How Much Does It Cost to Skydive?
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Summary:
Skydiving in the United States costs somewhere between $200 and $300 on average for one person. However, depending on how you jump, when you jump, and who you jump with can significantly affect the price. Furthermore, depending on the company and location you jump, there are deals to be had.
Skydiving is an activity that, if done safely, can bring about both a flood of adrenaline and a glimpse into what it might be like to actually fly. So, if you’re diligently saving money to one day spread your proverbial wings in a lifetime skydiving adventure, it’s imperative that you wrap your head around the costs.
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How much does skydiving cost?
Skydiving prices can differ substantially based on who you are going with and the skydiving cost. The first order of business is to define where you are going skydiving and with what company. The more exotic the location, the pricier it might be.
Secondly, you need to factor in the style of your skydive. If you are a first-timer, you will need to do a tandem-style skydive with an experienced instructor. If you go with a larger group in a skydiving airplane, skydiving will also be less expensive as long as you buy a group package.
Lastly, different skydiving companies and locations will offer different deals depending on the time of year. For those looking to spread their wings, here is the breakdown of the costs of skydiving.
Getting there
One of the most varied costs in your skydiving experience is getting to a skydiving location. Most adventure sports companies will list Hawaii, Alaska, and California as their top states to skydive. That being said, you can skydive in most places in the United States. Depending on where you live and where you’d like to skydive from, you may need to drive or fly to your location.
Jumping experience
After you arrive at your location, the price for your skydive will depend on your experience level. Depending on whether you are a beginner or an experienced skydiver, you will either jump tandem or solo.
Tandem jump skydive
Now that you have your location for skydiving, it’s time to gauge your experience level. The majority of people will not have done skydiving before, thus it will be their first skydive. Therefore, they will need to jump with an experienced instructor doing tandem skydives.
This is what is called a “tandem skydive,” as you jump in tandem with the instructor. The price for one person to do a tandem dive with an instructor ranges between $200 and $300 dollars, so it’s safe to assume tandem skydiving prices for one person are about $250.
Pro Tip
As the plane is carrying cargo in the form of bodies, weight matters. Most companies will charge a set price per person up to 200 lbs. Anything over 200 lbs., expect to pay more.
Solo skydive
A solo skydive is offered for people with the requisite experience and certifications. As you don’t need to pay another person to jump with you in tandem, this is considerably cheaper. It ranges from $80 to $120 to perform a solo skydive while renting equipment.
For those that are so adept and experienced at skydiving that they have their own equipment, it gets cheaper. If you’re looking to solo skydive while using your own equipment, the price can be as low as $25. The United States Parachute Association offers several licensed membership packages for those looking to become seasoned jumpers.
Looking for a credit card to pay for a skydiving trip? Here are some options.
How long is the skydiving experience?
A typical skydive will last about five to six minutes from the time you jump off of the plane to when you gently land on the ground with your parachute open. Included in the five to six minutes is around 50 seconds of “freefall,” in which you fall without opening your parachute.
The rest of the time will be your parachute flight. The plane ride on the way up will take around 20 minutes. So on average, you are looking at around 25 minutes from when you board the plane until when you touch the ground.
Why does skydiving cost this much?
While $300 may sound like a lot for under 30 minutes of experience, you’re actually getting a lot for the price. In addition to the flight and freefall, you’re also paying to have experienced skydivers by your side throughout the jump, a brief training session, and use of the company’s equipment.
This average price may differ depending on any memorabilia you take home and additional discounts you’re eligible for.
Pictures and videos
For some of us, the act of having done skydiving will give us the peace of mind to know we have tried it, and this is enough. For others, what better way to save the memory than take pictures and videos while you are skydiving to post to all your social media followers.
The prices for this will vary but will run from $40 to $250. However, most companies will offer a picture video mid-level package for around $100.
Group discounts
If you go in a group of more than three people, you can also lower the price through a group discount. Most skydiving companies will offer group discounts between 10% and 20% of the original purchase price.
For instance, Skydive Midwest will do a group of 3 to 12 people for $189 a person for tandem jumps. Large groups of 10 to 25 people can jump for $175 a person, while party groups of 24 or more people can jump for $169 a person. If you have a like-minded group of friends who all want to take that leap off a plane, organizing a group can save you money.
FAQs
Is skydiving worth the money?
Skydiving certainly can be worth the money! However, this all depends on your personal goals and desires. If you’ve always dreamed of flying, then skydiving will likely be a worthwhile experience. On the other hand, if you’re afraid of heights, there might be cheaper and gentler options to overcome your fears.
What’s the scariest part of skydiving?
Most people skydiving for the first time experience more than one scary part while skydiving. For some, the flight up to your diving altitude is the scariest part. For others, the scariest part is when you’re in freefall before your parachute is pulled.
Oftentimes, the anticipation of jumping or the idea that something could go wrong high up in the air are the scariest moments.
Key Takeaways
- Skydiving is a great way to experience what it might be like to fly, but it’s important to factor in the costs.
- Depending on where you go can affect the price greatly depending on plane tickets or gas.
- A first jump skydiver will need to be a tandem student in a tandem jump. However, experienced skydivers can go solo, which will be less expensive than a tandem jump.
- Photos and videos of your free fall will cost extra, but choosing a mid-level package shouldn’t be hard.
- There are discounts on skydiving if you choose to go in a group.
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