Franz Josef heli hike price

How much does the Franz Josef heli hike cost in 2026?

NZ$899 per person on the operator's site, for adults and children alike, and from $528 in US dollars on Viator.

The other trips on the ice cost more or less depending on how long you stay up there. These are the options for the same glacier, plus the Fox Glacier heli hike half an hour south.

What does the heli hike price include?

Both helicopter flights, a guide for up to 2.5 hours on the ice, and every piece of technical and waterproof gear you need.

• A scenic helicopter flight of about five minutes each way, landing high on the main ice fall
• A guide who cuts steps and a route through the ice, with up to 11 guests per guide
• Leather walking boots and socks, crampons, a harness and helmet, and trekking poles
• A waterproof jacket and over-trousers, a warm hat and gloves, and a small waist pack
• Commentary on the glacier's science and its Maori stories

What is not included?

Hotel pickup, food and drinks, and anything you forget, such as sunglasses.

You make your own way to Glacier Base at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef, which has free parking for cars and campervans, and check in 15 minutes before your flight. Bring a small water bottle and a snack. Sunglasses are essential on the ice; if you forget yours, they are sold at the desk.

Is it cheaper on Viator or direct?

About the same: the operator charges NZ$899, and Viator lists the same trip from $528 in US dollars, which works out at roughly the same money.

The difference is the small print. On Viator you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before, and the reviews sit in one place. If the operator cancels for weather, you are offered another time or a refund either way. Exchange rates move, so compare on the day you book.

Do children pay less?

No. The heli hike costs the same for a child as for an adult, and children must be at least 10 and travel with an adult.

Heli hikers also need to weigh 35 to 115 kg and be at least 137 cm tall. If you have younger children, a scenic flight with a snow landing takes them from age 4, has child fares, and costs well under half as much. See heli hike vs scenic flight.

Travelling with under-10s? The 25-minute flight lands on the snow high on the glacier and has child fares from age 4.

★ 4.9 242 reviews · 25 minutes · from $232

Explore the 25-minute flight with snow landing →

Why does the heli hike cost so much?

You are paying for two helicopter flights, a specialist guide for a small group, all the gear, and the exclusive guiding access to this glacier.

The ice moves fast, measured at up to 5 metres a day on the main ice fall, so guides scout the route each morning and recut it as they go. Each group has at most 11 guests per guide, and the trip needs a minimum of four guests to run.

Is the Franz Josef heli hike worth the money?

For fit travellers who get a clear day, guests say yes: it rates 4.6 from 660 reviews, and many call it the best thing they did in New Zealand.

The complaints are honest ones. Weather cancels trips, sometimes several days in a row, and one guest on a busy day felt they covered only a few hundred metres and wished they had booked a longer trip. If you only want to stand on the snow, or you cannot walk two to three hours on uneven ground, the money is better spent on a scenic flight.

How do you get the most for your money?

Book your first day in Franz Josef, take an early slot, and keep a spare day in the area.

The operator recommends booking for your first day and spending at least two days in the region, so a cancelled trip can move. Reviewers suggest the early departures, before cloud builds. And be honest about fitness: guides can stop guests who are not fit enough, and Viator notes there is no refund in that case. More in weather and cancellations.

Frequently asked questions