Best Helicopter tours of Toronto

If there's one thing that sets Toronto apart from other destinations, it's that it offers alternatives for sightseeing by land, lake and... air. Built facing Lake Ontario and with a large number of options for land excursions, the air is covered by helicopters, which cover the city from one end to the other at different times and with a wide range of tours on offer.

Among the best things to do in Toronto is to see the city from above by helicopter, with options ranging from quick, daytime flights to longer, night-time rides or sunset tours , which in the capital of Ontario is very beautiful, especially in autumn. Here are the best options you can find during your trip.

Exploring Toronto from above has become achievable thanks to fast helicopter flights, which are the most famous option of this variant. In 7-minute rides, you can immerse yourself in a dizzying ride over Toronto's iconic cityscapes. These tours also offer an adrenaline rush right from the start of the trip.

As the helicopter soars to a cruising altitude of 600 metres, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of everything from the city's most famous downtown skyscrapers, such as the CN Tower, to the shores of Lake Ontario. During these daytime tours, you can also use the bright sunshine to take some of the best photographs and, especially on clear days, discover the skyline and the imaginary border with the United States.

From the heights you can also see the city's most famous stadiums, such as the Air Canada Centre, Toronto's islands and the cruise ships on Lake Ontario, as well as the dome of the Royal Ontario Museum and the irregular layout of the Kensington and St. Lawrence markets.

These short but intense tours will allow you to escape the daily routine of the city and discover its bustling skyline from the air, giving you an unmissable experience from a different perspective. Are you up for the adventure?

Interesting details

• Price: from 103 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 7 minutes.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know the city from a different perspective on a simple tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: although the perception of time in the air is usually different, the tour is short.

Is there a better option than taking to the skies over Toronto and seeing the city from a helicopter? Yes, on a private flight at sunset on a tour that will allow you to capture the magic of the sunset and the exact moment when the city skyline becomes a canvas of warm colours and twinkling lights.

During the tour you'll be able to see how as golden hour brings its colours, Toronto's skyscrapers gradually light up, creating an unmissable image. And sunset is the perfect time to discover the reflection of the lights on Lake Ontario, as you watch the wake of the city's best cruise ships from above.

However, this sunset aerial tour not only offers unparalleled panoramic views, but also allows you to learn about the history of the city, as these tours usually include the presence of an escort who will point out the city's most famous buildings, from the CN Tower to the popular Casa Loma.

If you opt for this experience you can choose between 7-minute and 15-minute tours, two alternatives that will allow you to relax on a private flight that you will share with the people of your choice and that will take you to see the best sunsets in the city, especially if you plan to visit Toronto in October or during the autumn months.

Interesting details

• Price: from 350 euros for 7-minute flights for up to 4 people.
• Duration: you can choose between 7 or 15 minute flights.
• Advantages of these tours: You will enjoy the Toronto skyline in an exclusive experience with the peace of mind of a private flight.
• Disadvantages of these tours: during the winter the view of the sunset can be very limited.

Taking to the skies over Toronto in a helicopter can be one of the most beautiful experiences, which is why one of the alternatives offered by this destination is to opt for a romantic flight specially designed for couples and designed for those who want to propose or want to take a step further in their love story.

These excursions offer an exclusive tour for couples around the main sites of the city with privileged views of Lake Ontario, the main skyscrapers of Toronto and also the most extensive green spaces, such as High Park, the natural lung located in the centre of the capital of Ontario. These tours usually take place at sunset and include a champagne toast for passengers.

This experience, which is among the best tours in Toronto, not only offers an unmissable panoramic view, but can also create an intimate and magical atmosphere at 600 metres above sea level.

Details of interest

• Price: from 380 euros, including champagne toast.
• Duration: approximately 10 minutes.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to star in a very original romantic experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: during the winter the view of the sunset may be reduced.

One of the best things to do at night in Toronto is to opt for a helicopter tour, which allows you to discover a different side of the city, where the skyline is illuminated by the glow of the skyscrapers, creating a panoramic view that is not possible from the water or from the ground.

As the helicopter soars over the city, the twinkling city lights reveal an entirely different Toronto, where modern architecture comes alive in a dance of colour and shadow, leaving the more traditional neighbourhoods, such as the Distillery District, in the background. The rivers of light that meander between the buildings will take you on a visual journey that highlights the elegance and grandeur of this multicultural destination.

From the CN Tower to the nightlife districts , every corner of Toronto takes on a new dimension in the dark of night, which you can continue to discover long after the helicopter has landed, with food tours or booze tastings in the city's trendy districts.

Interesting details

• Price: from 170 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 7 minutes.
• Advantages of these tours: you'll get to see one of the best sides of Toronto from a different perspective.
• Disadvantages of these tours: at night you will find it difficult to make out the vastness of Lake Ontario and the Canada-US border, which is clearer on the daytime tours.

If you want to enjoy a helicopter flight but also the freedom to choose your departure time and route during your adventure, you can opt for a private tour. This will allow you to choose to fly at sunrise, midday or under the glow of the night lights.

As well as having control over the weather, you can also customise the tour to suit your preferences - do you want to highlight the iconic downtown skyscrapers or explore the neighbourhoods from above? With a private flight, the flight itinerary is up to you, giving you the opportunity to tailor an experience to your expectations.

During these excursions you can gaze up at the CN Tower, float over Lake Ontario or explore the most picturesque corners of the city, all according to your personalised itinerary. Plus, if you're planning to visit Toronto in December, during the flight you'll be able to spot the giant Christmas tree in High Park and the eve-of-Christmas decorations on the skyscrapers.

Interesting details

• Price: from 420 euros for flights of up to 4 passengers.
• Duration: approximately 7 minutes.
• Advantages of these tours: You can choose your own route and flight schedule.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Private flights are not usually combined with other activities, so you will not usually be able to buy this experience in a package with a visit to other attractions.

Niagara Falls is one of Ontario's greatest attractions, and one of the best ways to discover it is to take a helicopter flight to see this natural wonder that separates Canada from the United States.

These tours usually start with a full-day tour from Toronto where you'll travel by bus to the falls and then board the helicopter for the aerial tour. These tours allow you to see not only the beauty of the Niagara River from above, but also the surrounding area of Ontario, which is characterised by natural scenery and lush vegetation.

Visiting Niagara Falls from Toronto and then opting for a helicopter tour will give you a different profile of this tributary. From above, you'll be able to see the traditional rainbow formed in the mist, as well as the source of the stream that feeds the waterfall.

Interesting details

• Price: from 265 euros per person. These prices usually include round-trip transfers from Toronto, as well as the helicopter flight.
• Duration: the tour lasts between 9 and 10 hours in total and the helicopter flight takes approximately 10 minutes.
• Advantages of these tours: the ideal alternative to see a different side of one of the world's most famous waterfalls.
• Disadvantages of these tours: These are full-day tours, which may not be compatible with a short stay in Toronto.

Toronto is the city of skyscrapers and has one of the most beautiful skylines in North America. Discovering it from observation decks, such as the CN Tower, or from the deck of a boat on Lake Ontario is a good alternative, but seeing the city's skyline from a helicopter flight can be a fascinating experience. This will not only give you a different, but also a more comprehensive view of the city.

Toronto is a very big city and from the heights you will be able to discover the different neighbourhoods that determine the multicultural character of this destination, such as The Junction and Chinatown, but also the immensity of Lake Ontario and the imaginary boundary that separates the borders of Canada and the United States, especially if you plan to visit Toronto in September or during the autumn, when the weather is mild and the sky is usually clear.

The answer depends on the type of helicopter flight you choose, but generally speaking you'll find clear days and better weather for these experiences if you visit Toronto in summer or autumn, when the skyline is clearer. Also, these two seasons tend to be less windy, making for a more pleasant ride.

If you're planning to visit Toronto during the winter or spring, you may encounter some inconveniences, as the rains may force tour operators to reschedule flights or even cancel them indefinitely, which could cause problems if you're planning a short stay in the city. If that's the case, here's a list of the best things you can do to get to know Toronto in 3 days.

The best way to book a helicopter tour in Toronto is online in advance. Not only will this allow you to secure your place in the experience and have tour information before you arrive in the city, but you will also get better prices and save time during your trip.

If you plan to visit Toronto in July or during peak season months, you should be aware that tours may sell out or increase in price for last-minute bookings, as rates are dynamic. This could not only alter your experience but also waste your time. However, although it is not recommended, if you want to book a helicopter flight at the last minute, you can do so with these considerations in mind.

Helicopter flights are one of the best experiences you can have in Toronto, but the success of the excursion will depend largely on the previous preparations, so I recommend you to take into account the following recommendations:

• Choose the alternative that best suits your trip: These experiences are not usually cheap, so I recommend that you do not take the organisation of the tour lightly. Consider first the schedule that best suits your wishes, as it is not the same to see Toronto from the heights during the day than at night, and then choose the option, shared or private and in short or long routes. This will allow you to enjoy the ride more.
• Book in advance: No visitor wants to start a tour wasting time or overpaying, so to avoid these inconveniences I advise you to book the tour in advance, even before you arrive in the city. This will allow you to get better rates, secure your spot and have tour information well before take-off.
• Relax and enjoy! While it may seem like a dangerous excursion, helicopter flights over Toronto are actually very safe and the aircraft are subject to rigorous and regular checks, so you'll have complete peace of mind during your trip. Also, bear in mind that these are usually short trips, so it's best to focus on enjoying the scenery and relaxing carefree. So, are you ready for an adventure?