How Much Does Skydiving Cost?
Transparency note: I haven't jumped out of a plane myself yet. This guide is based on public pricing data from 42 US dropzones to give you the most accurate numbers available. More on how these guides are put together.
The Short Answer
For a first-time tandem skydive, expect to pay $200 to $300. The median across the 42 US dropzones we checked is around $260 for a 14,000 ft jump.
If you've seen lower numbers, they're usually real but not comparable — the r/SkyDiving first-jump FAQ, written by a USPA-licensed tandem instructor, puts US tandem jumps at $150–$250+. In the 42 operators we could verify a current published price for, nothing started below $200; the cheaper jumps in that wider range tend to be smaller dropzones, lower altitudes, or weekday slots. The instructor's own warning applies: if one dropzone in your city charges half the price of another, the discount is coming from somewhere.
Cost Breakdown (Tandem vs. AFF)
| Type | What it is | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tandem Skydive | You are strapped to an instructor. | $200 – $300 |
| Video/Photo Package | An instructor jumps with a camera. | $80 – $150 |
| AFF (Accelerated Freefall) | Learn to jump solo (8-hour ground school). | $350 – $500 |
Hidden fees to watch out for
- Groupon traps: A discount doesn't come from thin air — as the r/SkyDiving FAQ puts it, "consider where that discount is coming from." It can mean a shorter jump, a smaller dropzone cutting costs elsewhere, or a reseller taking a cut. Confirm the altitude and the dropzone's USPA membership before you pay.
- Fuel surcharges: Some dropzones add $10–$20 if fuel prices rise.
- Weight limits: Most US dropzones set a weight limit between 220 and 240 lbs. If you are above this, you may be turned away or charged extra — ask before you book.
- Peak season premiums: Summer weekends are the most expensive time to jump.
Where to book
Pricing varies heavily by region. Here are a few major operators with transparent pricing pages:
- Skydive City (Zephyrhills, FL) — Tandem from $229.
- Skydive Cross Keys (NJ) — Tandem from $279.
- Skydive Perris (CA) — Tandem from $299.
Sources
The 42 dropzone rates behind this page come from each operator's own booking page, not from a directory or a reseller. These are the outside sources we cross-checked them against:
- r/SkyDiving — Your First Tandem Jump — written by a USPA-licensed tandem and AFF instructor. Puts US tandem jumps at $150–$250+, explains why a cheaper jump usually means something was cut, and warns that sites like rushcube.com and weaty.com are resellers charging a premium for a booking you can make yourself. Also the source for the 220–240 lb weight limit most US dropzones set.
- USPA Group Member Locator — the official roster of USPA group-member dropzones. The fastest way to confirm a quote comes from a real dropzone and not a reseller.
- r/SkyDiving — "Does skydiving really cost that much??" — jumpers reporting $200–$300 paid for a first tandem or first-jump course.
Featured in 3 sources. Checked October 2026.
FAQ
How much does it cost to go skydiving?
For a first-time tandem skydive, expect to pay $200 to $300. The median across the 42 US dropzones we checked is around $260 for a 14,000 ft jump.
Is the video package worth it?
The video and photo package usually costs $80 to $150 extra. Given that you only do your first skydive once, most people consider it worth the extra cost.