Turkey is full of amazing things. It is the country that has been on my bucket list forever. And I know it is in most of yours, too.
I was dreaming about walking through the cute little streets, sipping hot Turkish coffee by the harbour, or living my life on the beaches. Then one day, I was actually doing all that for real.
When I was planning my trip, all my friends couldn’t stop talking about the Turkey hot air balloon. I was hooked and started learning about it. You know, people from all over the world come to Turkey just to experience this.
Trust me, it was honestly one of the best things I got to do; that was magical. It’s one of those sights that photos can’t quite capture, and you need to be there to see it all.
However, before I did my hot air balloon booking, I was so confused. I saw a bunch of YouTube videos and spent hours scrolling on Instagram. Yet, I was left with no straightforward answers to the question I was most searching for.
My struggle led me to create a solution for the next person taking the trip. This blog will guide you through all the necessary steps for hot air balloon rides in Turkey.
Where Does the Hot Air Balloon Take Place in Turkey?
Head to Cappadocia, a city spread with mystical landscapes. The fairy chimneys, hidden caves, and valleys in shades of pink and red will be unseen things for many people.
This city is most famous for its hot air balloon rides, which I will explain in detail. And this activity takes place in the areas of Goreme, Urgup, and Uçhisar.
How to Go to Cappadocia?
I know most people land in Istanbul, but I booked my flights to Cappadocia from India. I took a flight to Nevşehir Airport (NAV) in Cappadocia, which cost me 35,000 INR.
Cost-wise and time-wise, I made the right choice. The distance from Istanbul to Cappadocia is 740km, and the journey will take the whole night by bus or car. And it would have cost me 25,000 INR for domestic flights.
Trust me, I did a lot of research before doing that. Istanbul is a city everyone talks about, and even me. And it is always the first thing on everyone’s plan as it is filled with tourist attractions on every corner. And, there are many wonderful things to do in Istanbul.
But my reason is that this hot air balloon was the first thing on my list, and landing in Cappadocia and going to Göreme was beneficial for me.
Goreme is the area I wanted to go to, as it is the central part of Cappadocia. I was able to access hot air balloons and many other activities easily. And there are numerous best places to stay in and around that area.
Note: Nevşehir Airport is 40 km from Göreme, and that is the airport you must land at. However, most people mistakenly take the Kayseri Airport (ASR), which is 75 km from Göreme.
Know Jargon Words When It Comes to Hot Air Balloons in Turkey
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Best Time for Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia
Let’s start with why are Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons famous? This is a city that offers an unreal landscape. You have the chance to see its fairy chimneys, valleys, and cliffs from a hot air balloon.
And every season, the colour of the landscape changes, making you want to visit all year round to see how beautifully the place turns.
People come here from different parts of the world, but did you know that most of their balloon flights are cancelled due to bad weather conditions?
This is like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of us. It is expensive, yet worth every penny. For that, you need to know the right season and the time of day to take the flights.
Remember This:
- Best Season: The best season for hot air balloons is April to November. These months basically include all the summer, spring, and autumn. The weather is more stable compared to the winter months.
- Time of the Day: Early in the morning is an excellent time. Around 5:30 am, you will get stable wind conditions. And, as the sun rises, you will get clear visibility of the landscapes and unseen sky views.
- Winter in Turkey: Starts in November and lasts until March. However, you will have balloon flights, but no guarantees of sunset and sunrise. A high percentage of flight cancellations can also disrupt your perfect Turkey itinerary.
Yet, flying can be incredibly beautiful when you do it in winter. The snow is spread over the mountains, all the rock formations and looks like a vanilla scoop on the fairy chimneys.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Price
Prices vary depending on when you book the flights. The earlier you book, the better your chances are, and the time of the year you travel also matters.
The flights you book come in three main types, the names of which can vary with each of the operators: Comfort Flights, Standard Flights, and Private Tours.
Standard Flights: Budget
- Larger baskets (20-28 passengers)
- Flight time of about 60 minutes
- Most affordable option, still very enjoyable
- Great for budget travellers who don’t mind a crowd
Cost: Approximately 20,472 INR
Comfort Flights: Pricey
- Fewer people in the basket (usually 12-16 passengers)
- More space to move around and take photos
- Longer flight time (60-90 minutes)
- Slightly more expensive, but worth it for the experience
Cost: Approximately 26,613 INR
Private Tours: Luxury
- Fewer people in the basket (4-8 passengers, depending on operators)
- Perfect for honeymoons, proposals, or special occasions
- It is comparatively expensive, but it offers privacy
- Often includes champagne, professional photos, and extended flight time
Cost: Approximately 30,000 INR
Note: Apart from these flights, you can also ask for a private balloon. Mostly, couples take this for a proposal and a romantic getaway.
This option costs the same as the Private Tours, approximately 30,000 INR per person. Alternatively, they can arrange a separate basket, which will have an additional fee.
Seasonal Cost for Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey
The cost during the peak season, that is, summer (July to August), will be expensive. The best part is that there are fewer possibilities of flight cancellations, which means that with perfect weather, you will get the best views.
You need to book early to get the slot you wanted before they all get booked. And the last-minute books can show you a crazy amount.
On the other hand, winter (November to March) is cheap and has fewer crowds. However, there are high chances of cancellation, and as an Indian, I cannot imagine being in that cold.
Spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) can be slightly cheaper compared to summer, but not as cheap as winter. But these months give you the best views, next to summer, hence the 2nd best time to book hot air balloons.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Booking: The Best Operators to Choose
There are multiple hot air balloon operators in Cappadocia. Each of them has its own expertise and service. The cost can vary depending on the service you choose.
A few of the best hot air balloon operators,
Royal Balloon
You can find Royal Balloon in Avcılar Mahallesi, Göreme. They are an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company and are rated the best by many of the travel websites.
Butterfly Balloons
Located in Aydınlı Orta Mah, Göreme, Cappadocia, Butterfly Balloons has been operating for 25 years, employing skilled pilots and a carefully selected crew from around the world.
Turquaz Balloons Cappadocia
Since 2013, Turquaz Balloons Cappadocia have flown over 8000 flights and transported more than 150,000 people. All of them had a successful safety record. The operators are located in Aydınlı, Orta, Adnan Menderes, Göreme.
Cappadocia Voyager Balloons
Go to Cumhuriyet, Kapadokya, Avanos to fly with them. Cappadocia Voyager Balloons started the company with passion. The sole intention was to make everyone fly, and in the last 10 years, they have flown more than 96,000 people.
Discovery Balloons
It is located in Aydınlı – Orta, Uzun Dere, Göreme. And, the Discovery Balloon was founded in 2011. All the pilots here have 17 years of flight experience. A few of them even flew to different continents, and they are also multilingual professionals.
Note: You get a hotel transfer and a light breakfast when you arrive. If you have kids under 12, ask for discounts.
You can book any operators, but make sure to research. Read Google reviews to know the real experience other travellers had. Go through their official website to learn about the crew.
Figure things out when you are in your country and have a chill time when you arrive. If you have any specific requirements, please contact them directly before booking balloon rides.
Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey
When does the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey happen? You can expect it in August, which lasts about three days, with dates varying between August 3rd and 11th.
Cappadocia already feels like some fantasy planet. That too, during the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the place looks like it has exploded with colours everywhere.
During this time, the balloons are freshly painted in many patterns, such as animals, cartoon characters, or even giant cultural icons.
If you are a photographer, you should definitely give this festival a try. Not just best shots, you will also get a chance to meet many photographers from different parts of the world.
Unlike a typical day, where you book and take a flight, the festival gives the experience of live music, local dance performances, and food stalls lined up that smell so good.
Important Notes for Turkey Hot Air Balloon
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Conclusion
If a hot air balloon ride in Turkey were your last desperate thing to do, this blog would have been your saviour. This has all the necessary information you need.
Now, I have to talk about my experience. Man, flying over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon and spending all that money was worth it. I mean, you’re floating way above those crazy fairy chimneys, sun just dumping gold rays everywhere.
The silence up there can’t be found anywhere. It is just you, the breeze, and that scenic view. At one point, it feels like you’re on some other planet.
Though I do understand, the process of trying this hot air balloon can be overwhelming. Considering a trip to Cappadocia, booking hot air balloon flights, and deciding which city to visit? All this can be a lot of work.
If you need help with Cappadocia hot air balloon booking or information, you can contact us. As a team, we will guide you through all the questions, and if you would like, we will take care of your entire Turkey trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Hot Air Balloon Rides
Can I take my kids on a balloon ride?
You can take your kids, but they have to be at least six years old and able to peek over the basket. And the protection is perfect, they’ll hook you up with safety harnesses too, so you’re good.
When’s the best time to go up?
Sunrise is the best time, as the sky light is insanely mesmerising. And the landscape just glows, and they are beautiful and different in each season. However, summer (July to August) is the safest, so the activity is less likely to get cancelled.
Can an overweight person take a hot air balloon?
In hot air balloons, you will have restrictions when it comes to being overweight. If you are over 120 kgs, just give the operator a heads-up. Sometimes, they’ll need to shuffle people around or might ask for a bit extra, but some operators don’t accept that.
Can a person in a wheelchair go on a hot air balloon?
Some companies actually have accessible baskets, which is incredible. Yet, you have to contact them way ahead of time to confirm.
