New Zealand · QUEENSTOWN HELICOPTER TOURS

The 15 Best Helicopter Tours in Queenstown

40 tours  ·  from $135 a head

A helicopter puts the Remarkables, a glacier or Milford Sound within easy reach of town. The 15 flights below are compared on airtime, alpine landings and what each minute costs.

Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing - Eight minutes over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
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Queenstown: Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

1.Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

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

Fly above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu on a 25-minute helicopter trip, with your pilot choosing an alpine landing spot to suit the day’s conditions. Expect local commentary, hotel pickup from selected central locations, and a short stop on a remote mountain site. Snow is possible in winter, but the landing terrain changes with the season and weather.

“Worth every cent, we had a group of 8 so split across 2 helicopters. The pilots met up on the mountain so we could take a group photo. The experience was one I will remember for a long time!”

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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight - A 50-minute flight, not a ground tour
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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

2.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

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

This 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown crosses Skippers Canyon and the Rees Valley to the glaciers and waterfalls of Mt. Aspiring National Park. You may land on a glacier, though summer conditions can change the landing plan. Your pilot provides English commentary, and pickup is available from selected Queenstown locations.

“Utterly superb. How amazing to stand on a glacier. The views were breathtaking. The pilot was great and very informative. An absolute highlight of our trip to stunning New Zealand.”

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Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown - The glacier or alpine landing
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Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

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

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

Trade the long road journey for a helicopter flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with about 1 hour 15 minutes of flight time, a one-hour cruise, and a glacier or alpine landing in Fiordland National Park. Expect a small group of up to six, hotel pickup and drop-off, and pilot commentary. The landing spot depends on conditions.

“Fantastic trip. Will our Pilot was great, landing on the glacier was a great experience. The weather was beautiful for the Milford Sound and we even saw a pod of dolphins. Highly recommended.”

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Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing - Stepping onto the alpine landing site
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Queenstown: Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing

4.Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing

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

Take a six-passenger helicopter from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, then step onto an alpine landing at 1,538 meters for about 10 minutes. Your pilot provides commentary, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Snow may be present seasonally, so bring warm clothes and sturdy footwear.

“Everyone should do this when in Queenstown. 100% recommended. So great to fly over the mountains and land on a snow covered ridge.”

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Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour - Milford Sound from the water
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Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour

5.Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 165 reviews · 4 hours · from $786

From Queenstown, fly by helicopter over Fiordland to Milford Sound, cruise beneath sheer cliffs and waterfalls, then take a second scenic flight with a glacier or alpine landing. Pilots such as Jeremy, Luke and Michael have shared local and film-location stories, though your pilot and landing site depend on the day.

“If you’re looking to do a tour of Milford Sound, this is the one to do! Such an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. Breathtaking views and our guide, Jeremy, was so knowledgeable about everything. You won’t regret it, this is one that I definitely worth the money! Thanks Jeremy!”

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Queenstown: Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing - The view from the helicopter
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Queenstown: Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

6.Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 91 reviews · from $149Best value

Take a 20-minute helicopter flight above Queenstown and land on the Remarkables Spur, weather permitting, for views over the Wakatipu basin, Coronet Peak, and Cecil Peak. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary on local geology, gold-mining traces, and film locations. Pilots have included Archie, Michael, Jack, Kurt, and Alfie.

“Fantastic - stunning scenery that you can only see by trudging up a mountain through the snow or grabbing a lift on a helicopter. Definitely do this. Our guide/pilot Archie was personable, friendly and skilled. It’s something else seeing these mountains from the top, crunching through the snow and breathing in the cold mountain air.”

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25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - Pickup, check-in, and boarding
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25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

7.25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $179

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu to a 5,000-foot landing on a spur in the Remarkables. Your pilot narrates through a headset, and a small group of up to six keeps the cabin intimate. Hotel pickup is offered. Bring warm, water-resistant shoes if snow is present.

“This is probably one of the best things I have ever done in my life. Exceeded our expectations. Decided to book this as a family for my son’s 10th birthday. The helicopter easy fit our family of 2 adults and 4 kids and we all had amazing views regardless of where we sat. We landed up on the snow and took some lovely photos threw some snowballs, lost a shoe in the snow and laughed while putting it back on. Truly an amazing time. The staff were professional and polite and we appreciated their flexibility around the fog to get us the best conditions. Don’t even think about it book…”

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Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight - Queenstown Basin from above
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Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

8.Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 88 reviews · 35 min · from $239

Take a 35-minute scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters. Fly over Skippers Canyon and the Queenstown Basin, hear pilot commentary on local geology and gold-mining history, and land on a remote alpine peak for photos. Hotel pickup is available from selected locations. Pilots named on past trips include Alfie, Jeremy, Michael, Jono, and Luke, but your pilot may differ.

“Awesome experience, exciting, rewarding. Great people with heaps of friendly information.”

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Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown - What the flights add
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Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

9.Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $1,178

From Queenstown, fly by fixed-wing plane to Mt Cook, then transfer by helicopter to Tasman Glacier for a guided hike of about two hours. Your guide leads you across the ice and may show you caves and other changing formations. Boots, crampons, safety gear, and Queenstown transfers are included. Bring your own lunch.

“Such a great experience, our guide Scott was very knowledgeable and made sure the whole group got to see some unique sights. Seeing the Glacier up close was definitely a highlight of the trip.”

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Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown - Lake Pukaki and the approach to Aoraki Mount Cook
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Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

10.Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $750

Leave Queenstown at 6:30 am in a small, guided group for a day of mountain roads, photo stops, and a Tasman Glacier heli hike. Two scenic helicopter flights and hiking gear are included. Guides such as Tedd, Xavier, and Cameron have led trips, but weather and flight availability can change the plan.

“The driver and the tour guide, "Plate" (the sound of his name) was trying to create a positive atmosphere for this Mt Cook tour on a cold and rainy day (5th April, 2023) He's knowledgeable and introduced related background information about the things we saw along the route to Mt Cook. The cafe in Omarama that we stopped for a break was fantastic and we had a lovely hot chocolate and sandwiches for morning tea there. (much better than another cafe in Omarama which is chosen by InterCity) He also kept us up-to-dated to the weather condition that might affect our helicopter flight to glacier (was cancelled due to the…”

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Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - What to expect on the flight and at the landing
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Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

11.Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $887

Take a small-group helicopter flight from Queenstown into Fiordland National Park, above Milford Sound and its cruise boats, past Mitre Peak, and toward the Tasman Sea. A 30-minute landing allows time for photos and a comfort break. Transfers, headsets, and pilot commentary are included. Routes and extra landings can vary with conditions.

“We had a fantastic flight with Alfie over the Fiordlands. He was very relaxed and professional. It was spectacular and we were lucky to have a beautiful day with snow on the alps. We were able to get three landings which really made the experience wonderful. Truely worth going.”

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Milford Sound Heli Tour from Queenstown with 2 Alpine Landings - The second alpine landing
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Milford Sound Heli Tour from Queenstown with 2 Alpine Landings

12.Milford Sound Heli Tour from Queenstown with 2 Alpine Landings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $859

Take a 1.5-hour helicopter flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with a landing at the fiord and a second alpine landing chosen by your pilot. Expect live commentary, views of Mitre Peak and Tukuko Glacier, and hotel pickup from central Queenstown. Pilot guides have included Bill, Pete, and Jono, though your pilot is assigned on the day.

“Fantastic experience, extremely well looked after, staff and crew were excellent. Highly recommended.”

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Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown - Returning by air, with the mountain behind you
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Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

13.Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $570

Take a roughly 45-minute helicopter trip from Queenstown, with 40 to 45 minutes of flight time and a landing in an alpine snowfield. Your pilot chooses a mountain in the Southern Lakes region, gives live commentary, and leaves time to enjoy the snow and take photos. Pickup from select Queenstown hotels is available.

“Ben was a great pilot and guide! Terrific experience. Friendly, professional, top notch all around. It was truly over the top!”

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Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour - Two alpine landings, including a glacier
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Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour

14.Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $679

From Queenstown, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters takes you over the Shotover River Gorge and *Lord of the Rings* filming sites, then makes two alpine landings, including one on a glacier. Expect about 70 minutes in the air, a small group of no more than 15, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a booklet to help identify film locations.

“I came with high expectations and they were easily exceeded. Ernie's effortless skill was evident and he showed us the LOTR locations and their stories from his personal experience. He made sure to approach from every angle to ensure eveRead more”

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Milford Sound and the Glaciers Helicopter Tour including Landing from Queenstown - Across rainforest, frozen lakes and mountain peaks
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Milford Sound and the Glaciers Helicopter Tour including Landing from Queenstown

15.Milford Sound and the Glaciers Helicopter Tour including Landing from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $884

From Queenstown, a pilot-guide takes you over the Southern Alps and Milford Sound before heading north to the glacier areas. The roughly 90-minute flight includes a landing beside a glacier for photos and a short walk on uneven ground. Headsets, national park fees and hotel pickup are included; flights depend on weather.

“Incredible experience. Knowledgeable and professional pilot and immaculate helicopter. Worth every dollar”

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New in Queenstown Helicopter Tours

★ 5.0The Ultimate Milford Sound Experience by Helicopter from Queenstown20 reviews
★ 5.0Milford and Fiordland Highlights Tour by Helicopter from QueenstownFrom $1,27218 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from QueenstownFrom $9615 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Helicopter Flight and Cruise from QueenstownFrom $1,27218 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Helicopter and Cruise Tour from QueenstownFrom $1,0158 reviews
★ 5.0Grand Alpine Helicopter Flight – QueenstownFrom $3963 reviews
★ 5.0Altitude Golf by Helicopter from QueenstownFrom $47722 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Grand Tour Helicopter Scenic Flight Departing from Milford SoundFrom $5554 reviews
★ 4.5Glacier Galore Helicopter Scenic Flight from Milford SoundFrom $3695 reviews
★ 5.0The Grand Circle 30-Minute Helicopter Tour & Alpine LandingFrom $2615 reviews
★ 5.0Helicopter Flight and Gin Tasting TourFrom $4503 reviews
★ 5.0Snowmobiling Experience with Helicopter FlightFrom $66013 reviews
★ 4.6Remarakbles Helicopter Tour with Alpine LandingFrom $1915 reviews
★ 5.0Helicopter & Wine Tasting TourFrom $5236 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Scenic Helicopter Flight with LandingFrom $70514 reviews

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