Are you ready to take your exploration of Rio de Janeiro to new heights? A helicopter tour is THE ultimate way to witness the beauty of la “Cidade Maravilhosa”. From the world-famous landmarks like Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue, to the white sand beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro unveils a whole new dimension when viewed from above. Without no further ado let’s see among all the Rio de Janeiro helicopter tours which is the best for you!
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Table of Content
- Don’t have the time to go through the whole post? Pick our choices!
- The Best Rio de Janeiro helicopter tours (comparative table)
- Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Private Tour – Gregtur Tourism Rio
- Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Private Tour – Rio Adventures
- Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour – Rio Carioca Tour Ltda
- Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour – Rio2Fly
- Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Private Tour – Helisight
- FAQ about Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tours
- One last word about the best helicopter tours in Rio de Janeiro
Don’t have the time to go through the whole post? Pick our choices!
The best luxurious ride? The 1 hour Rio de Janeiro helicopter tour by Gregtur Tourism Rio. This is a private ride and the 4240€ fee will let you have the helicopter all by yourself. The helicopter can have up to 5 passengers meaning the price for each passenger is down to 848€ for 5. That’s not very expensive considering it’s a 1 hour flight.
The best helicopter tour without breaking the bank? Rio Adventures 45 minutes helicopter tour would be my go to, especially if you are a group of 3. This Helicopter tour is one of the most complete and will let you see the best sight of la Cidade Maravilhosa. The take off site is about 1 hour and 30 minutes outside the city center (Copacabana) take your time to prepare the itinerary to get there.
If you wanna go lower on your budget consider also the Rio Adventures 30 minutes flight, that cost only 555€ for a group of 3 people maximum.
The Best Rio de Janeiro helicopter tours (comparative table)
So how do you choose the right company for you? Of course the budget is probably one of the most important things to consider. But it’s not all! When booking your helicopter tour consider the sightseeing you will see, the flight duration and take off area.
Note: the prices below are the best for each company based on the different providers. For this reason some booking will send to Viator, others to TripAdvisor, and some also to GetYourGuide. I did the research for you so that all you have to do is pick up your favorite tour in the table below and hit the “Book Now” button.
| Duration | Passengers | Sightseeing* | Price | |
| Gregtur Tourism Rio | 60 min. | max 5 | 🗽⛰️🏖️🌳🏙️🏟️⚪ | 4.240€/group |
| Rio Adventures | 45 min. | max 3 | 🗽⛰️🏖️🌳🏙️🏟️ | 720€/group |
| Rio Carioca Tour Ltda | 45 min. | max 4 | 🗽⛰️🏟️⚪ | 330€/pers. |
| Gregtur Tourism Rio | 30 min. | max 5 | 🗽⛰️🏖️🌳 | 2.750€/group |
| Rio2Fly | 30 min. | max 2 | 🗽⛰️🏖️🌳 | 570€/group |
| Rio Adventures | 30 min. | max 3 | 🗽⛰️🏖️🌳 | 555€/group |
| Rio2Fly | 30 min. | max 5 | 🗽⛰️🏖️🌳 | 265€/pers. |
| Rio Carioca Tour Ltda | 25-30 min. | max 4 | 🗽⛰️ | 263€/pers. |
| Gregtur Tourism Rio | 15 min. | max 5 | 🗽⛰️🏖️ | 2.165€/group |
| Helisight | 15 min. | max 4 | 🗽⛰️🏖️ | 1.045€/pers. 1.130€/pers. |
| Helisight | 6-7 min. | max 5 | 🗽⛰️ | 100€/pers. |
Sightseeing explained
For more detail check out each tour singularly.
🗽= Christ the Redeemer (there is no Corcovado Statue so…)
⛰️= Sugarloaf Mountain
🏖️= Copacabana Beach
🌳= Tijuca National Park
🏙️= City Center, learn more about the city center with this self guided tour.
🏟️= Maracana Stadium
⚪= MAC Museum of Modern Art in Niteroi
Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Private Tour – Gregtur Tourism Rio
🕒 60 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup included.
🚁 Take off from City Center.
👤 5 persons maximum.
💰 4.240€ per group.
There are no doubts that this helicopter tour is the most complete in our list. Not only because it has the longer duration, but also because it starts from Santo Dumont Airport that is a few meters from the city center. While the majority of the other tours take off from an heliport that is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the city center.
The tour fly by many iconic spots, including the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon. During the one hour flight you will also get to cross Rio de Janeiro bay to explore Niteroi and the iconic Modern Art Museum (the MAC). The MAC is very easily recognizable because of its shape reminding an alien spaceship.
Book your helicopter tour with Gregtur Tourism Rio here.
🕒 30 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup included.
🚁 Take off from City Center.
👤 5 persons maximum.
💰 2.750€ per group.
The 30 minutes flight of Gregtur is very expensive, a full group of 5 will pay 550€/person. But you always have the advantage of taking off from the city center, so you will see more landmarks.
Book your helicopter tour with Gregtur Tourism Rio here.
🕒 15 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup included.
🚁 Take off from City Center.
👤 5 persons maximum.
💰 2.165€ per group.
The 15 minutes flight is the shorter version proposed by Gregtur. This flight pass by Corcovado, Sugarloaf mountain and on Copacabana beach. The price is fixed to 2.165€, meaning if you book the full flight you will pay 433€ per person.
Book your helicopter tour with Gregtur Tourism Rio here.
Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Private Tour – Rio Adventures
🕒 45 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup is NOT included.
🚁 Take off from Recreio dos Bandeirantes (1 hour from the City Center).
👤 3 persons maximum.
💰 720€ per group.
Rio Adventure helicopter tours have the most competitive price, but that’s also because the 1 hour transfer isn’t included. Consider between 18€ and 25€ for the taxi to get there.
This helicopter tour is one of the most complete. In addition to the sightseeing mentioned in the comparative table above, you will get to see many more sights including Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio.
When flying by the Christ the Redeemer, you will not make a full spin around the statue but you will be able to see it from each side of the helicopter.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio Adventures here.
🕒 30 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup is NOT included.
🚁 Take off from Recreio dos Bandeirantes (1 hour from the City Center).
👤 3 persons maximum.
💰 555€ per group.
Rio Adventure 30 minutes version is a very good compromise between budget-friendly and see-the-most-landmarks. Their price of 555€ par group make them the most advantageous with a cost of 185€ per person.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio Adventures here.
Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour – Rio Carioca Tour Ltda
🕒 45 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup included.
🚁 Take off from Barra da Tijuca (40 minutes from the City Center).
👤 4 persons maximum.
💰 330€ per person.
Wanna explore Rio de Janeiro and beyond? This tour will bring you to Niteroi and the iconic alien spaceship of the MAC Museum of Modern Art.
The helicopters of Carioca Tour company can host up to 4 persons. And since their tour is not private you may end up with more passengers. Also they have a policy of minimum to passengers per flight otherwise they will cancel the flight.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio Carioca Tour Ltda here.
🕒 30 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup included.
🚁 Take off from Barra da Tijuca (40 minutes from the City Center).
👤 4 persons maximum.
💰 263€ per person.
Considering that you have the flight time from the heliport to the city center you will only see Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountains and Barra da Tijuca Beach. It’s still a nice ride, but isn’t it worth investing a few more to see more landmarks?
Book your helicopter tour with Rio Carioca Tour Ltda here.
Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour – Rio2Fly
🕒 30 minutes private flight
🚌 Hotel pickup is NOT included.
🚁 Take off from Recreio dos Bandeirantes (1 hour from the City Center).
👤 2 persons maximum.
💰 570€ per person.
This helicopter ride is a great solution for couples who are willing to spend some quality time in Rio de Janeiro’s air without breaking the bank.
With this private flight you will enjoy all the top landmarks including Corcovado, Sugarloaf, and the South Western part of the center, including the enchanting area of the Jardim Botanico.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio2Fly here.
🕒 30 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup is NOT included.
🚁 Take off from Recreio dos Bandeirantes (1 hour from the City Center).
👤 5 persons maximum.
💰 265€ per person.
This tour pass by the same areas as the private tour, but with the slight difference that you may be with other passengers. Also if you are flying solo you will be with at least one more person. One last thing to keep in mind is that the helicopter tour will be cancelled if it’s only for one person. In that case, they will propose you another slot or a refund.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio2Fly here.
Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Private Tour – Helisight
🕒 15 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup is NOT included.
🚁 Take off from Heliport on Sugarloaf Mountain.
👤 4 persons maximum.
💰 1.045€ per person.
How iconic would that be to take off from the Sugarloaf Mountain? Very iconic, but unfortunately the price tag is comprehensibly quite high. With 1.045€ per person that is the second most expensive solution to fly over Corcovado, Copacabana, and of course the Sugarloaf. You live only once they say!
Note: the helicopter ride does NOT include the ticket to get on top of the Sugarloaf mountain.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio2Fly here.
🕒 15 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup is NOT included.
🚁 Take off from Heliport Lagoon (nearby Jardim Botanico).
👤 4 persons maximum.
💰 1.130€ per person.
The area of Jardim Botanico in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most hyped. With that said it shouldn’t surprise you that taking off from the Lagoon’s heliport is the most expensive solution among all the helicopter tours in Rio de Janeiro.
The 15 minutes tour, will let admire you the classics from above, Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana. Before gently posing again on ground.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio2Fly here.
🕒 6 minutes flight
🚌 Hotel pickup is NOT included.
🚁 Take off from Heliport on Sugarloaf Mountain.
👤 4 persons maximum.
💰 100€ per person.
It’s quite contradictory, but Helisight has the cheapest and the most expensive helicopter flight options. With this 6 minutes flight that take off from the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain you will have the time to go on a round trip to the Corcovado and back.
Book your helicopter tour with Rio2Fly here.
FAQ about Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tours
What’s the price for an helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro?
The price range variate a lot depending on the type of tour you are taking. The lowest price starts at 100€ and the highest is 1130€ (prices are per person). That mean there is a place for every budget! Even though I’d recommend investing a little more on a longer flight.
How should I dress for an helicopter tour?
Consider you will be up in the air at the mercy of the wind. Avoid scarves, hats, and everything that could easily fly away.
Are the weight restrictions?
Yes, there are weight restrictions, so be prepared to provide accurate weight information when booking your tour. Ensure you meet the requirements to avoid any complications on the day of the flight.
One last word about the best helicopter tours in Rio de Janeiro
With the promise of soaring above Rio de Janeiro’s iconic landscapes, a helicopter tour presents an unparalleled opportunity to admire the city from a different point of view. By considering factors such as tour options, sighseeing, duration, and pricing, you can confidently choose a helicopter tour that suits your preferences and budget. So, buckle up, prepare your camera, and get ready to embark on a thrilling journey!
Are you going to la Cidade Maravilhosa soon? Check out our guide about the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro. And for planning your first trip to Brazil check out our favorite things to do and places to see!
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