ride in Dubai is an experience you should definitely add to your Dubai itinerary. From the air, you get a whole new perspective of the city’s layout, with its futuristic architecture and perfectly planned roads. You can see how tall Burj Khalifa really is compared to the other buildings, including the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.
You’ll also be able to clearly see the shape of Palm Jumeirah, and spot the emerging World Islands, a man-made map of the globe floating in the sea. It’s a view that’s impossible to get from the shore.
They allow you to explore remote areas
Besides offering a unique perspective, helicopter tours provide exclusive access to remote, hard-to-reach locations that are often inaccessible by any other means of transportation.
Such as remote mountain ranges, rugged coastlines, glaciers or inaccessible wilderness areas.
Unlike more conventional modes of travel, such as cars or buses, helicopters can fly at low altitudes and hover, giving you an intimate and elevated view of the landscape. This allows you to discover new landmarks and locations that may have gone unnoticed or are typically reserved for other travelers.
Booking a helicopter trip in New Zealand will give you the privilege of experiencing remote places. Scenic flights there will take you around the Southern Alps, above the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. I was lucky enough to have done it a couple of times.
You can choose to fly above only one of the glaciers on the South Island in New Zealand, above both or add flying over Mt. Cook as well. For the ultimate experience, you can even land on top of the glacier, something you can’t do without a helicopter.
If you budget and time permits, definitely add it to your New Zealand itinerary.
They are time efficient
We all dream of exploring at a slow, relaxed pace — but the reality is, time is not always our friend.
When your schedule is tight but you still want to experience something extraordinary, a helicopter flight is the perfect solution.
Helicopters offer a fast and direct way to reach remote or spread-out locations, cutting down hours of travel you’d otherwise spend in traffic, navigating roads, or renting a car. Instead of losing time, you gain it. All while enjoying a smooth, scenic ride from above. It’s a smart, efficient choice that lets you see more, with less hassle.
You can truly experience time efficiency when booking one of the cheapest helicopter tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Instead of spending hours on the road, you’ll be in the air with a helicopter pilot guiding you over stunning landmarks like the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, before reaching the rim of the Grand Canyon.
You can get best views only from the flight or book landing inside the canyon as well. Depending on your preferences, the return flight might finishes with a scenic fly over the Las Vegas Strip, all in the same amount of time you’d spend just driving there. I would add the flight to your Southwest roadtrip itinerary, as you will be visiting two different Grand Canyon rims.
You experience the thrill of a flight
Helicopter rides provide an unparalleled sense of freedom that can’t be experienced anywhere else.
It takes only a few minutes for the excitement (and adrenaline rush) to build up as you take off from the ground. A feeling of flying that’s raw, real, and unlike anything else.
There’s something undeniably exhilarating about taking to the skies in a helicopter. It can be a sudden lift-off, a sharp banked turn, or hovering effortlessly above landscapes below.
Flying in a helicopter over a volcano in Iceland or over Hawaiian volcanic landscape is exhilarating. There is nothing like taking off at high altitudes and flying over volcanoes, mountains, cliffs, and valleys. From high altitudes, you’ll witness Iceland’s raw, untamed beauty in a way no walking tour could ever offer.
You should deffinitely add it to your Hawaiian itinerary or Iceland Itinerary, as you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views. Just imagine lava fields stretching to the horizon, waterfalls falling into the ocean, and snow-covered mountain peaks. You will also be awarded with spectacular views, no walking tour can give you.
They are memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences
Helicopter tours are often considered once-in-a-lifetime experiences. For a reason.
They are an unforgettable experience if you celebrate a special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, engagement, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary. A scenic flight creates memories that last forever.
The thrill of flying, the breathtaking views from above, and the chance to see iconic landmarks from a completely new perspective all come together for an unforgettable adventure. With countless photo opportunities and that unmatched feeling of being above it all, it’s the kind of moment you’ll look back on for years to come.
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, from above is spectacular. It was one of the top things on my bucket list. Add flying over the famous Heart Reef, and landing on Whitehaven Beach (unique white sand is made from 98.9% pure silica, which is almost pure quartz) and you will have a perfect day.
If your Australian itinerary does not allow you to visit Airlie Beach, you can combine a perfect day on the outer reef with a scenic helicopter flight back to Cairns.
How much do helicopter tours cost
Helicopter tour prices can vary widely depending on the location, duration, and package.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from €100 to €500 per person for a 15–60 minute ride. Luxury or private tours can go even higher. Popular destinations like Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, Sydney or the Alps often come with premium pricing.
Tips for booking the best helicopter tour
When booking a helicopter tour, make sure to book in advance, especially during high season or at popular destinations. Although tours are pricey, due to weather and limited seating, you might not get on the flight. It happened to several passengers, who wanted to fly back over the Great Barrier Reef back to Cairns.
Check what’s included in your tour and think about flight duration, possible hotel pickup, commentary, or even a guaranteed window seat. Look for companies with strong safety records and good reviews, and always check cancellation policies.
Don’t forget to ask what happens if the tour gets canceled due to bad weather, as tours are weather-dependent.
When you are all set, don’t forget to dress comfortably and bring your camera. You do not need a lot of luggage, as you will not be allowed to bring it with you anyway.
Verdict: Are helicopter tours worth the money?
Helicopter tours aren’t cheap, but for many travelers, myself included, they’re a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s worth the splurge.
If you value unique perspectives, stunning aerial views of natural and man-made landscapes that are often inaccessible by other means of transportation, and thrilling moments, this can be one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
You will get access to remote locations, save time and include other activities in your travel itinerary, get unmatched photo opportunities, and travel more efficiently.
But if you’re budget-conscious or uncomfortable with flying, there may be other ways to explore a destination that better suit your travel style. In the end, it comes down to what kind of memories you want to create.
Make sure to read other useful travel tips on how to get rid of jet lag, how stay safe during an earthquake, and how to travel more sustainable. You can also read my guides about safety of destinations, such as is Barbados safe, is Zanzibar safe, best things to do and, if you plan a trip, plenty itinerary suggestions.
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