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Best Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour: A Bucket List Adventure in Turkey

A visit to Turkey is not complete without a stop to Cappadocia, the city famous for the sight of hundreds of hot air balloons rising into the sunrise each morning. Visitors flock from around the world to witness and partake in the balloon tours that dip into the valleys and volcanic Fairy Chimneys, and soar high to meet the rising sun. 

Many so-called bucket list experiences can be overhyped, especially once theyโ€™ve hit Instagram fame.

But hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia retain their magical charm.

The regionโ€™s restrictions on the number of balloons, the beauty of the landscape, and the quiet elegance of the experience easily made it my favourite experience in Turkey.

Before you visit, plan your hot air balloon experience properly to ensure you book the best tour, wear the right clothing, and know how to make the most of your time in Cappadocia. Iโ€™m sharing all of my tips and tricks to having the ultimate hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia – including what to do if your flight is cancelled. 

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Cappadocia hot air balloons rising in the sunrise
Birds eye view of Cappadocia landscape
Birds eye view of Cappadocia landscape

Where to Hot Air Balloon in Turkey

If you want to hot air balloon in Turkey, you need to go to Cappadocia.

Whether youโ€™re planning to go in the balloon for a tour over the region or to watch the spectacular sight of 150 brightly coloured balloons drifting past the sunrise, youโ€™ll find the best opportunities in Cappadocia. 

The region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its famous Fairy Chimneys and historic sites like the Goreme Open Air Museum. But now itโ€™s arguably best known for hot air balloons, in large part thanks to Instagram.

Cappadocia has an incredible landscape with lots of natural features to enjoy from the air. You get to dip into valleys, drift above mountains, and marvel at the expanses of land beyond the small clusters of homes.

You can plan a trip to Cappadocia from Istanbul by flight, bus, or car to experience this bucket list adventure. Or add it to a Turkish itinerary as you explore more of the country.

My week-long tour of Turkey included a stop to this hot air balloon capital.

Because of Cappadociaโ€™s fame for hot air ballooning, almost every Turkish tour stops in the city. I highly recommend you take advantage of the stop to ride in a hot air balloon.

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

120 hot air balloons over Cappadocia in the morning

Safety of Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours

Most people wonder โ€œis it safe to hot air balloon in Cappadocia?โ€

In short: yes.

Iโ€™m a risktaker, so I love diving in head first without actually checking safety requirements (like when I went swimming with wild dolphins in New Zealand and didnโ€™t consider the possibility of sharks). So I never checked if it was safe ahead of time.

I mean, they wouldnโ€™t be so known for their gorgeous tours if everyone died, right?

Luckily, the hot air balloon companies plan for the more danger-aware people and prep you before your flight so you know if itโ€™s actually safe to soar over 1,000 metres high.

Iโ€™m going to assuage your fears with the safety facts they taught me:

  • Hot air balloons arenโ€™t toys. Theyโ€™re registered aviation machines like a plane, which means they undergo rigorous testing and safety inspections. The balloons are constantly checked and attended to by large teams of employees, all of whom want to see you land safely.
  • Flights are cancelled the moment there is a weather issue. You may not feel the winds on the ground, but 3000 feet high, they can be swirling around making it impossible for the tours to take off. Even though it means losing money, the Cappadocia hot air balloon tour companies will cancel your trip and refund your payment to ensure your safety.
  • Pilots have to undergo training, like any other type of pilot. They have to be constantly updating their knowledge and ensuring that they are healthy enough to do the job.
  • There is a constant stream of communication between the ground and your hot air balloon. Not only that, but balloon pilots have secret codes to talk to each other through the flames that inflate the balloons. Itโ€™s kind of like morse code, but way cooler when itโ€™s a massive, brightly coloured balloon in front of the rising sun.
  • According to statistics, hot air balloons are safer than cars or planes. This is partially because there are less of them, but also because they have such stringent safety precautions. A study conducted from 2013 to 2017 found only 12 accidents occurred in hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia. 
  • You are given detailed instructions on how to stand and where to be during landing – which is the most dangerous part of the whole endeavor. As long as you can squat and lean back against the basket, youโ€™ll be fine.
  • Although the balloon is fueled by fire, you will not be burnt during your flight. The guest areas are far enough away from the pilot light that you will only ever feel a slight warmth, like when you walk past a fire place, thatโ€™s very pleasant once you get up to the highest heights. 

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Adventurous activities always have their risks.

Although flying in a hot air balloon in Turkey is remarkably safe, accidents do happen.

To protect yourself and ensure that you can get the proper treatment if an accident does occur, I highly recommend getting travel insurance before your trip.

I used Safety Wing travel insurance when I was in Turkey to cover all of my bumps, bruises, and random illnesses. It protected me from lost luggage, the incident where I accidentally arrived a day before my visa started, and if something were to go wrong on a hot air balloon flight.

I love Safety Wing. They’ve designed a travel insurance for the adventurous traveller.

Where most other brands balk at the idea of a skydive or volunteering at a horse ranch, Safety Wing says live your dream! And they’ll protect you while you do it.

👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.

One hot air balloon soaring high above into the sunrise

Best Hot Air Balloon Tours in Cappadocia

Not all hot air balloon tours are made the same.

Many tours advertise that they will go into the fairy chimneys, or that they โ€œcan fly up to 1000 metresโ€ but donโ€™t actually deliver.

To help you avoid hot air balloon disappointment, Iโ€™ve gathered the best tour companies and the best Cappadocia hot air balloon tours to help you out:

Tour companies offer different packages, from standard to private tours. The price and duration of your tour will vary based on which you choose. 

Kapadokya Balloons hot air balloons

Kapadokya Balloons

Kapadokya Balloons was founded over 25 years ago with the goal of sharing their love for adventure with the world. They pride themselves on offering the experience of a lifetime with intimate tours of the Cappadocian landscape.

Their hot air balloons fly daily (weather permitting). Flights run in the mornings due to the wind. You also get incredible views of the sunrise. You get to fly from 5-1,000 metres off the ground, floating on air currents and glimpsing the waking world below.

Every hot air balloon ride with Kapadokya Balloons includes hotel transfers, hot drinks and cookies before your flight, a flight certificate after your ride, and a traditional landing ceremony. The landing ceremony involves getting your certificate, a glass of champagne or juice, and some cake.

Although the flight times are under 2 hours, the entire experience takes 3-4 hours. This includes the transfers, time to eat, and safety briefings.

Since hot air ballooning takes place in the early morning, youโ€™ll still have plenty of time left in your day for other activities.

Note that Kapadokya Balloons requires you to be able to stand for the duration of the hot air balloon ride (about 1 to 1.5 hours).

Like most hot air balloon tour companies in Cappadocia, Kapadokya Balloons has multiple packages on offer. You can choose from:

  • 45-65 minute Standard Flight for 16-20 passengers (185 euros)
  • 1.5 hour Deluxe Flight for 10-14 passengers (250 euros)
  • Private Flights that are custom designed for your specifications. Contact the company for a quote.

Kapadokya Balloons record every flight on a GoPro. You can purchase a CD of your experience for 20 euros to get a video of the incredible scenery. 

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Nina smiling on a hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia. Selfie with hot air balloons in the background

What Itโ€™s Really Like to Go on a Hot Air Balloon Tour in turkey

2 Kapadokya Balloons hot air balloon taking off

Take Off

Iโ€™m not sure why every incredible adventure travel experience seems to require a 4 am wake up. But thatโ€™s what you can expect if youโ€™re taking off before the sunrises in Cappadocia!

We woke early, were driven to the Kapadokya Balloons office, had a continental breakfast, and a short safety demonstration. All before 5am!

After a few early morning cookies, I could no longer tell if the anxiety thrumming in my veins was due to my excitement or the amount of sugar Iโ€™d consumed.

The balloons take off in a field a short drive from the office. You are taken to a van with the rest of the travellers who will be in your balloon, but no one seems keen to chat. So itโ€™s comfortingly quiet as we amble up to a hill covered in massive balloons.

The first thing you notice is how incredibly tall they are, rising metres into the air above you with a golden glow against the dark sky behind. They look like their own individual suns, getting ready to light the sky before the larger sun rises behind them.

The fire seems intimidating at first, flaring high into the balloon to expand the fabric and lift the basket off the ground.

I was so caught up in marvelling at another balloon taking off that I nearly missed the instruction to climb into our basket.

The baskets are divided into five sections: four areas where 4-5 passengers will stand, and one area for the pilot in the middle. Even with 5 people in our section, I could easily move around. We all swapped spaces throughout to get the best shots along the edge and corner of the basket as we started to rise off the ground.

I thought Iโ€™d feel the weightlessness when we took off. I mean, youโ€™re only standing on a basket, so surely thereโ€™d be some rush of air or feeling of floating?

But the basket felt firmly like I had my feet on the ground. 

It felt almost motionless as the hot air balloon drifted through the sky. The balloon turned slowly 360 degrees, but there was no sensation of the movement. No cause for motion sickness or even the fear of heights I was worried I would suddenly acquire. 

It really felt like something out of a movie. 

Granted, Wizard of Oz would have been very different if the hot air balloon was full of people snapping selfies.

Cappadocia fairy chimneys at dawn
Hot air balloon in Turkey cresting a ridge where viewers are taking photos

Dipping Low to the Fairy Chimneys

The sky was filled with balloons that morning. Cappadocia allows 150 balloons out at a time. That morning, our pilot estimated that there were 120. 

Everywhere you looked, you saw brightly coloured balloons.

Occasionally, a balloon would light up when the burner flicked on.

The pilots played a game of flashing their burners in quick succession to pass messages, a sort of Morse code that seemed more playful than actually communicative.

I donโ€™t think I stopped clicking my camera the whole time I was in the balloon. I barely even looked at the screen, just snapping indiscriminately while I gaped at the view.

One of the beautiful things about hot air balloon rides is that each is unique. They are completely determined by the will of the wind, leading to a new route every day.

My flight began with a dip into a valley filled with fairy chimneys.

We were so low that I was gritting my teeth, waiting for the unmistakable thump of hitting the ground. Or for us to suddenly crash into one of the volcanic rock towers that helped put Cappadocia on the map.

Just a few metres from the ground, we drifted slowly through the valley, rising naturally with the crest of a hilltop lookout that was full of photographers and balloon watchers alike.

Balloons drifted daringly close, seeming near enough to actually reach out and touch the people marvelling like awed silhouettes on the crest.

A moment before the hot air balloon tours seemed likely to end with a violent crash amongst the viewers, the pilot would flick on the fire and drift safely into the horizon.

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Sunrise over the clouds above Cappadocia, Turkey
Hot Air Ballooning in Turkey
Hot Air Ballooning in Turkey

Soaring Above the Clouds 

Although Kapadokya Balloonsโ€™ states that the flights go to 1,000 metres, our pilot took us up higher. He announced every 100 metres off the ground until we got up to 1,400 metres. It didnโ€™t feel high at the time.

We sat above a haze of clouds, no other balloons in sight. It felt like we were the only people in the world.

No one said a word.

We all seemed to understand that this was a precious moment that shouldnโ€™t be broken with our chatter.

There, we got a perfect view of the sun breaking over the horizon.

Being above the clouds is incredible when you donโ€™t have the metal body of a plane surrounding you. The whisps of condensation are cool to the touch, making us all grateful for the warmth of the hot air balloonโ€™s burner.

We hung there, suspended in our solitary world for a few minutes before our pilot began to let us descend, giving another balloon tour the opportunity to appreciate the majesty of solitude above the clouds in Cappadocia.

Even as we descended, the views of the valleys of Cappadocia, the tabletop mountains, and the pink pastels that washed over the land with the sunrise kept us all attentive. Our eyes seemed incapable of taking in the beauty. I was stunned anew every time the balloon completed another lazy rotation, showing me the landscape Iโ€™d seen just moments before. 

I never wanted it to end, but like all good things, it couldnโ€™t last forever. 

I still canโ€™t say whether it lasted 45 or 65 minutes.

I mean, who checks their watch when they can play connect the dots with hot air balloons in the Turkish sky? 

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Safety/Landing instructions for Hot Air Balloon tours in Cappadocia

Landing

I was pretty terrified to land.

Not only would it mean that my incredible experience in a hot air balloon was coming to an end, but it also meant potentially falling backward.

Let me explain: hot air balloons typically land by tapping the ground then tipping backward.

Itโ€™s not meant to be harsh or jarring. The wind simply sweeps the balloon back once it hits the ground and the basket gets gently tipped over.

To prepare, you are supposed to squat down low so your head is entirely in the basket – a feat for anyone over 5โ€™6โ€ who hasnโ€™t been to the gym in a few years (Iโ€™m definitely in that basket).

You squat low and hold onto handles in front of you, with every passenger facing the same way.

Luckily, the bumpy landing Iโ€™d prepared for never came.

It turns out our pilot, with his 20 years of experience, was so amazing at his job that he managed to land us upright directly on the trailer for the hot air balloon!

We all kept squatting, waiting for the moment when weโ€™d tip over, while he kept trying to convince us weโ€™d landed and could get out.

After all of that anxiety, it was over in a second and had been less jarring than an elevator arriving at a floor.

If youโ€™re worried about landings, you donโ€™t need to be. The currents never let the hot air balloon go too fast, so the movements are extremely gentle and you barely feel them.

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Nina in front of a hot air balloon basket holding a glass of champagne and her certificate after her tour in Cappadocia

Celebratory Champagne

Did you know that itโ€™s customary to end a hot air balloon flight with champagne?

The tradition started when early ballooners would go for rides and accidentally wind up in the fields of farmers. These farmers werenโ€™t particularly happy to have the unexpected guests, so theyโ€™d be appeased by an offering of champagne.

Since then, champagne has been synonymous with a hot air balloon landing.

Turkish hot air balloon tours realized this early on and now end their rides with a slice of cake and a glass of bubbles for you to enjoy while they deflate the hot air balloon. 

Some might argue that 8 am is a tad early for champagne, especially when youโ€™ve only eaten a bowl of cereal some two hours earlier. I argue that soaring above the clouds demands luxury! 

That is probably why I downed my Turkish mimosa (which is what Iโ€™d decided to call the mixture of champagne and cherry juice we were given) and two huge slices of marble cake.

To cap off our celebration, Kapadokya Balloons presented us each with a certificate to prove that we had really flown in a hot air balloon – as if I hadnโ€™t already taken 10,000 photos to show it!

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Sunrise in bright pink in Cappadocia

What to Do if Your Hot Air Balloon Tour Gets Cancelled

Unfortunately, weather can cancel a hot air balloon tour, even up to the point where theyโ€™ve begun to inflate the balloon.

Since hot air balloons require wind currents, fly above cloud cover, and need good sight lines, they cannot fly if the conditions are off.

This can be incredibly disappointing if, like me, you only booked one night in Cappadocia to do this bucket list adventure.

I was very lucky that the weather was clear enough for me to live my dream of soaring 1,000 metres high (a feeling Iโ€™d later chase by skydiving in Taupo, New Zealand).

If youโ€™re in the position where your hot air balloon tour in Turkey gets cancelled, follow these steps:

  1. Ask the company you originally booked with if they have any other availabilities during your stay. You may have to go at a different time, like 30 minutes after sunrise, or have to upgrade to a deluxe flight, but those are preferable to losing out on the experience altogether.
  2. If the original company canโ€™t accommodate you, contact EVERY other company in Cappadocia. Ask them if they have room on a deluxe flight, a sunset flight, or a post-sunrise flight as well. To help you out, hereโ€™s the contact of some of the best hot air balloon tour companies in Cappadocia:
    • fly@kapadokyaballoons.com
    • fly@voyagerballoons.com
    • bookings@urgupballoons.com
    • fly@butterflyballoons.com
    • royal@royalballoon.com
    • ofis@rainbowballoons.net
    • info@anatolianballoons.com
    • info@sultanballoons.com
  3. Once you have emailed (or called) the companies above, make sure you have WIFI or a SIM card so you can watch your email like a hawk! Youโ€™ll only have 1 hour from the point where they contact you to accept the booking or theyโ€™ll move on to the next person.
  4. If you can, plan to stay more than one day so you can increase your odds of getting to do your hot air balloon tour, even if itโ€™s not on the day you expected.
  5. Sometimes hotels and tour bus operators have spare spaces that they have pre-booked with hot air balloon companies. Ask your concierge or contact local guided tours to see if they have a slot you could purchase. 
Hot Air Balloon rising in Turkey

Fun Facts About Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey

  1. The first commercial hot air balloon flight in Turkey was in 1991. Now, there are over 25 companies with over 200 balloons registered in Cappadocia alone!
  2. Cappadocia has a 250 day season for hot air balloon tours. Thatโ€™s incredible when you compare it to the 60 days in the rest of Europe. 
  3. More than 100 hot air balloons can be spotted every morning over the Goreme Open Air Museum and Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.
  4. Taking a hot air balloon tour in Turkey is likely the most expensive thing youโ€™ll do in the country. 
  5. Not just anyone can fly a hot air balloon. They have to undergo years of examinations, accumulating flight hours, and recurring medical checks to be approved to fly a hot air balloon. Many have been flying them for over 20 years!
  6. Youโ€™re being chased by a pick up truck while you fly. This is because hot air balloons canโ€™t be controlled like a plane: theyโ€™re subject to air currents. So the pick up team is constantly chasing the balloon to figure out where youโ€™ll land!
  7. Hot air ballooning isnโ€™t the only thing to do in Cappadocia. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, watch the balloons take off from a vista (for free!), Dark Church, Derinkuyu Underground City, or some local hikes up the tabletop mountains and through the fairy chimneys.
  8. Cappadocia is one of a few towns with an airport, so you can visit directly from Istanbul without having to spend multiple days driving. That means you can fly down for a night, hot air balloon above the city, and return to Istanbul the next day (weather permitting).
  9. If riding in a hot air balloon on a tour over Turkey is on your bucket list, book early and plan to stay in Cappadocia for a few days. Although balloons often fly, weather can ground them for a week at a time. Give yourself more opportunities to find a flight by sticking around. Book early to ensure you have a slot as they fill up quickly. 

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

Cappadocia isnโ€™t actually a city: itโ€™s a province of Turkey. The most popular city to stay in is Goreme. The town is home to the most tour companies, the stunning hotels youโ€™ll see all over Instagram, and many nightlife opportunities.

If youโ€™re looking for a one-of-a-kind hotel, stay in a cave hotel in Cappadocia.

These hotels are carved into the mountainsides and have incredible garden views where you can sit on pillows and get that Insta-perfect shot of the hot air balloons drifting into the sunrise. 

Since the Turkish government has banned many Western hotel booking sites inside the country, youโ€™ll need to book your accommodation ahead of time.

I recommend the following cave hotels in Goreme:

For more hotel options in Cappadocia:

Hot air balloons over the pink landscape of Cappadocia at dawn

FAQs of Turkey Hot Air Balloon Rides

When is the hot air balloon season in Cappadocia, Turkey?

Technically, you can go hot air ballooning all year round in Cappadocia, Turkey. The weather is often so temperate that even winter is viable for hot air balloon tours.

The weather allows the hot air balloon companies to fly their balloons 250 days a year, on average. Thatโ€™s 190 days longer than most of Europe gets!

However, certain times of year are better than others, based on weather.

Hot Air Ballooning in Turkey at sunrise

When is the best time to visit Cappadocia to go in a hot air balloon?

Although you can go on a hot air balloon tour all year, certain seasons are better than others.

The best times to visit are March to June or September to November, when the summer crowds have thinned but the winter cold isnโ€™t in full effect.

I visited in March and found it balmy on the ground, but I still needed to break out my ski jacket for the hot air balloon ride.

120 hot air balloon tours in Cappadocia, Turkey

What is the price of riding a hot air balloon in Cappadocia?

Hot air balloon rides are a once-in-a-lifetime experience – and not just because theyโ€™re an epic adventure bucket list activity. Going on a hot air balloon tour is expensive.

Tours in Turkey cost anywhere from 130-180 euros per person.

However, prices vary from company to company. Youโ€™ll find the price rising if you choose to go in a basket with fewer people or if you book a private tour.

For example, my flight with Kapadokya Balloons cost 185 euros for a basket that held 16 people and a flight of 45-65 minutes.

However, I could have upgraded to the Deluxe Flight for a 1.5 hour tour with only 10-14 guests in the basket for 250 euros per person.

Or if Iโ€™d been riding high and not scrimping cash from my 8 months in Europe, I could have done a private flight with the company. The price varies depending on the time and number of guests, but you do get the added luxury of champagne and a fruit basket during your hot air balloon tour.

If youโ€™re planning to ride in a hot air balloon in Turkey, budget at least 180 euros. You may find a company that costs less, but at least youโ€™ll have left the room for the activity in your travel budget. 

Hot air balloons in the sunrise in Turkey

What should you wear on a hot air balloon ride?

Hot air balloon tours are extremely photogenic. But, unfortunately, they donโ€™t really allow for you to be decked out in an Instagram-worthy flowing skirt or sunhat.

Keep in mind that most balloon rides in turkey take off at sunrise and ascend above the cloud level.

In other words: itโ€™s cold as hell!

Think about when youโ€™re on a plane and you have to don a blanket because of the chill outside. Now picture that when you donโ€™t have a metal plane to protect you from the wind.

Luckily, the chill is easily combatted by wearing the right gear.

Bring the following to make the most of your hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia:

  • Thermal underwear (optional if flying in the summer)
  • Long pants
  • Layered tops (I wore a tank, tee, and a fleece)
  • A winter jacket
  • Earmuffs of a hat
  • Scarf
  • Mittens or gloves (gloves are better for taking photos)
  • Sunglasses

You wonโ€™t enjoy your ride in a hot air balloon as much if youโ€™re shivering the whole time, so layer up!

Note that you donโ€™t really have to worry about modesty in a hot air balloon, since most passengers are tourists and the pilot is used to tourists wearing different clothing. However, since youโ€™re likely layered up, thereโ€™s less risk of not adhering to the local customs of modesty.

I recommend being respectful regardless. Avoid form-fitting or revealing clothing while youโ€™re in the country, even if youโ€™re in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia. 

Hot Air Ballooning in Turkey

Is it worth it to go on a hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia?

People often call hot air ballooning โ€œromantic,โ€ โ€œgentleโ€ or โ€œpeaceful.โ€ Itโ€™s all of those things and more!

Itโ€™s magical. Itโ€™s spectacular. Itโ€™s eye-opening. Itโ€™s breathtaking. Itโ€™s a bucket list activity that everyone should experience at least once in their life.

And what better place to do it than in Turkey?

I know Iโ€™m the kind of person that enjoys finding the magic in this world. But even if you arenโ€™t into magic and fantasy, hot air ballooning is just plain cool. Itโ€™s amazing to float in what is essentially a woven basket while flying without a motor. I donโ€™t know why anyone wouldnโ€™t want to try it!

Yes, itโ€™s expensive. And yes, you have to wake up crazy early. 

But it is totally worth it.

The memory of floating above the fairy chimneys and table top maintains is forever rooted in my mind. Sun rises bring me back to the hot air balloons that dotted the newly pink sky.

I canโ€™t wait to float above the clouds again, to feel the firm certainty of the basket beneath my feet and to feel the heat of the burner on my face as it lifts me to the sky.

It’s almost meditative to watch. The way the balloon slowly drifts through the sky totally captures the feeling.

🎈 I recommend this hot air balloon tour!

Watch A Hot Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia


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