Booking choice: The Soğanlı Valley flight, from $80 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Göreme is the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia", and the classic balloon zone. Soğanlı, further south, is part of the same World Heritage listing but far quieter.
Both give you a sunrise flight, a breakfast and a toast. The differences are the crowd in the sky, the price and the start time.
The quick answer
Choose Göreme for the famous sight of a sky full of balloons over the fairy chimneys, from $88 with Nazar. Choose Soğanlı for a calmer flight and the lowest price, $80 with Lord Balloons including breakfast and a champagne toast, but expect far fewer balloons around you and an earlier start.
How do Göreme and Soğanlı flights compare?
Göreme: the classic crowded sky. Soğanlı: quieter, cheaper, further to drive.
| Göreme | Soğanlı | |
|---|---|---|
| Operators here | Royal, Turquaz, Butterfly, Discovery, Nazar, Kapadokya, Skyway | Lord Balloons |
| From | $88 (Nazar) | $80 (Lord) |
| Balloons in the sky | Guests describe 100 or more | One guest counted around 13 |
| Tour length | About 2.5 to 3.5 hours | About 4 hours |
| Breakfast and toast | Varies by operator | Breakfast and champagne toast |
Leaning towards the quieter valley? Check your date with Lord Balloons.
Check dates for the Soğanlı Valley flightWhy is Göreme the famous one?
Most of the flights here fly over Göreme, so you float among dozens of balloons over the fairy chimneys.
Guests flying over Göreme describe "100+ balloons" launching together at sunrise, and some describe dipping low into Love Valley. That spectacle is what most people picture.
What is a Soğanlı flight like?
Calmer: a canyon valley with far fewer balloons, and the same breakfast, flight and toast routine.
Guests write about flying "away from the crowds" and a peaceful valley. One felt it was just as magical; another missed the crowded sky and put the difference down to the lower price.
Is Soğanlı really cheaper?
Yes: $80 with Lord Balloons, against $88 to $171 for the Göreme flights compared here.
And the $80 includes breakfast and a champagne toast. See the price guide for every flight.
Lowest flight price here, with breakfast and a champagne toast included.
Explore the Soğanlı Valley flightHow early is the Soğanlı pickup?
Early: the listing gives a pickup between 3:15 and 7:00 AM depending on the season, and the tour lasts about four hours.
One guest wrote that the drive to the breakfast spot took about an hour. Pickup covers Nevşehir, Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar, Avanos, Ortahisar, Çavuşin and Mustafapaşa.
Does Soğanlı fly when Göreme cannot?
Sometimes, and sometimes the opposite: guests report both.
One guest flew over Soğanlı on a day the Göreme balloons could not go up; another had two Soğanlı mornings cancelled and was moved to the operator's sister company over Göreme. Every flight needs the day's civil aviation permission. See the cancellation guide.
Can your flight be moved to the other valley?
It happens: guests report being moved in both directions.
Some Lord guests were moved to Göreme; on other operators, guests have been told Göreme was full and offered Soğanlı instead, with a refund as the alternative. If the valley matters to you, confirm it after booking.
Which should you choose?
First visit and want the iconic photo: Göreme. Budget, or prefer calm: Soğanlı.
- The classic sky full of balloons: Göreme, from Nazar or Turquaz.
- Lowest price with breakfast and toast: Soğanlı with Lord.
- Fewer people around you: Soğanlı.
- The champagne breakfast listing itself: Royal Balloon, non-refundable.
Decided on Göreme? Turquaz includes breakfast and a toast, and cancels free.
Check dates for the Turquaz sunrise flightFrequently asked questions
Is Soğanlı part of Cappadocia?
Yes. Soğanlı is included in the UNESCO World Heritage site Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia.
Are there fewer balloons in Soğanlı?
Yes, far fewer. One guest counted around 13 balloons in the sky over Soğanlı, against the 100 or more guests describe over Göreme.
Which is better for photos?
Göreme, if you want the famous shot of many balloons over fairy chimneys. Soğanlı gives you a quieter canyon with fewer balloons in frame.
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.
Lord Balloons: Soğanlı Valley Flight
- Hotel pickup from Nevşehir, Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar, Avanos, Ortahisar, Çavuşin and Mustafapaşa
- Breakfast before the flight
- Champagne celebratory toast and a flight certificate
Nazar Balloons Sunrise Flight over Göreme
About an hour over Göreme with snacks and drinks
Turquaz Balloons Sunrise Flight & Toast
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within the Cappadocia region (not airports)
- Coffee or tea and a light breakfast before the flight
- About one hour in the air at sunrise
