From the London Heliport, Epsom is about five minutes away, Ascot about ten, Goodwood 20 to 25, Newmarket 20 to 30 and Cheltenham 30 to 40. Landing arrangements differ at each racecourse and are agreed in advance, so the earlier you ask, the better.
Flying times to the main racecourses
| Meeting | Usual time of year | Distance from Battersea | Indicative flying time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epsom Downs | Derby meeting, early June | 10 nautical miles | About 5 minutes |
| Royal Ascot | Royal Ascot, June | 19 nautical miles | About 10 minutes |
| Goodwood | Late July or early August | 43 nautical miles | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Newmarket | Spring and July meetings | 51 nautical miles | 20 to 30 minutes |
| London to Cheltenham | Festival, March | 75 nautical miles | 30 to 40 minutes |
Straight-line distances, cruising at 110 to 140 knots. For other places see helicopter flight times from London.
Why people fly to the races
Race days are hard to reach by road, with queues on the way in and out of the car parks. A helicopter shortens the journey and lets you leave London late and be back for dinner. The short flights to Epsom and Ascot are over almost as soon as they begin, which is part of the appeal.
How landing works
Racecourses have their own arrangements for helicopters, which differ from course to course and from meeting to meeting. Landing is agreed in advance with the racecourse or the landowner, and the pilot makes the final decision on the day depending on wind and the condition of the landing area. See can a helicopter land at your venue? for the principles. Our racing page lists the meetings we cover.
Planning your day
- Book early: Royal Ascot, the Derby and the Cheltenham Festival fill quickly.
- Set the return time: choose a departure after the last race, allowing for the crowds, and check it against daylight and the heliport’s opening hours.
- Tickets and hospitality: these are booked separately with the racecourse.
- Luggage: pack light; soft bags fit best. See what to expect on your first helicopter charter.
Weather and cancellations
We check the forecast the day before and on the morning of the flight and tell you if it changes. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. See how weather decides a flight.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the helicopter flight to Royal Ascot from London?
About ten minutes of flying time from the London Heliport, a distance of roughly 19 nautical miles.
Can a helicopter land at the racecourse?
Arrangements vary by racecourse. Landing is agreed in advance with the racecourse or landowner and confirmed by the pilot on the day.
Which race meetings can I fly to?
We fly to the major UK meetings, including Royal Ascot, Epsom, Cheltenham, Goodwood and Newmarket, and to many other courses.
Do tickets come with the helicopter?
No. Racecourse tickets and hospitality are booked separately.
Further reading on helicopterhireprices.co.uk: Royal Ascot helicopter guide and Cheltenham Festival helicopter guide.
Chauffeur-driven options for race days from Executive Global Travel: Royal Ascot chauffeur service and how to get to Royal Ascot by chauffeur.
Plan your flight
Planning a day at the races? Tell us the meeting, your party size and your return time and we will reply with a price. Our charter team is available 24 hours a day.