Tourists in Dubai don’t have all the time in the world. You surely have a jam-packed itinerary that stresses you out as it aims to see all of the city in a few days. What if we tell you that there’s a way to do that in just a few minutes?
Soar free among the skyscrapers, beaches, and deserts of Dubai on a helicopter ride! This daring, adventurous aerial tour only lasts for a few minutes, but it can offer you all the scenic locations and famous landmarks in Dubai in a panoramic view.
Things to Know Before You Book a Helicopter Ride in Dubai
Plan ahead if you want to experience the best helicopter ride in Dubai. There are some essential things you need to know and prepare before booking a tour. Start your journey and supplement your research with this comprehensive guide.
What Happens In A Helicopter Ride in Dubai?
A helicopter ride for luxury recreation in Dubai is a quick circuit within the city. You can tour the whole of Dubai in a few minutes without walking, traveling, or breaking a sweat. You’ll easily glide over iconic landmarks like The Palm, The Jumeirah Coastline, The World Islands, Burj Khalifa, and Burj al-Arab with an unobstructed view.
Who Can Ride Aboard a Helicopter in Dubai?
A helicopter ride is not an extreme activity, but it can surely raise one’s adrenaline level. As such, various restrictions imposed by UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the tour company may apply to ensure the passengers’ safety.
Helicopter Ride Age Restrictions
Some tour companies offering helicopter rides in Dubai welcome children two years and above, provided their parents or guardians are present to accompany them. These companies provide stroller-accessible rides. Others, however, have the right to deny children below 13.
Helicopter Ride Weight Restrictions
Helicopter tour companies also check passengers’ weights to comply with Dubai’s helicopter weight and balance regulations. There’s usually no limit for an individual passenger, but all passengers’ maximum weight in one helicopter ride cannot exceed 400 to 460 kilograms, depending on the helicopter’s size. Helicopter tours in Dubai can accommodate a maximum of 5 to 6 passengers.
Helicopter Ride Health Restrictions
Passengers with severe medical conditions, such as heart diseases, are not allowed to join. Some tour companies allow pregnant women to participate, but make sure to prepare a doctor’s recommendation if you’re more than 29 weeks pregnant. Persons with disabilities can also ride a helicopter in Dubai; just look for travel and tour companies with wheelchair-accessible rides.
Are Helicopter Rides in Dubai Safe and Regulated?
Helicopters remain to have a remarkable safety record. It’s actually considered one of the safest modes of transport for tourists. Occasional accidents, however, still happen—but it’s not as alarming as millions of road accidents that occur globally every year.
The majority of helicopter accidents globally involve some form of ground staff or pilot error. Some of the main reasons include loss of aircraft control, inadequate training and preparation, and flying while intoxicated.
However, tourist helicopter rides in Dubai have a regulated commercial market to ensure the safety of tourists and passengers. They have fully qualified pilots with international or military experience. These pilots are accompanied by climate control experts and ground staff throughout the tour.
COVID-19 Considerations
All travel and tour companies in Dubai follow special health and safety measures to combat COVID-19. Helicopter tour operators in Dubai are required by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local authorities to ensure social distancing among passengers, regularly sanitize seats and gear, conduct temperature checks for staff and guests, and promote contactless payments. Some operators may temporarily refuse child passengers and limit the total number of passengers per ride.
Tourists, too, are required to follow individual safety protocols. Passengers should wear face masks during the activity, avoid physical contact among staff and other passengers, and submit basic personal information for contact tracing purposes.
When Is the Best Time to Ride a Helicopter in Dubai?
The average working hours of helicopter tours in Dubai are between 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. These companies open hourly and half-hourly slots daily, so you can ride any time of the day as long as the slot is within the range.
The best time to see an unobstructed view of Dubai is late morning or early afternoon. The early-morning haze can ruin your experience. Night rides, meanwhile, won’t allow you to see the bright side of the city.
How Long Does a Helicopter Ride Take?
The duration of the activity depends on the package you’ll book. Helicopter tours in Dubai provide three or more choices of tour durations: 12-minute, 15/17-minute, 22/25-minute, and 40-minute tours. These flights can be private or shared. Each option also has a different route.
Passengers are required to arrive at the helicopter base at least 45 minutes before the flight for briefing. The ground staff will conduct a short orientation regarding safety and other guidelines.
What Are the Best Dubai Landmarks to See by Air
A helicopter ride is a quick city tour, so you’ll have the chance to see the best places and landmarks in Dubai by air in just a few minutes. Here are some of the best places pinned on a helicopter tour’s route:
The Jumeirah Coastline
The Jumeirah Coastline is a residential area in Dubai. It houses tourist beaches, modern townhouses, and luxury properties. Because of its unique location and offerings, the coastline is the luxury playground for families in Dubai.
The Palm
The Jumeirah Coastline also features the popular The Palm, one of the world’s largest artificial islands made through land reclamation. The Palm has three islands on offer: Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island, and Palm Jebel Ali.
Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab is also located on the coastline of Jumeirah Beach. It’s one of the tallest hotels in the world, but some of its floors are composed of non-occupiable space. The shape of the hotel is designed to resemble a ship sailing.
The World Islands
The World Islands is located 3 miles off the coast of Dubai and home to an extensive collection of man-made islands based on the world map. It plans to offer 300 mini islands after completion. So, within the tour, you can get from one continent to another.
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa has been the tallest skyscraper in the world before Taiwan’s Taipei 101 bagged the spot in 2009. With a height of 829.8 meters, you can see the best view of its head and body during a helicopter tour.
Port Rashid
Another man-made innovation from Dubai, Port Rashid is the leading cruise tourist destination in the Middle East for eight consecutive years. It is consistently recognized by World Travel Awards. Aside from being a tourist destination, Port Rashid is also a functional commercial port.
UAE Largest National Flag
Above the sky, you can also see the giant UAE national flag in all its glory. Thousands of students and regular residents crafted the flag in a month as part of the country’s 30th National Day celebration. The flag is 2,020 meters long and 3 meters wide. It weighs approximately 1,200 kilograms.
Preparation Tips And Booking Procedures
We’ve finally established some of the basic things you should expect in a helicopter ride in Dubai. Let’s now head to the actual preparations and procedures involved in booking the activity.
How to Get to Commercial Heliports in Dubai
You’ll have to meet the tour operator at their designated helipads to start the tour. Here are some of the locations of commercial heliports in Dubai and how to get there.
How to Get to Dubai Police Academy
The academy is located at Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Sufouh 2. The commercial helipad is inside the academy. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the academy approximately 25 minutes from the city center through Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11 or Al Asayel St/D72.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Palm Jumeirah and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 12, 8, 81, 93, F29, and X28. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line to the Mall Of The Emirates Metro Station. After that, take an 18-minute walk to reach the academy.
How to Get to Nassimi Beach
There’s also a commercial helipad at the exclusive Beach Club of Atlantis The Palm, Nasimi. The helipad is located in the parking area of the beach. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the beach approximately 35 minutes from the city center through Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Atlantis and its surrounding areas. There are no direct bus or metro options that can directly talk you to The Palm. You’ll need to make multiple transfers for these options. However, you can ride the Dubai Monorail and alight at the Palm Atlantis Monorail Station. After that, take a 7-minute walk to reach The Palm.
How to Get to Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai World Trade Centre is the most popular event center and exhibition venue in UAE. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the venue approximately 15 minutes from the city center through Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Dubai World Trade Centre and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 21, 27, 98E, and F11. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line to the Al Jafiliya Metro Station. After that, take a 20-minute walk to reach the venue.
How to Get to Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab also has its own commercial helipad. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the hotel approximately 30 minutes from the city center through Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11 or Al Asayel St/D72.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Burj Al Arab and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8, 81, and X28. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line to the Mall Of The Emirates Metro Station. After that, you can either take a 30-minute walk or hire a cab to reach the hotel.
What Are the Things Passengers Need to Prepare?
As a passenger in an aircraft with limited space, you need to carefully plan the things you’ll bring and wear before your flight. Here are the things you should and shouldn’t bring in a helicopter tour:
Clothing
There are no serious restrictions when it comes to clothing since you’ll participate as a passenger, but make sure to dress appropriately and comfortably based on UAE’s general rule regarding dressing in public. You can plan your outfit depending on the weather. Long dresses, long sleeves, pants, and closed shoes are recommended.
Don’t wear loose jewelry and accessories during the flight; this includes hats, sunglasses, earrings, and scarves. If your hair is long, keep it pulled back with a ponytail.
Food and Drinks
You’re not allowed to bring food and beverages inside the helicopter. However, you can bring or buy food and have a light meal at the helicopter base. Don’t ride with an empty or full stomach.
Documents
The helicopter tour operator will require passports or identification cards during check-in. Passengers also need to sign and submit disclaimers and waivers before the flight.
Luggage
No luggage is permitted on board, except for private helicopter tours with limited passengers. You can leave your luggage in secure areas or lockers at the helicopter base and bring average-sized non-professional cameras and smartphones.
Do Travelers Need to Book Beforehand?
Tour companies offering helicopter tours in Dubai provide flexible booking options with cancellation and rebooking procedures. Pre-booking is recommended as you can choose your preferred date and time slot before arriving at the helicopter base. You can still book on-site, but you’ll have to wait for available slots as a chance passenger.
What Are the Best Helicopter Tours in Dubai?
The commercial helicopter market in Dubai is thriving, so the competition is tight. You have a lot of options to choose from. The selection process would surely be challenging. To help narrow down your choices, here are some of the most recommended helicopter tour operators in Dubai and their existing tour packages:
HeliDubai
HeliDubai currently operates two Agusta 109e helicopters from Italy for all its corporate and VIP transfer flights. The flight starts at Dubai Police Academy. You can choose from a 12-minute, 17-minute, 22-minute, or 40-minute tour.
Ticket prices:
646 AED (175.88 USD) for 12 minutes, 814 AED (221.62 USD) for 17 minutes
1,045 AED (284.5 USD) for 22 minutes
1,607 AED (437.52 USD) for 40 minutes
Dubai Helicopter Tour
Dubai Helicopter Tour currently operates multiple single-engine helicopters for all its commercial flights. Their helipads are located at Atlantis The Palm and Dubai Police Academy. To book, you can choose from a 12-minute, 15-minute, 17-minute, 22-minute, or 25-minute tour. Some of their helicopter tours are included in packages with desert safari tours and cruises.
Ticket prices:
649 AED (176.69 USD) for 12 minutes
835 AED (227.33 USD) for 15 minutes
814 AED (221.62 USD) for 17 minutes
1,045 AED (284.5 USD) for 22 minutes
1,315 AED (358 USD) for 25 minutes
City-wide tour packages range from 750 AED (2,014.19 USD) to 1,500 AED (408.38 USD)
Falcon Helitours
Falcon Helitours currently operates a sightseeing Eurocopter Ec 130 B4 and a shuttle transfer aircraft Augusta 109 PIC for all its commercial flights. Their helipad is located at Atlantis The Palm. You can choose from a 12-minute, 15-minute, or 25-minute tour.
Ticket prices:
646 AED (175.88 USD) for 12 minutes
814 AED (221.62 USD) for 17 minutes
1,045 AED (284.5 USD) for 22 minutes
1,607 AED (437.52 USD) for 40 minutes
Final Tips For First-Timers
The perfect helicopter tour exists, and you can experience it with careful planning and thorough research. Aside from our essential passenger tips, make sure to study the tour company’s reputation, safety record, location, price offer, and list of activities before you book a ride.
What to Do After a Helicopter Ride in Dubai
A helicopter ride in Dubai can already give you the best things Dubai has to offer to tourists. But if you’re still looking for more aerial activities to experience the thrill of the sky, get more of Dubai through parasailing adventures, hot air balloon rides, and zipline tours.
