Hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia – a dream come true.

When an image of a fantastical landscape appears on your computer or mobile screen, you can’t help but wonder how wonderful it would be to be there in person and witness all that mysterious beauty. We are talking about the region (to be precise, the area) of Cappadocia, whose hot air balloons attract tourists from all over the world. Is it really that mesmerizing? Let’s find out.

How Does a Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia Work?

So, the Cappadocia region and its balloons form a popular tourist destination, with the main attraction being an experience bordering on visual ecstasy. Why such an unusual comparison? It’s because Cappadocia (also known as Cappadocia or Kapadokya) is an area with surreal landscapes that, when seen from above, resemble the surface of another planet. Moreover, this region is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which adds to its value and makes you seriously consider whether it’s worth a visit.

However, enough with the historical background – hot air balloon tours in this region have been a long-standing attraction in Turkey, available for many years now.

What does the flight entail? A large basket of a hot air balloon is used to carry from two to twenty tourists, lifting them to an altitude of over 1,000 meters so they can admire the surroundings and snap a few photos for their personal archive or Instagram.

You will be in the air for no more than an hour, but that is plenty of time to take everything in. To be perfectly honest, 10–15 minutes might even suffice, but a schedule is a schedule – there’s no escaping it.

During the flight, the pilot will lower and raise the basket with the passengers several times, intermittently shielding them from the sun and then reintroducing it. Why? Simply because the terrain is quite hilly and the sun will alternately hide behind a hill and then reappear.

Knowing that the basket will ascend and descend, you can prepare to take some excellent photos or videos – for instance, against a crimson horizon… This is precisely why the tour is conducted early in the morning.

It must be said that not all tour guides are exemplary. Naturally, there can be some minor inconveniences in the organization of the tour since it is a mass activity, and with mass tourism certain negative factors might arise; however, these do not affect safety in any way.

Thus, if the weather is unfavorable (too cold, strong winds, etc.), no one will launch a basket carrying people 1 km into the air.

The tour includes breakfast and a glass of champagne, which is presented to everyone except children, along with a certificate proclaiming that you have conquered the skies. The trip starts at 5 a.m. and ends around 9 a.m.

When Is the Best Time to Fly?

Like any excursion, hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia have both high and low seasons. In terms of comfort while being outdoors, a flight taken from April to October is the best option (this period also coincides with Turkey’s high season). However, in terms of demand and the number of people interested, the period from November to January might be more suitable – although it will be colder, so be sure to dress warmly.

When balloons are flying over Cappadocia, it means that the weather is quite acceptable – at least, there is no strong wind.

An obvious plus of a winter flight is that there are fewer people to join you. And the landscape will be different – not the same as in summer. More interesting, isn’t it?

In April, all of Cappadocia is bathed in blooming greenery, plus it isn’t too sultry; in autumn, it is also quite pleasant. Therefore, the ideal time for a flight is late spring or early autumn.

What Is Included in the Tour Price?

A hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia is not a cheap pleasure; the price for an individual tour can reach up to 200 euros. Why is it so expensive? In fact, the maximum price of 200 euros is quoted for private tours; if you opt for a group tour, the price will be considerably lower – with group flights typically costing around 120–130 USD. The prices mentioned here are current as of 2025.

Let’s break down what is included in this price:

• Transfer from your hotel to the launch site and back;
• Breakfast;
• The flight itself;
• Insurance coverage of up to 10,000 euros;
• A certificate (medal) of conquering the skies;
• A glass of champagne.

Not too shabby, wouldn’t you agree? Besides, aside from the servicing of the airships, the personnel’s services must also be paid for, so yes, the price is quite justified. The prices mentioned are current as of 2025; however, it is always advisable to check locally when booking your tour.

By the way, have you ever wondered how much a hot air balloon costs? Approximately 300,000 USD, plus an annual license fee of around 1,000,000 USD and a monthly payment of about 3,000 USD to the pilots (keeping in mind that local wage levels are considerably lower).

How to Prepare for a Hot Air Balloon Flight in Göreme

There is no special preparation required for a hot air balloon flight, except that we recommend getting a good night’s sleep and going to bed early, as the lift-off is very early – around 3–4 a.m.

What to Wear for the Flight

Regarding clothing, you should know that the basket is not cold even in the winter months. The burner emits a considerable amount of heat, so you won’t have time to freeze – indeed, you might not even be able to if you wanted to. It can get chilly after landing and before boarding the basket, so we recommend having a warm garment on hand, but there’s no need to wear it during the flight – just keep it in your backpack and put it on after landing.

In summer, it is not as comfortable as in autumn or spring – the heat from the burner is compounded by the outdoor sultriness, which is one of the reasons why the flights are conducted in the morning.

How to Book a Hot Air Balloon Tour

There is no universal rule for choosing a tour operator and booking a tour so as not to overpay for quality. We suggest one possible approach.

After arriving in Göreme (the flight takes place in this town) and checking into your hotel, your hotel guide will offer you a selection of Cappadocia’s famous excursions – naturally, these include balloon flights. Don’t rush; say that you’ll think about it. Then, keeping the quoted price in mind, head into town and study the offers from local tour companies. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the pricing policies of the local tour firms, you can visit one or two offices of companies that specialize solely in balloon flights. It’s not hard to find them – Göreme is a small town where any local resident can point you to where the tours are sold. One of the companies is Kapadokya Ballons, and there are about 25 such firms, so the choice is vast.

Once you have a complete picture of the local pricing policies, you can choose your method and date of travel. It is not possible to reach the launch site independently – only through a booked tour.

For details on how to travel from another region, read our article –

What’s the Difference Between Expensive and Cheap Tickets?

The excursion offers two tariffs – standard and deluxe. The deluxe flight lasts 1.5 hours and is considered a private tour, while the standard one is a group flight.

There is a mistaken belief that flying in a group is unsafe, but this is a misconception based on a fake review that once circulated online (it has now been removed). The fact is that when there are 20 people in the basket, it is less prone to swaying because the added weight makes it more stable. Conversely, if there are only 2–3 people, there is a slight risk of the basket swaying.

Rest assured, there have been no cases of the basket overturning or tourists falling out during all the tours.

How Long Does It Take?

As mentioned earlier, the standard flight lasts around 40–50 minutes, while the deluxe flight lasts 1.5 hours. However, a 90-minute tour will cost more – and since you can see everything in an hour, there is little point in paying extra, though ultimately the choice is yours.

Safety Precautions

Before you board the basket of the airship, you will be briefed on safety measures and the rules for behavior in the air.

These instructions cover a wide range of scenarios, including the possibility of an abrupt landing. But don’t worry – just as you are briefed before boarding an airplane.

Despite the heightened safety requirements, a sudden drop is possible if there are strong gusts of wind, which is why the flight may be postponed if winds pick up in the region.

There is no cause for alarm, but the fact that every traveler is required to sign a safety waiver before take-off – effectively absolving the company of responsibility if anything should happen (since you chose to participate) – can be a bit unsettling.

Nevertheless, don’t let “what ifs” and “maybe” spoil your experience – enjoy the flight!

What Else to Do in Göreme

Göreme is considered the heart of the Cappadocia region, and this is evident on the map. When you arrive, you’ll want to make the most of your time by exploring more than just the balloons. And you’re right – there’s plenty to do:

1. The Göreme Open Air Museum.
2. Ihlara Valley and the Selime Monastery.
3. Underground cities.
4. Uchisar Castle.
5. Zelve and Pasabag.
6. Guzelyurt.
7. Mustafapaşa.

As our website grows, we will be adding links to separate articles for each of these attractions.

So, if you wish to experience the Cappadocia balloon festival firsthand, don’t hesitate – come here and witness it for yourself. The spectacle is indescribable, and the emotions are beyond compare!