Emirates Palace stands at the western end of the Corniche, a huge palace-style building with domes, set in lush green gardens beside its own stretch of beach. From the road you see the gates and the long approach. From a helicopter you see how it all fits together: the domes, the gardens, the beach and the Arabian Gulf beyond. It is one of the named sights on every flight on the Abu Dhabi hub.
The Abu Dhabi 30-Minute Shared Helicopter Tour gives it the most context. It spends 30 minutes in the air and costs from US$273 per person, in a shared helicopter with up to 6 guests. The route follows the Corniche past the Rixos hotel, Marina Mall and the flagpole, passes the Presidential Palace and the lush green gardens of Emirates Palace, then heads out over the Arabian Gulf to Hudayriyat Island, past Capital Gate to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Sheikh Zayed Sports City, and on to the mangroves around Reem Island.
The Abu Dhabi 30-Minute Private Helicopter Tour flies the same 30-minute route with only your group on board, from US$1,362 per helicopter for up to 6 guests. Both 17-minute flights include the palace as well. The Abu Dhabi Corniche 17-Minute Shared Helicopter Tour, from US$192 per person, and the Abu Dhabi Corniche 17-Minute Private Helicopter Tour, from US$959 per helicopter for up to 6, pass it on their way along the Corniche, together with Marina Mall, the Rixos hotel and the Heritage Village.
Every flight starts and finishes at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal heliport at Zayed Port (Mina Zayed). After the Corniche skyline, the helicopter reaches the palace district, where Emirates Palace and the Presidential Palace sit close to each other on the shore. Headsets are included so you can hear the pilot’s live commentary in English, and the large windows make it easy to follow the gardens and the coastline below. The flight then continues to Hudayriyat Island and the mosque, and on the 30-minute route to Capital Gate and the mangroves around Reem Island, before returning to the port.
You see the palace from the air only; the helicopter keeps moving, and there is no set time over it. On the shared flights the crew assigns seats, and up to 6 guests fly together. The private flights carry only your group, and the price covers the whole helicopter. Cancel up to 24 hours before your flight for a full refund. If the weather or visibility is poor, you can reschedule free of charge or take a full refund.
Arrive at the heliport 45 minutes before your flight, and bring an original, valid passport or Emirates ID for every guest. There is no hotel pickup, so make your own way to Zayed Port. Food, drinks, selfie sticks, smoking and vaping are not allowed on board. Shared flights allow up to 110 kg (242 lb) per passenger, and private flights up to 420 kg (920 lb) for the whole group. Children must be at least 2 years old, and the flights are not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women. To see Emirates Palace on the longer route out over the Gulf, book the 30-minute shared tour.
See Emirates Palace from a helicopter over Abu Dhabi. Book the Abu Dhabi 30-Minute Shared Helicopter Tour.