Hot-Air Balloon Ride in Dubai
Flying over the Dubai desert in a hot air balloon is one of the most beautiful experiences we’ve ever had. Watching the sunrise, taking in the vastness of the desert, the beauty of the sand dunes, and seeing the wildlife come to life from a hot air balloon is MAGICAL!
Several options can be added to the hot air balloon ride, such as a camel ride, ATV riding, or dune bashing. Personally, we opted for the basic hot-air balloon ride over Dubai. Here’s our review!
Why Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Dubai?
Taking a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise is an experience you have to try at least once in your life, so doing it in an idyllic setting like the Dubai desert is INCREDIBLE!
Dubai is a city often known for its luxurious skyscrapers and extravagance, but there’s more to this destination than that, and the desert proves it perfectly. It’s a completely exotic setting that you absolutely must experience during a trip to Dubai.
A hot-air balloon ride is an activity that requires a certain budget (starting at €270). Prices remain roughly the same regardless of the country or city, so why not enjoy a breathtaking view of Dubai’s red and orange sand dunes?
As you fly over the desert, you’ll realize just how vast it is—and how close it is to the city. It’s just an hour’s drive between the two areas. Depending on the winds, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the city’s skyline in the distance—perhaps even the Burj Khalifa. The view is breathtaking! Personally, we weren’t that lucky. However, we did get to see gazelles running through the dunes, roaming freely in their natural habitat. Magnificent!
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Dubai: How Does It Work?
Hot air balloon rides are scheduled in the morning so you can watch the sunrise. The sunrise reveals the orange hues of the sand, which are just… WOW! The activity lasts at least 3 hours.
Here’s what a hot air balloon excursion entails:
- A driver will pick you up at your hotel early in the morning: around 4:00–5:00 a.m..
- You’ll be offered coffee or tea at the launch site, where you can watch all the preparations
- Then, you’ll board the hot air balloon. Flights last about 1 hour.
- Depending on the options you choose, either your driver will take you directly back to your hotel, or you can enjoy breakfast, a drink, a desert safari…
Important: Children under 5 years old are not allowed to take a hot-air balloon ride. Please also note that children under 1.30m in height tend to enjoy the experience much less. This is because they won’t be able to see over the top of the basket. Our 6-year-old son and standing 1.20m tall at the time of the trip couldn’t see the scenery and was disappointed. For safety reasons, you are not allowed to carry them.
How much does a hot-air balloon ride over Dubai cost?
Prices for hot-air balloon flights over Dubai can vary depending on the options you choose (between €261 and €355).
You can choose between a basic flight with round-trip transportation to and from your hotel and options that include a lightbreakfast or even a desert excursion.
The Different Hot-Air Balloon Flight Options in Dubai
Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Dubai
This is the easiest option. The tour lasts 3 hours, including 1 hour (on average) of flight time.
The price includes pickup (and drop-off) to your hotel as well as the hot air balloon ride. This is the tour we tried and highly recommend!
Hot air balloon ride price : €261/adult – €233/child (under 11)
This is definitely the option we recommend, as it’s the cheapest hot-air balloon ride in Dubai. On the way back, your driver will take you to your hotel just in time for breakfast, and you can then take some time to recover from the excitement and take a little nap. After all, don’t forget that the driver will pick you up at 4 a.m… 😉
Hot-air balloon ride with a camel ride and breakfast included
Here, you’ll also enjoy a buffet breakfast and a camel ride at the Bedouin camp. This allows you toexplore the desert fairly quickly and enjoy a traditional meal in an idyllic setting.
Duration: 5 hours, including a 1-hour flight.
Hot air balloon ride price : €290/adult – €278/child (under 11)
Hot air balloon ride with various activities: dune bashing, ATV riding, camel ride
This is the most comprehensive experience. If you’re short on time and your schedule doesn’t allow for it, opt for the hot-air balloon ride + desert safari package. This activity combines both the must-do hot-air balloon ride and a desert safari. This activity includes a camel ride, dune bashing, ATV riding, a falconry show, and a visit to a Bedouin camp… But keep in mind that the day will be long and tiring.
Duration of the excursion: 5 hours and 30 minutes, including a 40-minute to 1-hour flight.
Hot air balloon ride price : €362/adult – €310/child (under 11)
Summary of Hot Air Balloon Rides in Dubai
| Offer | Hot Air Balloon Ride | Breakfast | Camel Ride | Dune bashing + ATV ride | Adult Price | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-way flight | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | 261 € | Book |
| Flight with breakfast | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | 290 € | Book |
| Complete Package | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 362 € | Book |
When should you book your hot-air balloon ride in Dubai?
We recommend that you book all your activities in Dubai in advance. Not only does this allow you to make the most of your schedule, but it also helps you avoid last-minute disappointments due to lack of space or unavailability.
Important: Book your hot-air balloon ride during the first few days of your trip. If, unfortunately, the weather is bad, the activity may be rescheduled. In that case, you can easily reschedule your flight for another time during your stay.
Tips & Practical Information
Here are a few recommendations to ensure your flight goes smoothly:
- When you board the hot-air balloon, try to sit in one of the corners. You’ll enjoy a wider view than if you were sitting along the edge.
- Take the time to enjoy the view with your own eyes. The flight lasts an hour, after all, so don’t spend all your time trying to take THE perfect photo.
- Bags and backpacks are not allowed in the hot air balloon. You can leave them with your driver for the duration of the flight.
- Remember to bring your sunglasses. The sun might be a bit of a nuisance.
Our Review
We loved it! It’s truly one of our favorite activities in Dubai. A hot-air balloon ride offers a sense of freedom because there’s no enclosed cabin around us. It’s truly incredible. Everything is perfect for a wonderful experience: the view of the desert, the sunrise, the wildlife… It’s a moment out of time.
As for the landing, there’s no need to worry—the pilots explain exactly what position to get into when it’s time to land. Ours was a bit bumpy because our basket tipped over—that happens quite often. We laughed a lot. This moment has left us with a fantastic family memory!