Guide To Flying A Hot Air Balloon In Cappadocia

When you reach up to the valleys, it is still dark and silent outside. Then you hear burners fire one after another and the whole valley suddenly becomes filled with huge colored envelopes of glowing hot air. In a matter of minutes, everything around begins to look very differently.

Balloon flight is one of the most popular experiences in Cappadocia, however, the procedure itself implies much more than just coming to the launching field and going aloft. The flight depends on the weather, pickup time varies depending on the sunrise and the flight route is influenced by the wind.

If you are planning to have your first flight, it will be helpful for you to learn more about it in advance. Below is a complete guide to booking, timing, safety, costs, duration of the flight, the clothes to wear and other useful information.

What Happens on the Morning of the Flight?

Your morning of a balloon flight usually starts way earlier than you can imagine. Your operator normally arranges hotel pickup before the sunrise, and the pickup time varies depending on the season and your hotel location.

(Summer season 4AM pick up isn’t unusual and winter season 5.30AM to 6AM according to your hotel location)

After pickup, you and other passengers are transferred to the preparation area. Usually, your operator provides a light breakfast(Don’t imagine anything fancy. it’s some small cake or nothing in general) while your balloon is prepared for your flight. You can see how your envelope is being unfolded on the ground and powerful burners start to inflate it with hot air.

Read the full Cappadocia Travel Guide here.

Once your balloon is ready for your flight, you climb into the basket that is already divided into several compartments and you get the safety brief from your pilot. Baskets are shared with other people and designed only for standing in them.

The whole experience lasts much longer than the time spent aloft. Count on spending 2.5 to 3 hours from the pickup to the end of your flight.

When Does the Flight Start?

Flight start time depends on sunrise because the conditions that are necessary for the flight are usually provided in the early morning. So, you should expect very early morning pickup for your flight. However, it might be different for various seasons.

Your operator will notify you about the exact time of your pickup the day before your flight. Don’t rely on the time you found on old websites because sunrise time varies greatly depending on the season. And according to last regulations hot air balloon ride happens only once a day in early mornings.

How Long Is the Experience?

The flight duration usually varies from 45 mins to an hour depending on the weather conditions and your operator. But remember that the duration of your flight is not the only thing that determines the duration of your experience. Pickup from the hotel, flight check-in, balloon preparation, getting into the basket, landing and celebration are all the things that add up to your time of flight.

The whole experience lasts much longer than the time spent aloft. Count on spending 2.5 to 3 hours from the pickup to the end of your flight.

What Will You See From the Air?

The landscape is the main feature of this experience. When you’re aloft, you’ll see how big and interconnected the valleys are. Depending on your route and wind direction, you’ll see fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, vineyards, orchards, rocks and even villages that are spread across Cappadocia.

All the regions like Goreme, Uchisar, Avanos and the other valleys can become your flight route.

You shouldn’t think that your route is already defined once your flight is booked. Balloon isn’t the aircraft that can easily fly along the predefined route. The pilot can only control your altitude using the different wind direction at different altitudes. It means that even if you fly from the same area, the flight route can be different every time.

How Does the Balloon Actually Fly?

The balloon flies thanks to the difference between heated air inside the envelope and the cooler air around it. Your pilot heats the air inside your balloon and creates more lift. You should remember that there’s no usual engine pushing the balloon along the route. Instead of it, your pilot works with the wind and changes the altitude to find the suitable air current.

This explains why the weather is so important for your flight because the wind, its direction and strength and other conditions can either permit or not your flight.

From the basket, you may feel that the movement is relatively smooth. The feeling is more like ascending and descending rather than flying quickly.

Find out about the other activities in Cappadocia…

Is a Balloon Ride Safe?

Hot air balloon flights are aviation activities and should be regarded this way. In Turkiye, commercial balloon operators are required to receive authorization from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The authority requires that the balloon operator is authorized business that conducts commercial ballooning.

The weather suitability is also a crucial factor because it can postpone or cancel your flight.

You got to pay attention to your pilot’s safety brief because it’s the crucial part of your flight.

What Happens If the Weather Is Bad?

The flight isn’t guaranteed even if you have made the booking. The weather can make you wait for your flight or even cancel it. That’s why it’s better to book your flight for the beginning of your visit because if the weather doesn’t allow you to have it on your first day, you may try another one.

You better book the experience in advance and, for short visits, you should consider having it on your first morning because of the weather-related cancellations.

Don’t choose the operator based only on the lowest cost of your flight. Make sure that you understand the cancellation terms of your operator, especially during the periods with the highest demand.

How Much Does the Experience Cost?

Price of your flight depends on the season, availability, duration, basket capacity and the type of service that is included.

There is no single price of a flight that is used all-year-round. Peak seasons usually have higher demand and different prices from the low travel seasons.

When comparing various offers, pay attention to the price in addition to the total cost of the package. Make sure that hotel transfer, insurance, the flight and post-flight refreshments are included.

Moreover, you should read the cancellation conditions before paying for your flight. The weather cancellation should be handled according to the policy of your operator, and you should be aware whether you will get your money back or will have the opportunity to choose another day for the flight.

How Many People Fit into the Basket?

The capacity of the basket depends on the type of the balloon and operator. The standard basket accommodates 20 to 30 passengers, while the premium basket carries around 10 to 12 passengers.

Although a larger basket is more economical, the smaller basket can provide you with more space for your comfort.

The basket is divided into compartments and you and the other passengers should stay standing throughout your flight. As you don’t have any seats in your basket, your comfortable shoes and clothes recommended.

If you want to celebrate something important with your loved ones, ask your operator about smaller baskets in advance.

Best cave hotels of Cappadocia

What Should I Wear?

Early mornings can be cold during warm months too. The temperatures at the sunrise are noticeably lower than those during the rest of the day, so the best solution is to wear several layers of clothes.

Your comfortable shoes with good grip are also recommended because you are going to spend your flight standing in the basket.

Light jacket will be useful all year round, while in winter it is better to dress warmly. Gloves can be helpful during the cold months too.

You shouldn’t wear clothes that prevent your movements. Landing position may require your adherence to the pilot’s instructions to hold onto the designated places of the basket.

Who Can Participate?

Starting with age 6 all the passenger should be able to stand during flight and follow the instructions during take-off and landing. Kids below 6 aren’t permitted.

If you have some kind of limitation in movements, contact your operator before booking and not on the day of your flight. Some balloon operators have special equipment for such passengers, but the availability of it varies. Turkish aviation authorities also established the requirements for some balloon operators that provide accessible services.

How Should I Book My Flight?

High demand during peak seasons makes it reasonable for you to book in advance.

If you have only a couple of days for your vacation, book the experience on your first day because it will give you more opportunities if the flight is cancelled due to the weather conditions.

You should get all the information regarding your pickup in advance from the operator, usually on the day before your flight. Have your phone turned on and make sure that your operator knows the hotel address where you are staying.

After your flight, many operators organize celebration with refreshments and flight certificate. These details can vary, so you should confirm them in advance when you are booking your flight.