Best of · QUEENSTOWN HELICOPTER TOURS

The 15 Best Queenstown Helicopter Tours

45 flights  ·  from $149 a seat

Alpine landings between the Remarkables, Milford by air and the run over to the West Coast glaciers. These 15 are compared on landing site, airborne time and what the wind usually does to the afternoon slots.

Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing - The eight-minute flight 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

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown with an experienced English-speaking pilot, alpine landing, and views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding peaks. Pilots such as Jono, Bill, Danny, and Scottie have been praised for friendly commentary and smooth flying. Pickup and drop-off are available from selected hotels.

“The helicopter ride was a bucket list ticked off with my grandson. Was breathtaking amazing.”

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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight - The Rees Valley opens into braided river country
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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

2.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 202 reviews · 50 min · from $408

Take a 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Skippers Canyon, the Rees Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park, and Earnslaw Burn. Your English-speaking pilot points out glaciers, ice falls, alpine lakes, and Lord of the Rings locations. A glacier landing is planned, but weather and seasonal snow conditions can change the landing site.

“This was incredible!! Seeing all the landscape so close up & having time on the glacier was unreal! Definitely a must do!”

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Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown - Milford Sound from the air
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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

You’ll fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, cruise the fiord for about an hour, and land on a glacier or alpine site in Fiordland National Park. Pilots such as Luke, Jeremy, Will, Alfie, and Jack are praised for clear commentary and calm handling. Hotel pickup, headsets, and return transfers are included.

“Our pilot Michael was excellent showing us a most beautiful part of New Zealand and giving us a very memorable experience!”

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Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing - The Remarkables landing, about 10 minutes on the mountain
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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 roughly 25-minute helicopter trip from Queenstown’s Frankton base, with 15 to 20 minutes in the air and about 10 minutes on an alpine landing in the Remarkables. Your pilot provides live commentary, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Snow is seasonal, so bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes.

“Landing with my Beautiful wife on the mountain and snow was wonderful and special moment , we enjoyed the whole trip as action speaks louder than words”

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Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour - The Queenstown departure and safety briefing
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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

Fly from Queenstown over Fiordland National Park, land at Milford Sound, and cruise beneath cliffs and waterfalls before a return flight with a glacier or alpine landing. English-speaking pilots such as Luke, Jeremy, and Alfie have been praised for clear commentary and calm reassurance. Snow is seasonal, and weather may change the route.

“Absolutely amazing and breathtaking views and scenery. Would HIGHLY recommend the helicopter. Won’t see anything more spectacular. The pilot and crew are so friendly and supportive. Great”

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Queenstown: Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight - From Lake Wakatipu to the Southern Alps
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Queenstown: Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight

6.Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · from $547

Take a 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, Mt Aspiring, and the Rees and Dart valleys. Land for 5 to 10 minutes on Jura Glacier, where you can step into the snow and take photos. Hotel pickup, a trained alpine pilot, and return transport are included.

“Fantastic experience. Originally, we were due to fly in the morning; however, due to the weather it was cancelled. The person who phoned suggested we re-arrange for the afternoon. We were so pleased we could be flexible, as it was a spectacular experience. Our kids (10 and 7) thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.”

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Queenstown: Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing - What the mountains reveal from the air
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Queenstown: Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

7.Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

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

Take a 20-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown with an alpine landing on the Remarkables Spur at about 5,000 feet. Your English-speaking pilot points out glaciers, gold-mining sites, rivers, and Lord of the Rings filming areas. Pickup is available from selected hotels, and the flight path may change with weather.

“The flight was smooth and amazing. Jack was very friendly and polite. He also made sure we enjoy the flight . He also flewed the flight very smoothly”

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25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - The 25-minute route over Lake Wakatipu
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25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

8.25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

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

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Land at about 5,000 feet for roughly 10 minutes of photos and mountain views. Pickup, headsets, landing fees, and GST are included. Flights hold a maximum of six people, with pilots such as Kurt, Steve, Jack, and Mike providing commentary.

“Sooo fun! Must do this. Pilot Stephen was great! Views are amazing and landing on top of a mountain was the coolest!”

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Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight - Stepping onto a remote alpine peak
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Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

9.Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

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

Take a 35-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters. After a safety briefing, fly over the Queenstown Basin and historic Skippers Canyon, then land on a mountain peak for photographs. Pilots such as Alfie, Jeremy, Michael, and Jono are praised for clear commentary and calm, friendly service.

“Amazing experience even on a cloudy day. Beautiful country and great pilot/tour guide.”

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Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown - Reaching Tasman Glacier by helicopter
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Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

10.Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

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

Travel from Queenstown to Mt Cook by fixed-wing plane, then take a helicopter onto Tasman Glacier for about two hours on the ice. Your guide supplies boots, crampons, and safety gear, leading you through changing ice formations and caves. The group is limited to 11, with guides such as Scott, Sam, and Emma depending on the departure.

“An Amazing experience! Jason, our pilot, was outstanding and very skilled! They picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel. We highly recommend this once in a lifetime experience. Matt, our hiking guide was amazing too”

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Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown - Through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell
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Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

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

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

Travel from Queenstown to Aoraki Mt Cook in a small guided group, then take two helicopter flights to the Tasman Glacier for a guided ice hike. Expect warm gear, crampons, snacks, and expert local commentary from guides such as Tedd, Xavier, Collin, or Ryan. The day runs about 12 hours and depends heavily on weather.

“I would not recommend continuing on this tour is the weather is bad. Unfortunately the helihike portion was cancelled due to rain/wind which was understandable. The only options was to do a hike in the cold rain or wait in the hotel/visitor Read more”

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Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - Leaving Queenstown for Fiordland National Park
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Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

12.Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

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

Fly from Queenstown into Fiordland National Park with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters. Your pilot, often including Alfie, Luke, Kurt, or Jeremy, provides headset commentary as you pass Mitre Peak and Milford Sound. The tour includes a 30-minute Milford landing, hotel transfers, and a maximum of six people, with extra landings possible when weather allows.

“A highlight of our trip to Queenstown. I booked this early to ensure we had time to reschedule as it’s weather permitting. Our scheduled time was delayed by a couple of hours only and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Jeremy ouRead more”

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Milford Sound Heli Tour from Queenstown with 2 Alpine Landings - The second landing in glacier country
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Milford Sound Heli Tour from Queenstown with 2 Alpine Landings

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

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

Take a small-group helicopter flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound with live commentary from your pilot. You’ll see Mitre Peak, Fiordland’s rainforest valleys, and Tukuko Glacier, then make two weather-dependent landings: one at Milford Sound and one in a remote alpine area. Pilots including Pete, Bill, and Jono have earned praise for calm, engaging guidance.

“This tour was absolutely outstanding, i highly recommend taking this tour to see the amazingly beautiful sights of New Zealand. It is worth the cost. The staff is super friendly, the flight is super safe and the views incredible! I’d fly with them again any day!”

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Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown - Forty minutes above Queenstown
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Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

14.Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

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

From Queenstown Airport, your pilot flies you over the Southern Lakes region before landing the helicopter in a high alpine snowfield. Step out for photos, snow play, and quiet mountain views, then fly back to base. Pickup from select hotels, safety briefing, English commentary, and shared or private flights are 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 - Isengard, Amon Hen, and Lothlórien from above
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Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour

15.Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour

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

Fly 70 minutes from Queenstown over the Shotover River Gorge, Isengard, Lothlórien, and other film sites before landing on a glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park. Your pilot uses a location booklet for context, and the small group, hotel pickup, and two alpine landings keep the experience personal.

“Great experience and amazing scenery - our first helicopter ride. Improvements could be made tho in sound quality as both of us heard very little of what the pilot said during the trip, which was a LOTR trip with a pilot who worked there duriRead more”

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New in Queenstown Helicopter Tours

★ 5.06 Hour’s – Queenstown’s Helicopter Gin TourFrom $4698 reviews
★ 5.0Queenstown Helicopter Tour: Glacier Landing and Scenic ViewsFrom $4904 reviews
★ 5.0Queenstown Heli-Snowmobiling AdventureFrom $76921 reviews
★ 5.0Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn GlacierFrom $5702 reviews
★ 5.0Private Champagne Picnic on a Peak with Helicopter RideFrom $1,01420 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
★ 5.0The Ultimate Milford Sound Experience by Helicopter from Queenstown20 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Helicopter and Cruise Tour from QueenstownFrom $1,0158 reviews
★ 5.0Helicopter Tour Including Glacier Landing from QueenstownFrom $72723 reviews
★ 5.0Glenorchy Snow Landing Helicopter Flight 30minsFrom $2232 reviews
★ 5.0Grand Alpine Helicopter Flight – QueenstownFrom $3963 reviews
★ 5.0Glenorchy 50 min Helicopter Tour | Earnslaw Burn & WaterfallsFrom $3502 reviews
★ 5.0Altitude Golf by Helicopter from QueenstownFrom $47722 reviews
★ 5.0The Grand Circle 35-Minute Helicopter Tour & Alpine LandingFrom $2896 reviews

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