Tandem skydive as graduation gift
A tandem skydive voucher costs €170–€280 in Italy and is valid 6–12 months. The graduate books their own date, needs ID and a health self-declaration, and must weigh ≤95 kg.
Why a tandem is the right gift for graduation
Graduation marks a hard stop and a clean start. The degree is done; what comes next is still open. A freefall from 4,000 m captures exactly that: a deliberate leap into the unknown, with a professional guiding the landing.
Unlike a dinner or a weekend trip, the experience is impossible to forget or misplace. The graduate carries it — the 60-second freefall at 200 km/h, the silence under canopy, the view — for the rest of their life.
Practically, a voucher is also flexible. You buy it now, they jump when the season suits them. No need to coordinate calendars at the most chaotic moment of the year.
How the gift voucher works
Most Italian drop zones issue vouchers valid 6 to 12 months from the purchase date. Some extend to 18 months on request — always check before buying.
Here is the typical flow:
- You buy the voucher online or by phone and receive a PDF or physical card with a unique code.
- The graduate contacts the school directly to book a date.
- On jump day, they present the voucher code, sign a health self-declaration, and attend a 20-minute briefing.
- The jump happens — weather permitting (see FAQ below).
If the weather cancels the jump, the school reschedules at no extra cost. The voucher clock does not restart, so book with enough margin before expiry.
One important detail: vouchers are usually non-refundable but transferable. If the graduate cannot jump for any reason, most schools allow the voucher to be used by someone else within the validity window.
How much it costs altogether
Base prices across Italian drop zones run €170–€280 for the jump itself, depending on the altitude (3,000 m vs 4,000 m) and the school's location.
Add-ons to budget for:
- HD video + photos package — €80–€150
- Dedicated cameraman (external) — €100–€180
- Personalised certificate — €0–€15
The video package is worth it. Freefall lasts 60 seconds and the graduate will want proof.
For a full breakdown of what drives the price up or down, see Tandem skydive cost in Italy.
Recommended schools for major cities
Italy has active drop zones within reasonable driving distance of every major city. Below are starting points for the five most searched locations. Each page lists the nearest school, travel time, and current prices.
- Rome → Tandem skydive near Rome
- Milan → Tandem skydive near Milan
- Naples → Tandem skydive near Naples
- Turin → Tandem skydive near Turin
- Florence → Tandem skydive near Florence
Note: the closest drop zone is not always in the same region as the city. Some schools serving Milan, for example, are in Lombardia or Piemonte depending on the airfield. The city pages are honest about travel distance.
What's needed to redeem the voucher
Before the graduate shows up at the drop zone, make sure they meet these requirements:
- ID — Valid government-issued document
- Health self-declaration — Signed on the day; no chronic cardiac, neurological or epileptic conditions
- Weight — ≤ 95 kg (some schools allow up to 100 kg with a surcharge)
- Age — 18+ independently; 14–17 with written parental consent and a parent present
- Fitness — No active injuries, no pregnancy
There is no skydiving experience required — that is the point of a tandem. The instructor is a licensed tandem master with a minimum of 500 logged jumps.
For the full list of medical and physical requirements, see Tandem skydive requirements.
Recommended schools for major cities
Frequently asked questions
- What happens if the voucher expires before the graduate can use it?
- Contact the school before the expiry date — most drop zones extend validity by 3–6 months for a small fee (€20–€40) or for free if the cancellations were weather-related. Do not wait until after expiry; most schools will not reinstate a lapsed voucher. Buy with a 12-month window if you are gifting in autumn or winter, when flyable days are fewer.
- Can the jump date be changed after booking?
- Yes, with notice. Most schools ask for 48–72 hours' notice to reschedule without penalty. Same-day cancellations by the jumper — not caused by weather — may forfeit the booking slot but not the voucher itself. Check the school's specific policy when buying; it varies.
- Can the graduate choose which school to jump at?
- It depends on how you buy. Vouchers purchased directly from a specific school are tied to that location. Vouchers from aggregator platforms sometimes allow school selection at booking. If flexibility matters, buy directly from the school closest to where the graduate lives, or ask the school whether transfers to partner drop zones are possible.
- What is the minimum age, and is parental consent required?
- The minimum age in Italy is 14. Jumpers aged 14–17 need written parental or guardian consent and, in most cases, a parent or guardian physically present at the drop zone on jump day. At 18, no consent is needed. There is no maximum age limit, though some schools require a medical certificate for jumpers over 60.
- Is there a maximum weight limit?
- The standard limit is 95 kg. Some schools accept up to 100 kg with a surcharge of €20–€30, as the instructor needs a heavier-rated harness. Weight above 100 kg is generally not accepted for tandem jumps in Italy due to equipment certification limits. If the graduate is close to the limit, confirm with the school before purchasing the voucher.
- What happens if it rains or is too windy on the booked day?
- The school cancels and reschedules at no cost to you. Weather decisions are made by the pilot and drop zone director on the day, usually by 08:00–09:00 local time. The voucher validity does not shorten because of a weather cancellation. Expect 1–2 weather cancellations per booking attempt in spring and autumn; summer has the highest success rate.
- Can two people jump together as a graduation gift for a couple?
- Yes. You can buy two vouchers and request the same time slot when booking. You will not be physically attached — each person jumps with their own instructor — but you exit the aircraft within seconds of each other and land in the same area. Booking both at the same school on the same day is the simplest approach; confirm availability in advance.