Bern helicopter tour: 18 minutes over the old town

The Aare river forms a horseshoe shape that only shows itself from the air.

An 18-minute helicopter tour departing from Bern-Belp airport that circles the Swiss capital's medieval old town, the Federal Palace, Bern Cathedral, and Gurten mountain. The pilot provides live commentary in English or German about the city's history and landmarks. Headsets let you hear over the rotor noise, and the flight includes a souvenir from FunFlights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter sightseeing over Bern

• Start at Bern-Belp airport
• Fly over Bern old town alleys
• View the river Aare horseshoe loop
• See the Swiss House of Parliament dome
• Fly past Bern Cathedral and park
• Overfly Swiss National Football Stadium
• View Paul Klee Centrum architecture
• See Westside Shopping Center and water park
• Fly past Bern's local mountain Gurten
• Enjoy views of Bernese Mittelland and Oberland

The experience

The helicopter leaves Bern-Belp airport and climbs over the old town, where the river Aare loops in a horseshoe shape: a sight that looks completely different from the ground. You pass over the Federal Palace with its distinctive dome, which rises above the river and anchors the center of the medieval city. The pilot points out how the building dominates the landscape from above, something the street-level view never reveals.

Bern Cathedral's steeple juts above the surrounding buildings, and from the helicopter you see the full scale of the structure against the smaller rooftops and the park in front of it. The flight also passes the Swiss National Football Stadium in the east, where you can read the YB logo on the stands from the cockpit. The Paul Klee Centrum's wave-form architecture becomes clear from above, and the Westside Shopping Center's irregular angles and attached water park and hotel spread out below. Gurten, Bern's local mountain, rounds out the route with a view over the green park and the whole old town, plus the Bernese Mittelland and Oberland beyond.

The tour operates with a live guide in English or German who knows the area inside out. Headsets are provided so you hear the commentary clearly over the helicopter noise. All fees and taxes are included, along with a souvenir from FunFlights. Children from age 6 can ride, and the helicopter is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Live guide commentary in English or German.
• headsets for clear audio during flight.
• all fees and taxes.
• souvenir from FunFlights.
• wheelchair accessibility.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to6h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by FunFlights Helicopter-Tours

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Bern-Belp airport, which is reachable by public transportation, so you don't need a rental car to reach the helicopter. This matters if you're staying in the city center or arriving without your own transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I actually see on the Bern helicopter tour?

The old town's medieval streets, the Aare river's horseshoe loop, the Federal Palace and its dome, Bern Cathedral's steeple, the Swiss National Football Stadium, the Paul Klee Centrum's wave-shaped building, Westside Shopping Center, and Gurten mountain with views across the Bernese Mittelland.

How long is the flight?

The helicopter tour lasts 18 minutes from takeoff to landing at Bern-Belp airport.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the airport?

Bern-Belp airport is accessible by public transportation, and the airport is located near the city. If you're staying in central Bern without a car, public transit gets you there. The operator notes that public transportation options are available nearby.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned helicopter, headsets so you hear the guide over the rotor noise, and a souvenir from FunFlights.

Are there age or weight limits?

Children must be at least 6 years old to fly. The maximum weight per person is 125 kg (275 lbs). Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.