Flights over Manhattan
The best helicopter tours of New York City
15- to 30-minute flights over Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty from the air, a night skyline flight, flights from New Jersey and a private flight for two: here is what to book, with honest advice on safety, the real price with fees and refunds if the weather turns.
See our 6 picks
The best helicopter tours of New York City are 15- to 30-minute flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. They fly over the Hudson, past the Statue of Liberty and the skyline, from €240 a person.
Tour flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport do not run on Sundays. Flights from New Jersey are not covered by that rule. All six tours below have free cancellation, and GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
Our 6 picks for New York helicopter tours
Three fly over Manhattan from the city, two from New Jersey, and one is a private flight from Westchester.
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from €243 per person Our top pick 15–30 minutes 4.8 (7,795) reviews on GetYourGuide
Manhattan sightseeing flight
A 15- to 30-minute flight over Manhattan with live narration from the pilot. All heliport fees and taxes are included. Photos cost extra.
Best for A first helicopter flight
Check availability: Manhattan sightseeing flight on GetYourGuide -
from €240 per person 15–30 minutes 4.8 (2,419) reviews on GetYourGuide
Sightseeing flight from Lower Manhattan
A 12- to 30-minute flight from 6 East River Piers, with live pilot commentary. You see the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center.
Best for Visitors who want the lowest price
Check availability: Sightseeing flight from Lower Manhattan on GetYourGuide -
from €256 per person 15–30 minutes 4.7 (7,473) reviews on GetYourGuide
Statue of Liberty and skyline flight
A 15-, 20- or 30-minute flight over the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Hudson. The narration is pre-recorded, in 9 languages.
Best for Statue lovers
Check availability: Statue of Liberty and skyline flight on GetYourGuide -
from €245 per person Night flight 4.8 (123) reviews on GetYourGuide
Night skyline flight from New Jersey
An evening flight to see the lit-up skyline. It leaves from Essex County Airport in Fairfield, New Jersey. All fees and taxes are included.
Best for An evening to remember
Check availability: Night skyline flight from New Jersey on GetYourGuide -
from €283 per person 25 minutes 4.7 (87) reviews on GetYourGuide
Skyline flight from New Jersey
A 25- to 30-minute flight from Essex County Airport, with live pilot commentary. Parking is free. You fly in daylight or after dark.
Best for Sunday plans and drivers
Check availability: Skyline flight from New Jersey on GetYourGuide -
from €888 per group up to 2 30–45 minutes 4.9 (295) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private flight for two from Westchester
A 30- to 45-minute private flight for up to 2 people in a Robinson R44. It flies over Central Park and the Empire State Building. A round trip from Manhattan is an option.
Best for Couples and a special occasion
Check availability: Private flight for two from Westchester on GetYourGuide
New York helicopter tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Group size | Pickup | Fees | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan sightseeing flight | €243 per person | 15–30 minutes | Up to 6 | Meet on site | Heliport fees and taxes included | A first helicopter flight | Fees included, and the most reviews here: 4.8 from 7,795. |
| Sightseeing flight from Lower Manhattan | €240 per person | 15–30 minutes | Up to 6 | Meet on site | Fees, taxes and fuel included | Visitors who want the lowest price | The lowest price here, with fees and fuel surcharges included. |
| Statue of Liberty and skyline flight | €256 per person | 15–30 minutes | Not stated | Meet on site | Check the listing for a boarding fee | Statue lovers | The flight built around the statue, with 4.7 from 7,473 reviews. |
| Night skyline flight from New Jersey | €245 per person | Night flight | Up to 6 | Meet on site | All fees and taxes included | An evening to remember | The one flight here made for the night skyline. |
| Skyline flight from New Jersey | €283 per person | 25 minutes | Up to 6 | Meet on site | All fees and fuel included | Sunday plans and drivers | A New Jersey flight, so the Manhattan Sunday rule does not apply. |
| Private flight for two from Westchester | €888 per group up to 2 | 30–45 minutes | Private, up to 2 | Pickup optional | $35 a person airport and fuel fee extra | Couples and a special occasion | The only private flight here, rated 4.9 from 295 reviews. |
€243 per person15–30 minutes 4.8 (7,795)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 6
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Fees
- Heliport fees and taxes included
- Who it suits
- A first helicopter flight
- Why we picked it
- Fees included, and the most reviews here: 4.8 from 7,795.
Sightseeing flight from Lower Manhattan
€240 per person15–30 minutes 4.8 (2,419)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 6
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Fees
- Fees, taxes and fuel included
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want the lowest price
- Why we picked it
- The lowest price here, with fees and fuel surcharges included.
Statue of Liberty and skyline flight
€256 per person15–30 minutes 4.7 (7,473)
Details
- Group size
- Not stated
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Fees
- Check the listing for a boarding fee
- Who it suits
- Statue lovers
- Why we picked it
- The flight built around the statue, with 4.7 from 7,473 reviews.
Night skyline flight from New Jersey
€245 per personNight flight 4.8 (123)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 6
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Fees
- All fees and taxes included
- Who it suits
- An evening to remember
- Why we picked it
- The one flight here made for the night skyline.
Skyline flight from New Jersey
€283 per person25 minutes 4.7 (87)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 6
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Fees
- All fees and fuel included
- Who it suits
- Sunday plans and drivers
- Why we picked it
- A New Jersey flight, so the Manhattan Sunday rule does not apply.
Private flight for two from Westchester
€888 per group up to 230–45 minutes 4.9 (295)
Details
- Group size
- Private, up to 2
- Pickup
- Pickup optional
- Fees
- $35 a person airport and fuel fee extra
- Who it suits
- Couples and a special occasion
- Why we picked it
- The only private flight here, rated 4.9 from 295 reviews.
- All 6 offer free cancellation.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
New York heli tours: which flight?
For a first flight, book a 15- to 30-minute tour from Lower Manhattan. Book a New Jersey flight for a Sunday, and the private flight for a special day.
Flights from Lower Manhattan leave from 6 East River Piers. The two New Jersey flights leave from Essex County Airport in Fairfield. The private flight leaves from Westchester, north of the city.
A helicopter does not land at the statue. To tour Statue of Liberty island on foot, take the ferry.
- Short flights: 12 to 30 minutes over the Hudson, the statue and Midtown.
- New Jersey: 25 to 30 minutes toward the skyline, by day or after dark.
- Private: 30 to 45 minutes, just for you and one other person.
How much does a helicopter tour cost?
A New York helicopter tour costs from €240 a person on GetYourGuide. The New Jersey flights cost from €245. The private flight for two costs from €888 for the group.
Check what the price includes. Two Manhattan flights include all heliport fees and taxes. The private flight adds a $35 per person airport and fuel fee.
- Photos: extra on the Manhattan flights.
- Tips: not included on any flight.
- Getting there: transport to the heliport or airport is not included.
- Lockers: included on two flights, extra on the statue flight.
All six flights have free cancellation. If the weather looks bad, check the cancellation time on your ticket.
Night helicopter tours
Yes, you can fly at night. Two flights from New Jersey and the private flight run after dark.
Night skyline flights from New Jersey
The night skyline flight leaves from Essex County Airport in New Jersey. The other New Jersey flight also runs after dark.
A private flight for two
The private flight is just your group, up to 2 people. It lasts 30 to 45 minutes and flies over Central Park, the Empire State Building and Yankee Stadium. You can pick a daytime, sunset or evening flight.
It meets at 67 Tower Road in Harrison, New York. The listing says you can take Metro-North from Grand Central to White Plains, then a taxi. Pickup is available.
Are New York helicopter tours safe?
Tour flights follow strict rules. Of the city's three heliports, only the Downtown Manhattan Heliport may run sightseeing tours. Those tours have set hours and flight paths, and they cannot fly on Sunday.
Flights that start in New Jersey are not covered by those heliport rules. News reports say the city banned doors-off tours at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in 2018.
Check the weight limit before you book. Two flights here take people up to 250 lbs (113 kg), and one up to 275 lbs (125 kg).
Booking tips for helicopter tours
Avoid Sundays in Manhattan
Tour flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport do not run on Sundays. Book a New Jersey flight instead.
Read what the price includes
Some flights include all fees. The private flight adds a $35 per person fee. Photos and tips cost extra.
Leave room for the weather
All six flights have free cancellation. Book a day with spare time, so a weather change does not end your plan.
Want the view for free?
The Staten Island Ferry is free and passes the harbor and the statue. It is a good view from the water.
Helicopter tours: questions and answers
How much does a helicopter tour of New York City cost?
Are New York City helicopter tours safe?
Are New York City helicopter tours worth the money?
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Sources (5), facts checked on 24 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.