To arrive at Royal Ascot by helicopter you land at the racecourse's own heliport, a landing facility close to the course, and a ground team looks after the short journey in. Landing needs prior permission and a booked slot, so we arrange it well ahead. From Battersea the flight takes about 15 minutes. Royal Ascot 2027 runs from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 June.
Royal Ascot is one of the busiest weeks in the racing year, and the roads around the course feel it.
Why fly to Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot week is lovely once you are through the gate and a slog before you get there. A helicopter takes the slog out. You lift off, you are in the air for a short while, and you land close to the racecourse where a ground team is waiting. It suits owners and trainers, hosts entertaining clients, and friends who would simply like the day to start well.
This guide walks through the arrival the way it actually works, then puts the times side by side with a chauffeur drive. If you would like a quote as you read, our helicopter charter to Royal Ascot page has the details, and our London team at Battersea Helicopter flies from the London Heliport every day (see their Royal Ascot flights from Battersea).
Arriving at Royal Ascot by helicopter, step by step
Plan early and let us secure your landing slotRoyal Ascot's landing facility sits close to the racecourse. The racecourse says it is available on race days and non-race days, subject to permission, and that it is for helicopters only (see Ascot's travel page). Slots are booked in advance, and every pilot has to be briefed before landing there (the CAA's 2026 notice explains the briefings). We send the slot request and make sure the crew is briefed, so all we need from you is your date, how many of you are flying and your passenger weights. If you are an owner or trainer, ask the racecourse's owners and trainers team how your badges will reach you when you arrive by air.
Fly inFrom Battersea the flight takes about 15 minutes. For a helicopter we ask you to arrive 10 minutes before departure, so there is no queue to join and no airline-style check-in. If this is your first helicopter flight, our first-flight guide covers what to expect, and the directions page shows you the way to the heliport.
TouchdownStay in your seat until the crew tells you it is safe to move. The rotors blow strongly at the landing site, so hold your hat, fascinator, sunglasses and race card firmly as you step out, and keep luggage in a soft bag.
Meet the ground team and take the short transfer inThe landing facility is close to the racecourse rather than on the course itself, so the last stretch is a short transfer by road, arranged with your booking. Arrangements differ from one booking to the next, so we confirm the meeting point, the drop-off and any hospitality details with you before the day rather than promise a particular route.
Enjoy the day and plan the way homeLanding facilities work to booked slots, so we agree your departure time in advance and plan your transfer back to the helicopter around it. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.
Illustration: a helicopter on a racecourse helipad, with a chauffeur and a car waiting.
Helicopter or chauffeur? The real times
Many of our guests do not start from London. We compared the helicopter with a chauffeur drive from three places that come up often: Battersea, Oxford and Manchester. The helicopter beats the road everywhere, and the further you travel the more time you get back.
From
Helicopter
Chauffeur, no traffic
Road distance
Time saved
London Heliport, Battersea
about 15 min
about 51 min
28 miles
about 35 min
Oxford
about 20 to 25 min
about 1 h 05
49 miles
about 40 to 45 min
Manchester
about 60 to 80 min
about 3 h 47
197 miles
about 2 h 30 to 2 h 45
Helicopter times are typical flying times between landing sites (they depend on the aircraft, the wind and the route). Add 10 minutes to arrive before departure and the short transfer at each end. Road times and distances come from a routing engine (OSRM, using OpenStreetMap data) with free-flowing traffic, measured from the centre of Oxford and Manchester and from the London Heliport. On Royal Ascot days the roads near the course are much busier than any routing engine assumes, so the real gap is likely to be wider. Straight-line distances to Ascot are 22 miles from Battersea, 34 from Oxford and 157 from Manchester.
Hats and fascinators: rotor wind is strong, so bring a pin, a clip or a steady hand.
Soft bags: helicopters have a small hold, so soft bags fit better than hard cases. Tell us how many bags you have.
Weights: we need each passenger's weight to plan the flight.
Weather: check conditions with us the day before. Battersea Heliport weather shows the live picture at the London Heliport.
Royal Ascot by helicopter: your questions
Can a helicopter land at Ascot Racecourse?
Yes. Royal Ascot has a helicopter landing facility close to the racecourse. It is available on race days and non-race days, subject to permission, and it is for helicopters only. Landing slots are booked in advance, so we arrange yours when you book.
How long does it take to fly to Royal Ascot from London?
About 15 minutes in the air from the London Heliport in Battersea. Add 10 minutes to arrive before departure and the short transfer to the racecourse after you land.
When is Royal Ascot in 2027?
Royal Ascot 2027 runs from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 June. Check the racecourse website for the final programme.
Can I fly to Royal Ascot from Manchester or Oxford?
Yes. Typical flying time to Ascot is about 60 to 80 minutes from Manchester and about 20 to 25 minutes from Oxford, between landing sites. We arrange the departure site and your Ascot slot.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. We watch the forecast with you in the days before, and you can check Battersea conditions on the Battersea Heliport weather page.
How far ahead should I book a helicopter for Royal Ascot?
As early as you can. Landing slots are limited and Royal Ascot week is one of the busiest of the year, so many of our clients book months ahead.
Ready to plan your day at Royal Ascot?
Tell us the date, where you are flying from and how many of you are going, and we will come back with options. Call 020 7781 8094 (24 hours) or start with our Royal Ascot helicopter charter page.
