Take a helicopter tour in Iceland
Soar over the houses and iconic sights of Reykjavík. Witness glaciers, volcanoes, and lagoons beneath your feet. Then land on a snow-covered mountain.
On a helicopter tour of Iceland, you can do exactly that and more. With your captain and expert guide, you’ll be shown the most incredible parts of Iceland from above. It’s a thrilling ride with simply incomparable views.
What does a crater, glacier, or lagoon like from above? There’s only one way to find out. Only an Iceland helicopter tour can show you these mind-blowing views.
Most helicopter tours start from Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. You’ll take off from the city’s domestic airport and fly above the most famous landmarks, including Hallgrímskirkja church and the Harpa concert hall. Enjoy the colourful houses and magnificent views over the fjord too.
As your helicopter leaves the city, the landscape unfolds beneath you. Witness rolling hills, fields, and lakes, before touching down on an isolated mountain summit. It goes without saying that you should make sure you pack your camera!
Alternatively, see Iceland’s volcanoes and craters on a helicopter tour of Reykjanes or the Golden Circle. It’s a unique way to see these volcanic landscapes.
Most helicopter tours last for about an hour, including the time you spend on the mountain. But start times are flexible and that will be confirmed closer to your tour, depending on vehicles and weather conditions.
Of course, you should be aware that all helicopter rides are weather dependent. While the air temperature doesn’t affect the flight—as there’s heating onboard—it will be affected by visibility and wind. So, if there’s heavy rain or snow, we may need to reschedule.
Ready to take the skies? Explore our Iceland helicopter tours to book your thrilling ride.
FAQ:
Most helicopter tours in Iceland start at the Reykjavík domestic airport. That’s two kilometres (less than 1.5 miles) south of the centre of town.
From here, you’ll see some of the most popular sights in the country, including Reykjanes, the Golden Circle, and much more. As we don’t need to worry about road traffic, we can even fly as far as Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, revealing some of the best sights on the south coast along the way.
If you’ve never taken a helicopter ride before, there are some things it’s worth bearing in mind before you do.
- It can be a little nerve-wracking to begin with. Taking off is a feeling like no other, particularly given the noise of the propeller.
- Listen to your pilot. The pilot is the boss onboard the helicopter. They’ll keep you safe and make sure you have the best time possible. In return, make sure you do what they say!
- Wear comfy, practical clothes. It’s best to avoid loose or dangly clothing and open-toed shoes.
- Bring a camera strap. On a helicopter, it’s best to make sure things stay safe even if you drop them. Using a camera strap (rather than your hand-held phone) is the best idea.
- Prepare for your itinerary. For example, if you’re touching down on a mountain, you’ll need appropriate clothes and footwear.
Before you get on the helicopter, your guide will talk you through all of the most important information.
There are many helicopter tours you can take in Iceland. You can fly over cities, mountains, craters, and volcanoes, or glaciers and lagoons. In fact, this being Iceland, many tours include all of these incredible sights and more! So, it’s up to you to decide which is best.
There’s no best time to take a helicopter tour—only the time that best suits you. So, if you have a specific time in mind—maybe you want to see dawn from the air—get in touch with us.
Note that the start time for our tours can change depending on the day and the weather. We’ll be in touch to arrange a time with you once you have made your booking.
The best time to take a helicopter tour depends on what you want to see.
If you want to get the most memorable views over Iceland’s jaw-dropping landscapes, a flight during the day might be your best option. Alternatively, dawn or dusk flights can bathe you in golden light.
Similarly, there’s no better season to take a helicopter tour of Iceland. In summer, most of the landscape will be green, while in winter it will be wearing its white winter coat.
The only really important consideration is the weather. You don’t want to be in a helicopter during a storm!
Helicopter rides differ in price depending on the type of helicopter, how many passengers you have, how long you want to be in the air, and where you want to go.
Check out individual tour pages for up to date information and prices.
The overwhelming majority of helicopter rides are really smooth. While planes don’t respond very well to turbulence, in a helicopter you’ll hardly notice. That’s thanks to the different ways that these vehicles fly.
Of course, this isn’t to say that there’ll be no bumps at all. But you’ll be surprised by how relaxing a helicopter ride can be!
You can take your phone on a helicopter ride, but it’s best if it stays securely in your pocket. If you want to snap photos of the magnificent views, it’s preferable to use a camera with a strap. This way, it stays secure if you drop it.
Helicopter tours are one of the most thrilling things you can do, in Iceland or elsewhere. See magnificent views you would otherwise miss and feel the adrenaline rush of flying fast over the land and sea. In every season, it’s an unforgettable experience that’s well worth your time.
There are helicopter tours available in Iceland that are shorter than an hour. These include the tour from Reykjavík in which you land on a mountaintop and flights over the Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark. On both, you’ll pack some of southwest Iceland’s best views into a short ride.
Bear in mind that time doesn’t include transport to and from the Reykjavík domestic airport. Account for this when making your travel plans. The airport is half an hour’s walk (or a five minute taxi) from the centre of town.