How Much Does it Cost to Skydive? A Guide to Skydiving Prices

Monday, January 27, 2025

Are you ready to turn your dreams of flying through the sky into a reality buuuuut you’re wondering how much it’ll set you back? You are not alone. Larger-than-life adventures often come with a cost. Having a sense of skydiving prices ahead of time not only lets you focus on the fun but also gives you some insight into what goes into skydiving. Let’s get into the details.

How Much Does Skydiving Cost?

How much does it cost to skydive in the US? Prices vary depending on your specific location, the type of jump, and what the dropzone offers (more on this later). Whether you’re gearing up for your very first tandem jump or considering earning your skydiving license, understanding the cost breakdown can help you plan for your life-changing experience. 

Spoiler alert: the cost is worth every single penny when you consider the unforgettable memories and sense of accomplishment you’ll gain. 

how much does skydiving costSkydiving Cost for First-Time Skydivers

First-time skydiving costs typically fall between $200 and $300. This price often includes basic training, gear rental, and the jump itself. Many dropzones, including Skydive Tecumseh, also offer video and photo packages that you can add to your skydive (recommended). Depending on the dropzone you’re jumping at, these add-ons can range from $99 to $150. However, they allow you to relive your incredible experience and share it with friends and family. We’ll admit it – even after all of our experience – sometimes, we still watch our first tandem video! Ahhhh sweet memories.

Skydiving Cost for Licensed Skydivers

If you’ve made a tandem and are ready to take your passion for skydiving to the next level, you’ll need to consider the cost of earning your skydiving license. Becoming a licensed skydiver involves completing an Accelerated Freefall (AFF) training program, which typically costs anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000. This fee includes ground school, jumps with instructors, solo jumps, and gear rental.

Is skydiving an expensive hobby? Yes, it can be, but it’s also one of the most rewarding and life-changing hobbies you’ll ever have. Once you’ve earned your license, the cost per jump decreases significantly. Licensed jumpers usually pay $25 to $35 per jump ticket if they own their own gear, making it a more affordable hobby in the long term. If you don’t have your own gear, you have the option to rent gear for an additional cost, typically around $35 to $50 per jump.

The most expensive part of skydiving is probably buying the gear! Luckily, we have a strong community of skydivers who sell used gear for a much cheaper cost than buying new, offer trade deals, and sometimes even offer sponsorships for competitive skydivers to help cover the cost. 

How Much Does it Cost to Go Skydiving at Skydive Tecumseh?

At Skydive Tecumseh, we offer competitive pricing for tandem skydives and for our one-of-a-kind skydiving training. Check out our tandem prices below, noting our discounted rates for weekdays, groups, etc. We even offer several different altitude options for you to choose from – including a very rare 18,000-foot jump – giving you a customized experience! Our video and photo packages include several different options to fit your needs.

Weekday Tandem Pricing (Monday – Friday)

A tandem skydive is our recommended method to experience human flight for the first time. With less than an hour of training, you will be ready to take your first skydive! All prices include equipment training and flight to altitude. Nothing Hidden.

Option Information Price Booking
Training & First Tandem Skydive 9000ft Experience Human Flight! $249 (approx. 30 second free fall) Book Now
Training & First Tandem Skydive 14,000ft Our Most Popular Option! $275 (approx. 60 second free fall) Book Now
Training & First Tandem Skydive 18000ft Get the Ultimate Rush! $425 (approx. 90 second free fall) Book Now
Weekend Tandem Pricing (Saturday & Sunday)
Option Information Price Booking
Training & First Tandem Skydive 9000ft Experience Human Flight! $289 (approx. 30 second free fall) Book Now
Training & First Tandem Skydive 14,000ft (Early Bird Special) Priority Boarding and Reduced Wait Times!
Only available for slots booked at 8:00 a.m., 9:00a.m., and 10:00a.m.
$325 (approx. 60 second free fall) Book Now
Training & First Tandem Skydive 14,000ft Our Most Popular Option! $299 (approx. 60 second free fall) Book Now
Training & First Tandem Skydive 18000ft Get the Ultimate Rush! $475 (approx. 90 second free fall) Book Now

For aspiring skydivers who are ready to jump solo, our AFF program is designed to provide top-notch training for a reasonable cost. The average total investment to achieve your skydiving A-license is around $3,500 with the option to pay-as-you-go. To get started, you will need to sign up for the Ground School and AFF Level I jump which includes your all-day, extensive training course, your first jump, and all gear rental.

Licensed skydiver jump tickets are about $35 for full altitude (14,000 feet) and gear rental (goggles, jumpsuit, rig, and altimeter) is $50.

Why is Skydiving so Expensive?

We understand that these prices might raise an eyebrow or two at first glance, but considering everything that goes into a skydiving experience might help you understand and justify the cost.

Factors that Affect Skydiving Costs

Several factors impact the cost of skydiving but the biggest one revolves around safety. Cheaper skydiving is not always the best option and you should never skimp on safety when taking on an adventure as big and inherently risky as skydiving. Here’s a peek into what’s included in the cost of skydiving:

altimeterEquipment

Skydiving gear is highly specialized (it literally saves your life) and requires routine maintenance and inspection. FAA-certified parachute riggers must inspect and repack reserve parachutes every 180 days, regardless of whether or not they have been used.

Aircraft

If ya didn’t know already, airplanes aren’t cheap. Not to mention, maintaining and fueling airplanes comes with a pretty, pretty penny. Like commercial airline prices, skydiving prices can fluctuate mostly due to the cost of airplane fuel.

Instructors

Tandem instructors aren’t just crazed adrenaline junkies looking for a fix. On the contrary, they are highly trained professionals who have dedicated years to earning certifications through the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and to their continued education to keep their students and themselves as safe as possible.

Pilots and Ground Crew

Keeping a dropzone running well takes a good crew. The manifest staff coordinates airplane loads and provides excellent customer service; the ground crew loads airplanes and ensures everyone returns to the dropzone safely; and the pilots get you to altitude fast and position you in the best spot possible. They are all essential members of the orchestra of a dropzone! 

Facilities

Maintaining a professional and welcoming environment for jumpers also plays a role in the overall price of the jump.

Is it Worth it to Go Skydiving?

Absolutely! Skydiving is more than just an adrenaline rush – it’s an opportunity to test your limits, conquer your fears, and create memories that will last a lifetime. The feeling of freefalling at 120 mph is unparalleled, and the sense of accomplishment and empowerment you’ll feel after landing is priceless.

If you’re ready to take the leap, there’s no better place to do it than right here at Skydive Tecumseh. Book your tandem skydive today and experience the thrill of a lifetime!

Tandem Skydiver in freefall at Skydive Tecumseh

Went and did my first jump with Skydive Tecumseh and t was awesome! My dad had been telling me for 10 years he was going to take me and never did. So finally for his 50th birthday, I took him! It was an amazing experience all thanks to the staff at Skydive Tecumseh! They were friendly, helpful, and totally laid back! They definitely knew how to make a first-time jumper feel at ease! I would highly recommend them and will definitely be going back again!

Stephanie Christensen