Queenstown · HELICOPTER TOURS

The 11 Best Helicopter Flights from Queenstown

11 tours  ·  from $149

Twenty minutes over the Remarkables or a full glacier run with a landing in snow. The 11 below are compared on air time, where they put down and what happens to your booking when the cloud sits low, which in this valley it often does.

Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing - Pickup from Queenstown hotels and the airport base
Helicopter Tours, Queenstown Snow and Alpine Landings, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 with an English-speaking pilot, then land at a remote alpine site chosen for the day’s weather. The Helicopter Line provides hotel pickup, commentary, and a small-group flight for up to six people. Expect snow in winter, rugged ground in summer, and excellent photo chances.

“Great scenic flight and the pilot was very informative and engaging”

Check availability →Read our full review

Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight - Skippers Canyon: gold-mining country from above
Helicopter Tours, Tour Reviews, Walter Peak Farm Cruises from Queenstown

Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

2.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 and Mt Aspiring National Park. See icefalls, alpine lakes and the Earnslaw Burn hanging glacier, then land on a glacier or nearby alpine site when conditions allow. Pilots such as Alfie, Jeremy and Alice provide commentary.

“This was one the highlights of my visit to New Zealand! Loved it and would recommend it to anyone! 👍”

Check availability →Read our full review

Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown - Milford Sound from the boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Half-Day, Helicopter Tours, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Queenstown Scenic Flights, Tour Reviews

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

This four-hour trip pairs a 1-hour-15-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown with a one-hour Milford Sound cruise and a glacier or alpine landing. Hotel transfers, headsets, and landing fees are included. Pilots such as Alfie, Luke, Will, and Jeremy are praised for smooth flying and helpful local commentary.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing - The alpine landing, about 10 minutes above Queenstown
Helicopter Tours, Queenstown Snow and Alpine Landings, Tour Reviews

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 Frankton over Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables. Your pilot, with commentary throughout, lands at about 1,538 metres for roughly 10 minutes of mountain views and photos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with warm clothing and sturdy shoes recommended.

“We had a fantastic flight, and Jono, the pilot, was great, he really made the trip enjoyable!! (Enjoy your beer Jono!!)”

Check availability →Read our full review

Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour - The helicopter flight into Milford Sound
Cruises & Boat Tours, Helicopter Tours, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 in Milford Sound for a scenic cruise, then return by helicopter with an alpine or glacier landing. English-speaking pilots such as Luke, Jeremy, Michael, and Andrew provide commentary, though routes and landing sites depend on weather.

“We loved the experience, even though my partner doesn't enjoy flying. Matt our pilot has fantastic at reassuring her & keeping her mind at ease. On the return flight from Milford Sounds, she began to enjoy it. The glacier landing was awesome & the views absolutely stunning. By the end of the flight you couldn't get the grin off her face & she was buzzing with excitement all evening. Matt has a brilliant sense of humour, professional, friendly & had excellent knowledge of the region. He even explained the engineering of how the helicopter worked, which I really enjoyed! A pity the cruise was only on the small boat, considering…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Queenstown: Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight - Mt Aspiring, Tititea, and the icefalls
Helicopter Tours, Tour Reviews

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 to Jura Glacier with a 5 to 10-minute snow landing. Your alpine-trained pilot points out Mt Aspiring, Lake Wakatipu, native forest, icefalls, and the Rees and Dart valleys. Hotel pickup is offered from central Queenstown.

“Amazing experience - truly bucket list worthy. Worth every $$ we paid. Our pilot was fabulous and so knowledgeable. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Queenstown: Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing - Leaving Queenstown for the Remarkables
Helicopter Tours, Queenstown Snow and Alpine Landings, Tour Reviews

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. Your English-speaking pilot points out glaciers, gold-mining sites, film locations, and mountain valleys. Pilots including Archie, Michael, Jack, Kurt, and Alfie are praised for smooth flying and friendly commentary.

“Amazing cured, pilot was 10/10. So much knowledge on the lord of the rings locations (even though we didn’t do that tour he was happy to chat about it)”

Check availability →Read our full review

25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - The Remarkables spur at 5,000 feet
Helicopter Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 Airbus Squirrel helicopter flight from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Hear commentary from pilots such as Kurt, Steve, or Jack, then land at about 5,000 feet for mountain photos. Hotel pickup, headsets, and landing fees are included.

“Captain Steve was absolutely wonderful. Obviously well trained but such a fun and kind personality. My daughter was so nervous but was at immediate ease with Steve. We would recommend this adventure to anyone visiting Queenstown!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight - The flight over Queenstown Basin
Helicopter Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

9.Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

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

Fly with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters over Queenstown Basin and historic Skippers Canyon, then land on an alpine peak. Expect an English-speaking pilot, safety briefing, hotel pickup from selected locations, and time for mountain photos. Flight paths and landing spots depend on weather.

“We were first-timers. Jeremy was an amazing pilot, and made everyone feel comfortable. His knowledge of the area and his commentary was spot on. Not only would we do this again, but we would love to have Jeremy again as our pilot. I would highly recommend this adventure to anyone considering it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown - Queenstown from the air
Helicopter Tours, Queenstown Snow and Alpine Landings, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

10.Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

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

Take a 40 to 45 minute helicopter flight from Queenstown Airport, with pickup from select hotels, live pilot commentary, and a snow landing high above town. Walk on the snow, take photos, build a snowman, or enjoy the silence before flying back.

“Best part of the trip. Superb professionalism and safety. Fun to the supreme. A must do while in Queenstown. See sights that you can only imagine.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Franz Josef Glacier Helihike ex Queenstown - Two Hours on the Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier Trips from Queenstown, Helicopter Tours, Tour Reviews

Franz Josef Glacier Helihike ex Queenstown

11.Franz Josef Glacier Helihike ex Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $1,178

Travel from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier by helicopter, then hike across the ice with provided boots and crampons. Your small group has a guide, about two hours on the glacier, and return transport. Bring lunch and snacks, since there is little time to buy food in Franz Josef.

“From start to finish, the service and communication were absolutely fabulous. Leading up to the event, every detail was clearly explained, and I felt well looked after. On the day, through no fault of the tour guide, the weather took a turn whicRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Book a Queenstown day

A boat, a ridge, a cellar or a canyon.