If hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is on your bucket list, this one might be for you.
Jump in and let’s take a magic ride amongst the clouds.
Info
Let’s start at the beginning. First of all, it’s important to know that Cappadocia is a region in Turkey, not a city or town. It is pretty much smack in the centre of Turkey, about 3 hours southeast from Ankara, the capital. To get to Cappadocia you’ll need to travel Kayseri (Erkilet International Airport or ASR) or Nevşehir (Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport or NAV). There are several flights each day from Istanbul to Kayseri and Nevşehir, and flights take a little over an hour. It doesn’t make a huge difference which one you choose. Both airports are only 30-40 minutes away by car from the nearest towns.
The main tourist towns in the area are Ürgüp, Göreme, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Guzelyurt, Uçhisar, Avanos and Zelve. The most popular place to stay seems to be Göreme, as the town has lots of tour companies, restaurants and hotels. It is also pretty central, which means you can venture out to the Cappadocia landmarks with ease.
The currency is the Turkish Lira or TL and you can check the latest exchange rate using XE.com. There are not that many places that exchange currency but most places do accept credit cards.
Weather
The best time to visit Cappadocia is March to June or September to November. There are fewer people and the weather is milder during these times. June to August is the peak season so it can get crowded. It can also get cold during the winter months from November to late February.
Dress code
Most people in Turkey are Muslim, yet Cappadocia (and Turkey as a whole) is not too conservative. To be respectful, dress on the safer side and avoid anything too short or revealing. The temperature can be cold in the mornings, even during the summer months, so bring a light jacket or coat.
Ballooning facts
The first commercial balloon flight was only 30 years ago. The industry has since blossomed, due to favourable weather, better travel and the spread of social media. Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is incredible not only because of the unique landscape but also because of the sheer number of balloons. The balloons take off about 250 days a year, compared to about 60 days elsewhere in Europe. April to November is the best time to hot air balloon in Cappadocia. The worst time is from December to March, as flights are often cancelled due to high winds.
Cappadocia might be the only place in the world where so many balloons rise up almost every morning. Giving over 2000 people a day the experience of a lifetime. Up to 100 balloons have permission to take off before sunrise. With another 50 taking off half an hour after sunrise.
There are age and height restrictions for joining a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. Young children under the age of 6 may not be able to join, and you must be over a certain height (approximately 4’6” or 140 cm). This is to be able to adopt the landing position and look over the edge of the basket.
Depending on which company you go with and how many people are in the basket, a hot air balloon ride costs between 160and 260 euros per person. You might even be able to book the whole balloon for yourself for the extravagant price of 2500 euros!
Safety
Balloons, like aeroplanes, must be registered with the aviation authority. This means they are subject to regular safety checks. Pilots must also undergo examinations, have a prescribed number of flight hours, pass flight tests and ace medical checks. Many hot air balloon pilots in Cappadocia have been flying for decades. Even so, there have been some accidents in the past. Like getting into an aeroplane, accidents can happen even with the best pilots, ground crew and the safest conditions.
Although there are measures in place to ensure your safety, hot air ballooning still carries some risk. Make sure you choose a balloon company with experienced pilots who care about passenger safety. It’s also important to follow the pilot’s instructions, as fatal accidents have occurred during landings. Not to worry though, experienced pilots can often land the hot air balloon right onto the trailer – no bracing necessary.
If you’re afraid of heights, you should know that the balloons can fly from about tree height to 3,000 feet above the ground. Depending on the wind, the balloons can also travel very fast, reaching speeds of 2-22 KM per hour.
Cancellations
Flights do get cancelled if the weather fails to cooperate. On average, flights take place on approximately 250 days of the year. But the Civil Aviation Authority can cancel flights for all balloons if there is rain, strong wind, fog, snow or thunderstorms. Although forecasts are often made a day in advance, this is by no means a final decision. Weather conditions can change without warning and you will often only find out your flight’s cancelled at the very last minute.
What happens if your hot air balloon ride is cancelled? The very first thing you should do is try to reschedule with the same company you booked with. But in most cases (especially in high season), the flights for the next day are already booked. Email and call EVERY SINGLE hot air balloon company in Cappadocia! Ask about seats for deluxe or “comfort” flights (more expensive), flights at sunset or after sunrise. Don’t rely on your hotel to rebook for you, as they may only contact the few companies they have an agreement with. Keep a close eye on your email inbox, as most facilities will only hold your spot for an hour before giving it to the next person on the waiting list. As soon as you receive a response, you should take the opportunity to claim the spot.
What else?
If you plan to stay a few days, don’t forget to check out the underground cities, the myriad of viewpoints, open air museums and archaeological sites. Or take the opportunity to stay in a cave hotel – rooms carved into mountainsides or rock pillars. There are many to choose from, and people tend to always flock to the “insta-famous” ones that cost a fortune. A quick google search for cave hotels in Cappadocia should give you lots of options better suited to your budget and taste. Cappadocia is a truly breathtaking place, both from the ground and from the air.
