Our hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia was without a doubt one of the most dreamy travel experiences we’ve had so far. Being there and now looking back at photos and videos it definitely felt like we were put in the pages of a fantasy book. The landscape is simply out of this world, Cappadocia is a surreal place!
Our experience was absolutely perfect but that was thanks to research and a dash of luck. For that reason I’m sharing my tips with you so hopefully you can have a magical experience, just like ours. Are you ready to tick hot air ballooning off your travel bucket list? Perfect!
What to know:
Around 150 hot air balloons fly every single day (weather permitting), even during the Winter when the town is covered in snow. The best time of year to go hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is from April to November. It’s usually a 4 am call as the idea is to see Sunrise in the air but believe me: the effort is 100% worth it.
How much does A hot air balloon ride cost in Cappadocia, TURKEY ?
The prices vary depending on how many people you’re sharing your ride with. This activity is in the range between $140 – $250 per person. In my opinion this is once in a life time experience so it’s worth doing it the best way possible, and that’s paying for a private ride (we were 4 people in 1 balloon + pilot) instead of being put in a basket with 16-32 people.
I understand everybody has a different budget but if you can, do it! It’s so worth splurging for a “deluxe” flight. It’s more intimate, pleasant and the flight time is actually longer.
There’s more than 25 companies operating these hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia. We used the company Voyager Balloons and I can confidently recommend them.
All pilots in Cappadocia must undergo proper extensive training. We felt extremely safe with ours, as he seemed very experienced. The landing is supposed to be the riskiest moment of the whole ride but ours was absolute perfection … it was so impressive! To end the ride they layed out a table with “champagne” glasses so we could make a toast for the amazing experience and because it apparently is a tradition.
How many days do you need in Cappadocia ?
Make your Cappadocia trip at least 3-4 days to maximize the odds of you being able to actually flight. Flights can be cancelled due to unfavorable weather (mostly wind related). So book your hot air balloon as early on your trip as possible in case they have to postpone it. We were really lucky. We booked our ride on the second day of our 7 day trip but the next 4 days after that, flights were cancelled and we saw tourist been brought back without flying because of last minute changes on the weather.
How to book a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia ?
Usually your hotel will be able to help you book your hot air balloon ride but I personally prefer to book this type of activities in advance. That’s what we did. We emailed the company Voyager Balloons, we then paid (cash) right before the ride.
How should I dress for a hot air balloon ride?
As I mentioned, this activity is a 4 am call… so it can be initially a little chilly. I’d avoid dresses, skirts, heels and sandals as you’ll be jumping in and out of the basket and you’ll be standing the whole time, there are not seats. Basically pick a comfortable outfit you can freely move in.
In my case I wore a long sleeve knit jumper (specifically chosen for this occasion as it reminded me of a hot air balloon), basic comfortable trousers, white sneakers and a felt hat.
Take as little as possible, if you’re on a private flight you’ll be able to put your bag in the basket “floor” but if you’re sharing the ride, it might be more difficult/uncomfortable.
Photo Pro-tip: If you want your photos to stand out, your top and head accessories should be statement pieces.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Cappadocia, check my complete guide here.
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