Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia: Prices and all you need to know
A hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is a unique experience that everyone should try at least once in their life.
In this guide, I’ll tell you all about hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia: prices and all you need to know before booking the flight (weather requirements, types of flights, costs, etc…).
Let’s get to the point: how much is a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia?
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
When it comes to the price, hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is an expensive activity. But it is absolutely worth the money. Hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia cost between $180 and $320 per person.
The cost depending on:
- the duration of flight
- the size of the basket
- the number of people in the basket
- time of day (before sunrise or after the sunrise)
- the season in which you take part in the flight
Private flights cost way more than that.
Most hot air balloon companies have similar prices and similar experiences.
The experience usually includes pick up and drop off at your hotel, breakfast, a 1-hour flight, insurance and a certificate.
Book your hot air balloon ride online and in advance
- I highly recommend booking your balloon tour online and in advance on Get Your Guide.
It is essential to book in advance to secure your spot (this is the most popular activity in Cappadocia and often gets fully booked).
2. You should plan your flight on the first morning of your trip (because if the weather is not right on your first day, your flight will be moved to the next day).
We’ve booked the flight online on GetYourGuide and we had a wonderful experience.
Thanks to GetYourGuide the reservation has a 24-hour free cancellation policy, which means you can cancel your reservation up to 24 hours before the start of the activity for a full refund.
Hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia: our experience
We were picked up (by Royal Balloons) at our hotel at 04:00 in the morning and brought to the Company office where we had an open buffet breakfast.
After the breakfast we got taken to the take-off site 30 minutes before sunrise time.
After a short preparation, the balloon was already up, and we jumped in the basket.
This is one of the most beautiful sights due to the sheer volume of balloons.
The balloons take off and fly. It was fascinating to see the balloons light up the valley.
The view is incredible: you can see Cappadocia beautiful valleys (Rose and Red Valley, Love Valley) and the fairy chimneys.
Floating over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon is by far one of the best ways to witness this amazing landscape.
Flight paths are dependent on wind direction and speed.
See the fairy chimneys from a unique perspective, 2,000 feet above was an incredible experience.
This is a great opportunity to take some special photos of the balloons inflating at ground level.
Landing in a hot air balloon is usually very calm. After landing, there is a landing ceremony. We celebrated with some champagne and strawberries dipped in chocolate
We were also given medals to celebrate and always remember our flight. Afterward, we got a ride back to our hotel.
The flight takes one hour while the whole duration of the activity is between 3-4 hours from the pick-up.
Royal Balloon
We decided to fly with Royal Balloon as they are one of the best and most reliable companies in Cappadocia with over 12 years of experience. Royal Balloon care a lot more about the customer experience
Is hot air ballooning safe?
It’s completely safe and companies employ pilots with many years of flying experience.
All pilots and balloons have to be licensed and pass many flight checks.
Hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia can be cancelled
Hot air balloon ride is a weather-dependent activity. It means there is the possibility your flight will be canceled last minute due to bad weather (rain, storm, or strong wind).
The balloons take off if authorized by the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority.
The company will cancel all the flights and will arrange a new flight for the next day (or you will refund 100% of the amount paid).
There is no way to tell in advance whether balloons will fly or not. But you can check the official government website (the red and green flags will indicate if it is safe to fly or not).
Things to know before a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
- It’s often chilly during the balloon flight
- You can still enjoy the hot air balloon flight, even if you are scared of heights. You are safe standing in the basket
- it’s better to go with a more reputable company
- Plan your flight on the first morning of your trip (because if the weather is not right on your first day, your flight will be moved to the next day).
I hope that my advices have inspired you to book a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.
Check out the list for more Turkey and Cappadocia travel experiences