Helicopter Tours in Las Vegas

Is this your first time in Sin City and you want to get an overview? Have you been there before and want to do something different from the casinos? Then a helicopter tour is the ideal way to get a bird's eye view of the skyline.

This article is divided into two parts: the first part looks at tours that focus on the city while the second part focuses on routes in the surrounding area. For the other days, I recommend you read the article on what to see and do in Las Vegas.

The best option

Las Vegas Helicopter Flight

Fly over Las Vegas with this helicopter ride with expert pilot

Enjoy the best views of the city with this helicopter flight experience that includes transfers by car to the hotel.

From £80 at Hellotickets

Discover Sin City in a unique way by flying over the Las Vegas sky with this 12-minute helicopter ride. The pilot will take you over the most iconic buildings while telling you some important details. Imagine seeing from above the spectacular Stratosphere Tower, the popular Strip and its bustling life, or the famous Westgate sign.

Recommended if... You don't want to miss this helicopter flight experience over Las Vegas with the convenience of transfers to and from the heliport from your hotel so you don't have to worry about how to get there.

It's no secret: the best views are enjoyed from above. A city tour is an original way to see the landmarks of Las Vegas. Read on and discover the alternatives available, from the simplest to the most complete.

Night tour over Las Vegas

The most classic tour of the entertainment capital. The helicopter takes to the skies to take you over two key points of the city: Downtown and The Strip. The first area corresponds to the old town and its main artery is Freemont Street.

Here you can get married in Las Vegas, the famous chapels are concentrated in the neighbourhood, stroll through Springs Preserve Park or visit The Mob Museum. On the other hand, while you're in the gyroplane you can admire Downtown's major landmarks from above:

• Neon Museum, the cultural institution that pays homage to the city's signature feature.
• Downtown Container Park, an open-air area with shops, restaurants and entertainment options. Its icon is a giant grasshopper spitting flames of fire.
• The great dome of lights that covers Freemont Street.

After the original core, the helicopter heads towards the Strip, the area where the hotels and casinos are concentrated. You will pass over the Luxor Hotel and its iconic pyramid, the Bellagio fountains, the Linq Promenade, the New York, New York resort, The Venetian resort and the other attractions of Sin City.

• Duration: between 1 hour and 2 hours
• Price: between 70 € and 90 €.

Helicopter ride with limousine transfer

If you wish, you can complete the helicopter ride with a limousine transfer. A few agencies guarantee the service and you can usually choose between a Mercedes Sprinter, a Hummer Limousine or other vehicles. The choice of car also depends on the members of the group.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Price: about 120 €.

Special 4th of July flights

Fourth of July celebrations are a landmark throughout the USA and Las Vegas is no exception. To commemorate Independence Day, there are concerts on Fremont Street, pool parties, barbecues and, above all, the classic fireworks.

Coloured lights illuminate the sky over the Strip and other parts of the city such as Downtown and Charleston Boulevard.

On this important day you can enjoy the best views of Las Vegas from 500 feet above the ground. A vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the helipad.

You will pass over the casinos and enjoy an even more sensational panorama. The ride lasts about half an hour and takes place in a modern gyroplane driven by experienced pilots.

• Duration: just under an hour (including transfer from the hotel).
• Price: around 300 €.

Helicopter tour with dinner

Are you travelling with your partner and want to surprise her with an original plan? Then you can opt for a helicopter ride followed by a gourmet dinner. In this case, a minivan will pick you up in front of your hotel and take you to the Las Vegas VIP Terminal. After a brief briefing, the helicopter will start its flight over the Strip.

The routes touch the most famous hotels and casinos and the skies above Downtown, the oldest part of the city. At all times you will listen to the pilot's explanations in your helmet. The night scenery is very evocative and definitely worth the trip.

There are several companies that organise the "Fly & Dine" option and the restaurants vary depending on the operator. Here are some of the recurring options:

• Gordon Biersch, an American-style brewery. It's the ideal place for a pint accompanied by juicy pork ribs. The Las Vegas establishment is located a short distance from the Strip. For more information I recommend you take a look at the official website.
• Mott 32, probably the best Chinese restaurant in Sin City. Their signature dish is the applewood-smoked Peking duck, a delicacy that takes 2 days to prepare! If you fancy trying it, you'll need to book in advance. For more information, I recommend you to have a look at the official website
• Pampas, a Brazilian churrascaria that has won several culinary awards. If you're a hardcore carnivore, why not choose a rodizio? If you don't know what it is, you'll be pleased to know that it's a kind of open bar: you pay a fixed price and the waiters serve different types of meats on the sword. To have a look at the restaurant's menu, check out their official website.
• Eiffel Tower Restaurant, the most romantic option in Las Vegas. Its tables overlook the majestic Bellagio fountain. As you can imagine, it specialises in French cuisine. Here you can try some excellent escargots à la Bourguignonne washed down with a few glasses of Champagne. The official website has all the answers to your questions.

In most cases, these dinner tours include a three- or four-course menu that you will have to choose in advance. Usually, the in-flight portion is no longer than 15 minutes. For more ideas, I recommend you read our post on Las Vegas food tours.

• Duration: between 3 and 6 hours
• Price: around €350

The entertainment capital of America is surrounded by a landscape that is as unforgiving as it is fascinating. The deserts and the Grand Canyon are just a stone's throw away and can be explored in a variety of ways, from an off-road tour from Las Vegas to a gyrocopter tour.

Grand Canyon Skywalk bus tour and helicopter flight

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The closest area to Las Vegas is the West Rim, an area outside the Grand Canyon National Park, which is managed by the Hualapai Indians.

After leaving Las Vegas, the bus reaches the Hoover Dam, one of the seven wonders of modern civil engineering. This gigantic concrete barrier forms Lake Mead, whose blue waters contrast with the barren landscape.

From the summit, you will enjoy an incomparable panorama framed by the fantastic arch bridge dedicated to Mike O'Callaghan. The vehicle then reaches the following attractions:

• Hualapai Indian Reserve, the sovereign nation that stretches over 1 million hectares. The first stop is usually Hualapai Point, where local guides will explain the history and customs of the natives. You'll have plenty of time to explore the village and the surrounding area.
• Skywalk, the famous glass walkway in the shape of a horse shoe. In some cases, the price of the tour does not include the ticket but I assure you it's well worth the wallet - how often do you get the chance to walk suspended at 1,300 metres? The base price is around 60 €.
• Guano Point, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Grand Canyon. It came to prominence in the 1930s when a huge cave full of bat droppings was discovered. Although it may look scary, it was actually a gold mine! It is rich in nitrogen, an element much sought after by the fertiliser industry. From here you can enjoy a 360° view.

At the end of the route, the bus will escort you to the local heliport. A modern gyroplane driven by an experienced pilot will take you high above the canyon. You will also experience the thrill of a landing in the valley.

Please note that this last activity is usually optional. Please check this before booking your tour.

• Duration: about 11 hours
• Price: around 50 €.

Grand Canyon tour with helicopter tour and navigation on the Colorado River

This tour combines a breathtaking ride through the air with one of the best kayaking tours in Las Vegas.

A bus will pick you up in Las Vegas and escort you to nearby Boulder City. From there you'll take a helicopter for a 35-minute flight (one way).

The gyroplane flies over the West Rim, the closest slope to the city. It's not as touristy as the southern side but that doesn't mean it's not worth a visit.

It is a lunar landscape with reddish mountains contrasting with the blue sky. Another landmark on the route is the extinct volcano Fortification Hill. After about half an hour you will return to the starting point.

Boulder City is about 30 kilometres from Las Vegas, and is famous for one of America's most important engineering works: the Hoover Dam. It was built during the Great Depression and collects the waters of the Colorado River. Several kayaking and rafting trips depart from its base and end at Willow beach, a river beach surrounded by the steep canyon walls.

The man-made basin is called Lake Mead and its shores are home to dozens of species. With a little luck you'll see burrowing owls, mountain lions, desert sheep, bald eagles and other animals.

After the boat ride you can recharge your batteries at the Black Canyon Grill restaurant or simply enjoy the placid waters of the river.

• Duration: about 11 hours
• Price: between 500 € and 600 €.

Of course it is! All fleets have to respect the strict requirements of American legislation. Dozens of helicopters are flown every day and the accident rate is practically non-existent.

To be on the safe side, if you suffer from heart problems, I recommend that you consult your doctor before booking your ticket.

Most operators fly out of McCarran Airport. This will get you to the Strip in a few minutes and give you more time to fly over the best casinos in Las Vegas.

In other cases, gyroplanes depart from Harry Reid International Airport in Paradise (metro area) or elsewhere in the city. In either case, the cost usually includes the transfer from your hotel.

Normally, to experience this sensation there must be a physical connection with the ground. Vertigo usually occurs on a balcony or rooftop, not in a gyroplane or aeroplane. In any case, I recommend that you look forward, not down- the minutes will fly by!

If you are unsure and want to avoid an unpleasant experience, you can opt for a "land-based" activity: a trip to Zion Nature Park or the Hoover Dam, relax at a spa, or enjoy the best shows at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

The article details the information for each tour. To clarify any doubts, here are a few more tips:

• Charge your mobile phone battery before you go up: the views are breathtaking.
• Please note that you will not be able to use selfie sticks or camera extenders.
• If you have a choice, sit in the seats next to the pilot. The front window has no uprights or other mechanical obstructions to obstruct the view.
• There is a maximum weight to climb into the helicopter: 125 kg. Stability is critical in a gyroplane and excessive weight could complicate the flight.