Dubai is a magnificent emirate offering stunning sights and tourist attractions. They require a unique way to explore, and what could be better than a helicopter tour of the city’s iconic landmarks? We have compiled a list of the 10 best helicopter tours, flights and itineraries in Dubai.
The ranking is in ascending order based on flight duration and prices. Choose the one that suits your preferences and requirements.
Iconic Tour
This iconic tour is the shortest and cheapest helicopter tour in Dubai. It starts at the Dubai Police Academy in Al Sufouh 1. The tour flies over Burj Al Arab, Kite Beach, Safa Park and the Dubai Canal, making a turn over the Business Bay area. You will return to the landing pad at the Dubai Police Academy, following the same route.
- Flight duration: 12 minutes
- Starting and ending point: Dubai Police Academy
- Tour types: general (710 AED/person) and private (3020 AED)
- Maximum number of people: 5
- Iconic landmarks: Burj Al Arab and Dubai Canal
Pearl Tour
The Pearl Tour has the same flight duration as the Iconic Tour, but is slightly more expensive. You will start your flight from the landing pad at the famous Atlantis The Palm hotel. The route takes you to Burj Khalifa, flying over several landmarks of the eastern crescent of Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, a 7-star hotel, and returns along the Dubai coast. Your final destination is the same landing pad.
- Flight duration: 12 minutes
- Starting and ending point: Atlantis The Palm
- Tour types: shared (715 AED/person) and private (3145 AED)
- Maximum number of people: 6
- Iconic landmarks: Aquaventure water park, Atlantis The Palm and Burj Al Arab
3. Fun Ride
The Fun Ride is arguably the best helicopter tour in Dubai. It’s only a 15-minute flight, but it covers almost all of Dubai’s iconic landmarks. Plus, it’s affordable and offers the best value compared to other tour packages.
You start from the roof of Atlantis The Palm. Head towards the World Islands, flying right past Burj Al Arab. The tour reaches the Union House, after which you return back. On the way back, you fly over several historic areas, Sheikh Zayed Road, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Canal, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and return to Atlantis.
- Flight duration: 15 minutes
- Start and end point: Atlantis The Palm
- Tour types: general (921 AED/person) and private (4041 AED)
- Maximum number of people: 6
- Iconic landmarks: Burj Al Arab, Big Flagpole, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Canal, Dubai Marina, Mall of the Emirates, Palm Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed Road and The World Islands
Palm Tour
This helicopter tour is similar to the Fun Ride package. It lasts 2 minutes longer but does not cover all the iconic landmarks. Your flight begins at the Dubai Police Academy helipad, near Burj Al Arab. The tour takes you along the eastern crescent of Palm Jumeirah, overlooking the Arabian Gulf. You make a turn near the legendary Atlantis The Palm and fly past Burj Al Arab.
The route runs along the southern parts of the World Islands to Port Rashid. Another turn and you fly past the Big Flagpole at the Union House. On the way back, you will see such iconic landmarks as the Jumeirah Mosque, the Etihad Museum, Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Road and the Mall of the Emirates, returning to the Dubai Police Academy.
- Flight duration: 17 minutes
- Starting and ending point: Dubai Police Academy
- Tour types: general (945 AED/person) and private (4390 AED)
- Maximum number of people: 5
- Iconic landmarks: Aquaventure Waterpark, Atlantis The Palm, The Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Jumeirah Mosque, Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands
5. Vision Tour
This is an extended and more detailed version of the Palm tour. It is 5 minutes longer and offers additional routes along the Dubai Canal. Therefore, it is more expensive. However, it may be the ideal helicopter tour of Dubai for a small additional fee.
You take off from the Dubai Police Academy and fly along the eastern arc of Palm Jumeirah to the Atlantis The Palm hotel. The route then turns and heads towards Burj Al Arab. You fly over the Arabian Gulf to Burj Khalifa, passing over Jumeirah Beach.
The tour passes over several skyscrapers in the Za’aabil area, crosses the Dubai Canal and meets the Dubai Creek. You then fly left along the canal towards the historic Al Fahidi district. The route continues to Port Rashid, then turns towards the southern part of the World Islands. Finally, you return to the starting point, flying directly past Burj Al Arab.
- Flight duration: 22 minutes
- Start and end point: Dubai Police Academy
- Tour types: general (AED 1,299/person) and private (AED 5,995)
- Maximum number of passengers: 5
- Landmarks: Al Fahidi Historical District, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Canal, Dubai Creek, Flagpole, Jumeirah Mosque, Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands
Grand Tour
This half-hour helicopter tour of Dubai is similar to the City Tour. It is 5 minutes longer but offers the same set of sights that you can see from the helicopter. The routes differ in that you start not from Atlantis The Palm, but from the Dubai Police Academy.
When the flight begins, you will explore the Dubai Marina area and fly along the eastern arc of Palm Jumeirah. When you reach Atlantis The Palm, the route turns and you fly past Burj Al Arab, entering the mainland from the Jumeirah beach line, flying over the Dubai Canal, Burj Khalifa, and meeting the Dubai Creek in the Al Garhoud area.
You fly along the bay over the historic districts of old Dubai, turn away from Port Rashid and enter the Arabian Gulf to explore the southern part of the World Islands. At the end, you return to the starting point, flying past Burj Al Arab again.
- Flight duration: 30 minutes
- Start and end point: Dubai Police Academy
- Tour types: general (AED 1,770/person) and private (AED 7,965)
- Maximum number of passengers: 5
- Landmarks: same as the City Tour.
Odyssey Tour
The Odyssey is an extended version of the Grand Tour, adding the Jebel Ali Palm to the itinerary. The additional 10 minutes result in higher booking prices. If you want to get the full helicopter tour of Dubai, this may be the perfect choice for you.
You start at the Dubai Police Academy and fly along Dubai Marina to explore the eastern arc of Palm Jumeirah. Halfway through, the route turns and takes you along the Dubai coastline over the Arabian Gulf.
You land at Port Rashid, fly along Dubai Creek and turn right over the Jameel Arts Centre. You then fly along Sheikh Zayed Road, past Burj Khalifa, to the south-western part of the World Islands and head towards Atlantis. You turn back and head for the landing point, flying along and over the eastern arc of Palm Jumeirah.
Main destinations that every helicopter tour should include
Dubai is an oasis of mesmerising man-made wonders that can leave you in awe. Some stand tall and firm, piercing the sky, others rise above the Persian Gulf, creating a whole new world, and the rest showcase the incredible realisation of human imagination. All these amazing creations have put Dubai on the world map. Exploring these landmarks from a bird’s eye view brings a whole new level of satisfaction. Here are some of the main attractions you should look for when booking a helicopter tour:
- Burj Khalifa
- Burj Al Arab
- The World Islands
- Dubai Marina
- Dubai Canal
- Palm Jebel Ali
- Dubai Creek
- Palm Jumeirah
- Cultural and historical monuments
- Ain Dubai
Conclusion:
The terms we used for the top 10 helicopter tour headings are common among companies offering helicopter tours in Dubai. In some cases, they may vary, as there are no restrictions on making changes. However, flight durations and destinations usually remain the same across all service providers. You should always contact them to find out about their services, prices, offers and destinations before choosing a package.
