Hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia: are they worth it?
When you picture (or Google) Cappadocia, you’re probably faced with the image of a blue sky dotted with hundreds of bright balloons, floating peacefully over the iconic valleys and stone chimneys. And it’s true that this is how Cappadocia looks… Taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is one of the most popular reasons people visit the region
But they only take off once a day, at sunrise. And not everyone will get to enjoy the experience. So is it worth flying in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia? If you ask us, the answer is definitely yes.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Türkiye and want to make sure you get lucky with your hot air balloon tour, here’s everything you need to know.
by @tomokas
When do hot air balloon tours happen in Cappadocia?
We flew with Türkiye Balloons. But whichever company you choose for your hot air balloon experience in Cappadocia (and there are a lot!) one thing will remain the same: you will fly at sunrise, or within an hour of that time. There are two reasons for this timing. Firstly, it makes for a stunning view with all balloons flying at the same time. And secondly, by only offering one flight time each day there is less complication around whether or not your experience will get to go ahead.
If the wind is slightly too high or conditions aren’t quite right in any way, the hot air balloons in Cappadocia will not take off. If conditions are good for flying, you will be taken to a take-off point before sunrise. For us, this meant being picked up at about 4.15am and taking off by 5am. Of course times will vary depending on the time of the sunrise during your visit.
by @tomokas
What happens if my hot air balloon experience is cancelled?
Each company that offers hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia will have their own policies. But we flew with Türkiye Balloons, who roll over cancelled flights to the next day balloons are able to take off. In some cases, hot air balloon companies will actually fly extra balloons to accommodate people who were unable to fly on their original date.
Of course, this does mean that some people will be unable to make the next successful date. And this is something you need to be aware of before you book. Since bad or windy weather is the main reason for hot air balloons in Cappadocia not taking off, it’s obviously much better to miss out than fly in unsafe conditions.
For this reason, it’s recommended that you book your hot air balloon experience for the first morning you’ll be waking up in Cappadocia. That way, you will have more opportunities to make a successful flight if your first date is cancelled.
We were lucky that we were able to fly on our planned date. But the next two days were cancelled, and then we were flying home. So if we’d booked on one of those dates we would not have been able to ride in a balloon at all during our trip.
by @tomokas
What is the best company for hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia?
Finding ‘the best’ company that runs hot air balloon tours in Cappadocia is an almost impossible feat. Hundreds of companies with variations of the same name launch flights across the Göreme Valley every day, and in most cases the experiences are largely the same.
However, picking a company that fit these criteria should be a priority:
They have good safety ratings.
They have professionally accredited pilots.
They have plenty of positive reviews on Google, Trip Advisor, etc.
They have options for the basket/group size that you want.
They have an option that is affordable for you (but not suspiciously cheap).
They offer the experience you want (e.g. hotel pickup, champagne breakfast).
We flew with Türkiye Balloons, which offered a fairly affordable price that was in line with other highly-rated companies. We chose a smaller basket of 16-20 people. Hotel pick-up and drop-off, and champagne and cake at the end of our ride were all included in the price.
by @tomokas
How much does it cost to fly in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia?
The price of a hot air balloon tour varies between £120 to £350. But this depends on the company you choose and the experience you book.
With Türkiye Balloons, we paid about £120 each (prices vary throughout the year) – which was about the standard price during the time of our trip. This included hotel pick up and drop off, snacks and water, and a drink and cake when we landed.
by @tomokas
How long do hot air balloon tours in Cappadocia last?
The hot air balloon ride itself lasts about 1 hour, taking you over Love Valley, Rose Valley, and the fairy chimneys.
However, the entire experience takes more like 2-2.5 hours. This is because each member of your tour will be picked up from and dropped back at their hotel. Luckily, this doesn’t take long since Göreme’s hotels are all very close together.
Once everyone is collected, the drive is about 15 minutes to the launch point. You’ll then watch while your balloon is inflated and set up. For us, it was about 45 minutes to an hour between being picked up and being ready to take off. Then once you’ve landed, you’ll be back at your hotel within about 45 minutes.
Of course, this can vary between tour providers and if you’ve booked a champagne breakfast or other bespoke experience, it will take longer.
Want to know about our full experience in a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia? Read my blog: What happens on a hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia?
by @tomokas
What should I wear for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia?
Because hot air balloons in Cappadocia fly at sunrise, the weather can be cold even in the warmer months. I wore a jumpsuit and a cardigan in June, and was slightly chilly at some points. So a thicker layer would be recommended.
During summer months and in warmer weather, a t-shirt or jumper and a jacket with trousers would be appropriate. Flat, comfy shoes like trainers are also best for climbing in and out of the basket.
Hot air balloon rides aren’t a great opportunity for selfies as the baskets are usually full with people. So focus on the view and don’t worry about dressing up. Go comfy, warm, and practical instead. You can get your Insta shots on a morning when you’re not in the sky.
In winter and spring, the weather in Göreme Valley can drop to freezing and flights can still take off when there is snow on the ground. So thermals and very warm layers would be needed during the colder months.
by @tomokas
Why are there hot air balloons in Cappadocia?
The stunning landscape, which is even more impressive when viewed from above, actually isn’t the only reason that hot air balloons fly in Cappadocia. Because the land surrounding the Göreme Valley is arid and almost desert-like, there is very little wildlife here.
This means that balloons can safely land and take off without worrying about disrupting habitats and biodiversity in the area. But of course, the impressive valleys and rock formations are the reason that taking a balloon ride in Cappadocia is appealing to tourists.
by @tomokas
Different options for hot air balloon experiences in Cappadocia
If you just want to fly in a balloon and then head back to your hotel (maybe to catch up on some of the lost sleep!) then you will be paying a lower price and the tour won’t take as long. We did this, and it was perfect for us.
However, there are other options for hot air balloon experiences in Cappadocia:
Viewing groups take visitors to the best spots for panoramic views of the balloons in flight.
Photography tours take visitors to the best spots for capturing the balloons.
Classic car tours offer visitors the chance to take photos of the balloons from a vintage car (you can even rent the flowing dresses often seen in these photos!)
Champagne breakfast tours offer tea and coffee and a buffet breakfast before the flight, and champagne at the end.
Tours of the area including the Red Tour and private tour guides can be hired as a package in conjunction with a hot air balloon flight.
by @tomokas
Are hot air balloons scary?
Whilst floating in a basket attached to a piece of material at 1,000 metres sounds terrifying, hot air ballooning is actually a very safe activity. I come from Bristol, which is almost as famous for hot air ballooning as Cappadocia is (it even hosts the International Balloon Fiesta every August, where I spent my childhood summers!) and I had always been terrified of the idea. Although really, I'd never thought about doing it at all until I was faced with the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.
But I can honestly say that, on the whole, flying in a hot air balloon is not scary.
We were lucky as our take off, ride, and landing were all smooth. And accidents can happen – like they can with any mode of transport. But it’s highly unlikely. In fact, there have been fewer than 10 hot air balloon accidents in Cappadocia since 1996… And around 200 balloons fly almost every day. So that’s more than more than 950,000 hot air balloon flights. And less than 10 accidents.
I’m terrified of heights and wasn’t sure I wanted to go in a hot air balloon, but I’m glad I did. Want to know what it’s like to fly in a hot air balloon when you’re scared of heights? Read my blog: Can you go on a hot air balloon ride if you're scared of heights?
by @tomokas
Where can I see the balloons in Cappadocia?
Every day that hot air balloons fly in Cappadocia, hundreds if not thousands of people come out to watch them fill the sky. Some will have already been on their own hot air balloon ride. Some might be waiting for theirs. And others prefer to take it all in from the ground. But you don’t have to be in the basket to experience the wonder of Cappadocia skies filled with hot air balloons.
You can view the hot air balloons from almost anywhere in the town. But the best spot is the sunrise view point. However, this does get very busy, and costs a small fee to enter. Many hotels have rooftops that also make great viewing platforms.
If you’re visiting at a time when sunrise coincides with breakfast, this is a great way to see the balloons. However, in June sunrise was at around 5am. So kitchens weren’t open, and climbing up to the viewpoint was the best option.
A top tip if you want to see the balloons in flight one morning: use either the Windfinder app or this designated website. The hike up to the best viewing point for hot air balloons in Göreme is steep (and not free!).
So to save yourself getting up at the crack of dawn for no reason, just set an alarm for their scheduled flight time, and check these resources before you get out of bed.
Note: I chose and paid for my Hot Air Balloon tour independently (I didn't even have this blog yet!) This post is not an advertorial and is a true reflection of my experience with Türkiye Balloons. However, if you book yours through my Viator link, I might make a little bit of money through affiliation.