Getting there: car vs helicopter

Getting there: car vs helicopter

Are you planning an extravagant event?

Whether you’re in a pinch and need to get somewhere far in a short amount of time or want to feel like a celebrity, travelling by helicopter is a far better alternative to a car. Not only is it a more glamorous option, but it also has numerous perks that outweigh travelling by car.

Trying to toss-up whether you want to invest in a fancy car or a helicopter transfer? If you need further convincing, we make the task easier for you by weighing up the essential things to consider when picking between the two.

Timing

When it comes to driving somewhere in a car, the trip can be a killer. Most of the time, you just want to get to your destination and go back home. To make it even worse, sometimes, the drive can take longer than the time you’ll be spending at the place once you arrive!

However, when you are travelling by helicopter, the story is much different.

A helicopter is naturally much faster due to its ability to cover more distance within a shorter time. Not to mention, in a helicopter, you will fly over through the sky and avoid terrain, not working around roads. This cuts the time even shorter.

Helicopter-travel

Without a doubt, helicopter flights are a way faster alternative, especially in a city like Sydney. In fact, helicopters are nearly 2-3 times faster.

What could be a one-hour trip by car can be made in less than half the amount of time by helicopter. It’s very convenient for situations where you want to be somewhere far away in a short amount of time like a wedding or special event.

To put it into perspective, majority of our helicopters have a cruise speed of 230 km/h, with the lowest rate being 170km/h. This is far faster than the highest NSW car speed limit of 110km/h. This means your two and a bit hour drive by car from Sydney to the Hunter Valley is done in 45 minutes by a helicopter.

Shorter travel time with a view? Sounds like a win to us!

Helicopter-transfer

 

External contributing factors

As mentioned above, helicopters can cut a lot of the time down by flying over land instead of following roads. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have their fair share of obstacles!

When flying in helicopters, there are many things pilots and companies need to be mindful of when setting up and planning a trip.

A big thing to consider is landing space. More flexible than planes, helicopters can land in more places. However, they aren’t just like cars that can go anywhere – the company will need approval and clearance beforehand to make sure it is safe.

Air traffic is also a contributing factor as a pilot will need to avoid interrupting or colliding with another existing flight path. They also need to consider the time and region to make sure they are abiding by air rules concerning speed, altitude and noise. This is also on top of the weather and general head and tailwinds, which can alter the flight time.

But obviously, cars still have a lot more issues when it comes to getting you to your destination on time. Not only will you experience heavy traffic (which can be far worse than air traffic!), but there are other issues that contribute to your travels as well.

Heavy-traffic

For example, road works and closures can create a major hassle for those needing to get somewhere on time. Accidents and other problems on the roads can also cause significant delays.

Furthermore, there are also traffic lights and signs in general, making cars a much more stop-and-go experience.

It’s easy to see that both forms of transport experience difficulties and challenges that can affect the overall travel time. But at the end of the day, helicopters still prove to provide a more seamless trip.

The experience

A major perk when you fly by helicopter is the experience and view. While it may be nice to drive a car through a scenic region, nothing will beat the view from a helicopter!

A helicopter ride through Sydney is unlike any other. Being a scenic city, we have so many notable locations to witness. Whether you are merely taking a charter flight or you’re in the middle of a tour, you will be treated to the mesmerising views no matter what!

From passing the iconic landmarks and the glorious shores of the Northern Beaches through to the mystic valleys of the Blue Mountains, all parts of Sydney are worth marvelling at. Plus, when the lights get switched on in the iconic harbour and CBD, the city seems like a whole new location!

Sydney-aerial-view

While cars can sit on ground level in traffic, bumper-to-bumper, you can zoom past, taunting the lines of cars below. Instead of sitting still on fume-filled roads, you will be relaxing high up in the sky. Plus, you’ll be getting to your location much quicker!

Not to mention, helicopters are far more flexible in route options. While cars have minimal routes to travel by road—sometimes only having a one-road option—helicopters have a vast sky to fly through. And detours can be made to go past locations on the way through, all the while still getting there faster than you would by car!

Oh, and you can’t forget a helicopter is far more comfortable than a car! With more room to breathe, big full windows and comfortable seating, a car doesn’t even start to compare. You also get a knowledgeable and experienced commentator for a pilot to make your trip far more entertaining!


Now you’ve had an overview and have seen the comparison on car vs helicopter travel, it is time to make your pick!

Want to book a helicopter charter? You’ve made a practical yet enjoyable choice! Give us a call on (02) 9637 4455.

If you want to go one step further, treat you and your loved ones to one of our breathtaking scenic flights through Sydney. Instead of flying to a destination, take some time to tour and enjoy the magical landscapes of the city.

For more information on the tours we offer, please explore our website or send an enquiry today.