Alaska is a land that captures the hearts of travelers, promises of young lovers, and dreams of nature enthusiasts.
You would think that the largest state of America will have a bustling population, but Alaska is also one of the least populated states in the country.
Such a combination of supreme natural beauty and wilderness piques travelers to visit the Last Frontier.
Alaska helicopter tours allow you to fly over one of the most beautiful places on the earth.
Imagine soaring above and getting marvelous bird’s-eye views of ice fields, glaciers, turquoise rivers, fjords, valleys, cliffs, dense forests, and more.
This article covers everything you need to know before booking an Alaska helicopter tour.
Top Tickets
# Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing- Anchorage area
# Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dog sled Tour – Anchorage area
# Glacier Landing Tour from GirdwoodIt’s highly recommended to book your Alaska helicopter tours tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
What’s ahead
Related Reads
Cost of helicopter tours in Alaska
The cheapest Alaska helicopter ride will cost approximately US$300 per person.
The most popular heli tour over Alaska starts from US$442 per person.
And at the higher end is the Helicopter and Glacier Paddle Boarding, the tickets of which can go up to US$1029 per person.
Prices of helicopter flights in Alaska depend on many factors. For instance:
- Airtime
- Off or peak season
- If the helicopter ride is part of a combo tour. For example, a helicopter tour with a dog sled ride
Helicopter rides can be a costly affair.
So, it is important to know the tour costs in advance to plan your trip and factor it in with other considerations.
But there is no doubt that a helicopter tour over Alaska is nothing short of a ride through heaven.
Discover the best Instagram-worthy captions to perfectly capture your thrilling helicopter ride over Alaska’s stunning skyline and landscapes.
Related: Experience the Thrill of Dog Sledding by Helicopter in Alaska
Best helicopter tours in Alaska
Below, we have curated a list of some of the best helicopter tours in the country, which also happen to provide the most value for your money.
Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing- Anchorage area
This 1-hour helicopter tour is your pass to the aerial views of the stunning Alaskan landscape.
Get a glimpse of the Knik River and Great Gorge.
On this tour, you will get to walk on the glacier, see it up close, and drink glacial water.
The guided glacier hike also sets the stage for witnessing native wildlife like moose, bears, and mountain goats.
Add a convenient hotel transfer facility for an extra fee.
Timings: Between 8.30 am and 5 pm
Departure and end point: Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (12+ years): US$442 per person
Child ticket (2 to 11 years): US$390 per person
Recommended
Fancy the idea of beholding the spectacular scenery of the Knik Glacier from a helicopter making three landings, including one alpine and one on an ice wall? Check out the Grand Knik Helicopter Tour with 3 landings.
Juneau Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk
This Juneau heli tour, a guided Alaskan excursion, is all things (n)ice.
The 2-hour joyride over with icefields, icefalls, glaciers, and much more will surely make its way to your heart.
Hover over Alaska’s stunning landscapes by air.
Touch down on the glacier for a glacier walkabout experience.
You can pick from three flight experiences.
Timings: 8.15 am to 4.15 pm, every hour
Note: The shuttle will pick up one hour before the listed flight time
Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point
Coastal Helicopters, 8995 Yandukin Dr, Juneau, AK 99801, USA. Get directions
Note: Big brown/green hangar located next to the Juneau Airport terminal with a large blue sign that reads “Coastal Helicopters.” Parking lot outside; check in at the main office
Cost of the tour
Premium Passenger Type: US$892 per person
Standard Passenger Type: US$405 per person
Standard Plus Passenger Type: US$600 per person
Related: Discover Ketchikan’s Beauty with Scenic Helicopter Rides
If you want to add the dog sledding experience to this tour, book the Juneau Helicopter Ride & Dogsledding Experience.
Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dog Sled Tour – Anchorage area
This 90-minute helicopter tour in Alaska is nothing short of a figment of your most beautiful imaginations.
Exploring North Anchorage landscapes, like Church Range and Knik Glacier from a helicopter.
Fly to the Troublesome Glacier to be transported across the glacier by a team of 40 sled dogs for a true Alaskan experience.
Awe at the sceneries of the snow land.
Witness native animals like moose, black bears, Dall sheep, and goats.
Explore blue melt pools, and the crevasses on the dogsled tour.
You can also click pictures with the dogs!
Add a convenient hotel transfer facility for an extra fee.
Timings: 8.30 am, 10.15 am, 12.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 4.30, and 6.30 pm
Departure and end point: Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (12+ years): US$617 per person
Child ticket (2 to 11 years): US$566 per person
Related: Explore Seward’s Landscapes with Exciting Helicopter Tours
Combine a helicopter flight, dogsled tour, and guided glacier walk for a multi-activity excursion with the Helicopter Glacier Dogsled Tour + Lower Glacier Landing in Anchorage Area.
Ketchikan Helicopter Tour
The 80-minute helicopter tour in Ketchikan, Alaska, takes you and makes you feel on “top of the world.”
Take in 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies, Pacific Ocean, Ketchikan, and the Tongass Narrows.
Land on a 1,800-ft (549-meter) mountain top.
Sip on a cup of tea or coffee in the tranquility of the stunning remoteness.
Note: You must arrive 20 minutes prior to the tour to allow for safety and flight instructions. This also provides time to take photos with the pilot and helicopter.
Timings: 8 am to 4.15 pm
Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour
Note: Your group will be picked up in a tan Chevy Astro van at the Liquid Sunshine Gauge in front of the Ketchikan’s Visitor’s Center at Berth 2. You can contact the tour operator’s office if you have any trouble finding the meeting location or if anything changes. If you are a Norwegian Cruise Line passenger, you may take the NCL shuttle bus to town, and you will be picked up on Berth 4
Cost of the tour (2+ years): US$300 per person
Book This TourRelated: Soar Over Denali with Breathtaking Helicopter Flights
This tour also comes in variants- Ketchikan Helicopter Tour, Mahoney Falls and Ketchikan Helicopter Tour, Mountain Lakes. Alternatively, you can save time and money by combining two top helicopter tours with the Helicopter Combo Tour in Ketchikan.
Helicopter and Glacier Dog Sledding Tour from Seward
This 90-minute helicopter tour of Seward is a fusion of two iconic Alaskan experiences.
Witness the beauty of Godwin Glacier up close for a truly immersive experience.
Get sweeping aerial views of the state of Seward and play with Husky puppies at the musher’s camp.
Learn all there is to know about dog sledding, the Alaskan state sport.
Arrive 20 minutes prior to the tour to allow for safety and flight instructions. This also provides time to take photos with the pilot and helicopter
Timings: Between 9 am and 5 pm
Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point
2210 Airport Rd 2210 Airport Rd, Seward, AK 99664, USA. Get directions
Note: Free parking is available at the front and side of the tour operator’s office. Spots are even large enough for RVs
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (13+ years): US$675 per person
Child ticket (2 to 12 years): US$615 per person
Summer Glacier Dogsledding Tour from Girdwood is another frozen fusion tour offering a helicopter and dogsled ride from Girdwood.
Glacier Landing Tour from Girdwood
Only a few fortunate people will ever walk on ancient ice, but you’re in luck with this helicopter ride in Alaska.
This 1-hour private helicopter tour of Alaska takes you over the Chugach Mountains, one of the most heavily glaciated regions in North America.
Get views that will be etched in your brain forever and the surreal opportunity to walk around on the glacier.
Timings: 11 am to 1.30 pm
Departure and end point: Pickup facility is available for this tour at Alyeska Resort1000 Arlberg Road, Girdwood, Anchorage, AK 99587. Get directions
Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point
Girdwood Airport, 599 Mt Hood Dr, Girdwood, AK 99587, USA. Get directions
Cost of the tour (13+ years): US$585 per person
Book This TourAnother treasure of aerial and ground exploration of Alaskan glaciers is the Prince William Sound Tour with Glacier Landing from Girdwood.
Bear Glacier Scenic Flight
Pierce through the skies as you move from Seward to Bear Glacier.
Discover Resurrection Bay with spectacular views of mountains, icebergs, waterfalls, and dense forests rolling by.
Behold Kenai Fjords National Park’s largest glacier.
Learn all about one of the world’s biggest glacial moraines on this guided 30-minute tour.
Timings: Between 9.30 am and 4.15 pm
Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point
2210 Airport Rd 2210 Airport Rd, Seward, AK 99664, USA. Get directions
Note: The heliport is located right outside the town. Free parking is available at the front and side of the tour operator’s office. Spots are even large enough for RVs
Cost of the tour: US$425 per person
Book This TourGrand View Tour
A 1-hour Seward helicopter tour over Alaskan wonders of nature is something only the fortunate enough get to experience.
Hover over the Bear Glacier in Resurrection Bay.
Soar above the mountains to Aialik Bay.
Catch a glimpse of bears, whales, calving ice sheets, giant icebergs, and more.
Take in the views of Kenai Fjords National Park, Harding Ice Field, and Chugach National Forest.
Take photographs of one of the most pristine landscapes of the planet.
Timings: 9.15 am, 10.30 am, 1.15 pm, and 5.15 pm
Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point
2210 Airport Rd 2210 Airport Rd, Seward, AK 99664, USA. Get directions
Cost of the tour: US$675 per person
Book This TourHeli Glacier Crevasse Ice Climbing
On this Alaska heli ride, Chugach Mountains and Knik Glacier come in full view as you hover above them in the sky.
Land next to a gigantic crevasse to begin ice climbing under the guidance of skilled experts.
Safety equipment like harnesses and helmets will be provided.
Explore massive glaciers and melt pools along the way.
This 4-hour tour also includes lunch after the ice climb.
Timings: 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm
Departure and end point: Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions
Cost of the tour (12+ years): US$1,338 per person
Book This TourHelicopter and Glacier Paddle Boarding
Imagine the adrenaline rush of being thousands of feet in the air with the most scenic landscape below you.
Spot native wildlife from your helicopter.
Enjoy alpine mountain views, mountaintop landing, glacier walks, and boating in crystal-clear waters.
Push the limits and witness Alaska by air, ground, and water on this 4-hour private tour.
A dry suit, personal flotation device, paddle board/ paddle, and micro-spikes will be provided on-site.
Savor a delectable lunch after such a long adventure.
Timings: 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm
Departure and end point: Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions
Cost of the tour (12+ years): US$1,129 per person
Book This TourWhat to expect on Alaska heli rides
Timings of the tour
Alaska heli flights are operational throughout the week.
The first batch of these tours can take off as early as 8.30 am and continue departures in slots up to 6.30 pm.
While most of the tours operate daily, they may get affected by the weather conditions.
Most tour operators prefer their participants reach the meeting point one hour before the aircraft’s departure.
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides over Alaska. Comfort surcharge will be applicable to passengers exceeding the weight limits.
A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, they will be canceled.
Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.
Most tours may not be wheelchair accessible.
Drones, smoking items (vapes, lighter, e-cigs), firearms, bags, bag packs, loose straps are not allowed onboard.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level. People with heart problems or other serious medical conditions must avoid the tours.
It is advised to wear layers and warm weather gear with a waterproof outer shell as you will land in the snow.
Tours that do not include transfers may offer them at additional costs. You may contact the operators to add them.
A valid passport is required.
No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.
Check in at least an hour early.
Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.
Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
Exclusions of the air tour
Alaska heli tours do not include food and drinks unless stated otherwise.
Souvenir photos, comfort surcharge, personal expenses, and winter gear are excluded from your ticket.
Your ticket price is also not inclusive of gratuities.
Accessibility to the tours
Anchorage Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing, Juneau Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk, Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dog sled Tour – Anchorage area, and Glacier Landing Tour from Girdwood are completely accessible to guests with disabilities.
The aircraft, transportation, and surfaces are completely wheelchair accessible, preventing any inconvenience for the guests.
Cancellation Policy
Only the Juneau Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk and Ketchikan Helicopter Tour is non-refundable in the event of a cancellation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.
No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.
Helicopter tours require good weather.
If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.
