Seeing the unique scenery of Cappadocia from the vantage point of a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. Imagine floating over the surreal landscapes of fairy chimneys, rock formations, and small towns.
Going for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia was our favorite experience in Turkey. Gazing out over these magical landscapes at sunrise is well worth the expense and the early morning wake-up call.
Some of the photos I took on this hot air balloon ride still remain my favorites today. The views from these hot air balloons are simply mind-blowing.
In this guide, discover what it is like to take a Cappadocia hot air balloon ride and why it just may be the highlight of your trip to Turkey.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride
About Our Experience
This hot air balloon ride was the first for the four of us. We wanted a company that would provide a safe and enjoyable experience, and Royal Balloon lived up to all of our expectations.
Our day started incredibly early. Alarms went off at 4:30 am so we could be ready for a 5 am pick up by Royal Balloon. We were picked up at our hotel and driven to the the Royal Balloon headquarters. Here we ate breakfast and paid for our flight. As we ate breakfast we could see the first balloons rising into the sky. It was a calm, clear morning, but chilly. It was only 40 degrees at dawn and slowly warmed up through the ride (we visited Cappadocia at the end of March).
A van drove us and the other twelve people who would be riding in our balloon to a plateau overlooking Love Valley. This was our take off point. Within minutes we were climbing into our balloon.
Our pilot was Nigil, a senior pilot for Royal Balloon, who is originally from England. He travels all over the world flying balloons. He said he made his first flight at the age of 5!
Lifting Off
At 6:30 am our balloon lifted off of the ground and quickly rose into the sky. The heat from the flame over our heads helped to keep us warm.
The flight was incredibly smooth and before long we were high above Cappadocia. The views were breathtaking! About 100 balloons dotted the skyline. All four of us were having a great time and it was definitely worth the early morning for an experience like this.
Love Valley
We descended down into Love Valley, so close to the ground that our basket almost brushed the treetops. We could look down through the valley and see where we hiked yesterday. It was amazing.
High Above Cappadocia
After the up and close personal visit with Love Valley, Nigil took us up to our highest height of the day. The views were amazing! We were so high it was a little unsettling, but also exciting. We could see all of the towns we had been visiting: Goreme, Uchisar, Urgup, and others we had heard of like Avanos, Ortahisar, and Mustafapasa. What a beautiful place.
Back on the Ground
We descended back down, hovered near the Goreme Open Air Museum, and then landed the balloon in a pasture. Nigil, with the help of ground crew, landed the balloon directly on a trailer. It was a surprisingly smooth and easy landing.
Once our feet were back on the ground Tyler and Kara helped deflate the balloon while running on top of it. Finally, we had a post flight “party” where champagne was served and medals were handed out.
What an amazing experience. The hot air balloon flight was the highlight of our trip to Turkey. And it was only 8 am; we still had the entire day ahead of us.
How to Plan a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride
How Much Does a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Cost?
Prices range from $110 to $200 USD, depending on the company you choose, the length of the flight, the location of the take-off and landing zones, and whether or not transportation is included.
What We Did
We flew with Royal Balloon, a company with high standards for safety and customer service. We did the “Royal Queen” flight, which lasts for 60 minutes. They offer longer flights with less people but you will pay extra for this. I felt like 60 minutes was more than enough time, especially since we traveled with kids.
Royal Balloon
We highly recommend Royal Balloon. They are a 100% British fleet that has the highest safety record in Cappadocia. They also consistently get rave reviews. On a return trip to Cappadocia, we would use them again.
Flights can be booked directly on their website and they have a wealth of information about their tours. They also offer a shuttle service from your hotel to their headquarters office.
The Queen Flight and King Flight can also be booked through GetYourGuide. The last we checked, GetYourGuide offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance with a full refund, should your travel plans change at the last minute.
Other Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Companies
There are a lot of companies that offer sunrise hot air balloon flights. You’ll see this on your flight, and in our photos, as the array of colorful balloons in the sky is one of the things that makes this flight so photogenic.
If you cannot get a reservation with Royal Balloon, there are a number of companies that also get fantastic reviews. When choosing the best option, pay attention to the reviews, cancellation policy, and location of the flight (Göreme and Love Valley are the best places for the flight).
Here are some of the highest rated Cappadocia balloon flights on GetYourGuide:
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride: Tips & Things to Know in Advance
Book Your Ride in Advance
This is a popular thing to do in Cappadocia. If you wait until you arrive, there is a chance that hot air balloon rides could be sold out, especially with the companies that have better safety ratings. We recommend making your reservation at least several weeks in advance of your trip to Cappadocia, but even sooner would be better.
Schedule the Hot Air Balloon Ride on Your First Morning in Cappadocia
Scheduling the flight on your first morning gives you some contingency time, should that flight get cancelled. If you still have a day or two remaining in Cappadocia, that gives you the opportunity to reschedule the balloon ride.
Bring a Few Layers
Not only will it be chilly in the very early morning hours, but once the hot air balloon gets off the ground and gains some altitude, it can be chilly at those higher elevations. Bring a jacket or a few layers to keep warm spring through fall. If you are doing this in the winter, extra socks, a hat, gloves, and a coat is recommended.
Is a Hot Air Balloon Ride Worth It for Kids?
When we did this, Tyler was 10 and Kara was 8 years old. They seemed interested during the flight but later said that it was boring. Kara also had a difficult time seeing over the side of the basket. Based on our experience, it would be hard to justify the expense for kids younger than 8, although they are allowed on the flight.
If you have any questions about how to plan a Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
More Cappadocia & Turkey Travel Guides
CAPPADOCIA: 3 Days in Cappadocia: The Perfect Itinerary
ISTANBUL: 22 Amazing Things to Do in Istanbul
TURKEY ITINERARY: 10 Day Turkey Itinerary: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: Capturing the Action: How to Take Great Photos While Traveling
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN MYANMAR: A Hot Air Balloon Flight in Bagan, Myanmar
TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Fairytale Destinations: 15 Magical Places to Visit in Your Lifetime
Read all of our articles in our Turkey Travel Guide.
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