Manhattan or New Jersey: which heliport?
Almost every New York helicopter tour starts from one of two places: the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Pier 6, or an airport across the river in New Jersey. The choice decides when you can fly, how long for, and how much of your day it takes.
Side by side
| Manhattan (Pier 6) | New Jersey (Linden, Fairfield) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tour hours | 10 AM to 5 PM, Mon to Sat | Day, sunset and night, 7 days |
| Sundays | No tourist flights | Yes |
| Airtime | 12 to 30 minutes | 25 to 40 minutes |
| Getting there | Subway to South Ferry or Whitehall St | Train or car, 30 to 45 min each way |
| Check-in | 30 minutes before | 50 minutes before |
| From | $271 | $330 |
Choose Manhattan if
You want a daytime flight that fits between other sights: the heliport is a 10-minute walk from Battery Park and the 9/11 Memorial. The Manhattan Highlights flight ($271, 15 minutes) and the Ultimate Manhattan flight ($309, 20 minutes) are the most-booked. Map apps sometimes send people to Chelsea Piers by mistake; the address is 6 East River Piers, next to the Staten Island Ferry.
Choose New Jersey if
You want the city at night or sunset, you are flying on a Sunday, or you would rather have longer in the air and a head-on view of the skyline. The trade is the journey: about two hours door to door from Midtown including check-in. The night flight guide and the Linden guide cover it step by step.
Ready to book