Balloon Ride in Cappadocia, How to Book and Detailed Information

Are the Cappadocia hot air balloon tours available in all seasons?

Each season in Cappadocia showcases a different beauty and a variety of colors. For this reason, balloon tours are held 12 months of the year whenever the weather conditions are suitable. For safety, the wind speed should not exceed 11 km/h. Flights are not operated in heavy rain and stormy weather as these conditions should be avoided.

What can be seen in the region during a Cappadocia balloon tour?

From the balloon, you can see places such as Ürgüp, Göreme, and Avanos, which contain all the jewels of Cappadocia, from a top-down view at a distance of 4-20 km. You will see stone houses along the streets, the Uçhisar Castle, the winding Kızılırmak River, the magnificent Mount Erciyes, the approaching grandeur of Mount Hasan, rock-carved churches, the dovecote, freshly awakened valleys, lush vineyards, gardens, and of course, the fairy chimneys that Cappadocia is famous for—an enchanting fairytale land from above welcomes you.

Are Cappadocia balloon tours safe?

Cappadocia balloon tours have been held for over 20 years. The flight teams of balloon companies consist of well-equipped pilots who hold hot air balloon licenses from the FFA for civil aviation. The balloons undergo regular inspections according to guidelines set by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, under the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs. Mandatory flight insurance is also provided, and security procedures related to the balloons are strictly controlled. The balloon pilots undergo rigorous training before conducting commercial flights and must complete a substantial number of specified trial flights. It can be said that Cappadocia balloon tours, where approximately 100 balloons fly daily, are very safe.

What are the prices for a Cappadocia balloon tour?

Prices for the tours, which last around an hour on average, vary depending on the season and demand throughout the year. Prices range from about 150 euros in winter to as much as 300 euros in spring and summer. You cannot take a balloon ride with a child under 6 years old. Children aged 6-12 are also priced as adults, as they use the same limited basket capacity as adults, thus the price remains the same.

How many people can ride the balloons in a Cappadocia balloon tour?

Flights are operated with baskets of different capacities depending on the balloon tour. The standard balloon tour baskets accommodate 20-28 people. For more comfort and luxury flights, baskets accommodating 12-16 people are used. There are also balloons available for 2, 4, or 8 people. You can request any flight you want at the booking stage.

What should you pay attention to when going on a balloon tour in Cappadocia?

The moments you'll experience while in the balloon will be a unique experience you can't imagine. Don't forget to bring a camera or video camera to capture these moments. You'll not only see yourself in the basket and the clouds but also Cappadocia stretching out beneath you. The early hours of the day can be cold in Cappadocia, especially during autumn and winter, leading to more cold with airwaves as you ascend above the ground. Therefore, we recommend wearing an extra layer, whether in summer or winter. Also, let’s remind you that since balloons do not have seats, you should choose footwear that won't tire you out while standing for at least an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Balloon Tour

Cappadocia is a region that wins hearts with its visual festival, famous for its fairy chimneys. Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit this area, which is free of artificial formations and provides an escape from city noise each year. The place where the beauty of the region is best witnessed is at several meters above the earth in a hot air balloon. If you want to view all these beauties from a bird’s eye view and enjoy the sky, the hot air balloons are what you are looking for. Naturally, when it comes to rising several meters above the ground, questions come to mind. Here are frequently asked questions and answers about the Cappadocia balloon tour that will inform and clarify the questions in your mind!

When should we book the balloon tour and on which day of our vacation?

We advise booking the balloon tour before your holiday to avoid issues due to demand when you arrive. During peak times, you might encounter space issues in Cappadocia or find higher-priced spots. It would be beneficial to book in advance. We also recommend booking a balloon tour for the first morning of your vacation when you can fly. The reason for this is if the balloon tour is canceled due to weather conditions like wind or rain, you can fly the next day. Having reserve days will ensure your experience. Some have come to Cappadocia to do a balloon tour and then returned without being able to participate in one several times.

What are the parts that make up a hot air balloon?

The balloons used for the Cappadocia balloon tour consist of three parts. While the dome part is the balloon itself, there is also a burner unit and a basket part. Passengers are carried in the basket part, while the burner part, located directly above the passengers, is used to inflate the balloon with its strong flame. When the air inside the balloon is heated, the balloon will ascend, and when cooled, the balloon will descend.

What material is the balloon made of and can it catch fire?

Since the balloon made of tear-resistant nylon is made of fire-resistant materials like Nomex, there is no risk of it catching fire.

How is the balloon steered?

The direction of the balloon is determined by the wind. The pilot operating the balloon can decide, at least to some extent, on the balloon’s direction. They can make decisions on take-off and landing according to wind conditions.

How many people can ride the balloon?

The larger the basket capacity, the more people can ride a hot air balloon. On regular public flights, 20-28 people board. Balloon tours with a maximum of 32 people are also available.

How long does the balloon tour last?

The duration of the balloon tour depends on the type of flight and ranges between one and one and a half hours. Standard and comfortable flights last one hour, while deluxe flights last 1.5 hours.

How high can one go on a balloon tour?

You can travel with the balloons under the skies reaching a height of up to 300 meters, easily seeing all the beautiful details of Cappadocia from this altitude.

Is the balloon you ride in safe?

Serious accidents are very rare during balloon tours. As hot air balloons are fully equipped, there's no reason for them not to be safe. Balloon flight pilots undergo rigorous training and can only become pilots after completing their mandatory flights.

What happens if the burner unit fails while in the air?

If such an issue occurs during the flight, the second burner will be activated, and if there's an issue with that, the third burner will be activated. But if all these possibilities are negative, which is very unlikely, the balloon will descend at the speed of a parachute.

What happens if there is a bird in the balloon?

The huge size of the balloons already scares birds. Due to the balloon's solid structure, birds won't be able to harm the balloon, and even if they could, the balloon would still be able to fly in case of a hole.

How long does it take to inflate or deflate the balloon?

Hot air balloons in Cappadocia are inflated in about 15 minutes and deflated in the same time.

Does the balloon land where it took off?

The balloon's direction is not determined by people but by the wind. For this reason, the expert inside the balloon lands at suitable landing points where the balloon can descend.

In which area do Cappadocia balloon tours take place? What is our route?

Cappadocia balloon tours do not have a single route. In general, these routes may change depending on the weather. Typically, balloons flying in valleys around Göreme move according to the wind's direction. Balloon tours will be conducted from Aşk, Kızılçukur, and Güllüdere valleys depending on the wind's position that day.

Can those afraid of heights participate in a balloon ride?

It is not recommended for individuals with height phobia to participate in balloon tours. Given that we do not know the level of height phobia the individual might have, the responsibility lies with the individual.

Who should not travel on a balloon tour?

- Those who have recently undergone surgery

- Children under 6 years of age

- Those using crutches

- Those mentally unstable

- Those with hip or waist pain

- Those who fear heights should not fly on a balloon tour.

Flying with the wind, seeing the world through birds' eyes, and watching the natural beauty of Cappadocia from above is one of the most romantic moments you will ever enjoy. You can either have peaceful moments with your family, go on a solo adventure, or enjoy your private moments here. Balloon tours, where special moments such as birthday celebrations or marriage proposals are captured in the most beautiful way, are ready to offer you experiences you haven’t tried before. You can view the marvelous sight of the fairy chimneys from meters above the ground and immortalize these moments by taking photos.