Queenstown is known as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ and attracts more than 3 million tourists annually.
The visitors come in for unique thrills in water, air, and land – activities such as Skydiving, Paragliding, bungee jumping, Ziplining, canoe jumping, helicopter rides, etc.
With places such as Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, Tasman Glacier, Mount Cook, Middle-Earth Waterfalls, Mt. Tutoko, Richardson Mountains, Lake Wakatipu, and more to see, helicopter trips are a hot choice.
This article covers everything you must know before booking a helicopter tour from Queenstown.
Top Tickets
# Mt Cook Adventure Tour
# Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour
# Helicopter tour + snow landing + Milford Sound cruiseIt’s highly recommended to book your Helicopter tour from Queenstown 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
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Best helicopter tours from Queenstown
Since there is so much to see and do, Queenstown helicopter rides come in many flavors.
Below are our favorite ten heli ours, which are popular with vacationers in this part of New Zealand.
All these tours come with live commentary by the Pilot.
Helicopter tour + snow landing + Milford Sound cruise
This 4-hour trip starts when you board a six-seater Airbus Squirrel helicopter.
Set off for Milford Sound, the most popular fiord in New Zealand.
A fjord or fiord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs created by a glacier.
Once you land on the famous fiord, you embark on a scenic cruise to explore Milford’s sheer cliffs and phenomenal waterfalls.
If you are lucky – and most visitors are – you will see dolphins, seals, and penguins.
Once the Cruise is over, you board the helicopter again for an aerial tour, followed by a snow landing on Mt. Tutoko.
After ten minutes, you take off again and return to Queenstown.
Tour Operator: Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
Tour timings: 8 am to 5 pm
Inclusions:
- Landing and facility fees
- Headsets to hear the pilot clearly
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (12+ years): US$838 per person
*Child ticket (up to 11 years): US$588 per person
*If your less than three years old kid will sit in your lap, they can join the tour for free. No need to buy tickets for them.
Book This TourRelated: Tips to Overcome Your Fear of Flying
Glacier Heli-hike tour from Queenstown
Start this 6-hour tour by boarding an airplane in Queenstown.
Since the fixed-wing plane can’t land on snow, you change to a helicopter for the last leg of your journey.
The helicopter passes over the deep crevasses of the icefalls and waterfalls to land on either the upper Franz Josef icefall or the Tasman glacier.
Buckle up your hiking boots and crampons to begin your two-hour snow hike.
We don’t recommend this tour for pregnant travelers and people with severe medical conditions.
Tour Operator: True South Flights
Tour timings: 9 am
Inclusions:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Hiking boots and crampons are provided
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (14+ years): US$975 per person
Child ticket (8 to 13 years): US$853 per person
Related: Know How Long to Wait After Scuba Diving Before Flying
Mt Cook Adventure Tour
On this 12-hour trip, you rise above the streets of Queenstown, quite literally!
Head to the mighty Southern Alps in luxury and style.
Spend the day at Mount Cook Village, which is at the foot of Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain.
During this tour, you can include a helicopter experience whenever you want – to reach there or to get back or board a chopper to see the stunning views of Mt Cook, or if you dare, go on a heli hike.
If you decide to spend time in the Mt Cook Village, you can check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center, and visit an alpine salmon farm.
Tour Operator: Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Tour timings: 6.30 am
Inclusions:
- Small Group and Fully Guided Tour
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Transport to Hooker Valley Track
Cost of the tour
Tour & Ultimate Alpine Exp.: US$445 per person
Mt Cook Tour & Helihiking: US$609 per person
Related: Discover Why Helicopter Tours Make an Excellent Gift
Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour
This 20-minute trip is one of the cheapest helicopter experiences from Queenstown.
On this helicopter flight, you fly over Lake Wakatipu for stunning aerial views.
Take in the fantastic views of the Remarkables mountain range.
You will also be able to get down to feel the snow under your feet.
After spending ten minutes taking photos and exploring, you get back to your helicopter for the return trip.
Tour Operator: Totally Tourism – The Helicopter Line
Tour timings: 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 3.30 pm
Inclusions:
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Scenic helicopter flight with landing (20 minutes)
- Pilot guide
- Live commentary on board
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (15+ years): US$206 per person
Child ticket (4 to 14 years): US$144 per person
Infant ticket (up to 3 years): US$103 per person
Related: Experience the Thrill of Doors-Off Helicopter Tours
Alpine Scenic Flight from Queenstown with snow landing
This 30-minute trip happens on a 6-seater Airbus Squirrel helicopter.
See spectacular views of Skippers Canyon, the Wakatipu Basin, and Queenstown.
Land on a snow-capped peak to take in the fresh air and photographs.
Tour Operator: Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
Tour timings: 8 am to 5 pm
Inclusions:
- Landing and facility fees
- Headsets to hear the pilot clearly
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (12+ years): US$290 per person
Child ticket (up to 11 years): US$203 per person
Yet another helicopter operator called Over the Top Limited offers the same tour with a 45-minute duration. Check them out
Related: Enjoy Breathtaking Views with Sunset Helicopter Tours
Clarke Glacier Explorer Flight
This 50-minute helicopter tour starts with views of Queenstown.
Move on to bask in the beauty of the Paradise Valley and, finally, of the Mount Aspiring National Park.
Enjoy captivating scenery of blue-green ice formations and majestic mountain spires.
Reach Clarke Glacier for a touchdown.
After you’ve gotten your dose of the snow and taken enough photographs, hop back on the chopper to return to Queenstown.
Tour Operator: Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
Tour timings: 9 am, 2 pm, 3 pm
Inclusions:
- Landing and facility fees
- Headsets to hear the pilot clearly
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (12+ years): US$494 per person
Child ticket (up to 11 years): US$347 per person
Southern Glacier Experience Helicopter Flight
This 50-minute trip starts when you take off on your chopper from the Northern shores of Lake Wakatipu.
The rugged peaks of the Remarkables mountain range come into view.
Look down for the most refreshing perspective of Queenstown.
Once you reach Jura Glacier, the helicopter lowers itself for a snow landing.
Admire the panoramic views of Mt Aspiring’s remote alpine landscape.
On the way back, you see picturesque valleys of the Rees and Dart rivers.
The tour is ideal for families and couples.
Tour Operator: The Helicopter Line
Tour timings: 8 am to 4 pm
Inclusions:
- Hotel pick up and drop off from centrally located Queenstown hotels
- Scenic helicopter flight with snow landing (5-10 minutes)
- Informative commentary during the flight
- Professionally trained pilots have specific experience flying in New Zealand’s alpine environment
- New Zealand’s Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (15+ years): US$475 per person
Child ticket (4 to 14 years): US$331 per person
Infant ticket (up to 3 years): US$238 per person
Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour
Mr. Alfie Speight will be the Pilot and host of this 70-minute helicopter tour.
He was the primary film pilot for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies and also piloted his chopper during numerous stunt scenes of ‘Mission Impossible – Fallout.’
Throughout the tour, you get to hear his stories about how the movies were filmed.
Mr. Speight lands the helicopter at two places – Clarke Glacier in Mt. Aspiring National Park and Skippers Canyon.
Some of the fictional spots you can see during this tour include Isengard, Misty Mountains, Amon Hen, Lothlorien, and the Redhorn Pass.
You also get to see the mountain range from the opening scene of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.’
Tour Operator: Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
Tour timings: 8 am to 5 pm
Inclusions:
- Landing and facility fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 70 minutes of flight time
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (12+ years): US$655 per person
Child ticket (up to 11 years): US$462 per person
Departure point
Heli Tours from Queenstown offer a hotel pickup facility.
Alternatively, you can also head directly to the meeting point.
Address: 35 Lucas Place, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand. Get Directions
The heliport is near public transportation.
The tours end back at the meeting point.
There are multiple take-offs daily, so book early to get your preferred time slot.
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable Queenstown helicopter rides.
A minimum and a maximum of passengers are required on these tours, and if they fail, they will be canceled.
Some tours are free for infants below three years, and others charge highly discounted tickets.
Weather-appropriate dressing is advised due to cold temperatures.
Moderate fitness is required for these tours.
No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.
Some tours may not be wheelchair accessible.
The tours are not recommended for pregnant travelers or travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
A valid passport or ID card is required.
Flight times are approximate, subject to weather conditions.
Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
Exclusions of the air tour
Personal expenses and gratuities are not included in your Queenstown heli tour tickets.
They also exclude meals, food, and drinks unless stated otherwise.
Souvenir photos are not clubbed in your ticket price. They will be available for purchase separately.
Cancellation Policy
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.
