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- London Heliport to Cheltenham in about 35 to 45 minutes
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Helicopter Cheltenham
Helicopter Cheltenham: from London Heliport to the racecourse
Helicopter Cheltenham is simple: we fly you from the London Heliport in Battersea to Cheltenham Racecourse in about 35 to 45 minutes, and a Land Rover meets you on landing.
You skip the motorway on the busiest days of the National Hunt year. You fly over the Thames Valley and the Cotswolds, land at the racecourse helipad, and a 4×4 takes you to your hospitality, your stand, your enclosure or, if you are an owner or trainer, to your horse. At the end of the day the same helicopter takes you home.
These are our Cheltenham helicopters: twin-engine aircraft for 5 to 8 passengers, chosen for your party, your weights and the day. We quote a fixed price, which you can ask for below, and a charter specialist answers 24 hours a day.
The short answer
Helicopter to Cheltenham at a glance
We fly from London Heliport, Battersea, to the racecourse helipad on race days, about 35 to 45 minutes in the air, with a Land Rover transfer on landing. Ask for a fixed price: it depends on your date, party and aircraft. For typical prices across the UK, see helicopterhireprices.co.uk.
| DepartsThe only central London heliport, on the Thames | London Heliport, Battersea |
| LandsOn race days, arranged with the racecourse in advance | Cheltenham Racecourse helipad |
| Flight time75 nautical miles in a straight line, typical range | 35 to 45 min |
| On landingTo your hospitality, stand, enclosure or horse | Land Rover 4×4 |
| SeatsAircraft chosen for your party and weights | 5 to 8 |
| Arrive at BatterseaBefore departure | 10 min |
| BookRace days fill early: the sooner the better | As early as you can |
| PriceFixed, no surprises | Ask for a fixed price |
Side by side
Helicopter or chauffeur car to Cheltenham: the honest comparison
London Heliport, Battersea, to Cheltenham Racecourse by helicopter, against a chauffeur-driven car from central London.
| Helicopter | Chauffeur car | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 75 nautical miles in a straight line (about 87 miles) | 99 miles by road |
| Travel time | 35 to 45 minutes in the air | At least 2 hr 15 min on empty roads; race days are slower |
| Door to door | About an hour from arriving at Battersea to your hospitality, typically | Allow well over 2 hr 15 min and leave early on race days |
| Leaves from | Directions to London Heliport, Battersea, 10 minutes before departure | Your door, hotel or office |
| Arrives at | The racecourse helipad, then a Land Rover to hospitality, stand, enclosure or horse | The car park or drop-off area for your enclosure |
| The day | Fly late morning, race, fly home after the last race | Leave in the early morning, race, join the queue home |
| After the last race | Land Rover to the helipad, take-off from 30 minutes after the last race unless the racecourse permits earlier | Leave with the crowds; the same roads, in the dark in autumn and winter |
| Home | Back in Battersea about 40 minutes after take-off | Typically late evening, longer in traffic |
| Daylight and darkness | The return can run into dusk or dark; see below | The return is in the dark in autumn and winter |
| Party size | Up to 8 seats, the whole helicopter is yours | Cars and minibuses, arranged for your numbers |
| Cost | Fixed price on request | Usually less for a small party |
Helicopter time: straight-line distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes for start-up and approach, shown as a range. Road time: free-flowing, with no traffic, so it is a floor: real race-day journeys are slower.
The car is cheaper and the helicopter is faster, and that is the whole trade. A chauffeur is a sensible choice if you are a small party who does not mind a long day, and if you would rather go by road, our partner exec-chauffeur.com arranges chauffeur-driven cars in London. A helicopter wins when time matters: on a race day it gives you back more than an hour and a half before the first race and again at the end of the day, when you can be home while the car is still in the queue. Many of our clients use both, with a car at the London end to the heliport. See our transfers or ask us to arrange it.
We do not guess at motorway delays. Festival days bring heavy traffic to the roads around the course, which is why the free-flowing time above is the best case, not the usual case. For the road side, the Jockey Club publishes travel advice on its Cheltenham pages.
The route
Battersea to Cheltenham Racecourse on the map
The flight runs north-west from the Thames at Battersea, over the Thames Valley and the Cotswolds, to the racecourse at Prestbury Park.
The map shows the straight-line helicopter route from the London Heliport in Battersea to Cheltenham Racecourse: 75 nautical miles, about 35 to 45 minutes. By road it is 99 miles, at least 2 hr 15 min with no traffic.
The map shows the straight-line helicopter route from the London Heliport in Battersea to Cheltenham Racecourse: 75 nautical miles, about 35 to 45 minutes. By road it is 99 miles, at least 2 hr 15 min with no traffic.
Battersea to Cheltenham Racecourse
Helicopter: about 35 to 45 minutes
Chauffeur with no traffic: 2 hr 15 min (99 miles by road, 87 miles in a straight line). Race days add road delay.
The flight time is the straight-line distance (75 nautical miles) at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range. The racecourse marker is the approximate centre of the site: the helipad is close to the course, and we confirm the exact landing arrangements with you.
On landing
On landing at Cheltenham, a Land Rover is waiting
You do not land and then wonder where to go. A 4×4 Land Rover meets the helicopter and takes you where you need to be.
This is arranged with the racecourse in advance, which is another reason to book early. The racecourse’s helipad is a short way from the course, and the Land Rover removes the walk, the gates and the traffic from the middle of your day.
You still need your ticket, badge or hospitality pass for the day: the Jockey Club asks helicopter passengers to show their race day tickets on arrival. Owners and trainers arriving by helicopter are asked to tell the Cheltenham Owners Desk in advance, and we will help you do that: read the racecourse’s own helicopter information.
- To your hospitality or your stand
- To your enclosure
- Or, if you are an owner or trainer, to your horse
- Back to the helicopter after the last race, so you do not queue with the crowds
Daylight and the clocks
Cheltenham helicopters and the clocks: flying home at dusk
The Festival is in March, before the clocks go forward, so the last race finishes close to sunset and the flight home runs into dusk or darkness.
In March the clocks have not yet gone forward. Sunset at Cheltenham on Festival week is around 18:15 GMT, and the last race of the day is scheduled for 17:20.
The racecourse does not allow take-offs until 30 minutes after the last race, unless the Clerk of the Course permits an earlier departure. That puts the earliest normal departure at about 17:50. A flight of 35 to 45 minutes then lands at Battersea at around 18:30, just after sunset at the heliport (about 18:06 to 18:12 that week). The return is a dusk flight, and anything that leaves later is in the dark.
Autumn and winter meetings are tighter still. Once the clocks go back (on 25 October 2026) sunset falls around 16:00 to 16:30 from November to January, so a late-afternoon last race means the flight home is after dark.
| Meeting | Sunset at Cheltenham | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase, Fri 23 to Sat 24 Oct 2026 | 17:58 BST | Clocks still on summer time: dusk after 18:30 |
| November Meeting, Fri 13 to Sun 15 Nov 2026 | 16:21 to 16:18 GMT | Clocks have gone back: the return is after dark |
| Christmas Meeting, Fri 11 to Sat 12 Dec 2026 | 15:57 GMT | Darkest time of year: the return is after dark |
| New Year’s Day, Fri 1 Jan 2027 | 16:08 GMT | The return is after dark |
| Festival Trials Day, Sat 30 Jan 2027 | 16:52 GMT | The return is after dark |
| Cheltenham Festival, Tue 16 to Fri 19 Mar 2027 | 18:14 to 18:19 GMT | Last race 17:20: a dusk return, dark if later |
| April Meeting, Wed 14 to Thu 15 Apr 2027 | 20:03 to 20:05 BST | Clocks forward on 28 March: plenty of daylight |
Sunset times are calculated for the racecourse (about 6 to 8 minutes earlier in Battersea). Meeting dates come from the Jockey Club season guide and Festival race times from the Festival schedule; times can change, so check them before you book.
What this means for you. Plan the return with the crew when you book: the later the departure, the more it matters. The aircraft and crew must be set up for a flight at dusk or in the dark, and we confirm night arrangements with the crew when we quote. Battersea’s hours matter too. On the days of the Festival the heliport’s normal hours run to 19:30 on weekdays, and evening extensions must be requested; see the London Heliport opening hours for exactly what is published.
Ask us for a fixed price and we will build the day around the last race and the light. Check conditions any time on our Battersea Heliport weather page.
Booking early
Book your helicopter to Cheltenham as early as you can
Race days, and Festival week above all, are among the busiest days of our year. The earlier you ask, the more choice you have.
Our advice is simple: when your hospitality is booked, book the helicopter. Send us the date, the number of passengers and a rough weight for each, and we reply with the aircraft, the timings and a fixed price. We can sometimes manage short notice, but on a race day it is not something to rely on. Read how to book a private helicopter.
- Helicopters, crews and landing slots are arranged in advance and they fill up
- The racecourse arrangements, including the Land Rover transfer, are agreed with the venue ahead of the day
- Landing at Cheltenham is subject to the racecourse’s permission and the suitability of the site
- The later you book, the less likely your preferred times will be free at Battersea and at the racecourse
- Larger helicopters, such as the eight-seat AW139 and H145, are limited in number
Your helicopter
Cheltenham helicopters you can charter
Four twin-engine helicopters suit the run. We choose the aircraft for your passengers, their weights and the day, and every one is flown on a UK CAA AOC.
The largest cabin we offer, in cream leather with polished wood and a fold-down airstair. A separate baggage compartment is loaded from outside. Limited slots, so ask early.
A roomy flat-floor cabin and a smooth, quiet five-blade rotor, built for a larger party. We confirm the seat count for your date.
An air-conditioned leather cabin and a rear hold with its own door. A quick, refined helicopter and a natural pick for race days.
The economical choice for a smaller party, with good room for soft bags and a smaller footprint for tighter landing sites.
| Helicopter | Seats | Luggage | Best for a Cheltenham party of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin Squirrel | 5 passengers | Soft bags, modest | 1 to 5 racegoers |
| Agusta 109 Grand | Up to 6 | Rear hold with its own door; soft bags | 4 to 6, or owners and trainers with guests |
| Airbus H145 D3 | Up to 8, confirmed for your date | Separate cargo compartment; soft bags | 6 to 8, a corporate hospitality group |
| Leonardo AW139 | 8, VIP layout | Separate baggage compartment loaded from outside | 6 to 8, VIP guests wanting the most space |
Which helicopter for your party?
- One to five racegoers: the Twin Squirrel is the sensible choice, and its smaller size can suit tighter landing sites.
- A party of four to six, or an owner with guests: the Agusta 109 Grand, quick and comfortable, with a proper hold for coats and soft bags.
- Six to eight, or a hospitality host with a large group: the Airbus H145 D3 or the Leonardo AW139. The AW139 has the largest cabin we offer, so ask for it when comfort comes first.
- Not sure? Tell us the number of passengers, their weights and the date, and we will recommend one.
Weights decide which helicopter can carry your party and how much luggage it can take, so we ask for them when you enquire. Soft bags are easier to stow than hard cases. See the whole helicopter fleet or read about why we fly twin-engine helicopters.
How it works
How a Cheltenham helicopter day works
Three steps to book, then one long day from the Battersea pad.
- 1Tell us the date and the partyThe race day, the number of passengers and their weights, and whether you want to fly home after the last race.
- 2We confirmA charter specialist replies quickly with the aircraft, the timings and a fixed price, and agrees the racecourse arrangements for you.
- 3Fly on the dayArrive at Battersea 10 minutes before departure. Fly, land, take the Land Rover, enjoy the racing, and fly home.
An example Festival day from the Battersea pad
| About 10:50 | Arrive at the London Heliport, Battersea, 10 minutes before departure |
| About 11:00 | Depart; the flight takes about 35 to 45 minutes |
| About 11:40 | Land at the racecourse helipad; the Land Rover takes you to hospitality, stand, enclosure or horse |
| 13:20 | First race on each day of the Festival |
| 17:20 | Last race on each day of the Festival |
| From about 17:50 | Land Rover back to the helipad; take-off from 30 minutes after the last race unless the racecourse permits earlier |
| About 18:30 | Back at Battersea, at dusk in March; a car can be waiting at the London end |
An example only: the times are typical and we fix yours with you. We confirm night arrangements with the crew when we quote. Landing is not allowed in the 30 minutes before the first race, so we plan to be on the ground well before it.
Who flies
Who flies to Cheltenham by helicopter
Racing people, hosts and friends who want the day to go smoothly.
Your horse runs, so your timing matters. A Land Rover can take you to the stables and your horse, arranged with the racecourse in advance. Tell the Cheltenham Owners Desk you are coming by helicopter, and we will help.
Bring clients to a hospitality box or tent in style, and take them home at the end of the day. The Land Rover takes the group to your hospitality, and one booking looks after everyone.
A birthday, a first Festival or a thank-you to a client: the flight is part of the day. Tell us what you are celebrating, and we will plan the timings around it.
A party of four to eight gets the whole helicopter, with the same Land Rover on arrival. It is a day out that starts with the flight itself.
Through the year
Cheltenham race meetings you can fly to
The Festival is the biggest, but Cheltenham races all through the jumps season. Here is the 2026/27 season, from the Jockey Club.
- Showcase: Fri 23 and Sat 24 October 2026
- November Meeting: Fri 13 to Sun 15 November 2026
- Christmas Meeting: Fri 11 and Sat 12 December 2026
- New Year’s Day: Fri 1 January 2027
- Festival Trials Day: Sat 30 January 2027
- Cheltenham Festival: Tue 16 to Fri 19 March 2027
- April Meeting: Wed 14 and Thu 15 April 2027
Dates from the Jockey Club season guide, checked on 23 October 2026. Fixtures can change, so confirm on the Jockey Club’s Cheltenham site before you book. From the November Meeting to Trials Day the flight home is after dark: see the sunset times above. For other meetings, read about other race meetings you can reach by helicopter, such as Ascot, Epsom and Goodwood.
Questions
Helicopter Cheltenham: your questions answered
Still unsure? Call +44 20 7781 8094 any time.
How long does a helicopter from London to Cheltenham take?
About 35 to 45 minutes in the air from the London Heliport in Battersea to Cheltenham Racecourse: 75 nautical miles in a straight line. Add 10 minutes to arrive at Battersea before departure and a short Land Rover transfer on landing, and you are at your hospitality in about an hour. By road the same journey is at least 2 hr 15 min with no traffic.
Where does the helicopter land at Cheltenham?
On race days we land at the helipad at Cheltenham Racecourse, a short way from the course. The landing is arranged with the racecourse in advance, and it is subject to their permission and the suitability of the site on the day.
How do I get from the helipad to the course?
A 4×4 Land Rover meets you on landing and takes you to your hospitality, your stand or your enclosure. If you are an owner or trainer, it takes you to your horse. We arrange this with the racecourse in advance, and the same Land Rover takes you back after the last race.
How much does a helicopter to Cheltenham cost?
Ask for a fixed price: it depends on your date, the number of passengers and the helicopter. Use the quote form or call +44 20 7781 8094, and we reply with a price for your day. For typical prices across the UK, see helicopterhireprices.co.uk.
Is a helicopter faster than a chauffeur car to Cheltenham?
Yes. The helicopter takes 35 to 45 minutes in the air, against at least 2 hr 15 min by road with no traffic, and race days are slower on the road. A chauffeur car usually costs less, and if you would rather go by road our partner exec-chauffeur.com arranges cars in London.
Can I fly home after the last race?
Yes. The racecourse does not allow take-offs until 30 minutes after the last race unless the Clerk of the Course permits earlier. At the Festival the last race is scheduled for 17:20, which puts a normal departure at about 17:50 and a landing at Battersea at around 18:30. We agree the return time with the crew when you book.
What about darkness and the clocks?
In March the clocks have not gone forward, so Festival sunset is around 18:15 GMT and the return flight is at dusk or after dark. In autumn and winter, from November to January, sunset is about 16:00 to 16:30, so the flight home is after dark. We confirm night arrangements with the crew when we quote.
How early should I book a helicopter to Cheltenham?
As early as you can. Race days and Festival week are among the busiest days of the year, and helicopters, crews, landing slots and the Land Rover transfer are arranged in advance and fill up. The later you book, the less likely your preferred times will be available.
Can owners and trainers go to the stables?
Yes. If you are an owner or trainer, the Land Rover can take you to your horse, arranged with the racecourse in advance. The Jockey Club asks owners and trainers arriving by helicopter to tell the Cheltenham Owners Desk beforehand, and we will help you with that.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. We watch the forecast closely and agree the plan with you. Check the heliport any time on our Battersea Heliport weather page.
How many passengers can fly to Cheltenham?
Between 5 and 8, depending on the helicopter: the Twin Squirrel seats 5, the Agusta 109 Grand up to 6, and the Airbus H145 D3 and Leonardo AW139 up to 8. We confirm seats for your date and choose the helicopter for your passengers and their weights.
Where does the helicopter leave from in London?
From the London Heliport in Battersea, SW11 3BE, the only central London heliport, on the south bank of the Thames. Arrive 10 minutes before departure. See our directions to the heliport.
Which helicopter should I choose for Cheltenham?
It depends on your party. The Twin Squirrel suits one to five racegoers, the Agusta 109 Grand four to six, and the Airbus H145 D3 or Leonardo AW139 six to eight. Tell us the passengers, their weights and the date, and we will recommend one.
Do I need a ticket if I fly to Cheltenham by helicopter?
Yes. Arriving by helicopter does not replace your ticket, badge or hospitality pass. The Jockey Club asks helicopter passengers to show their race day tickets on arrival, so bring them with you.
What should I bring and what are the rules on luggage?
Soft bags fit a helicopter better than hard cases. We ask for each passenger’s weight when you book, because weight decides which helicopter can carry your party and how much luggage it can take. Arrive at Battersea 10 minutes before departure.
Helpful guides
More on flying to the races from London
- flight time and planning from London to Cheltenham
- Cheltenham Gold Cup helicopter hire
- other race meetings you can reach by helicopter
- Royal Ascot helicopter charter
- helicopter flight times from London
- helicopter charter and the weather
- helicopter hire prices guide
- horse racing helicopter charter
- helicopter charter London
Ready to fly?
Tell us your Cheltenham day
Send the date, the number of passengers and their weights. A charter specialist will reply quickly, any time of day or night, with a fixed price.
or call +44 20 7781 8094 any time