# FranzJosefGlacierHeliHike.com - the Franz Josef Glacier heli hike and Glacier Country flights, compared

> Independent guide to the Franz Josef Glacier heli hike in New Zealand and the other ways onto the ice:
> Fox Glacier heli hikes, scenic flights with snow landings and a fly-in heli hike from Queenstown. What each
> trip includes, live ratings and from-prices, age/weight/fitness rules, weather and what to wear.

Site: https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com
Language: en. Currency: USD. Country: New Zealand (Franz Josef / Waiau, West Coast).

## Verified facts

- A helicopter is the only way onto Franz Josef Glacier (Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere). Guided walks from the valley
  floor stopped in 2012; the free DOC valley walk (about 30 min return) ends at a viewpoint.
- Franz Josef Glacier Guides hold exclusive guiding access to the glacier; helicopters are operated by Inflite.
- Glacier Heli Hike: NZ$899 per person (adult or child, valid until 30 September 2027). About 5 minutes of flight
  each way, up to 2.5 hours on the ice, up to 4 hours from check-in. Summer departures 7:30am, 10:00am, 12:30pm.
  Check in 15 minutes before at Glacier Base, 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef. Guide ratio 1:11; minimum 4 guests.
- Limits: minimum age 10, weight 35-115 kg, height at least 137 cm;
  children must be accompanied by an adult; not suitable in pregnancy. Moderate fitness: 2-3 hours walking on uneven ice.
- Provided: boots, socks, crampons, harness, helmet, waterproof jacket and over-trousers, poles, waist pack, hat, gloves.
  Bring warm base layers, long non-jeans trousers, sunglasses, sunscreen. No backpacks, power banks, selfie sticks, drones.
- Weather: needs about a four-hour clear window; cancelled trips are rescheduled or refunded. The operator advises
  booking for your first day in Franz Josef and allowing two days in the area.
- The Viator listing (product 2524HDICE) excludes hotel pickup.
- Fox Glacier heli hikes (Fox Glacier Guiding, 44 Main Road, Fox Glacier, about 25 km south) are a separate glacier;
  minimum age 9, weight limit 116 kg.

## Bookable trips listed on this site

All booking links are Viator affiliate links (partner ID P00318890). The site earns a commission at no
extra cost to the reader and says so at https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD per person at the last build and move.

- Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike (Glacier Base, Franz Josef) - from $528 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.6 from 660 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Heli-Hike-Franz-Josef-Glacier-Walk/d757-2524HDICE
- Fox Glacier Heli Hike (Fox Glacier village, 25 km south) - from $498 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.9 from 602 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Heli-Hike-Fox-Glacier/d757-42720P2
- Snow Landing Flight (Franz Josef village) - from $232 per person, 25 minutes, rated 4.9 from 242 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Franz-Josef-Glacier-Helicopter-Flight-with-Snow-Landing/d757-28287P2
- Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers with Snow Landing (Franz Josef village) - from $291 per person, 35 minutes, rated 4.8 from 160 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Fox-and-Franz-Twin-Glacier-Helicopter-Flight-from-Franz-Josef/d757-28287P3
- 3 Glaciers & Aoraki Flight with Snow Landing (Franz Josef village) - from $398 per person, 45 minutes, rated 4.8 from 135 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Ultimate-Discovery-3-Glaciers-with-Snow-Landing/d757-113645P3
- Bespoke Heli Hike Adventure with Lunch (Franz Josef Glacier) - from $909 per person, 7 to 8 hours, rated 5.0 from 2 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Franz-Josef-Glacier-Adventure/d757-2524P2
- Lake Mapourika Kayak and Kiwi Sanctuary (Lake Mapourika, near Franz Josef) - from $91 per person, 3 hours, rated 4.9 from 411 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Kayak-Adventure-from-Franz-Josef-Glacier/d757-7653P1
- Short Franz Josef Nature Tour (Franz Josef glacier valley) - from $66 per person, 3 hours, rated 4.9 from 116 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Franz-Josef-and-Fox-Glacier/Franz-Josef-Glacier-2-Hour-Tour/d757-53086P6
- Queenstown to Franz Josef Heli Hike by Plane (Departs Queenstown) - from $1,230 per person, 7 hours, rated 4.9 from 38 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Franz-Josef-Glacier-Helihike/d407-171544P8

## Guide pages on this site

- https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com/guides/franz-josef-heli-hike-price/ - What the Franz Josef heli hike costs in 2026: NZ$899 for adults and children, the Viator price, what is included, what is not, and whether it is worth it.
- https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com/guides/walk-on-franz-josef-glacier/ - Can you walk on Franz Josef Glacier without a helicopter? Why valley walks stopped in 2012, what the free walk reaches, and how to get onto the ice.
- https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com/guides/franz-josef-vs-fox-heli-hike/ - Franz Josef or Fox Glacier heli hike? Prices, time on the ice, age and weight limits, ratings and the weather call, so you can pick the right glacier.
- https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com/guides/what-to-wear-heli-hike/ - What to wear on the Franz Josef heli hike: base layers, trousers (not jeans), sunglasses, what the operator provides and what you must leave behind.
- https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com/guides/heli-hike-weather-cancellations/ - How weather affects the Franz Josef heli hike: why trips are cancelled, when the call is made, refunds and rebooking, and how to plan spare days.
- https://franzjosefglacierhelihike.com/guides/heli-hike-vs-scenic-flight/ - Franz Josef heli hike or a scenic helicopter flight with a snow landing? Prices, time on the ice, age and fitness limits, and which one suits you.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- You cannot hike onto Franz Josef Glacier from the valley any more; older guides describing 'glacier walks' from the car park are out of date.
- Every Franz Josef heli hike is run by Franz Josef Glacier Guides, whichever website sells it.
- The heli hike has no child discount at the operator: NZ$899 for adults and children alike.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage. Prices, schedules and rules change; verify close to your travel date.