Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons: Things to Know Before You Fly
With its glamorous volcanic formations and breathtaking sunrise views, Cappadocia, located at the heart of Türkiye, is a magnet for tourists. The awe-inspiring panorama is complemented by the colorful hot air balloons that fly above the rock formations! Taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia will add to your exceptional and thrilling travel experiences. Before setting off on your adventure, there is some essential information that will help you. In this article, we’ve brought together some important tips you need to know before flying.
How to reach Cappadocia
First, let’s talk about how you can get to Cappadocia! Of course, the most comfortable way is by plane. However, as this extraordinary region is not a city or town, there are no direct flights there. You need to fly into Erkilet İnternational Airport in Kayseri or Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport. From there, you can travel by public transport or private vehicles provided by your tour company. If you prefer to travel by car, Cappadocia is a three-hour drive from Ankara, the capital of Türkiye.
Click here to learn about other pleasant activities in Nevşehir!
The best season for a hot air balloon ride
Hot air balloon rides continue all year round in Cappadocia. However, the optimal time to go on a ride is during the spring or autumn. Then, the weather is generally mild and regular compared to other times of the year. Another option is to decide to experience a hot air balloon ride in winter - flying over snowy rock formations offers a completely different thrill!
Prepare to wake up early!
Hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia start just before sunrise. This means you need to get up early on the takeoff day. Although the sunrise time changes depending on the season, you will need to start getting ready at about 04:00 am – a little after this, the bus belonging to your tour company will come to pick you up from your hotel. A little reminder: the hot air balloon company will offer you a small breakfast before flying. Even though waking up so early might be a bit challenging, we guarantee it will be completely worth it!
How long is the ride and how many people are in the basket?
The standard flights generally last a minimum of one hour and there are between 14 and 20 people in the basket. The basket consists of 4 sections and a maximum of 5 people can occupy a single section. In addition, there are special balloons that can take 10-12 people. The second option offers more space to move in the basket, making the tour more comfortable for some visitors, and lasts between 75 and 90 minutes. Whichever you pick, we guarantee you won't be able to focus on anything except the landscape!
Are hot air balloons safe?
All pilots running the balloons have an international flight license and it is obligatory that they renew their licenses every two years. In addition, the performance and competence of all pilots are tested regularly. What is more, a regulatory body determines the suitability of the weather conditions, and all tour companies must comply with the assessment. The wind speed is the key to whether flights will take place or not. In addition, aviation insurance is provided for all passengers on balloon flights.
Book your hot air balloon flight for your first morning!
As nearly everyone who comes to Cappadocia wants to take a hot air balloon tour, you should book your balloon flight in advance. Especially in peak season, booking in advance is highly recommended. Also, if you don’t plan to stay long, we recommend you plan your tour for the first morning of your Cappadocia holiday as hot air balloon flights are sometimes cancelled due to weather conditions - if this is the case, you can reschedule for one of your remaining days! We can honestly say that you don’t want to leave Cappadocia without this fantastic experience!
Enjoy the landscape
The pilots spin balloons extremely slowly and unnoticeably during the flights. In this manner, all passengers enjoy an equal amount of time taking in the landscape. The views are truly unbelievable - we recommend you take full advantage of every moment and make sure to take many photos to share with family and friends! After the rides, celebratory champagne and delicious snacks await you!
There are many things to do in the region of Cappadocia in addition to hot air balloons. Click here to explore other worth-a-try options!