Our balloon ride definitely still is among my best memories ever and the entire morning truly resembled a scene out of a fairy tale. I will delve into my journey across Cappadocia more comprehensively below, but it’s important to understand a few key points about arranging a Cappadocia balloon tour beforehand.
This guide will unveil all you need to know about the Cappadocia hot air balloon experience, ensuring you’re thoroughly prepared and excited. The adventure was incredibly — I mean just look at the photographs!
I will share my personal experience, let you in on all the details you need to know before going on a Cappadocia balloon ride and offer valuable advice to make your visit exceptional.
Plan your tour in advance
Now that you know that the tour is absolutely worth it, let me tell you how to plan your balloon ride. Balloons flight’s are not scheduled every day since weather conditions like strong winds or rain can lead to flight restrictions. Most tours offer a free reschedule to a different day. However, when planning your trip make sure you plan spending multiple days in Cappadocia if you don’t want to miss out on the chance of taking a balloon ride.
This is also the reason, why I highly recommend securing a spot on a Cappadocia hot air balloon tour well ahead of time. Because of reschedules on some days it might be difficult to secure a spot, if you want to book one at late notice.
This leads me to advice number 2. If you are only in the Cappadocia area for 2 or 3 days, make sure you reserve your air balloon flight for your first full day. This will allow you to be able to reschedule in case your tour gets postponed.
How to choose a hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia?
To be honest, I couldn’t tell you which company will give you the most bang for your buck. We booked our tour with Turquaz Balloons and had the most amazing experience. But I am pretty sure your experience will be mostly dependent on the pilot and the amount of people in your balloon and foremost the weather conditions.
We booked our tour online, but almost every hotel or tourist information point will help you book a tour.
Most balloon rides include transportation to and from the ride. We were picked up a little before 4:30, got a small breakfast until all of the passengers arrived and were then transported to the launch site.
Our basket accommodated 20 passengers, but we only booked one day in advance when only 6 /20 seats had been booked. Therefore we ended up being only 8 people – INCREDIBLE. However, I would not recommend booking last minute because of reasons mentioned above. I also assume that some companies would combine flights if they aren’t fully booked.
Nevertheless, seeing the crowded balloon rides starting at the same time I would think spending a little bit extra for a ride with less people (lots of companies offer premium packages) is definitly worth it!
If you aren’t that lucky and take a fully booked tour, try to secure a corner spot for the best pictures. The exact route is depending on the wind and weather conditions and therefore cannot be planned in advance. For perfect conditions it needs to be a day with almost no clouds and wind conditions that allow you to visit the most famous valleys like goreme valley or love valley. But don’t worry I am pretty sure most of the companies will take almost the same route on every given day. Only keep one thing in mind: some companies launch from less crowded valleys. However, a big part of the experience stems from sharing the skies with numerous other balloons. Ensure your tour departs from Goreme Valley or Love Valley to enjoy this spectacle. The sight of hundreds of balloons at sunrise was dreamlike, a unique scene not replicated anywhere else in the world.
What to expect from a balloon ride in Cappadocia?
There is no way around waking up really early. Most balloon services pick you up between 4:30 and 5:30am. On arrival at the launch site you the balloon inflated. Take this time to enjoy the sunrise and don’t worry if you are not among the first in the air – we were among the last balloons in the air which gave us a lot of marvelous views on other balloons and beautiful pictures.
The flight time is always to short – ours took almost 2 hours. Just remember not to get lost in a photoshooting frency but to take at least a couple of minutes to enjoy the moment and this unbelievable experience. Our pilot expertly maneuvered the balloon, offering us panoramic views. The experience never felt crowded, enhancing the enjoyment of floating over this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fairy chimneys looked mesmerizing from above. At the end we smoothly landed, celebrated with champagne, and thanked the crew before heading back to the hotel. There was also time to chat with the pilot, whose passion and friendliness added to the unforgettable experience.
How much is a hot air ballon ride?
The typical cost for a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride ranges between $160 and $240, varying with the season of your visit to Turkey.
I believe paying a little bit extra for a ride with less people or more time is definitely worth it.
Tips for a balloon ride in cappadocia
- Book in advance
- Plan your balloon tour on the first full day in Cappadocia
- Try to stay at least 3 days in Cappadocia
- Dress warm. It’s cold when the sun isn’t up!
- Start your Tour in Goreme Valley or Love Valley
