Cappadocia is a unique place with its landforms formed over millions of years. While hiking in Cappadocia, you can take pictures of the magnificent fairy chimneys. However, you will probably have taken the best photos during the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon tour.
Taking a hot air balloon flight is one of the most fun things to do in Cappadocia. However, there are many things to know about balloons. In this article, you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Cappadocia balloons.
Book a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia 2024
If you want to book the best selling hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia in 2024, you can find the recommended balloon tour by clicking this link. These tours are sold through GetYourGuide and can be canceled with full refund up to 24 hours
Hot air balloon prices in Cappadocia may vary depending on the season. However, among the frequently asked questions below, I also noted the average cost of balloon flight in Cappadocia. You can find the answer to this along with other topics in this article.
Things to Know about Cappadocia Balloons
There are many things to know about Cappadocia balloons. For example, balloons fly throughout the year, including the winter months. However, departure points and the routes of tours may change depending on the daily weather conditions.
Generally, hot air balloons are in Urgup, Goreme, and Avanos, the most beautiful spots of Cappadocia. You can go to explore the places you see on the balloon flight later. Since the balloon tour lasts 3 hours including pick-up and drop off, there will be time to visit the places on your list.
1. How Does a Hot Air Balloon Work?
A hot air balloon is composed of a dome, a burner, and a basket that carries passengers. The basket is made of straws so that it is light and flexible. A burner is located on the upper side of the basket to heat the air effectively.
The dome, the balloon itself, is usually made of tear-proof plastic. A fire-proof material such as Nomex is used on the open part of the balloon. Although all hot air balloons are composed of these three parts, size, shape, deflation system, and the number of burners on each balloon vary.
The hot air balloon works by heating and cooling the air inside the dome. The pilot heats the air inside the balloon to take off and allows the air to cool down when it descends.
The direction of a hot air balloon is defined by the wind during the tour, but it can be controlled by a controller in a limited span by using the wind blowing in different directions and speed.
Cold weather is the best time for a hot air balloon tour as it enables a soft landing and maximum ascent capacity. Therefore, Cappadocia hot air balloon tours are carried out at sunrise, the coldest time of the day.
2. Best Time for a Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
As long as the weather conditions allow, balloon flights are made in Cappadocia throughout the year. However, the period between March and November is considered the tourist season. Especially the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild is the best time for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.
In order to show you more valleys and fairy chimneys, departure points of balloons may vary depending on the strength and the direction of wind every morning. You should also note that these tours are carried out in accordance with the regulations and rules imposed by Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkey.
Hot air balloon tours are allowed in up to 11km/h wind due to security reasons and they may be canceled due to adverse weather conditions. In such cases, if the authorities allow, tours may be fulfilled in the afternoon as well. However, these are rare instances that may happen several times a year.
3. What Time Do Balloons Take Off
Balloons take off between 5 and 5:30 in the morning. Cappadocia Balloon companies pick the tourists up from their hotels early morning and transfer them to departure points. While tourists enjoy their quick breakfast at the site, hot air balloons are filled with air and get ready for the ride just in 15 minutes.
After pilots inform passengers on flight safety, balloons rise 400-500 meters from the earth and tourists can enjoy the view and take photos of the sunset and beautiful Cappadocia for around 1 to 1,5 hours.
Following the landing, participants are rewarded a flight certificate they can keep as a memory and a champagne toast to celebrate the ride. It is certain that you will have wonderful moments and take great photos during the tour.
4. How Long Does a Balloon Tour Last?
The Cappadocia Balloon tour lasts an average of 1 hour, but you need to spare 3 hours for the entire activity including pick-up and drop off. Participants are transferred to a departure point from their hotel one hour prior to flight.
After a light breakfast and the approval of General Directorate of Civil Aviation, passengers are transported to the departure area of balloons. While balloons are filled with air, flight security information is shared with participants, then the tours begin.
Tours at sunrise typically last around 1 hour and it may end 10 minutes earlier or later than the expected landing time. This depends on the strength of the wind and landing point during the flight. While standard flights last 60 minutes, special flights can last from 1,5 hours to 2 hours.
5. What to Wear at Balloon Flight?
Cappadocia is 1000 meters above the sea level and it has a steppe climate. Therefore, it’s crucial to wear proper clothes at Cappadocia. Since sunrise is the coldest time of the day, it is recommended that you wear outdoor clothing during Cappadocia balloon flight.
Especially, if you are planning to participate in a hot air balloon tour in winter, you should definitely wear thicker clothes than you do on an average winter day. As you will remain standing for an hour, it’s recommended that passengers prefer flat heel shoes instead of high heels. If you plan to be in Cappadocia in spring, summer or fall, a light jacket may be sufficient depending on weather conditions.
6. Capacity of Hot Air Balloons
The capacity of a hot air balloon is from 16 to 24 passengers. Generally speaking, baskets that have 16 or 20 passenger capacity are used most frequently. As the price range for smaller baskets is higher, bigger baskets are lower-priced.
There is enough space for every passenger in baskets to enjoy the view. As hot air balloons turn in 360 degrees, passengers have the chance to take photos and videos of amazing Cappadocia in every angle.
Children under 7 years old are not permitted to participate in hot air balloon tours in Cappadocia, but anyone who is between 7-90 and able to climb on a balloon’s basket is welcome on board.
7. Is a Hot Air Balloon Flight Safe?
The hot air balloon flight is safe as the balloons go through strict controls regularly. Routes and areas to be covered by balloons are determined by the weather conditions on the day of rides.
As the air is heated, balloons rise and they go down if the air is cooled. The air inside balloons is heated after balloons are filled by a strong ventilator. While balloons are filled, flight security instructions are explained to participants and the direction of balloons is determined by the wind.
Due to legal requirements, only licensed pilots are eligible to fly these hot air balloons. In order to end your tour safely, the directions of pilots, such as taking landing position, should always be taken into consideration. These instructions are illustrated prior to departure.
The landing also depends on weather conditions and features of the landing area. The main aim for a safe landing is as few bounces and friction as possible.
Until the landing is complete as stated by the pilot, passengers are supposed to remain in landing position. These hot air balloons are examined by General Directorate of Civil Aviation and it’s made sure periodic maintenance of the balloons are performed thoroughly.
8. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Price 2024
Cappadocia hot air balloon price is around 87 US Dollars as of 2024. Information on balloon prices was last updated on December 19, 2023. You can reserve your place now on the best-selling balloon tour in Cappadocia via this link.
The above recommendation is the most popular balloon flight in Cappadocia. The tours are under the guarantee of GetYourGuide, an international travel website. It is possible to cancel with a full refund up to 24 hours.
Conclusion
In this article, we have provided useful information for those who want to make a balloon tour in Cappadocia. You can access the recommended balloon tour in Cappadocia in 2024 from this link here. By the way, there are many unique places to explore in Cappadocia after the balloon flight.
Especially the views you will see from the balloon will encourage you to explore Cappadocia’s unique valleys, fairy chimneys and underground cities. I would like to suggest a guided tour that will help you get to know Cappadocia well.
For example, on the best-selling full-day tour, you can visit the Kaymakli Underground City along with the Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Devrent Valley and Monks Valley.
You can book the Cappadocia full-day tour by clicking this link here. These small group tour tickets are sold under the guarantee of GetYourGuide, an international travel site. You can cancel the tour up to 24 hours and get a full refund.
Information on Cappadocia Balloons by Serhat Engul
Is there a reputable company offering half-price balloon flights for children (age 9 and 6 yers)? The booking would be for 4 adults and 2 children, so we are making a reasonable priced booking!
It is too expensive for us to take the trip if there is no reduction for children!
Thank you
Hi Lyn, I recommend the flights of Royal Balloon among the hot air balloon tours in Cappadocia. (You can make a reservation via the link in the article). But I don’t know if they offer discounts for kids.
On the other hand, they may not accept children under the age of 7 on balloon tours. This is not a certain information, but as far as I know, there is an age limit for children.