How Much Does It Cost to Skydive?
Skydiving Prices
Want to try skydiving but are not sure how much it costs? How much you'll end up paying depends on a number of factors:
- Whether you're skydiving tandem (attached to an instructor) or by yourself
- If flying by yourself, whether you will be renting equipment or using your own
- Whether you're doing a dive one-off or going as part of a program or package
- What part of the country/world you're in
- The individual skydiving company
- Whether you add additional services (such as videotaping and pictures of your dive)
- Time of the week (i.e. weekday vs. weekend)
- Whether you're doing a real skydive or a simulated "indoor" skydive (using a vertical wind tunnel)
For most people who have never jumped before and who are "testing the waters," it's smart to go with a tandem jump. No training is involved, and you can leave all the technical matters to your instructor. You can just enjoy the experience and not worry about anything.
If you just want the sensation of flying or being suspended in the air but don't want the experience of actually falling to earth and seeing the sky and horizon, there is the option of indoor skydiving (using a vertical wind tunnel).
However, if you absolutely love the thrill of skydiving and want to have control over exactly when you deploy your parachutes, then you'll want to invest the time and money to train. This will reduce your long-term costs since you won't have an instructor with you every time you jump.
So let's see some figures across these different parameters.
Skydiving is SERIOUS fun!
How much does skydiving cost?
- Tandem skydive: $120-250 (includes all necessary equipment, but not a tip for your instructor, which is usually 10-20%).
- Solo skydive: $80-120 or as low as $25 if you have your own equipment and only need the ride up (remember, you have to have been trained already and be USPA certified).
- Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) Training package: Typically about $1,500 and includes 7-10 jumps (along with training, rides up, and equipment). Keep in mind that AFF typically requires about 8 hours of on-the-ground training before you head up for your first jump.
- Indoor skydiving: About $20-30 per minute (the freefall portion of a skydiving jump at 10,000-14,000 feet lasts from about 30 seconds to a minute).
Ways to reduce costs:
- Jump in a group. There can often be a discount of 10-20% if you can get together a group of five people or more.
- Jump during the week. Since most leisure-jumpers book on the weekend, you can get a better deal jumping during the week.
- Bring your own equipment. Although a complete kit of parachutes can run about $2,000 at the low end (used) to $10,000 at the high end for a new, state-of-the-art kit, if you plan on doing a lot of jumps over the next few years, you can save some money this way.
- Jump in lower-cost areas. Areas where the cost of living is relatively low will have lower jumping costs than areas with a high cost of living (for example, New York City tandem skydives can run close to $250 while those in Houston can be about $180).
- Book your next dives immediately after you jump. Probably taking advantage of your recent exhilarating experience, most skydiving companies will give you a nice discount on your second jump if you book it the same day.
- Weigh less! Seriously, a lot of skydiving companies will charge you more if you weigh more than 200 lbs since it uses more fuel and takes more of the pilot's time to ferry you up to jump altitude.
- Look for promotional offers. During slow months (when it's cold or overcast) some companies will run discounts or special offers (2-for-1, and the like). My first jump was bought with a Groupon, and we ended up saving $80 off a full-price jump.
Comments
karen tibbles on June 20, 2018:
how much is it and where is it done from plz
Cody eggleston on August 08, 2017:
I never have sky above us but I would like to would like to know where the closest one is to make our area code is 75165
M. Victor Kilgore on January 18, 2017:
Great to know, it's on my bucket list!
michael rooney on March 15, 2016:
so how much is it for a first time jumping with a insrructor for partners birthday
Slim on June 25, 2015:
Love it.....
Foysal on June 07, 2015:
Good to know this.. ♥♡♥♡♥
Jason Menayan (author) from San Francisco on August 04, 2011:
Thanks, Peggy! It is a pretty remarkable experience, but it is absolutely TERRIFYING before you actually make that leap! (At least for the first time) Having done it once now, though, I can see how people can develop a habit for it.
For the same physical experience, it might be worth trying one of those indoor skydiving places that simulate a free fall using a very large fan)
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on August 04, 2011:
A girlfriend and I were just talking yesterday about a niece of theirs that went skydiving for her 18th birthday. Many of her family members also went with her, so undoubtedly they got a group rate. Nice to know the costs associated just in case I am ever tempted. Probably not, but who knows! :)) Up and useful votes!
Adventure Colorad from Denver,CO on April 17, 2011:
Very usefull information, this is something I still hope to try some day.
Assassin Fred on January 02, 2011:
Skydiving is affordable for first timers, usually less than $200.00 for the first tandem. If you choose to go for certification, this is where it gets expensive!
simeonvisser on December 18, 2010:
The price of skydiving is always tricky. For example, you can skydive for a cheap price in Taupo, New Zealand (compared to the rest of the country) but if you want photos and a DVD then you end up paying the same price as everywhere else. In particular in New Zealand which has a skydive company in almost every city it's worth it to look around for the right offer.
ftclick on October 12, 2010:
that is pretty cheap compared to the risk. I don't like heights so it would not be the best thing for me but still interesting for the more adventurous. Thanks
Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on October 11, 2010:
Great guide! Now I'm hankering to go again!! I'll use your tips to keep the expense down XD
Jason Menayan (author) from San Francisco on October 10, 2010:
Thanks, everyone! De Greek: when I jumped last weekend, there was a man jumping for his 70th birthday. My instructor told me the prior weekend, 2 women in their 80s jumped. It's never too late! :)
Earth Angel on October 10, 2010:
GREAT Hub!!
Thanks for sharing!! I jumped years ago and it was amazing!!
May you all fly often and like Angels!!
Blessings always, Earth Angel!!
TopUniverse on October 10, 2010:
Advice on ways to reduce the costs are awesome.
De Greek from UK on October 10, 2010:
Now THIS is useful to me :-) - A childhood dream never realised but still thought about :-))
