Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

The Franz Josef Heli Hike was one of the highlights of my time in New Zealand: walking on a glacier is one of those other-worldly experiences! It may be expensive, completely weather-dependent, and easy to get wrong if you don’t plan ahead but I think it’s all worth the hassle. Here’s everything I wish I’d known before booking the Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike: what it costs, what to expect and whether or not it’s worth the money.

What to Expect

Once you’ve had your safety briefing and had your gear fitted in the office, you will have a very scenic helicopter ride onto the glacier. Then, when you have landed on the ice, you will walk around exploring various ice caves (I even got to walk through one!) for around 2.5 hours before your helicopter ride back to Franz Josef.

How to Book the Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike

The Franz Josef Heli Hike is a pretty popular activity so I would recommend booking your tour at least 2 months in advance if you are travelling in the peak and shoulder season (November-March). This is the tour I did (with Franz Josef Glacier Guides) when I visited New Zealand and I would highly recommend them! The tour costs around £383/$506 and includes helicopter transfers on/off the glacier and hiking on the glacier itself as well as all the safety equipment (crampons, boots, poles, waterproof gear, helmet and gloves).

I would recommend booking an early morning slot on your first day in Franz Josef if possible (you’ll find out why in a minute).

What Happens If the Weather Turns?

A big thing to note is the weather! This can change unexpectedly so you will need to be aware that things may change on the day: your time on the glacier may be cut short, delayed or cancelled altogether. My trip was cut short: I got around 40 minutes on the glacier and the helicopter load after us only got 5-10 minutes before they were evacuated off due to bad weather coming in (they were worried we’d be trapped on the glacier overnight). We did get around a 55% refund for the inconvenience caused so I really didn’t mind only getting 40 minutes up there as it was still a super unique experience!

To maximise your chances of getting up there, I would recommend to have 1-2 buffer days in case your trip is cancelled due to the bad weather (a significant share are cancelled and this number can be worse in off-peak season) so plan accordingly. If your trip is cancelled due to bad weather, you will have the option of a 100% refund or to book on the next available day (last minute spots tend to come up as people’s travel plans change).

What to Wear and Bring

Wear lots of layers for warmth but don’t worry too much about the rest as all the important gear is provided in the tour: crampons, boots, poles, waterproof trousers and jacket, helmets and gloves.

Is the Franz Josef Heli Hike Worth It?

I think it is definitely worth it! It may be an expensive activity but the feeling you will have when walking around up there is unmatched. That being said, if you are on a tight budget and just can’t afford it, there are other, cheaper options in Franz Josef that still allow you to see the glacier.

Other Ways to See Franz Josef Glacier

• Helicopter flights with a glacier landing are a great option if you want to see the vastness of the glacier from above but don’t want the full hike.
• Skydiving over Franz Josef glacier looks epic (18,000 feet, New Zealand’s highest free-fall). It was voted by Red Bull as one of the best places to skydive IN THE WORLD!
• There are some free ways to see the glacier as well: the Glacier Valley Walk (1.7km walk, mostly flat) and the Sentinel Rock Walk (900m return, higher viewpoint so slightly steeper).

How to Get to Franz Josef

If you are road tripping around New Zealand (check out my 1 month NZ road trip itinerary), you will most likely be coming from down the West Coast (Westport is 3h45 away) or from Wanaka (4h away). The closest major airports are Christchurch and Queenstown: both are very scenic drives that will take you around 5h.

Where to Stay in Franz Josef

Franz Josef is a very small town that receives a lot of tourists in the peak season so it’s really important to book your accommodation well in advance. Here are some great options for all budget types:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rainforest Retreat. This place has such a variety of options from dorm rooms all the way to luxury treehouses.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wild Kea Lodge Franz Josef. A great mid-range accommodation in a good location with amazing reviews.

Camping (and budget lodges): Franz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park. A great spot for those of you who are on tighter budgets or who want to save in order to be able to splash out on the amazing activities here.

FAQs

How much is the Franz Josef heli-hike?
The tour costs around £383/$506 but can vary a bit depending on when and where you book it.

How long does it take?
The whole experience can take 4-5 hours (with around 2.5hours on the glacier itself).

What happens if my flight is cancelled?
If your tour is cancelled due to bad weather, you will have the option of a 100% refund or to book on the next available day (last minute spots tend to come up as people’s travel plans change).

Is it worth it?
YES, 100%! It is an amazing place!

Franz Josef or Fox Glacier?
I think it’s best to stay in Franz Josef glacier as there are a few more things to do here but definitely spend half a day in the Fox glacier region to see Lake Matheson and go to one of their cute cafes.

How far ahead should I book?
At least 2 months before your trip.

Can children do it?
Minimum age is 10 years old (35kg and 4’6″).

How fit do you have to be?
As long as you feel comfortable doing a 2-3 hour walk (with minimal elevation change), you should be fine

The Franz Josef heli hike isn’t cheap, and the weather can change your plans, but standing on a glacier in the middle of a rainforest valley was one of the most memorable things I did in New Zealand. Book the first flight of the day if you can, leave a spare day in your schedule and make sure you know the operator’s cancellation policy before you pay.

Heading south next? Check out my One Month New Zealand Itinerary for how I fitted Franz Josef into a full road trip, and my Wanaka Hikes Guide for your next stop.