Posted on Wednesday, 21 December 2022

Is a hot air balloon ride on your bucket list? Then why not head to Turkey for a hot air balloon experience that truly is a trip of a lifetime!

When it comes to Turkey hot air balloon holidays, there’s none so famous as the hot air balloon rides over Cappadocia.

Thanks to its well-developed tourism industry, excellent weather conditions and quite possibly Instagram, hot air ballooning in Turkey's Cappadocia region has really taken off in recent years.

But is hot air ballooning in Cappadocia worth it?

Is hot air ballooning in Cappadocia worth it?

Cappadocia is a region in the heart of Turkey, loved by tourists for its dramatic fairy chimneys - chimney-pot rock formations - which look like something out of a science-fiction movie.

Arguably the best way to enjoy this captivating landscape of Cappadocia is by hot air balloon - although there are many other ways to enjoy the area.

Indeed, a quick search of the internet, and you will find that hot air balloon trips rank as the number one thing to do in Cappadocia, with most review sites scoring the Turkish balloon rides 5 out of 5.

When do the hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia take off?

Most balloon flights take off before sunrise, giving occupants breath-taking views of the sun casting shadows over this strange vista.

The spectacle of the Cappadocia hot air balloons is said to be as amazing as the valleys and rock formations themselves.

Here are ten must-know facts to know before you reach for the skies in Cappadocia.

Book early for Cappadocia hot air balloon trips

As the most popular thing to do in Cappadocia, it is critical to book your hot air balloon flight ahead of time.

Even though many balloons take off here every day, you may need to book your Cappadocia hot air balloon holiday trip weeks or even months in advance.

If you haven't booked your hot air balloon flight ahead, it's a good idea to stay in Cappadocia for a few nights to maximise your chances of bagging a balloon ticket (you may be able to take advantage of cancellations, for example)

 

How many hot air balloons take off each day in Cappadocia?

There are normally around 100 hot air balloon trips that take-off before sunrise each day in Cappadocia, with a further 50 half an hour later.

In all, about 2,000 people rise up over Cappadocia every day!

 

When is the best time of year to take a hot air balloon holiday adventure in Cappadocia?

As far as destinations go for hot air balloon holidays, they don’t get much better than Cappadocia.

Unlike the balloon flight season in Europe which lasts just 60 days, you can enjoy a balloon trip in Cappadocia nearly year-round - with 250 flying days.

Alongside summer and spring trips, a winter hot air balloon flight is also possible in Cappadocia. The snow-covered chimney stacks are a remarkable sight.

Aim for April to November

But arguably the best period to enjoy a hot air balloon tour is from April to November, when conditions are just right; there's not too much wind, and the temperature is good.

Conversely, many balloon trip cancellations take place from December to March.

Cappadocia hot air balloon festival

Don’t fancy taking to the skies yourself?

The spectacle of the balloons in flight over Cappadocia is worth seeing, even if you don’t want to fly aboard one.

And a great time to visit Cappadocia is in July, when the annual Cappadocia hot air balloon festival takes place.

Spread across 4 – 5 days, teams from countries worldwide take to the skies in various  shaped balloons, whilst, closer to terra firma, an array of activities are on offer. Enjoy local dishes and take in entertainment such as local folk dances, folk dances of foreign countries, the night glow show, concerts, parties and DJ’s.

 

Flight time? How long does a Cappadocia hot air balloon trip last?

Most hot air balloon trips in Cappadocia last for around 1 hour, with some flight times taking 1½ hours.

 

Is a Cappadocia Turkey hot air balloon trip a costly experience?

Some balloons fit 16 people, others hold more. You'll pay more to be with fewer people, but this will give you more space to move around.

You can expect to pay between £120 and £180 per person.

If you don't like being packed in like sardines, it's worth paying a little more.

Private flights are available to book but these certainly don’t come cheap.

Expect to pay around £4,000 if you want just your nearest and dearest to accompany you during your Cappadocia hot air balloon flight.

 

What is the chance that my Cappadocia hot air balloon trip will get cancelled?

As with all hot air balloon holiday trips, weather conditions must be suitable for balloons to take off.

Thankfully, cancellations in Cappadocia are rare - but they do happen.

If bad weather moves in suddenly, Turkey's Civil Aviation Authority may cancel all hot air balloon flights on a given day.

Therefore pencilling in a few days in Cappadocia is a good idea - giving you a better chance of getting up into the air.

To get a space on a later take-off, you may have to make regular calls to the hot air balloon firm, as demand is often high.

 

Balloons can land sideways!

It's true: it's not uncommon for a balloon basket to tip rearward upon landing. Your pilot will ensure you know how to deal with this, should it happen.

Balloon baskets can often bump on the ground a few times before coming to a rest and can land at an angle due to strong winds.

Landings take place in large, flat, open areas. Because the balloon's direction is largely dictated by the wind, landing is not an exact science.

Your pilot will radio the tour company and tell them where the balloon is likely to land - so they can pick you up.

Air hot air balloon trips in Cappadocia safe?

Hot air balloon pilots are very well trained. 

The pilots must have a certain number of flight hours under their belts before they can take passengers into the sky, and they must also pass exams and undergo regular health checks.

As with planes, hot air balloons in Turkey must be registered and undergo regular safety checks.

Some balloon companies have been going for 20 years. That said, there is always a minor risk with all air travel.

The most common cause of injury is a hard landing.

 

How high do the balloons rise?

Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is not for those with a strong fear of heights since baskets can rise as high as 3,000 feet.

In addition, they may travel at speeds of up to 13 miles per hour.

 

What else is there to do in Cappadocia?

If you're very unlucky and can't get on a balloon flight, there are many other great things to do on a Cappadocia holiday.

There are a multitude of viewpoints to enjoy the landscape (and balloon flights), vast underground cities, museums and archaeological sites.

 

Planning a holiday to Turkey?

These other articles about place to visit in Turkey may inspire your choice of destination for your Turkish holiday:

Turkey: Where Two Continents Meet - Start Travel

6 Must-Visit Attractions in Bodrum, Turkey - Start Travel

Istanbul: 7 reasons to visit Turkey's biggest city - Start Travel

Antalya: Turkey’s Glamorous Beachside City - Start Travel

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