FAQ

Frequently asked questions

  • Due to popularity with visitors and locals alike, we suggest booking in advance, especially if you want a particular flight date.

  • If the weather is unfriendly for flying, the flight may be cancelled and we will refund your deposit payment. Our crew will also check if you are available the next day and change your booking, space permitting. We suggest you book your flight for your first available morning, to allow yourself more opportunities to fly if you face bad weather.

  • We will pick you up from your hotel about 30 minutes to one hour before your flight, depending on your hotel’s location, and then drive to our office for check-in and breakfast snacks. You will receive an email or we will advise your hotel of the pickup time prior to the flight day.

  • We will email you or advise your hotel the pick-up time for your balloon flight one day prior to your flight.

  • Free pick-up regions for balloon tours include Goreme town, Cavusin village, Avanos town, Uchisar village, Urgup town, Nevsehir city, Mustafapasa village, Ortahisar village, Ayvali.
    Pick-up regions not available for free: Other locations outside of the above mentioned, such as Kayseri city, Kayseri airport, Nevsehir airport. Pickup can be arranged from these locations for an additional cost. You can book airport transfers on our website for an additional cost.

    Day tour pick-up locations / towns:
    Free pick-up regions include Goreme town, Cavusin village, Avanos town, Uchisar village, Urgup town, Nevsehir city, Mustafapaşa.
    Pick-up regions not available for free: Kayseri city, Kayseri airport, Nevsehir airport, Mustafapasa village, Ortahisar village and Ayvali. Pickup can be arranged from these locations for an additional cost. You can book airport transfers through our website for an additional cost.

    For more information on pickup locations please email us.

  • Passengers must pay the balance on arrival to Cappadocia, at least one day before the flight. We will be in touch with you to collect the balance payment in Cappadocia. We only accept payment in cash (Lira, USD, EUR and GBP accepted). Paying by credit card is optional, however, with an extra fee of +10 EUR per person.

  • Standard flights vary from 18- and 24-person capacity balloons and 10- to 16-person capacity balloons for Deluxe flights. Passengers are separated into different compartments within the balloon, so that everyone can enjoy the spectacular views from the side of the basket. Balloon volume, outside temperature, altitude above sea level and other variables all affect how many can fly each day.

  • From start to finish, your adventure will last about three hours. The inflation and preparation of the balloon normally takes about 30 minutes and is quite incredible to see. The flight itself normally takes around one hour for standard flights and an hour and a half for deluxe flights. After the flight, the post-flight celebration lasts about 30 minutes and travel back to your hotel will take roughly another 30 minutes. The balloons always carry sufficient fuel for more than two hours’ flight time, plus a 30 minute reserve capacity.

  • We change our take-off site every day, according to wind speeds and direction, aiming to show you the most charming peaks and valleys of Cappadocia.

  • Balloons can travel anywhere between 4 and 20 km, depending on the speed of the wind on your flight day.

  • Most balloonists enjoy a low-level flight over the Cappadocia region to witness the spectacular fairy chimneys and rock formations. The typical balloon flight can be anywhere from tree level to about 3,000 feet above the ground.

  • We have 2 flights around sunrise, with the first take off before sunrise and the second take off 30 minutes after the first flight, so just after sunrise. It is the perfect time of day to get some great snaps of the valleys and other balloons in the air. Sometimes, have to wait, due to weather conditions.

  • The basket usually touches the ground or slides a few feet and stops. Our very experienced pilots can even land a balloon on the trailer it needs to be packed away on. In faster winds, the basket may bounce or tip at an angle.

  • This is a rare occurrence and only happens in very unique wind conditions. Most flights travel in one direction, with the wind, and then land in a large open area that is accessible by our ground crew.

  • Our balloons will land in any large, easily accessible area including large yards, parks, fields, school grounds or even alongside roads. No airport is required and the ground crew will meet your balloon at the landing site.

  • The balloon is followed by a chase vehicle and the ground crew. They are in constant contact with the balloon pilot by radio and should be at the landing site at the same time as the balloon. Once the balloon is packed away and we have enjoyed a champagne toast, one of the chase vehicles will take you back to your hotel. We have you back in time for any additional tours you may have booked for that day.

  • As it can get a little cold up in the balloon, it is advised that you wear long trousers and tops with long sleeves or a jacket. It is important that you are comfortable, as you will be standing in the balloon for at least an hour, so suitable footwear is highly recommended. For passengers blessed with height, wearing a hat is useful to protect against the radiant heat from the balloon's burners.

  • For the most Instagram-worthy shots, feel free to take your camera, video camera or phone to capture the best views of the Cappadocian region. Our crew will be happy to take pictures of you in the balloon.

  • A balloon flies better in cooler weather, since the hot air gets a better "lift" in those conditions. Balloonists usually fly just after dawn or before dusk, because there is less wind at these times.

  • Yes, we fly 12 months out of the year, every day. However, our availability is always weather-permitting.

  • Ballooning is an activity that relies on good weather. We don't fly in rain, fog, snow, or wind consistently above 7 mph. Balloons don't fly when there is a threat of thunderstorms in the area. There are other conditions that can affect the decision to fly or not to fly. These factors are taken into consideration by the Turkish Aeronautical Association to ensure a safe flight. They will make the final decision regarding whether or not the flight will take place. If your scheduled flight is cancelled, the flight will be rescheduled at no additional cost, and if you are leaving the region, we can provide a full refund.

  • No. If you are pregnant or think that you might be pregnant, you shouldn’t fly with balloons, due to possible bumpy landings.

  • Children aged 0-5 are not allowed to fly. For maximum safety and enjoyment, our pilots will only fly with children who are old enough to understand a preflight briefing, and tall enough to see over the side of the basket unaided by a parent or guardian (typically at least six years old). Parents/guardians should be mindful of flight times with small children as well, as many can get bored and restless standing in the balloon for an hour.

  • Balloons are registered, like any other aircraft, and are subject to regular air safety checks. The FAA will not allow a balloon to be certified as airworthy unless these inspections and checks are done by authorised maintenance personnel and certified. All pilots are licensed by the FAA and have to pass regular flight checks.

  • The Federal Aviation Administration issues a Balloon Pilot Certificate to candidates who pass a FAA written examination, obtain a prescribed number of hours in a balloon, make a solo flight to altitude, pass a flight test and submit a medical statement.

  • The Federal Aviation Administration controls ballooning with the same strict regulations that it applies to airplanes.