The 6 Fox Glacier Helicopter Tours That Earn Their Price

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

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

Fly onto Fox Glacier, gear up with boots and crampons, then spend up to three hours walking through blue ice, caves, arches, and icefalls. Guides such as Kate, Billy, Keeley, and Toa explain how the glacier changes. The return flight completes this four-hour trip from Fox Glacier village.

“Taylor our guide was excellent, finding plenty things to see on the glacier and explaining a lot about the terrain and glaciers in general.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Franz Josef: Twin Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers Helicopter Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 120 reviews · 30 min · from $263

Take a 30-minute helicopter flight from Franz Josef over Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, with views of the Southern Alps, Mount Cook, and Mount Tasman. Your pilot provides commentary, then lands on snow for about 10 minutes. Pilots have included Adrian, Paul, Ken, Jordy, Jamie, Olivia, and Mark.

“Once in a lifetime experience. Absolutely amazing to see the glacier and surrounding mountains. thr staff and pilot were great! I am not sure it's quite worth what I paid but I don't regret doing it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Fox Glacier: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 107 reviews · 25 min · from $230Best value

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Fox Glacier Township over crevasses, ice falls, and the Southern Alps. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary before landing on the snow for photos and alpine air. Flights carry up to six people and depend on good weather, with exact times confirmed after booking.

“The weather on the ground didn’t look good for a glacial landing, however, the pilot was still able to land. An awesome experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Fox Glacier and Mount Cook Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 36 reviews · 35 min · from $289

From Fox Glacier Village, you’ll fly over Fox Glacier’s crevasses and ice forms, land on a high snowfield for about 10 minutes, then pass Aoraki/Mount Cook before returning. An English-speaking pilot provides commentary. Weather can change the route, so leave room in your schedule.

“Die mangelnde Transparenz über Kosten und wirkliche Flugdauer. Wir haben einen 35-minütigen Flug für knapp 500 Euro gebucht. Wegen schlechter Wetterbedingungen würde aus 35 Minuten 12 Minuten. Der Veranstalter hält eine Entschädigung von 117 Euro für angemessen. 370 Euro für 12 Minuten sind das Ergebnis. Dem hätte ich niemals zugestimmt. Statt Mount Cook und den Fox Gletscher würde eine kleine Schleife nur über den Fox Gletscher geflogen. Der Franz Josef Gletscher würde auch nicht als Ersatz für den nicht angeflogen Mount Cook, angeflogen. Das finde ich nicht in Ordnung.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Franz Josef: Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight and Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 35 min · from $289

From the Franz Josef base, you fly over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, following the ice flow toward the high snowfields. The helicopter lands for about 10 minutes atop one glacier, giving you time for photos and a close look at crevasses, ice shapes, and the route carved below. English pilot commentary is included.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Franz Josef, Fox Glacier & Mt Cook Helicopter Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 40 min · from $391

Meet your English-speaking pilot at The Helicopter Line base in Franz Josef for a 40-minute flight over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Tasman Glacier, and Mount Cook. You will land on a glacier for a snow walk, with a small group of up to six people. Weather may change the route or flight time.

Check availability →Read our full review