Alaska Helicopter Tours- prices, duration, departures

Alaska is a land of rugged wilderness, towering mountains, vast glaciers, and untamed beauty.

While its vastness and remoteness can make accessing some of its most captivating sights challenging, there’s a thrilling way to experience the grandeur of this unique landscape: a helicopter tour of Alaska.

Imagine flying above immense ice fields, glaciers, turquoise rivers, fjords, valleys, sheer cliffs, dense forests, and everything else Alaska has a lot to offer.

This article will explain all you need to know before booking an Alaska helicopter tour.

Cost of helicopter tours in Alaska

Helicopter rides can be a costly affair.

So, it is important to know the tour costs in advance to plan your trip and factor it in with other considerations.

But there is no doubt that a helicopter tour over Alaska is nothing short of a ride through heaven.

The cheapest Alaska helicopter ride will cost approximately US$285 per person.

The most popular heli tour over Alaska starts from US$421 per person.

And at the higher end is the Helicopter and Glacier Paddle Boarding, the tickets of which can go up to US$1029 per person.

Prices of helicopter flights in Alaska depend on many factors. For instance:

1. Airtime
2. Off or peak season
3. If the helicopter ride is part of a combo tour. For example, a helicopter tour with a dog sled ride

Best helicopter tours in Alaska

Below, we have curated a list of some of the best helicopter tours in the country, which also happen to provide the most value for your money.

Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing- Anchorage area

This helicopter tour in Anchorage, Alaska, not only offers aerial views of the stunning Alaskan landscape, Knik River, and Great Gorge but also allows you to walk on the glacier, see it up close, and drink glacial water.

The guided glacier hike also sets the stage for witnessing native wildlife like moose, bears, and mountain goats.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes with 30 minutes of flight time

Timings: Between 8.45 am and 5 pm

Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point

Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions

Cost of the tour with Anchorage Transfers

Adults (12+ years): US$490 per person
Child (2-11 years): US$439 per person

Cost of the tour without Anchorage Transfers

Adults (12+ years): US$421 per person
Child (2-11 years): US$370 per person

Fancy the idea of beholding the spectacular scenery of the Knik Glacier from a helicopter making three landings, including one alpine and one on an ice wall? Check out the Grand Knik Helicopter Tour with 3 landings.

Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dog sled Tour – Anchorage area

This glacier helicopter tour in Alaska is one right out of your most beautiful dreams.

After exploring North Anchorage landscapes, like Church Range and Knik Glacier from a helicopter, fly to the Troublesome Glacier to be transported across it by a team of 40 sled dogs for a true Alaskan experience.

Awe at the sceneries of the snow land and witness native animals like moose, black bears, Dall sheep, and goats, blue melt pools, and the crevasses on the dogsled tour.

You can also click pictures with the dogs!

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes with 30 minutes of flight time

Timings: 8.30 am, 10.15 am, 12.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 4.30, and 6.30 pm

Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point

Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions

Cost of the tour with Anchorage Transfers

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$665 per person
Child ticket (2 to 11 years): US$614 per person

Cost of the tour with Anchorage Transfers

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$596 per person
Child ticket (2 to 11 years): US$545 per person

Combine a helicopter flight, dogsled tour, and guided glacier walk for a multi-activity excursion with the Helicopter Glacier Dogsled Tour + Lower Glacier Landing in Anchorage Area.

Juneau Shore Excursion: Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk

This Juneau helicopter tour, a guided Alaskan excursion, is all things n(ice) with icefields, icefalls, glaciers, and much more for you to see.

Hover over Alaska’s stunning landscapes by air and then touch down on the glacier for a glacier walkabout experience.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes with 27 minutes of flight time

Timings: 8.15 am to 4.15 pm, every hour

Note: The shuttle will pick up one hour before the listed flight time

Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point

Coastal Helicopters, 8995 Yandukin Dr, Juneau, AK 99801, USA. Get directions

Note: Big brown/green hangar located next to the Juneau Airport terminal with a large blue sign that reads “Coastal Helicopters.” Parking lot outside; check in at the main office

Cost: US$368 per person

Ketchikan Helicopter Tour

The helicopter tour in Ketchikan, Alaska, takes you and makes you feel on “top of the world.”

After imbibing 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies, Pacific Ocean, Ketchikan, and the Tongass Narrows, you get to land on a 1,800-ft (549-meter) mountain top.

Sip on a cup of tea or coffee in the tranquility of the stunning remoteness.

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes with 20 to 30 minutes of flight time

Note: You must arrive 20 minutes prior to the tour to allow for safety and flight instructions. This also provides time to take photos with the pilot and helicopter.

Timings: 8 am to 5.30 pm, every 30 minutes

Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour

Note: Your group will be picked up in a tan Chevy Astro van at the Liquid Sunshine Gauge in front of the Ketchikan’s Visitor’s Center at Berth 2. You can contact the tour operator’s office if you have any trouble finding the meeting location or if anything changes. If you are a Norwegian Cruise Line passenger, you may take the NCL shuttle bus to town, and you will be picked up on Berth 4

Cost: US$285 per person

This tour also comes in variants- Ketchikan Helicopter Tour, Mahoney Falls and Ketchikan Helicopter Tour, Mountain Lakes. Alternatively, you can save time and money by combining two top helicopter tours with the Helicopter Combo Tour in Ketchikan.

Helicopter and Glacier Dog Sledding Tour from Seward

This tour is a fusion of two iconic Alaskan experiences, allowing you to witness the beauty of Godwin Glacier up close, see the intricate patterns of ice, and marvel at the sheer scale of the landscape.

Get sweeping aerial views of the state of Seward and play with Husky puppies at the musher’s camp.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes with 15 minutes of flight time

Note: You must arrive 20 minutes prior to the tour to allow for safety and flight instructions. This also provides time to take photos with the pilot and helicopter

Timings: Between 9 am and 5 pm

Note: Guests traveling by vehicle are encouraged to meet at the tour operator’s departure location (20 minutes before departure), only a few minutes’ drive from downtown Seward

Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point

2210 Airport Rd 2210 Airport Rd, Seward, AK 99664, USA. Get directions

Note: Free parking is available at the front and side of the tour operator’s office. Spots are even large enough for RVs

Cost

Adult ticket (13+ years): US$659 per person

Child ticket (2 to 12 years): US$623 per person

Summer Glacier Dogsledding Tour from Girdwood is another frozen fusion tour offering a helicopter and dogsled ride from Girdwood.

Glacier Landing Tour from Girdwood

Only a few fortunate people will ever walk on ancient ice, but you’re in luck with this Alaska heli tour.

This private helicopter tour of Alaska takes you over the Chugach Mountains, one of the most heavily glaciated regions in North America.

Get views that will be etched in your brain forever and the surreal opportunity to walk around on the glacier.

Duration: 1 hour

Timings: 11 am to 1.30 pm, every 30 minutes

Departure and end point: Pickup facility is available for this tour at the below address

Alyeska Resort1000 Arlberg Road, Girdwood, Anchorage, AK 99587. Get directions

Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point

Girdwood Airport, 599 Mt Hood Dr, Girdwood, AK 99587, USA. Get directions

Cost: US$568 per person

Another treasure of aerial and ground exploration of Alaskan glaciers is the Prince William Sound Tour with Glacier Landing from Girdwood.

Bear Glacier Scenic Flight

As you rise high and fly from Seward to Bear Glacier, you will discover Resurrection Bay, with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and massive icebergs, waterfalls, and old-growth forests on your way.

Gaze at Kenai Fjords National Park’s largest glacier and learn all about one of the world’s biggest glacial moraines on this guided tour.

Duration: 30 minutes

Timings: Between 9.30 am and 4.15 pm

Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point

2210 Airport Rd 2210 Airport Rd, Seward, AK 99664, USA. Get directions

Note: The heliport is located right outside the town. Free parking is available at the front and side of the tour operator’s office. Spots are even large enough for RVs

Cost: US$390 per person

This experience is also available for a 45-minute duration.

Grand View Tour

A 1-hour helicopter tour over Alaskan wonders of nature is something only the fortunate enough ones get to experience.

Hover over the Bear Glacier in Resurrection Bay and fly to the mountains to Aialik Bay as you might catch a glimpse of bears, whales, calving ice sheets, giant icebergs, and more.

Get panoramic views of Kenai Fjords National Park, Harding Ice Field, and Chugach National Forest.

Photograph the grandeur of glaciers, enormous ice fields, jagged fjords, tall waterfalls, and crystalline icebergs, and forge a connection with the rugged landscapes that define Alaska.

Duration: 1 hour

Timings: 9.15 am, 10.30 am, 1.15 pm, and 5.15 pm

Departure and end point: Hotel transfer facility is available for this tour. Alternatively, you can also head directly to the below meeting point

2210 Airport Rd 2210 Airport Rd, Seward, AK 99664, USA. Get directions

Cost: US$659 per person

Heli Glacier Crevasse Ice Climbing

On this Alaska heli ride, get sweeping aerial views of the Chugach Mountains and Knik Glacier, landing next to a gigantic crevasse, where you will begin ice climbing under the guidance of skilled experts.

You will be provided safety equipment like harnesses and helmets as you explore the glacier and melt pools along the way.

This 4-hour tour also includes lunch so that you don’t wash out after the ice climb.

Duration: 4 hours with a flight time of 20 minutes

Timings: 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm

Departure and end point: Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions

Cost: US$1,029 per person

Helicopter and Glacier Paddle Boarding

Imagine soaring thousands of feet in the air above the alpine mountains, landing on a mountaintop, walking on glaciers, and boating in crystal clear waters.

Push the limits and witness Alaska by air, ground, and water on this private tour.

Duration: 4 hours with 30 minutes of flight time

Timings: 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm

Departure and end point: Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 East Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. Get directions

Cost: US$1,029 per person

---

Back to Top

---

What to expect on Alaska heli rides

Timings of the tour

Many Alaska air tours take off as early as 8.30 am and continue up to 5.30 pm.

While most of the tours operate daily, they may get affected by the weather conditions.

There are multiple take-offs daily, so book early to get your preferred time slot.

Most tour operators prefer their participants reach the meeting point 30 minutes before the aircraft’s departure.

Restrictions strictly followed

Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides over Alaska.

A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, it will be canceled.

Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.

Some tours may not be wheelchair accessible.

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level. People with heart problems or other serious medical conditions must avoid the tours.

It is advised to wear layers and warm weather gear with a waterproof outer shell as you will land in the snow.

Tours that do not include transfers may offer them at additional costs. You may contact the operators to add them.

A valid passport is required.

No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.

Check-in at least 30 minutes early.

Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.

Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.

Exclusions of the air tour

Alaska heli tours do not include food and drinks unless stated otherwise.

Souvenir photos, comfort surcharge, and personal expenses are excluded from your ticket.

Your ticket price is also not inclusive of gratuities.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date. 

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.

No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.

Helicopter tours require good weather. 

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.

Related Reading

# Ketchikan Helicopter Tours
# Seward Helicopter Tours
# Anchorage Helicopter Tours
# Helicopter tours over Denali
# Dog sled Helicopter Tours
# Alaska glacier heli-hike tours

Recommended Reading

# How to prepare for first helicopter tour
# What to wear for helicopter tour?
# Tips to overcome fear of flying
# How long to wait after scuba diving before flying
# Why helicopter tours are an excellent gift
# Helicopter tour FAQs