Helicopter tours in Reykjavik

Iceland is an incredible place, full of out-of-this-world landscapes. Enjoy Reykjavik, its capital, on board a sensational helicopter ride.

Nicolas Reffray

Nicolas Reffray

8 min read

Helicopter tours in Reykjavik

Reykjavik | ©Ben

There is a lot to see and do in Reykjavík during your trip, but there is no doubt that flying over all the natural wonders, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, lava fields and some of the best views in the world in a helicopter is unparalleled.

There are many options for this type of excursion. From short flights over parts of Reykjavík to more extensive tours of all the region's sights, and even some tours that combine a four-wheel off-road motorbike ride with a helicopter ride. In this guide I have selected for you the best and most interesting helicopter tour options so that you can choose the one you like best. Here we go!

1. Helicopter mountain tour with summit landing from Reykjavík

Helicopter Tour| ©ierdnall
Helicopter Tour| ©ierdnall

Flying in a helicopter in Iceland is a unique experience in one of the most charming places in the world. On this tour, which departs from Reykjavík International Airport, you will be able to enjoy unparalleled aerial views of the city and its surroundings.

When you take one of these helicopter tours of Reykjavík, you will feel the adrenaline rush of being lifted off the ground and being driven through Iceland's breathtaking scenery.

During the tour you will enjoy the lava fields, the coastline, the Langjökull glacier and the rooftops of the most picturesque city in the region.

Weather permitting you can land on top of Mount Esja, where you will feel part of nature. This is undoubtedly one of the best tours of Reykjavik and one of the most fascinating adventures you can experience.

This tour does not usually include pick-up from your hotel, however the distances in Iceland's capital city are very short and there are several transfer options to and from the airport.

Useful information

  • Price: from 270 Euros
  • Duration: approximately 30 to 45 minutes
  • Means of transport: helicopter
  • Pros: You will be able to see Reykjavík from the air on an incomparable tour.
  • Cons: You are dependent on good weather conditions to land on Mount Esja.

Book your transfer from Reykjavík Airport

2. Helicopter tour with landing on top of Þórisjökull Glacier

Landing on Þórisjökull| ©AndreaVillega
Landing on Þórisjökull| ©AndreaVillega

Can you imagine touring some of Iceland's most breathtaking sights in a helicopter? This is one of the best experiences you can have in and around Reykjavík.

This is a great option for children in Iceland, as they will have the chance to fly over the city and see some of its wonderful natural landscapes from the air.

Together with your specialised pilot you will fly over the beautiful Thingvellir National Park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Then you will be able to see Mount Esja, the lava fields and the Skjaldbreiður volcano with its imposing crater, and finally land on the Langjökull glacier, where you can descend and take a walk around this majestic natural scenery. I assure you that there you will understand why Iceland is a kingdom of ice.

This is definitely a very good and original way to visit one of the best glaciers in Iceland.

Useful information

  • Price: from 1049 Euros
  • Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Means of transport: Helicopter
  • Pros: It is truly an experience like no other, you will be able to fly over Reykjavík's sky and see its natural attractions.
  • Cons: Perhaps a bit expensive.

Book a tour to Thríhnukagigur volcano from Reykjavík

3. ATV tour and helicopter tour in Reykjavík

Helicopter ride| ©ierdnall
Helicopter ride| ©ierdnall

One of the best options for adventure lovers. If you can't live without your adrenaline fix, this tour is definitely for you.

After being picked up at the designated meeting point (just a few minutes from the comfort of your accommodation), you will be taken on a speed ride through the Icelandic wilderness on an ATV, a four-wheeled off-road vehicle.

For a whole hour you will be the pilot, seeing some of Iceland's most amazing scenery. A great way to warm up and one of the best things to do in Reykjavik in winter.

You'll then make your way to one of the nearby mountains, where the second part of the tour begins.

There you'll board a helicopter to tour Reykjavík and the surrounding area from the air. You will have exceptional panoramic views of the Langjökull glacier, Mount Esja, its lakes and snow-capped peaks.

In short, you will have the chance to enjoy all the charm of Iceland on this 5-hour tour and land on the summit of one of the mountains in the area.

Useful information

  • Price: from 412 Euros
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Means of transport: ATV, 4-wheel drive vehicle and helicopter.
  • Pros: One of the most interesting experiences to do in Reykjavik, full of adrenaline and adventure, you will feel like an explorer.
  • Cons: Pick up is not at the hotel but at a nearby meeting point.

4. Fire and ice helicopter excursion: Langjökull glacier and Hengill geothermal area

Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson
Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson

Among the helicopter tours offered in Reykjavík, this is one of the most interesting, as it combines all the charm of the Hengill Geothermal Area with the snow-capped peaks and Langjökull Glacier.

Iceland is known for combining fire with ice, hence the name of this tour. This is one of the best ways to do a volcano tour in Iceland.

Not only will you fly over the area, but the helicopter descends so you can see the towering crater of Hengill volcano up close and enjoy the hot springs and pots that are visible in the area. Everything here is on the boil.

Then you'll fly over Thingvellir National Park, one of the wonders of the country, where you can see perfectly the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

If you want to learn more about this amazing place, you can book one of the tours that allow you to visit Thingvellir National Park, an excellent way to discover the countless natural attractions of this place.

Finally, you will get back in the helicopter to see the iciest landscapes of Iceland. Your pilot will take you to the top of the Langjökull glacier, where you can descend and feel the cold of this huge block of ice. Did you know that glaciers account for more than 11% of the entire surface of the country? That's why they are so important to the Icelanders.

After visiting two such different landscapes in the same day, you'll find it hard to believe that it's the same country. Iceland is just that, it feels like so many different countries. An absolutely magical place that you can't miss.

Useful information

  • Price: from 1159 Euros
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours
  • Means of transport: helicopter
  • Pros: In just 2 hours you will get to know the extremes of Iceland, from fire to ice, in an amazing adventure that will help you understand this incredible place.
  • Cons: You'll be left wanting more.

Book a tour to Thingvellir National Park from Reykjavík

5. Helicopter tour: fly over the whole of Iceland with multiple landings

View from the helicopter| ©Christophe Trouillard
View from the helicopter| ©Christophe Trouillard

On this almost 4-hour helicopter tour around Reykjavík, you will have the opportunity to see some of Iceland's most important sights, such as the Gullfoss waterfall, as well as visit the famous Geysir, the world's first and largest geyser, after which all the others are named.

You'll fly over the volcanoes and glaciers that have made Iceland so popular around the world, then land for a short walk around the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar. You can also tour part of the southern part of the region, where you will find the Háifoss waterfall, located very close to the Hekla volcano.

Useful information

  • Price: from 1670 Euros
  • Duration: approx. 3 hours 40 minutes, depending on weather conditions.
  • Means of transport: helicopter
  • Pros: A great adventure, you will see some of Iceland's most important sights in almost 4 hours.
  • Cons: Itinerary and landings are subject to weather conditions.

How to book a helicopter tour

Booking Online| ©Peter Olexa
Booking Online| ©Peter Olexa

The best way to book a helicopter tour is always online, as you can browse through all the available options to find the one that suits you and your budget.

You can also read reviews and opinions from other travellers who have been on the tour to see how it went and whether or not it is worth doing.

Duration of the helicopter tours in Reykjavík

Helicopter and Glacier| ©Wonder
Helicopter and Glacier| ©Wonder

There are many options for helicopter tours and each one has a different duration, but in general they can be between 30 minutes and 5 hours, depending on whether it is just the helicopter ride or if they also include some walking, or perhaps with other means of transport.

One of the most popular is the one that combines a 4-wheel drive ATV ride with a helicopter tour. Take your pick.

What will I see on this type of tour?

Helicopter Tour Pilot| ©Eloisa Ozonas
Helicopter Tour Pilot| ©Eloisa Ozonas

On this type of tour or excursion you will see some of the most amazing places in and around Reykjavík. The itinerary usually includes many of Iceland's most interesting sights. From volcanoes and geysers, national parks and incredible lakes, to glaciers. Iceland has it all for an unparalleled experience.

If this helicopter ride appealed to you, you may be interested in the many options for adventure lovers, book a horseback riding tour of Reykjavík, or perhaps you'd prefer to cycle around the city and its surroundings, for which you can choose from one of the Reykjavík bike tours. Whichever option you choose, you'll have a great time, that's for sure.

Tips for a helicopter tour in Reykjavík

Inside a Helicopter| ©Christophe Trouillard
Inside a Helicopter| ©Christophe Trouillard
  • Make sure you pack a coat, as it is usually much colder in the air than on the ground.
  • Wear comfortable, waterproof footwear. Bear in mind that the terrain can be very uneven and you are likely to be walking on snow or ice, so keeping your feet warm is essential.
  • Don't forget to charge the battery of your camera or smartphone- you don't want to miss out on taking some great pictures.

How much does a helicopter tour in Reykjavik cost?

Money in Euros| ©Pixabay
Money in Euros| ©Pixabay

Prices for helicopter tours vary according to the number of hours and the type of service offered. Prices can range from 270 Euros for short tours lasting less than 1 hour, to 1600 Euros for multi-hour experiences.

A more expensive tour is not necessarily better than a cheaper one, it all depends on what you want to do, if you want to treat yourself to a few minutes in the helicopter and see some scenery, then a 5 hour tour can be tedious.

Why should I take a helicopter tour in Reykjavík?

One stop on the tour| ©Christophe Trouillard
One stop on the tour| ©Christophe Trouillard

A helicopter tour of Reykjavík is highly recommended because it is the only way to enjoy all the sights that this sensational country has to offer at the same time. Plus, you'll add the necessary adventure that every trip deserves.

When is the best time to travel to Reykjavik?

North of Reykjavík from the Helicopter| ©Christophe Trouillard
North of Reykjavík from the Helicopter| ©Christophe Trouillard

If you are wondering when is the best time to visit Reykjavík, I can tell you that every season has its own charm, and this is a country where you can enjoy snow, ice and volcanoes all year round.

With a wonderful mix of natural landscap es and all the charm of its people, visiting Iceland is always a good plan.