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The 4 best nyc helicopter rides and tours.

Take a New York City helicopter tour to gain a new perspective of the Big Apple.

The Best NYC Helicopter Rides and Tours

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New York City has one of the most magnificent skylines in the world, and admiring it from the air aboard a helicopter tour is a sightseeing experience unlike any other. You can choose from varying flight lengths and departure locations, though many take you over the same key attractions. U.S. News compiled this list of the best helicopter tours in the city, with the help of traveler opinion and expert input.

Note: Many helicopter tour providers charge a heliport (facility) fee on top of the tour price. The cost varies by provider, but you can expect to pay $30 to $40 per passenger.

HeliNY – The Ultimate Tour

Price: From $249 Duration: 20 minutes

Get a bird's-eye view of the world-famous Manhattan skyline on this flight with HeliNY. On the Ultimate Tour – the company's most popular – the pilot will treat you and up to five other passengers to aerial views of many top city sights, like the Statue of Liberty, the George Washington Bridge, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Yankee Stadium and more. Reviewers describe seeing "million dollar" views on this tour and say the crew was highly professional and informative, with several describing the helicopter tour as a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience that's worth the money. However, a few travelers express disappointment in the flight's short length.

Tours depart Monday through Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.; the last tour takes off at 5 p.m. All tours leave from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Children younger than 2 ride for free in an adult's lap. HeliNY offers a variety of tours departing from both Manhattan and New Jersey, including outings that last about 30 minutes and a private helicopter tour option.

Check prices & availability on:

HeliNY – City Skyline Experience        

Price: From $244 Duration: 30 minutes

On this New York City helicopter tour, which departs from New Jersey's Linden Airport, you'll soar high above Manhattan and over the Hudson River to see attractions like Central Park, Hudson Yards, the Chrysler Building and One World Trade Center. Tourgoers call the experience the highlight of their New York trip and highly praise the organized staff and the personable pilot. Some note that you cannot see much from the craft's middle seat.

There is no cost for children younger than 2, who must sit on an adult's lap. Tours, which are limited to six passengers, are available Monday through Saturday in the evenings (exact times depend on the time of year). There are departures all day long on Sunday.

Zip Aviation – Liberty Harbor Helicopter Tour

Price: From $229 Duration: 15 minutes

If you're short on time or looking for a slightly more budget-friendly option, book this tour, which flies over most of the major Manhattan attractions. On the flight, you'll see the Statue of Liberty, the National September 11 Memorial, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and Times Square, among other sights. Most reviewers describe it as a smooth ride with incredible views. However, some note that seats are assigned upon arrival (based on weight) and it can be difficult to see from the middle seat. If you would like to guarantee a good seat and a great view, the company recommends booking a private tour.

Tours are available Monday through Saturday approximately every 30 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Flights depart from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. If you're looking for a slightly longer flight, consider Zip Aviation's Big City Helicopter Tour or its Grand Island Helicopter Tour.

Zip Aviation – Grand Island Helicopter Tour

Price: From $359 Duration: 30 minutes

On this ride, you'll spot key NYC sights like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the Empire State Building, as well as Ellis Island, Yankee Stadium, Harlem and the USS Intrepid. Along the way, you'll hear a prerecorded narration about the sights below. Tour-takers describe the staff as courteous and professional, and they say the views are outstanding.

Flights are available to book Monday through Saturday; they depart every half-hour from about 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You can also choose from various other tours the company offers, including a nighttime flight of the city skyline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anytime is a great time to take a helicopter tour. Companies often recommend booking your tour early in your trip in case your flight is canceled. This way, you have ample chances to rebook.

The weight limit per passenger ranges from 275 to 300 pounds. Some companies will require individuals who weigh more than 250 pounds to purchase an additional seat. Check your chosen provider's policies before you book. Also keep in mind that you'll be seated in the helicopter based on weight to keep the craft balanced during flight.

Tipping your pilot is not required but generally appreciated. If you choose to tip, pay about $20 per person. You could also tip about 15% of the total cost of your tour.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best New York City Walking Tours
• The Best New York City Boat Tours
• The Best New York City Food Tours
• The Best Hotels in New York City
• The Best Travel Medical Insurance

Tags: Travel , Vacations , Tours , New York City

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• 1 (212)-355-0801

[email protected]

NYC Departures

Experience the Big Apple like never before with a HeliNY New York City helicopter tour! The most exciting way to view all of New York’s major landmarks from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park and everything in between! Hop aboard and let us show you New York City from a whole new perspective!

FIND THE RIGHT TOUR

HeliNY offers three amazing New York City helicopter tours that showcase our great city. If you’re not sure which tour is best for you then check out the chart below to compare our routes.

• Statue of Liberty
• Ellis Island
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Governor’s Island
• One World Trade Center
• Billionaires Row
• Madison Square Garden
• Chrysler Building
• Empire State Building
• Little Island
• Chelsea Piers
• The High Line
• Hudson Yards
• Times Square
• The Intrepid
• Central Park

Starting at:

$259 Per Seat

+$40 facility fee and fuel surcharge per seat

• Columbia University
• Yankee Stadium
• The Palisades
• George Washington Bridge
• The Met Cloisters
• Tip of Manhattan

$289 Per Seat

• Verrazzano Bridge
• Coney Island

$389 Per Seat

The heliny difference, safety first.

Safety is paramount! Flying Bell407 helicopters that include the state-of-the-art TCAS system (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) maintained by our in-house team of factory certified technicians! On site we ensure you receive a safety briefing and are always escorted to your aircraft by our trained ground crew.

EXPERIENCED PILOTS

HeliNY conducts regular recurring training to ensure our pilots are ready to take you on a journey you will never forget. Our pilots come to HeliNY with at least 1,000 flight hours, their training ensures they know the Bell407 aircraft inside and out, not to mention some facts about NYC they can share with you on your tour.

5 STAR SERVICE

Our service is how we stand out! We understand that your HeliNY experience begins the first time you contact us! From our reservations, ground crew and pilots, we strive to ensure you have a stress free and exciting experience! Our attention to customer satisfaction is why we’re rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor!

OUR DEPARTURE LOCATION

GETTING HERE From Times Square it takes about 30 minutes to reach the Heliport by subway or taxi. Keep in mind that any travel after 4pm will take longer due to commuter traffic.

We are a 5 minute walk from the South Ferry subway station; this is the last stop on the 1 train Downtown. If you are using Google Maps or Apple Maps, enter “Downtown Manhattan Heliport” as the address. If you are using a GPS device sometimes our address isn’t recognized, please use 6 East River Piers, New York, 10004.

If you are driving, there is no parking at the heliport but there is a parking garage at the intersection of South Street & Whitehall Street, South St & Old Slip Rd or at the South Street Seaport (Pier 17).

Address Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 East River Piers, New York, NY 10004

LOOKING FOR TOURS FROM NEW JERSEY?

Want to see when New York really sparkles or top your weekend off with a Sunday trip around NYC? Our location in Linden, NJ offers the same great NYC helicopter tour views, is easily accessible, and has departure times not available from Manhattan!

ABOUT OUR TOURS

Our New York City helicopter tours take you far above the hustle and bustle of the streets below! Let us provide you with a brand new perspective of New York City’s iconic landmarks, including the Empire State Building, the One World Trade Center, and Central Park!

Your New York City helicopter tour can take you as far north as the George Washington Bridge and south to the Verrazzano Bridge showing you all the sights in between! Delight in flying by New York’s historic landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Chrysler Building, and the over 150-year-old Brooklyn Bridge. No matter your sightseeing goals, a New York City helicopter tour is a must-have to make any visit memorable.

Still Have Questions?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions . Email us at [email protected] , call us at (212)-355-0801 , or start a chat

GET IN TOUCH

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

1 (212) 355-0801

Monday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

Tuesday – Wednesday: 8:00 am – 7:00pm

Thursday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

1 (212) 248-2016

24/7, please leave a voicemail

Downtown Manhattan Heliport

6 East River Piers,

New York, NY 10004

Linden Municipal Airport

1101 W Edgar Rd,

Linden, NJ 07036

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(212) 786-5751

NEW YORK CITY HELICOPTER TOURS

Elevating your experience, award winning luxury nyc helicopter tours.

Our Packages

Departing from Downtown Manhattan, Additional Packages from NJ

THE MANHATTAN TOUR

• + $40 heliport fee per seat Subject to seasonal pricing.

THE BIG APPLE TOUR

THE EMPIRE TOUR

Gift them the ultimate nyc experience..

Departing from New Jersey

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NYC SKYLINE TOUR

NYC LIGHTS TOUR

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Manhattan Helicopters

Breathtaking Helicopter Tours over New York City

Classic Manhattan Helicopter Tour

Take a flight that you will remember for a lifetime! Departing from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, the Classic Manhattan Tour begins at the majestic the Statue of Liberty, followed by the world-famous Manhattan Skyline.

• Calendar Monday-Saturday 9:30am-6:30pm
• Clock 12-15 Minutes

Choose A NYC Helicopter Tour

• Clock 18-20 Minutes

Deluxe Manhattan Helicopter Tour

An exciting and comprehensive helicopter tour of New York City with breathtaking views and excellent photo opportunities! This extended version of the Classic Tour will treat you to the best views of New York City including the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Central park.

• 4 Passenger Minimum
• Calendar 4 Passenger Minimum , Monday-Saturday 9:30am-6:30pm
• Clock 25-30 Minutes

VIP Manhattan Helicopter Tour

All aboard for the most spectacular and unforgettable experience of your New York visit! With the extended route and approximately 30-minute duration, you’ll be sure to feel like a VIP on the VIP Tour!

Why Choose Manhattan Helicopters?

There is nothing more important to us than ensuring your safety.

In addition to luxury seating for ultimate comfort , our helicopters are equipped with oversized window for prime visibility.

We have the most modern fleet in the industry. We will make you feel like a VIP.

We are proud to offer tours in nine languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.

Hear Why Sightseers Love Us on TripAdvisor

On our holiday to New York City it was on our list to have a helicopter ride! What a fabulous experience! I was very fortunate to sit with the pilot, Andrew from Dublin (I am from Wales so it was a great connection instantly), and he gave me one of the best life experiences. It was amazing!! Between the Statue of Liberty, the NYC skyline, and the bridges, I can’t recommend it enough!

Loved every minute of this trip. It is well worth the money spent. A big thank you to the pilot - he looked after us, explaining everything whilst taking us to the heliport. The waiting area was clean and the guys were friendly. He was very friendly and chatty, wanting to know where everyone came from. I really recommend this trip if you want an unforgettable experience.

I spent a few days in New York City with my girlfriend and we did a lot of things, but without a doubt, the highlight of our trip was Manhattan Helicopters. The service was so efficient that we were flying in no time, but the best part was the friendliness of the place, especially from Santiago and Osvaldo Vigo. Those two gentlemen were amazing!! Highly recommend the tour to anybody.

I booked the VIP tour, which included 25 minutes of helicopter tour. As soon as I arrived, they got me on the flight with my 8-year-old daughter, and everything was in order and done in a very professional manner. The ride was awesome, as we got the front row, right next to the pilot so we could see the panoramic view, which was a great experience.