Hot air balloon flights in Dubai
Balloon flights in Dubai take off from the desert before sunrise, so your day starts in the small hours with a pickup from the city. The two operators listed here fly for about 45 minutes to an hour, include a falcon show and offer packages with breakfast and a short camel ride afterwards.
At a glance
- Prices
- From AED 1,100 to AED 1,695, across 2 tours listed here
- Price range
- From AED 1,100 to AED 1,695 per adult among the flights listed; a private flight starts at AED 12,950 for two guests
- Flight time
- About 45 to 60 minutes in the air
- Whole trip
- About 4 to 6 hours from pickup to drop-off, depending on the package
- Pickup
- Between about 03:00 and 05:30, depending on the sunrise
- Minimum age
- Both operators say children under 7 cannot fly
We don’t sell tickets or tours. Prices and details come from the operators’ and venues’ own websites, with the date we checked them. How we work
Filters
Balloon flights compared (prices checked on the operators' websites, 29 September 2026)
| Flight | Take-off area | After landing | Season | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard package (Hot Air Balloon UAE) | Margham, Dubai–Al Ain road | Tea or coffee before take-off only | Not stated | AED 1,100 | AED 1,000 |
| Deluxe package (Hot Air Balloon UAE) | Margham, Dubai–Al Ain road | Buffet breakfast and short camel ride | Not stated | AED 1,209 | AED 1,149 |
| Signature Experience (Hero Balloon Flights) | Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve | Vintage Land Rover drive, breakfast and short camel ride | 1 October to 31 May | AED 1,695 | AED 1,395 (ages 7–11) |
What to expect
A vehicle collects you from your hotel in Dubai in the early hours and drives you to the take-off site in the desert. You watch the balloon being inflated and get a safety briefing, then lift off before sunrise. The flight lasts roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the wind, and both operators include a falcon show. The wind decides where you land, and a ground crew follows the balloon.
How to choose
- Lowest price: the Standard package from Hot Air Balloon UAE is the flight with tea or coffee beforehand, at AED 1,100 per adult. The Deluxe package adds a buffet breakfast and a short camel ride for AED 1,209.
- Flying over the conservation reserve: Hero Balloon Flights, formerly Balloon Adventures Dubai, flies over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Its Signature Experience adds a drive in a 1950s Land Rover and a breakfast designed by a Michelin-starred chef. It flies only from 1 October to 31 May.
- A private basket: Hero's Private Experience starts at AED 12,950 for two guests, with a private Land Rover Defender transfer and a private cabana for breakfast.
Book ahead. Hero closes online bookings at 17:00 the day before. Hot Air Balloon UAE closes at 15:00 the day before and needs every passenger's passport or Emirates ID number by then, or you cannot fly. An edited flight video from Hot Air Balloon UAE costs AED 200 per booking.
What to wear and bring
Wear flat shoes and comfortable clothes. It is cooler in the air and in the desert before sunrise, especially in winter, so bring a light jacket or warm layer, plus a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for later in the morning. Phones and cameras are allowed, but Hot Air Balloon UAE asks you to secure them with a strap.
Safety and weather
The pilots decide whether it is safe to fly. Fog or strong wind can delay take-off, and if a flight is cancelled both operators offer another date or a full refund. Hot Air Balloon UAE is licensed by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority. Pregnant guests cannot fly with either operator. Hero also excludes anyone with major surgery or a broken limb in the past six months, or chronic back or neck pain, and asks guests over 60 to sign an extra waiver. Hot Air Balloon UAE says passengers must be at least 120 cm tall and able to stand for the whole flight and take the brace position for landing, and the flight is not suitable for people with physical disabilities.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Dubai?
Among the flights listed here, adult prices run from AED 1,100 (Hot Air Balloon UAE Standard package) to AED 1,695 (Hero Balloon Flights Signature Experience), checked on 29 September 2026.
How long is the balloon flight?
About 45 minutes to an hour in the air. With pickup, breakfast and the drive back, allow four to five hours.
Can children fly?
Both operators say children under 7 cannot fly. Hot Air Balloon UAE also requires passengers to be at least 120 cm tall.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The pilots decide whether to fly. If they cancel for weather, both operators offer another date or a full refund.
Can I fly in summer?
Hero Balloon Flights only flies from 1 October to 31 May. Hot Air Balloon UAE does not state a season on the pages checked, so ask the operator.