Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys: Everything You Need to Know Beforehand
Floating high above Cappadocia as the sun rises is nothing short of magical. A Cappadocia hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys is one of those bucket-list experiences that truly lives up to the hype, and has been one of the most surreal moments of our lives.
From the moment you take off, you’re surrounded by breathtaking views, unique rock formations, and a sky filled with colorful balloons. Drifting over otherworldly landscapes with pastel skies truly is unforgettable - it’s no wonder this is one of the most famous things to do in Turkey.
If you’re wondering what to expect and whether it’s really worth it, we’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through the entire experience, from takeoff to landing, so you know exactly what it’s like to see Cappadocia from above!
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Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys: a Brief Intro
Taking a Cappadocia hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys is one of the most magical travel experiences in Turkey. But before we dive into the details of what a hot air balloon tour looks like, let's go over some of the basics.
What is a Hot Air Balloon Experience in Cappadocia?
A hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia means drifting peacefully above the most picturesque valleys, cave houses, and fairy chimneys at sunrise.
Dozens of colorful balloons fill the sky at once, creating a magical atmosphere that is unlike anything else. They happen at sunrise each day, further adding to this dreamy experience.
Fun Facts About Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia
Here are some things you may not have known about hot air balloons in Cappadocia!
How Many People Fit in Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia?
Hot air balloons in Cappadocia generally hold between 16 and 28 people, depending on the size of the basket. The basket is divided in sections, and each section holds up to 4 people.
Some companies offer smaller balloons, and others even offer private hot air balloon rides.
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How to Book a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
Booking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is easy! There are a ton of different companies that offer rides, and flights are scheduled each day.
That being said, this is one of the top things to do in Cappadocia, and especially during high season flights can get sold out in advance. If it's the off-season, you can get great last-minute deals on ballon rides, but in the high season a lot of balloon companies will actually charge more the closer to the date you book.
Hotels sometimes offer better deals, and will message you as soon as you book, so this can be a great option. But if you're not booking months in advance, we'd recommend simply booking one online.
Should You Book a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia in Advance?
Yes, you should book in advance, especially during peak season from April to October! Not only is it typically cheaper to book in advance during the busier months, but flights can be canceled due to weather, especially in April and May.
Make sure to schedule your ride for one of your first mornings you're visiting Cappadocia so that you can increase your chances of flying.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys: Prices & Timetables
Before you fly, here is what you should know about cost, tipping, and when the balloons take off.
How Much Does a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia Cost?
Hot air balloon ride costs vary greatly! If you're visiting in the low season, you can find balloon flights for as cheap as 60-70 euros, while in high season it's very typical to see balloon rides costing from 150-200/person.
Private flights cost much more - we'd recommend reaching out to the individual companies for prices.
You'll see "luxury" and "deluxe" balloon rides on Viator and Get Your Guide for over $500/person. Don't be fooled! These are double the price and the exact same experience in a shared ballon. You really shouldn't be paying more than $250/person, unless it's for your very own balloon.
We've found balloon rides for as low as 7o euros on these sites, so just read the description and make sure it's not in Soganli or a valley outside of Cappadocia.
How Much to Tip a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Pilot
Tips are optional, and should be given if you had a great experience (which we're sure you will!). Some people give 5 euros, while others give 20 - we'd recommend giving 5-10/person in your group.
What Time are Hot Air Balloon Rides in Cappadocia?
There are two slots for hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia - one is before sunrise, and the other is 30 minutes later. The exact time can vary depending on the weather.
Some days the balloons take off 30 minutes before the sunrise, while others you'll have to wait an hour or even more just to get the green light to go. Regardless, we'd recommend getting the first flight out! Read your booking description to make sure before booking.
Companies pick up each and every passenger, and there is time needed for setup, so in the summer pick up times can be as early as 3 or 4 am! While in the winter pickups can be a bit later due to a later sunrise.
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Why are Hot Air Balloon Rides so Early?
Hot air balloons are extremely sensitive to the wind, and being surrounded by valleys, Cappadocia experiences a lot of wind, which picks up later in the day.
Local authorities over time have deemed it too risky to take off later in the day, which is why all of the hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia are first thing in the morning.
Even with absolute perfect weather conditions and flying private, companies would need special permission from the government to fly outside of early morning hours - so the chances are really slim to none. (We know because we've been trying to get a sunset hot air balloon ride for our wedding).
Hot air balloons fly earlier than sunrise!
How Long Does a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia Last?
Hot air balloon rides can range from 45 minutes to 2 hours! The rides are actually a bit unpredictable and rely completely on the winds. Typically pilots will aim to keep people in the air for one hours, but sometimes it can be a bit less, or much more!
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Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys: How to Prepare
Get ready for your flight by knowing what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect before takeoff.
Hot Air Balloon Weather Conditions in Cappadocia
Hot air balloon rides are affected mostly by wind. If the winds are high, the balloons won't fly. Mornings are typically much colder than the day time in Cappadocia, so you'll want to dress warm for your balloon ride.
What Time of Year is Best for Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Rides?
The best time of year for a hot air ballon ride in Cappadocia is in the summer. This is when the balloons fly the most, and the early mornings aren't as cold. The sunrises are also spectacular! June to September are the most ideal months.
September is a great month for hot air balloons.
How to Prepare for a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys
Ready for yours Cappadocia hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys? Here are a few ways to make sure that you are properly prepared.
What Do You Wear on a Balloon Flight?
You'll want to make sure you dress comfortably. We'd recommend bringing layers for the early morning, and to also have comfortable shoes since you'll be standing.
What to Bring on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Hot air balloons don't have a ton of room, so you'll want to make sure you pack light! Here are some of the things we recommend bringing with you on a Cappadocia hot air balloon ride:
- Light jacket to stay warm
- Camera with a lens that has a variety of focal lengths (also a wide lens)
- Insta 360 with a long selfie stick for unique perspectives
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes after sunrise
- Cash to tip your pilot
It's really helpful to have a wide lens in a hot air balloon.
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Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys: The Experience
Now you know all of the basics for getting ready for your Cappadocia hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys. Now, let's walk you through what the whole experience looks like!
Excursion Pick Up
Get a good night's rest, because you'll have an early wake-up call. All companies pick up their guests, so long as they are located in Goreme, Uchisar, or one of the other nearby towns.
Your company will have you be ready by an estimated time. Vans will circle the town and pick up each guest one-by-one, and this can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on everyone else's punctuality.
Coffee/Breakfast
Typically companies will bring everyone to the office, where you'll have a small breakfast set up. Our consisted of hot tea, instant coffee, and an array of simple pastries. Our company also gave us a water bottle and some snacks for the ride.
Balloon Drop Off
Everyone will then head to the hot air balloon take-off area. You'll notice each company has their own designated area, and one by one you'll see all of the balloons being inflated.
Once the balloon is inflated the pilot will call people by group, filling the baskets. Once everyone is in, the pilot will brief everyone on the experience, go over the rules, and show you the landing position.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride over Fairy Chimneys
Get ready for a magical ride! You'll be soaring right over Love Valley with some of the most stunning panoramic views you'll ever witness. The balloon will go up over the fairy chimneys and down into the valley, bringing you up close to the incredible formations across the valley!
Finishing the Balloon Ride
After about an hour your pilot will find a safe place to land, and everyone will get down from the balloon. You'll have a few minutes to take pictures, and then there will be a big toast. We were super lucky, because our pilot let us go inside the below as they were deflating it!
My first balloon ride had champagne, but this time around we were given fruit juice- kind of a bummer, but other than that it was a fun experience!
Everyone will get a flight certificate, and then the guides will offer everyone to purchase the photos they've taken on a USB. Ours was pretty affordable - I think it was $2o and had all of the pictures.
After the experience the van will then drop everyone back off at their hotels one by one.
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Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys: Safety & Health
Now you know exactly what to expect in terms of your flight, and preparing for a Cappadocia hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys. Now, let's go over some important safety info.
How Safe is a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia?
Hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia are completely safe! Pilots have extensive training, and strict government regulations mean balloons are never flying in risky situations.
How Often Do Hot Air Balloons Crash in Cappadocia?
Hot air balloon crashes are super rare, and even more rare in Cappadocia, where they follow strict rules and fly regularly with highly experienced pilots.
Pilots also fly far away from other balloons, and never get too close to the landscapes.
Who Should Not Go on a Hot Air Balloon?
Pregnant women, small children, and people with serious medical conditions or recent surgeries are usually not recommended to fly in hot air balloons. If you have any health concerns, we'd recommend consulting with the company beforehand.
Can You Get Altitude Sickness in a Hot Air Balloon?
We had some bad altitude sickness in Peru, and are pretty sensitive to high altitudes. However, balloon flights in Cappadocia stay at relatively low elevations, typically between 500 and 800 meters - so there is nothing to worry about!
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Is a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Fairy Chimneys Worth it?
Riding in a hot air balloon over the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia is quite possibly one of the best things to add to your bucket list. It truly is a magical experience, and one that is absolutely worth it!
Here are some final tips for making sure you experience is optimal:
What's Next?
Now that you've experienced a magical Cappadocia hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys, you'll also want to know what else to do while in the area! Here are some other articles we've written that will help you plan an epic trip in Cappadocia:
20 of the Best Things to Do in Cappadocia
29 Unique Activities & Tours in Cappadocia
22 Best Cave Hotels in Cappadocia
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So are you ready to experience an incredible Cappadocia hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys? This is truly a bucket list activity, and we know you're going to absolutely love every moment of it.
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