The best helicopter tours around Manhattan are one of the best tourist experiences you can have.
If you're thinking of things to see and do in New York City, a helicopter tour over Manhattan could be the unforgettable experience you need to fall in love with the city that never sleeps. This great metropolis is known for the height of its buildings.
The idea of enjoying the scenery that distinguishes this great city is therefore something that is highly recommended, especially from the point of view offered by a helicopter. We invite you to continue reading this article, in which we give you all the details regarding the amount to pay, the duration of the experience and its benefits.
1. The short helicopter tours to see the best of Manhattan
The short helicopter tour in the New York sky is the preferred option when you want to enjoy excellent views in a short time and at a low cost. This type of tour allows participants to see the main buildings of the city from above. Especially those located on the island of Manhattan.
You will see theStatue of Liberty, the financial district of Wall Street and Ground Zero, where the 9/11 attacks took place. The Empire State Building, as well as most of Central Park, are also part of the adventure.
The experience is suitable for small groups. If you are unaccompanied, there will likely be other people in the helicopter. This type of flight over Manhattan is usually cancelable for free after your purchase, provided you give sufficient notice.
Flight Details:
Price : A standard length trip costs approximately 200 Euros per passenger. These fares apply to anyone over the age of two.
Duration : The short trip across the New York skyline usually takes 15 minutes.
Advantages : The advantage of this type of tour is that it is a less expensive alternative. Also, the starting point is usually one of the piers at the southern end of Manhattan.
Disadvantages: Some consider a 15-minute flight too short to fully enjoy a helicopter flight.
2. Extended or Longer Trips
There are also helicopter tours with a longer itinerary. They are very similar to the short tour, but in this case the flight time is about 20 minutes. The longest variant can be up to half an hour of flight time, which allows you to enjoy the sights of New York for longer.
These longer tours fly over Manhattan from south to north, allowing you to see the great buildings of Downtown and Uptown. You'll also see the historic neighborhoods of the Upper East Side, Upper West Side and Harlem. In fact, these itineraries are better because they include flying overother iconic New York neighborhoods, such as the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn.
Both of these experiences are among the best things to do in New York City with kids.
Flight Details:
Price : The price per person for an extended trip ranges from 280 euros to 340 euros per participant.
Duration : Varies from 20 to 30 minutes.
Pros : A 30-minute trip guarantees flying over 80% of the four largest boroughs in New York City.
Disadvantages: The experience is significantly more expensive and it is always a shared flight with other passengers.
3. Night flights to see the lights of Manhattan
In this case, the itinerary is quite similar to that of the longer trips. However, the departure point is usually a heliport located in the suburbs of New Jersey.
The interesting thing about this night tour is that New York is internationally known for the number of lights that emanate from thousands of buildings, both in Manhattan and in other neighborhoods.
This is an interesting option from a budget point of view, in the sense that a cab ride to see all the lights of New York at night is very expensive.
If you're more interested in seeing the main sights of Manhattan at night, a dinner cruise along the Hudson River is a great alternative. Many boats leave from the Manhattan piers, others leave from Hoboken or Weehawken, just across the river.
Interesting Details:
Price : A helicopter flight into the night sky from New Jersey usually costs around 270 euros per person.
Duration : Almost always 25 minutes and up to half an hour depending on wind conditions.
Benefits : Flying over New York City at night is an unforgettable experience. In addition, the experience is economical, as the price of the helicopter flight and cab rides to and from New Jersey, is very similar to that of a traditional flight from Manhattan.
Disadvantages: Some people are not sold on the idea of going all the way to New Jersey because of the travel time to and from the heliport.
4. New York VIP Helicopter Flights
A helicopter flight in the skies over Manhattan can also be a luxurious and exclusive experience. A fourth option is to take a VIP flight for a one-time fee, which includes an extended 30-minute ride and free champagne for all participants.
The prices are quite high, but you have the option of choosing couples-only helicopters. There are also helicopters for groups of up to five passengers, and very luxurious helicopter tours used by the city's billionaires.
This is the most appropriate option for those who choose luxury and exclusivity. Regarding the itinerary, you should know that it is basically the same. It covers the island of Manhattan from north to south, as well as other representative neighborhoods of the city such as Brooklyn and the Bronx. Flights take place from mid-day to sunset.
Flight details:
Price : Fares range from 1,820 to 4,600 euros. The price difference depends on the type of helicopter chosen.
Duration : A VIP flight usually lasts 30 minutes.
Benefits : This is an ideal experience if you want to experience half an hour like the real elites of New York. Also, the fact that the price applies to the whole helicopter and not to each passenger is very convenient.
Disadvantages: Unaffordable for many people's budgets. Also, it doesn't offer much difference from other helicopter experiences.
Duration of the best helicopter tours in Manhattan
The usual duration of the best Manhattan helicopter tours ranges from 15 minutes to a maximum of 35 minutes. However, alternatives of 35 or 40 minutes are possible, with overflights of areas outside of the 5 major New York City boroughs.
This is a great sightseeing activity that won't take up too much of your time and can fit perfectly into a 48-hour visit to New York City, regardless of the season.
If you're on a business trip and short on time, a 30-minute flight to see the entire city from the air is a great investment of time and money.
Regular price for the best helicopter tours in Manhattan
It should be noted that the that the price of a helicopter flight in New York is somewhat high, ranging from 150 to 350 euros. This is due to the fact that it is the most visited city in the United States and that the flight over a city is a tourist service focused on exclusivity and luxury. It is a real privilege to be able to see some of the tallest buildings on the planet from this perspective.
New York is a city where you can save money by choosing inexpensive activities or even free entertainment. Thus, visiting public parks and famous squares while in New York can help you balance your time and budget so that a helicopter ride can be part of your trip.
What are the best places to see from the best helicopter tours in Manhattan?
Taking part in a helicopter tour to fly over Manhattan is sure to be fun. Here are some of the places that will impress you the most on this trip through the air:
The Empire State Building
Once the tallest building on the planet, it is now one of the most important architectural monuments of the 20th century in New York. It is probably the most famous skyscraper in the world and stands out in the Uptown area by its night lighting and its large antenna.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty tops the list of the most famous statues in the world. Since its installation at the end of the 19th century, it has served as a welcome sign in the harbor of one of the world's largest cities. In addition, it symbolizes values that are very important to Americans, such as solidarity and empathy.
Central Park and its surroundings
Central Park is one of the largest urban parks in the world and is a benchmark for landscaping and the integration of nature into everyday urban life. It stands out in the Manhattan landscape as anelongated rectangular oasis of trees and lakes in the middle of an island that is now a concrete jungle.
One World Trade Center
The southern tip of Manhattan Island is home to some of the most famous skyscrapers in all of America and was the location most affected by the 9/11 attacks. The twin towers are now gone, but the area Americans call "Ground Zero" is home to an impressive skyscraper, the One World Trade Center, at the top of the list of the city's tallest buildings.
Brooklyn Bridge
The island of Manhattan has several bridges that connect it to other parts of New York City. The Brooklyn Bridge is certainly the most famous of them. It is considered one of the most impressive and iconic structures in the city. This is why it is always part of helicopter tours, whether they are short or long.
