Booking choice: Discovery Balloons, from $113 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Families fly in Cappadocia every morning, and guests' reviews include children as young as 10 who loved it. But every operator sets its own age band, and the pre-dawn start is hard on little ones.
The quick answer
Most flights here take children from age 6: Royal, Turquaz, Lord, Butterfly, Discovery, Nazar and Kapadokya. Skyway takes children from 5. Butterfly and Nazar set an upper age of 75. Most charge children the adult price; Turquaz lists a child rate for ages 6 to 17. Butterfly sets a minimum drinking age of 18 for the toast.
What is the minimum age for a balloon ride in Cappadocia?
Six on most flights here, and five with Skyway.
| Flight | Minimum age | Upper age | Child price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Balloon | 6 | No limit listed | Adult price |
| Turquaz | 6 | 85 | Child rate 6 to 17 |
| Lord (Soğanlı) | 6 | 99 | Adult price |
| Butterfly | 6 | 75 | Adult price |
| Discovery | 6 | 90 | Adult price |
| Nazar | 6 | 75 | Adult price |
| Kapadokya | 6 | 99 | Adult price |
| Skyway | 5 | 99 | Adult price |
Planning a family flight? Discovery takes children from 6 and refunds in full if weather cancels.
Check dates for Discovery BalloonsIs there an upper age limit?
On some flights: Butterfly and Nazar list 75 as the upper age, Turquaz 85.
Other listings run to 90 or 99. Whatever the age, the listings advise against flying with back, heart or other serious medical conditions, and none is wheelchair accessible.
Do children pay less?
Mostly no: Turquaz is the one listing here with a child rate, for ages 6 to 17.
Every other flight charges children the adult price. See the price guide for the full list.
Must children be accompanied?
Yes: Butterfly says children 6 to 12 must be with an adult.
Guests describe baskets divided into compartments for a few people each, so book together to be placed together. One guest was separated from a friend within the basket, though still side by side.
What do kids get at the toast?
Not alcohol: Butterfly sets a minimum drinking age of 18, and Skyway's toast is non-alcoholic for everyone.
The other listings do not say what is poured for children, so ask the operator after booking.
Skyway takes children from 5 and serves a non-alcoholic toast with cake.
Explore the Skyway balloon tourWill children enjoy it?
Guests with children are positive: one family's 13- and 10-year-old loved it.
Guests describe take-off as so gentle you barely feel it, and one wrote that his wife, scared of heights, was never afraid.
What about children under the minimum age?
Watch from the ground: the balloon watching tour takes all ages, including infants.
The sunrise watching tour drives you to viewpoints to see the balloons rise, from $34. It is not a flight, and if flights are cancelled after you arrive, the listing refunds only 50%.
Too young to fly? Watch the balloons rise from a viewpoint instead.
Check dates for the balloon watching tourFrequently asked questions
Can a 5-year-old ride a hot air balloon in Cappadocia?
With Skyway, yes: its child band starts at 5. The other flights here start at 6.
Can toddlers fly?
No. The flights here start at 5 or 6. The sunrise watching tour accepts infants.
Are balloon rides safe for kids?
The listings set minimum ages and require young children to be with an adult; guests with children describe smooth take-offs and landings. Follow the crew's instructions at landing.
Ready to book
Choose your flight
Cancellation terms differ by listing and are shown on each card. Prices are from-prices in USD per person and move with the season.
Discovery Balloons Sunrise Flight
Snacks and a certificate; full refund if weather grounds you
Skyway Balloon Tour over the Fairy Chimneys
Tea, snacks, cake and a non-alcoholic toast; from age 5
