Best helicopter tours in Houston

The city of Houston is the fourth largest metropolis in the United States of America. It has a wealth of attractions to offer for those who choose to visit, from the NASA Space Center and Hermann Park, to the Museum District and the Theater District. All of them are attractions that are definitely worth seeing, but if you want to enjoy the city from another angle, an excellent way to do it is with an aerial tour.

Aboard a helicopter you will have the opportunity to travel from the heights, every inch of the city, having an unbeatable panoramic view of all the sites of tourist attraction. Houston also has more than 70 skyscrapers that you will be able to see from above. If you are interested in what I have told you so far, continue reading, because here I tell you everything you need to know to take a helicopter tour in this incredible city of Texas. This is, without a doubt, one of the most fun things to do in Houston.

This exclusive tour has the particularity that it only takes place at sunset. The tour is perfectly coordinated so that, after flying over the most iconic points of the city, you can see the sunset in downtown Houston, where its famous skyscrapers are located.

In this helicopter you will pass by the Williams Tower that will surprise you with its immensity and beauty. You will also fly over the Houston Zoo, NRG Stadium, Minute Maid Park and the Downtown Aquarium. All of these sites are ideal for taking a good panoramic photo, or just to enjoy the views of Houston in a unique way.

This is undoubtedly one of the best tours in Houston, and the fact that it takes place during sunset adds a romantic touch to the experience, which makes it ideal as a plan to share with your partner.

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at €395 per person.
• Duration: the itinerary extends for 35 minutes in total.
• Means of transportation: pick up and drop off at your accommodation is not included. The tour is aboard a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: includes complimentary beverages.
• Disadvantage of this option: if the weather is not suitable, the tour will have to be cancelled and rescheduled for another day.

This is a quick tour of the highlights of the city of Houston, and can be done at any time of the day, of course according to the availability of the organizer. For the touch of elegance and the beautiful spectacle that the lighting brings to the city, this tour is truly one of the best things to do at night in Houston.

The tour starts at the meeting point, the West Houston Airport, one of the most modern and beautiful airports in the region. The helicopter will then take you to the heart of Houston where you will see Minute Maid Park from above, and then take you over the skies of the city's commercial district where the 5 largest shopping districts are located. Afterwards, you will be taken to the southern part of the city of Houston, where you will fly over the Texas Medical Center, very precious to its inhabitants.

You will also fly over the NRG Stadium, the Houston Zoo, Hermann Park, the Autodromo, the prestigious Rice University and the Greenway Plaza. Nothing will be left out of this tour that will introduce you to the best of Houston.

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at 360 euros per person.
• Duration: the itinerary lasts 30 minutes in total.
• Means of transportation: ride aboard a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: includes complimentary drinks.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not offer transfers to the meeting point or back to the hotel or place of stay.

This is an experience only for the most daring. If driving a helicopter is on your bucket list, here in Houston you will have the opportunity to put the check mark of compliment.

The tour, known as "Bucket list ride", consists of a brief flight over the city of Houston where you will have a brief helicopter driving lesson, and for about 10 minutes you will be in charge of the aircraft. Of course, always supervised by a professional pilot.

The time is enough to stay with the desire and decide if you want to take helicopter piloting lessons in the future, or discover that it is something you never want to experience again in your life.

In this adrenaline-filled ride you will fly over the surroundings of the city, downtown Houston, the NRG stadium and Memorial City, among many others. A truly unique experience that you can't miss for anything.

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at 479 euros per person.
• Duration: the general itinerary lasts 30 minutes. You will have 10 minutes to take the controls and drive yourself.
• Means of transport: ride aboard a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: individual and personalized experience.
• Disadvantage of this option: no transfers to the meeting point or back to the hotel or place of stay.

The Williams Tower was the first skyscraper built in the city of Houston, and is currently one of the tallest in the region. On the helicopter tour known as the "Galleria-Uptown Loop" you will meet it face to face.

This tour will take you straight to the top of this iconic architectural landmark. The helicopter departs from the West Houston Airport and heads directly to the Williams Tower. Once there, the aircraft will circle it so you can see all its faces and then return you to the starting point.

On the way there and back you will have the opportunity to see other iconic sites in passing, such as Energy Stadium, the city's mall, Memorial City, the city's outskirts and Addicks Reservoir.

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at €379 per person.
• Duration: the itinerary lasts between 20 and 25 minutes.
• Means of transport: does not include pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation. The ride is aboard a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: it is an ideal experience for architecture lovers, since in this tour more than in any other you will be able to appreciate the charm of the Williams Tower in detail.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not offer transfers to the meeting point or back to the hotel or lodging place.

Below I will tell you what are the most frequent doubts that arise when taking a helicopter tour, and what are the answers to all these questions.

How safe is it to travel by helicopter?

Helicopter tours comply with all regulations to ensure maximum passenger safety. The probability of having an accident in a helicopter is very low, even statistically lower than on board an airplane.

Does the weather influence a helicopter flight?

Yes, this is an important point, since the helicopter flight requires specific weather conditions to be carried out safely. Therefore, the tour may be cancelled and rescheduled if these conditions are not met. At this point you should pay attention to the weather forecast when making your reservation, and also to the dates of your stay in Houston, so that you do not have to reschedule your helicopter flight. In case you are no longer in the city on the date the flight is rescheduled, the cost of the flight will be refunded 100%.

Can children travel by helicopter?

Yes, people of all ages can take a helicopter flight, but in the case of traveling with minors, they must have their own seat in the helicopter from 2 years of age. Keep this requirement in mind at the time of your reservation to avoid last minute inconveniences. This activity is really fun and is one of the top 10 things to do with kids in Houston.

Can pregnant women take helicopter rides?

Pregnant women should avoid helicopter rides specifically during the first trimester of pregnancy and after the 36th week of pregnancy. Outside these specific periods, women in gestational period can travel by helicopter without any problems, except for specific medical indications.

Can a person using a wheelchair travel by helicopter?

Of course they can, but they must make it clear at the time of booking their ticket so that at the time of the tour they have the necessary space and assistance.

If I am afraid of heights, can I get on a helicopter?

Yes you can, and in fact it is a fascinating experience. But it is up to you to decide if you are ready to face your fear. It is recommended that you do relaxation and breathing exercises beforehand to properly prepare yourself for the experience.

Can people who suffer from dizziness or vertigo go up in a helicopter?

Flying in helicopters can cause dizziness or vertigo in people who suffer from this condition, since they are aircrafts that change direction suddenly or descend in a dive. In any case, if this is your case, you can talk to your doctor beforehand to take the necessary precautions and not miss the opportunity to enjoy this experience.

What is the load limit of a helicopter?

Generally, the helicopters used in the city of Houston for sightseeing tours are small aircrafts, and like all helicopters, they have a limited weight capacity, which in this case is usually about 254 kilograms without counting the pilot. Therefore, the maximum number of passengers on these tours is 3, and people weighing more than 130 kilograms are not accepted for safety reasons.

Are there different prices for helicopter tours?

The prices for the experience of flying over Houston in a helicopter can vary and can be reduced if the flight is shared. Most of the tours have a fixed price that does not vary if it is a single person or three tourists. In the latter case, obviously the cost is divided among the participants of the excursion, thus being a much more economical ride.

What happens if I decide to cancel my helicopter flight?

If you wish to cancel your helicopter tour , you can do so up to 48 hours before the reserved date. Rescheduling the flight is completely free of charge, but cancellations may include a cancellation fee of approximately 10% of the total amount paid for the flight.

It is likely that if you are interested in helicopter tours in Houston you like adrenaline or you are a lover of aeronautical activities. That is why I am going to tell you about two other activities that you cannot miss if you plan to visit the city of Houston.

Indoor Skydiving at the Houston Memorial

This activity is perfect if you have always dreamed of jumping from a plane with a parachute, but never dared to do it for fear. At FLY Houston Memorial there is an indoor skydiving facility that gives you the opportunity to have the same sensation as if you were jumping from a plane, but with the total certainty that you will come out unscathed.

The simulator consists of a vertical wind tunnel that replicates the speed of the free fall. You will first receive a brief instructional class by a professional, and then in the company of the same instructor you will live the experience of indoor parachute jumping.

You do not need previous experience to perform this activity, and you will also get a nice certificate that gives proof of your participation. Undoubtedly, an activity only suitable for the bravest.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 104 euros per person, which includes two flights.
• Duration: between preparation, instruction and the experience itself, the activity lasts between one hour and one hour and fifteen minutes.
• Means of transportation: this activity does not include transportation, since it is done indoors.
• Advantage of this option: it is a fun and safe experience.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not offer transportation to the center or back to the hotel or place of stay.

Feel like a pilot in the F-18 Super Hornet flight simulator

If you ever wanted to fly a fighter plane, as seen in action movies, or want to feel like a professional army pilot, this is the ideal activity for you. In the OptiFly flight simulation center you will be able to pilot a Super Hornet F-18 aircraft in a totally realistic way.

The flight simulator offers multiple variants, such as choosing between any airport in the world to take off or land your aircraft, landing on a ship in the middle of the ocean, flying in different weather conditions and even piloting in an air combat.

This activity is suitable for children, and can also be done in a group, with family or friends.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 63 euros per person.
• Duration: the flight simulation lasts 35 minutes in total.
• Means of transportation: transportation is not included.
• Advantage of this option: accessible by public transport.
• Disadvantage of this option: no transfers to the center or back to the hotel or place of stay.