5 Budget Tips: Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons

As my alarm started going off I could barely get out of bed fast enough. It was 4:45 a.m. and the three other friends in our shared hostel room were all waking up as well. Excitement was in the air. In about an hour, we would watch the sun begin to rise over the nearby valley in central Turkey. Better still, we would watch it from a few thousand feet in the air, riding in one of the many Cappadocia hot air balloons.

The landscape of Cappadocia is beautiful and surreal. It’s no wonder why so many people travel here every year. The incredible sunrises and hiking scenery are unlike anywhere else in the world. From canyons to inhabited caves and “fairy chimneys” jutting up from the ground, you really do feel like you’re in a fairy tale. As the sun starts to peak its way over the horizon, there’s no better way to watch the show than from one of these incredible balloons.

This morning in one of the many Cappadocia hot air balloons was one of the greatest travel experiences of my life.

 

My hope in putting this information together is that it will answer some of the basic travel, budget and cost questions you have about Cappadocia hot air balloons. In addition, I hope to help you make the best decisions for your own travel style and hopefully save you some money.

It’s also important to note that hot air balloons are controlled by the Turkish Civil Aviation Center (CAA), not the hot air balloon companies.

The CAA decides when the weather will permit the hot air balloon flights each morning. Summer months of June through August are reported to have the fewest cancellations. I went in the middle of October and the balloons were cancelled three of the six days I was there. One of the reasons I stayed for five nights was to ensure I would not miss my opportunity to fly. I got lucky and didn’t have a problem on my scheduled day.

If your balloon flight is cancelled due to weather, the company will give you top priority to reschedule the next day. Still, I recommend staying at least three nights to ensure you are able to fly. 

 

 

There is also a lot of hiking, caves to explore and lookout points to watch the sunsets. There are plenty of other things to see and do with the extra days you spend in here, in addition to the Cappadocia hot air balloons.

 

 

Travel Tips for Getting to Cappadocia

1. Airfare

The fastest and most convenient way to get to Cappadocia is to fly. Istanbul offers the most flights but other cities such as Antalya and Ankara have limited flights as well. Flights will take you to a small airport in Nevsehir, about an hour away from Cappadocia. The three most affordable flights are usually offered through Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet (owned by Turkish Airlines) and Pegasus Airlines. Prices ranges below may be higher during peak summer months.

Turkish Airlines

• Range from $30 to $60+ each way
• Fly from Ataturk airport, 12 miles (19km) outside Istanbul.
• Usually the most expensive option but they have frequent sales.
• 33 pounds (15kg) of luggage and one personal item included.
• Go to TurkishAirlines.com

 

AnadoluJet

• Range from $25 to $50+ each way
• Fly from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, 28 miles (44km) outside Istanbul.
• Usually one of the cheapest options.
• 33 pounds (15kg) of luggage and one personal item included.
• Not always listed on all search engines detailed in my steps for Finding Cheap Airfare, check TurkishAirlines.com for pricing to be sure.

 

Pegasus Airlines

• Range from $15 (Basic) to $60+ each way (additional fees may apply)
• Fly from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, 28 miles (44km) outside Istanbul.
• Usually one of the cheapest options with their ‘Basic’ fare.
• ‘Basic’ fare only includes 17.6 pounds (8kg) total of carry-on luggage. Checking baggage is not an option with this package. Review baggage policies and package fares to avoid unexpected fees.
• Their website can be found here.

 

 

2. Airport Transportation in Istanbul

Getting to/from Ataturk:

• The Metro is around $2
• The Bus lines also work but take longer. Cost depends on distance.
• Taxis are available but will be pricey.

Getting to/from Sabiha Gökçen:

• HAVATAS Shuttle offers a great service for about $5. Their schedule and pricing is detailed here.
• Taxis are available but are very pricey.

 

3. Buses to and from Cappadocia

If you prefer not to fly, or if it’s not an option to/from the city you are visiting, there are domestic buses as well. Buses also allow you to travel to/from amazing places such as the incredible hot springs in Pamukkale and Olympus.

• Buses offered through METRO are available from Istanbul to Goreme in Cappadocia for around $20-$30. Travel time ranges from 10-12 hours.
• Daytime and overnight options are both available on some routes.
• Buses travel to/from many other cities within Turkey. Based on your travel plans, check their website for information.

 

4. Accommodations

One of the coolest part about staying in Cappadocia are all of the hotels and hostels built into caves. How unique is that? I tend to stay in hostel dorm rooms a majority of the time, in order to save money and meet other travelers. That said, there are options for every budget, and ways to save in Cappadocia, if you know where to look.

• Stay in Peace Cave Hostel (Dorms): Offering very good pricing at around $10/night for a dorm bed, this cave hostel has helpful staff, a central location and free Turkish breakfast each morning. I had a lot of fun here and met some great travelers. You can book them on HostelWorld.
• Guven Cave Hostel/Hotel (Private): A recommendation of Lonely Planet, prices for private, 2-person rooms range from $25-$50+ per night. HostelWorld offers some of the best rates.
• Cave Hotels: Some 3-star hotels start as low as $30/night and 4-stars start as low as $50 on Hotels.com.

 

5. Hot Air Balloons

Now for the best part, the Cappadocia hot air balloons! Prices for a space in one of the hot air balloons generally ranges from $100-$175 per person. This can range even higher for exclusive breakfasts, champagne and private balloons. Things to note:

• Research: Company experience and reputation, as well as how experienced are their pilots are is of the utmost importance. TripAdvisor can be helpful in this area.
• How many people will be in your balloon? Generally you will not want more than 16 people so that you can enjoy yourself and take some good photos. Make sure to ask about this before booking.
• Does the hotel/hostel you are staying at offer any sort of discounted rates? Make sure to ask them about this ahead of time.
• Book before your trip: Especially if you only have a few days in Cappadocia, don’t let bad weather prevent you from making a hot air balloon flight during your stay!

It’s difficult to find Cappadocia hot air balloons for under $125 and I can’t say I would recommend them. The companies that offer these rates are generally difficult to find information on and may hire less experienced pilots. This is not an area I would recommend looking to save a lot of money. You’re trusting your experience (and your life) to this person!

The people I met who flew and the staff I talked to all recommended Sultan Balloons. Comparing them to other companies on TripAdvisor I noted they did not have the highest average score, but their lowest reviews are based on negative feedback regarding weather and cancellations, something the balloon company cannot control. The owner took the time to note this in the negative reviews. I factored this in when making my decision.

I chose to fly with Sultan and they provided an unforgettable experience. The pilot did a great job in explaining each step of the journey. The drivers were prompt, breakfast was good and balloon staff were helpful in getting us into and out of the balloon.

 

Bonus Tip! What about the food??

With my love for food, you may be wondering about the best options I found during my time there. The city isn’t a huge place but there is more to do than just the Cappadocia hot air balloons. I managed to find some culinary options I think you’ll enjoy.

• Old Cappadocia Restaurant: Cooking up some of the best food I had during my time in Turkey, I highly recommend checking this place out. Good for lunch and dinner and offering a number of great selections that will leave you wanting to come back for more. Prices range from $2 appetizers to $3-$8 entrees. Very good stuff.
• Street Food: Delicious pancakes (crêpes) and plentiful amounts of dürüm can be found. Take a look at the best options I found.

 

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons Recap

My hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia was an unforgettable experience. I also loved the Cappadocia region with its landscape, laid back locals, good food and the friends I made. I hope that this was able to give you a good idea of the costs and a few ways to save. Enjoy your experience and if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Enjoy your time in one of the many Cappadocia hot air balloons, as well as the city!

A big thank you to Mark, Jason and Ash back home for making this hot air balloon possible. Also, a big thank you to Frank, Jordan, Will, and Tanya for sharing in the experience and making an appearance in these photos!

 

Serefe! (Cheers in Turkish)

– Cam

 

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