New Zealand · HELICOPTER TOURS

15 Helicopter Tours in New Zealand Worth an Early Alarm

88 tours  ·  from $107

15 helicopter tours that repay the money, with the price, the running time and who each one suits. The first entry is the one the rest have to beat.

Franz Josef Glacier: Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing - What happens at the Franz Josef meeting point
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Franz Josef Glacier: Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

1.Franz Josef Glacier: Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 619 reviews · 25 min · from $230Our pick

Fly over Franz Josef Glacier with an English-speaking pilot, then land for 10 minutes on snow or alpine terrain when conditions allow. You will see ice pinnacles, crevasses, and Southern Alps peaks from a helicopter, with pilots such as Mike, Poppy, Mark, and Aaron providing commentary. Weather can change the route or cancel the landing.

“This was one of the highlights of our 4 week trip to New Zealand, well organised and a fabulous experience. We got a call a day or two before to move our flight to an earlier time as the weather would be better and it certainly was. 25 min flight including plenty of time on the top to have photos hear some commentary from the pilot any so snow angels in the snow. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommend”

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Franz Josef: 35min Helicopter Trip over Two Glaciers - The first views: rainforest, rivers, and Franz Josef Glacier
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Franz Josef: 35min Helicopter Trip over Two Glaciers

2.35min Helicopter Trip over Two Glaciers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 451 reviews · 35 min · from $289

You’ll fly from Franz Josef over Franz Josef Glacier and either Fox or Tasman Glacier, with Mount Cook and the Southern Alps in view. Your English-speaking pilot, such as Poppy, Mike, Mark, or Gus, provides commentary before landing on a high snowfield for 10 minutes. Expect a small group, changing routes, and weather-dependent departures.

“Enjoyed the experience thoroughly. We were lucky to have beautiful sunny weather. Highly recommend this activity.”

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Mount Cook: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing - Flying up the Tasman Valley
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Mount Cook: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

3.Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 25 min · from $226Best value

Fly from Mount Cook Aerodrome through the Tasman Valley, over a blue glacier lake, and land in the Southern Alps with views toward Aoraki Mount Cook. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, and the small helicopter carries up to six people. Snow landings are common but not guaranteed in summer.

“Wow what an amazing experience!!! Highlight of my trip! Just stunning to see from the air and to actually land on a glacier was fab. Our initial flight got cancelled due to the weather so we went to the place anyway and got rebooked onto the next one. Communication was great, can’t fault them at all for that. Thankfully we managed to get up! The pilot was great, gave us facts along the way. A memory we will never forget!”

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Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing - Check-in at the Franz Josef helicopter base
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Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing

4.Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 342 reviews · 35 min · from $289

Fly above Franz Josef and Fox glaciers with an English-speaking pilot, then land on the snow for photographs and mountain views. The 35-minute trip includes about 30 minutes in the air. Weather controls the schedule, so book early in your stay and allow time for a change.

“great day with a great guide. You couldn't expect more in this tour.”

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Franz Josef: 2.5 Hour Glacier Hike with Helicopter Transfer - From Glacier Base to the helipad
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Franz Josef: 2.5 Hour Glacier Hike with Helicopter Transfer

5.2.5 Hour Glacier Hike with Helicopter Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 322 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $475

Fly from Franz Josef town onto the glacier, then spend 2.5 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring crevasses, ice caves, ropes, and changing blue ice. Guides such as Ryan, Sarah, Drew, and Abby are praised for clear safety help and lively stories. Allow at least four hours, and build in extra days for weather.

“Well planned, the entire trip took 4 hours + including preparation, debriefing etc before heading out to the helipad and glaciers. The glaciers presented a moderate challenge, as we meandered through deep crevasses, engaging in some exhilarating climbing with the aid of sturdy ropes. From a physical standpoint, the demands were manageable, and the staff were exceptionally attentive, ensuring that everyone received the necessary assistance to navigate the terrain. The views were absolutely breathtaking, offering a visual feast that was undeniably worth every penny spent. The helicopter ride, in particular, served as an exhilarating aerial tour, showcasing the region's stunning landscapes from...”

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Fox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer - Starting at 44 Main Road in Fox Glacier
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Fox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer

6.Fox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 309 reviews · 4 hours · from $448

Fly onto Fox Glacier, fit crampons, and spend up to three hours exploring ice caves, arches, crevasses, and meltwater channels with guides such as Kate, Billy, or Keeley. You’ll return by helicopter after a safety-led hike on changing glacier terrain. Warm clothing, food, sunscreen, and gloves are still worth bringing.

“Super recommend, nice walking is the glacier.friendly staff”

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Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing - From your hotel to the helicopter base
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Queenstown: Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

7.Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 291 reviews · 25 min · from $230

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown with an alpine landing chosen by your pilot. See Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and Queenstown from above, with inflight commentary, hotel transfers from selected locations, and room for up to six people. Snow is possible in winter, but the landing surface depends on the day.

“Stunning day at Queenstown, scottie is our pilot and very professional and experienced. Especially with little kids we found he flew very stable for takeoff & landing. The landing on the remarkables was amazing view and great experience for our family :) certainly recommending for next trip or friends & family !”

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Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight - What the helicopter adds
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Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

8.Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 45 min · from $328

At Mount Cook Aerodrome, you’ll fly by ski plane and helicopter over the Tasman Valley, blue glacier lake, Hochstetter Icefall, and Aoraki Mount Cook. The aircraft lands on the Tasman Glacier, shuts down, and lets you step onto the snow. Flight order can change, and weather may require a reschedule or alternate glacier.

“Cool. The pilots are very helpful and friendly. I am not tall and both pilots help me up and down the ski plane and helicopter. Bravo to them. Thank you very much. I have a wonderful day.”

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Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike - The 45-minute briefing at Mount Cook Airport
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Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

9.3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 235 reviews · 3 hours · from $537

Fly from Mount Cook Airport to a remote Tasman Glacier landing site, then follow guides such as Hunter, Anna, or Tori across blue ice, moulins, tunnels, and caves. You get boots, crampons, warm layers, and two scenic helicopter flights, with up to two hours on the glacier when weather allows.

“We had the most amazing time viewing the blue caves and heli hike on the glacier. Highly recommend.”

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Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight with Landing - The 25-minute flight and alpine landing
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Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight with Landing

10.Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight with Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · from $238Top rated

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, rainforest, and the Southern Alps with Glacier Country Helicopters. Your flight includes an alpine landing of about 10 minutes, though snow is seasonal. Pilots such as Mark, Mike, Rachel, and Sam have been praised for calm, informative flying. Weather may change the route or landing site.

“Fantastic experience. Safe and comfortable helicopter ride with a very informative pilot/ guide. Great feeling walking on the glacier.”

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Franz Josef Glacier 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing - What you see above Franz Josef Glacier
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Franz Josef Glacier 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

11.Franz Josef Glacier 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · from $245

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Franz Josef township over icefalls, crevasses, and snowfields, then land on the glacier for about 10 minutes. Pilots such as Richard, Simon, James, and Steve have been praised for calm, clear guidance. Bring warm clothing, sunglasses, sturdy shoes, and a camera.

“Straight forward and professional service. Went with my wife and we were lucky to get a beautiful day. The experience was fantastic. I would definitely recommend.”

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Franz Josef: Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing - The flight over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers
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Franz Josef: Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

12.Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · from $308

From Franz Josef town, fly over both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers with pilot commentary, then land on snow for about 10 minutes. You may see Mount Cook, blue icefalls, crevasses, seracs, and deep valleys. The helicopter holds up to six people, and warm clothing plus sturdy shoes are essential.

“There was cloud coverage coming in so we spent more time on the glacier than I believe is normal. Our pilot wasn't the most informative but that was ok.”

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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight - Why Earnslaw Burn is worth seeing
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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

13.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 175 reviews · from $378

Take a 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Skippers Canyon, the Rees Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park, and the Earnslaw Burn. You may land on or near a glacier, depending on snow and crevasse conditions. English-speaking pilots such as Alfie, Jeremy, Jack, and Alice provide commentary along the way.

“What a fantastic day we had. We were immediately put at ease in terms of safety, with all of the staff being very professional and informative. Our pilot was excellent and very considerate - he realised my partner was a little nervous about flying and managed to calm her nerves. The flight itself was fantastic - we landed on a relatively small but accessible glacier: Bryant Glacier, and the pilot ensured that we did not walk on any unsafe sections of the glacier. Then we explored so many beautiful areas of the mountain range, including a stunning hanging glacier (Earnslaw Burn?), and got to see from above, some LotR sights,…”

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Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown - Arriving above Milford Sound
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Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

14.Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · from $887

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, cruise the fiord for about an hour, then return by helicopter with a glacier or alpine landing in Fiordland. The flight lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes within a four-hour outing, with hotel transfers and pilots such as Luke, Will, Jeremy, Alfie, and Jack.

“That you land after the cruise on top of a mountain. We were lucky enough for there to be snow in summer in January 2026”

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Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing - The Remarkables alpine landing
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Queenstown: Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing

15.Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $245

Take a 20-minute scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, with an alpine landing about 5,046 feet up. Your pilot, such as Bill, Jezza, Jono, or Ben, provides live commentary, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Snow may be present at the landing site, depending on the season and weather.

“We were excited about the trip to begin with, but we didn’t even realize we were going to get to land on the top of a mountain and walk around. The experience allowed us to see gorgeous views of Queenstown and the surrounding wonderful mountains! I would highly recommend adventure to anyone who enjoys getting up high!”

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New in Helicopter Tours

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