Every year around 5 million tourists visit the Statue of Liberty, the first lady of New York.
There are many ways of exploring the Liberty statue – you can book a Statue of Liberty ticket and board the ferry, or take the Staten Island Ferry and see it for free from the waters.
However, the best way to see the massive Statue of Liberty in all its glory is from a helicopter.
When you take off from one of the heliports in New York City, besides Lady Liberty, you also see many other iconic landmarks, making these heli tours popular among tourists.
This article shares everything you must know before booking your helicopter tour around the Statue of Liberty.
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What to expect on a Liberty helicopter tour
A Statue of Liberty helicopter tour is worth it – not just for tourists, but even for native New Yorkers.
While one can always take a tour by boat or ferry to Liberty Island, there is nothing as exciting as swooping down on the statue and taking fascinating aerial views.
There are three advantages of booking a helicopter tour over and around the Statue of Liberty –
Make the most of your New York holiday
With so much to see, an aerial trip of New York helps you squeeze everything into a 20-minute slot and get an overview. Once you have had a top view of all landmarks in the city, you can build your itinerary for the rest of the vacation.
You will see attractions such as:
- One World Trade Center
- Statue of Liberty
- Governors Island and Ellis Island
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Manhattan Bridge
- The Verrazano Bridge
- Coney Island
- View Empire State Building
Gain a different perspective
The New York Statue of Liberty helicopter tour helps you get a different perspective. You can see more in the 20 odd minutes from the air than you will ever see on a ferry tour.
Get a dose of adrenalin rush
Irrespective of what you are exploring, helicopter rides offer an unparalleled adrenalin rush, which is bound to make your holiday memorable.
From where do helicopters take off?
Zip Aviation is the most popular helicopter tours company in New York City, and all their choppers take off from downtown Manhattan Heliport on Pier 6.
The heliport’s address is 20 South St, New York, NY 10004.
If you want to take off from New Jersey, opt for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour from 78 John Miller Way, Kearny, NJ 07032.
The night tour of Lady Liberty and the New York skyline takes off from 1101 W Edgar Rd, Linden, New Jersey 07036.
We recommended that you arrive at the heliport at least 30 minutes before your scheduled helicopter tour.
After your sightseeing trip is over, you will land at the same place from where the helicopter took off.
What time do helicopters take off
Daytime tourist helicopter rides around the Statue of Liberty start taking off from 9 am and continue till 4.30 pm.
During peak season, one chopper takes off every half hour.
Depending on the time of the year, helicopter tours of New York City at night start from 4.30 pm to 6 pm and end at 9.30 pm.
Helicopter takeoff times are approximate and are subject to weather conditions.
Statue of Liberty helicopter tour price
Manhattan Sky Tour, the cheapest and most popular heli tour around the Statue of Liberty, costs $220 per person. Visitors who book this tour spend 15 minutes in the air.
The cost of the heli tours increases as your air time goes up.
The 20-minute Manhattan scenic helicopter tour, which takes you around Lady Liberty costs $290 per person, while the 30-minute tour is priced at $365 per person.
This cost doesn’t include the heliport fee of $40, which every passenger must pay at the time of tour check-in. The Downtown Manhattan Heliport mandates this fee.
Best Statue of Liberty Helicopter Tours
There are numerous helicopter tours that take you around the Statue of Liberty and offer fascinating views of the massive statue in New York.
We have selected five of the very best, which are priced moderately and are highly rated.
Two of these tours give you an airtime of around 15 minutes, while one of them gets you 30 minutes above New York.
Manhattan Sky Tour by Zip Aviation
The Manhattan Sky Tour is available at various departure times to accommodate your schedule.
It is an excellent opportunity to take fantastic photos of Manhattan’s famed skyline.
Duration of the ride: Enjoy a thrilling 12-15-minute Statue of Liberty helicopter tour
You will see: In a Helicopter ride to the Statue of Liberty, you will get a bird’s-eye view of the Big Apple. View Wall Street, the financial area, the Statue of Liberty, and more. During this sightseeing flight over one of the most renowned cities in the world, you’ll also see notable sights, including Ellis Island and the Empire State Building.
The number of passengers: Helicopter seating is based on a 4- or 6-passenger helicopter, whichever is available at the time of your tour
Timings: You will have the comfort of taking this trip at any time between 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Departure and Return: You will depart and return to the same location mentioned below.
Zip Aviation
6 East River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA. Open in Google Maps
(2 Building North of Staten Island ferry and the East River)
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (2+ years): US＄220
Infant ticket (up to 1 year ): Free
Manhattan Helicopter Tour by Charm Aviation
During this aerial tour, you will listen to your pilot’s educational comments as you travel.
Duration of the ride: You will have an exhilarating 12-15-minute Statue of Liberty helicopter tour from New York
You will see: Take a quick helicopter tour over Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, and One World Trade Center to get a bird’s-eye view of New York City.
The number of passengers: The Bell 407 helicopter carries six passengers in addition to the pilot.
Timings: For this aerial adventure, you can choose any time slot from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
Departure and Return: You will depart and return to the same location.
6 E River Greenway, New York, NY 10004, USA. Open in Google Maps
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (2+ years): US＄230
Infant ticket (up to 1 year): Free
New York Manhattan Scenic Helicopter Tour
Duration of the ride: This is an extended 20-minute Statue of Liberty helicopter tour
You will see: From the air, New York’s famous landmarks, tremendous rivers, and islands look even more magnificent. On this tour, ride in a helicopter over Manhattan’s most iconic locations and take breathtaking aerial views of the Big Apple. There is plenty of time to visit Governor’s Island, Liberty Island, and the Empire State Building.
The number of passengers: The Bell 407 helicopter carries six passengers in addition to your professional pilot.
Timings: Guests can book this heli tour from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Departure and Return: You will depart and return to the same location.
6 East River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA. Open in Google Maps
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (2+ years): US＄290
Infant ticket (up to 1 year ): Free
Night-time heli tour from NYC to Statue of Liberty
With on-board live commentary, ceiling-to-floor windows, and the air-conditioned cabin, this nighttime tour will be a memorable trip for all.
Duration of the ride: You will be in the air for about 25 to 30 minutes, giving you ample time to see the Statue of Liberty from the air.
You will see: On this twilight helicopter tour of the city, take in the wonders of New York City from above. Take off and soar above New York City while admiring aerial glimpses of some of its most iconic landmarks.
Pass over the George Washington Bridge after viewing the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square in all their illuminating glory.
Timings: The night trip has different slots between 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Departure and Return: You will be departing and returning to the same location.
Linden Airport
1101 W Edgar Rd, Linden, NJ 07036, USA. Open in Google Maps
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (2+ years) – US＄280
There are countless ways to enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful New York City after the lights come on. But a helicopter tour of New York at night is the best.
Statue of Liberty helicopter tour from New Jersey
The Liberty Tour, offered by New York Helicopters, is a fifteen-minute flight that provides travelers with their first aerial view of Lady Liberty.
This shared tour takes off from 78 John Miller Way, Kearny, NJ 07032, and can have a maximum of six passengers.
Departing from Pier 6, you will view the South Street Seaport, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, and the Wall Street financial district.
The famed Statue of Liberty, Ellis and Governors Islands, the Empire State Building, and the Intrepid sea, air, and space museum will all be visible as you soar along the Hudson River.
Visitors catch a glimpse of Central Park before the tour ends.
Cost of tour: $234 per person
A helicopter ride over Niagara Falls will bring with it fantastic visuals and sights, which are sure to stay on forever.
Best time for a helicopter tour
There is no ideal time to see the Statue of Liberty, but it is widely acknowledged that the views are at their best just before sunset.
This is why the flight times around sunset get booked the first.
If you can’t get your preferred slots, opt for an early morning or late afternoon helicopter tour – they are also a great time to see the Statue of Liberty from above.
Number of passengers
Most of the air tours over New York are flown in six-seater helicopters Bell LongRanger IV and Bell 407.
Including the pilot, each chopper can carry up to seven passengers.
Each passenger gets a state-of-the-art noise-canceling headset to communicate with other passengers, the pilot, or listen to the narration.
Note: Only passengers weighing less than 136 Kg (300 Pounds) can participate. Passengers weighing more than 113 Kg (250 Pounds) must purchase a second seat on the tour day.
Cancellation policy
Even though the helicopters and pilots are available for taking off throughout the day, the experience requires good weather.
If your New York Statue of Liberty helicopter tour gets canceled due to bad weather, you will be given the option of rescheduling or receiving a full refund.
You can cancel your heli tour at least 24 hours before the adventure begins to receive a full refund.
Check out all the different kinds of Statue of Liberty tours available.
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