A hot air balloon ride is on many of our bucket lists. Even the sight of a flying hot air balloon seems fascinating enough. But how much does a hot air balloon cost?
A hot air balloon is very expensive and costs $25,000 to $40,000, or more than that. The price goes up and down depending on a few factors. However, if you purchase a used hot air balloon, you can save a lot more money.
As a kid, hot air balloons have always fascinated me. This is why I’ve ended up going through a thing or two to find out everything. And if you want to find out too, read the full article.
Why Is It Called A Hot Air Balloon?
The reason is simple: the balloons fly because of hot air. The container of this air-craft is covered by a big bag which is called the envelope. With the heated air, the envelope turns into a big buoyant and helps the aircraft float using the pressure built inside.
How Much Does A Hot Air Balloon Cost?
If you want to buy a hot air balloon, be prepared to pay A LOT! And I’m not even kidding because my jaw crashed to the ground when I found out about the price.
So, how much does a hot air balloon cost to buy? Usually, the average price of a new hot air balloon is around $30,000. But the price varies based on the type of envelope, how many people the basket can hold, and the equipment.
How Much Does A Used Hot Air Balloon Cost?
If you are not up for spending a lot on a new hot air balloon, buying a used one can help you save some bucks and still get what you desire. And the cost for a used one will depend on how much the hot air balloon has been used.
Nevertheless, a used hot air balloon will cost way less than a new one and the average price is around $10,000 or so. However, if a hot air balloon has flown 300 hours, its envelope will no longer have any strength.
How Much Does A Hot Air Balloon Ride Cost?
The cost depends on the following factors:
- Number of people
- Time of the week/year
- Type of the weather
- Your location
- How long the ride is
That’s why hot air balloon rides cost different at different locations. But no matter where you want to enjoy the ride, the average cost is usually from $139-$250 per person.
However, depending on the above factors, the ride can go up to $300-$450. It will cost less in a less popular location and on weekdays. While group rides are sometimes expensive, some places provide discounts for group rides. So, be sure to be careful with your riding choices if you are intending to save some bucks.
Where Can I Find Hot Air Balloon Deals?
Finding a good hot air balloon ride deal is not difficult. You can always find some special discounts going on. However, to help you out, here are some of the hot air balloon deals I’ve found out:
New York (Value $275)
- From Hudson Valley Enchanted Balloon Tours
- One hour ride
- $226 per person
Los Angeles (Value $270)
- From Adventure Balloon Rides
- Any flight day
- Half an hour to one hour ride
- $135 per person
- Riders get pastries and champagne during ride and breakfast voucher
Chicago (Value $275)
- From Chicago Balloon Rides Off
- 3.5 hours ride
- $199 per person
Last Vegas (Value $275)
- From Vegas Balloon Rides
- One hour ride
- Includes post-ride champagne toast
- $139 per person for sunrise view
Orlando (Value $250)
- From Orlando Balloon Rides
- One hour ride
- Includes champagne toast
- $139 per person
- Monday to Friday morning
Albuquerque (Value $199)
- From World Balloon
- One hour ride
- $142 per person
- Includes champagne and snacks
The value of the rides and the deals might not always be the same. And many of them may not be available due to the Covid19 pandemic. But you can easily find the available best deals around you on the Groupon website.
Reasons Why Hot Air Balloon Rides Are So Expensive
Here are the reasons why a hot balloon ride cost so much:
Cost Of The Hot Air Balloons:
Hot air balloons are crazily expensive. An average hot air balloon can cost $30,000 to $40,000. And, if you are going to use it to fly more people, you have got to spend around $60,000-$80,000 for a balloon. As a result, the cost of the rides increases to make a proper profit.
Insurance:
Just like cars, hot air balloons also need to be insured. If you own a hot air balloon, that means you are flying people in it.
And going hundreds of feet above the ground is not exactly less scary. So, let the insurance company pay in case any unfortunate event takes place.
Maintenance:
When you are using the balloon for business purposes, it will be used more frequently. And to keep it working, you need to maintain the different parts regularly, especially the basket, as a hard landing can damage it faster. And then there are fuel costs and yearly inspections which are equally expensive.
Employees:
A business can hardly run without employees. And a hot air balloon needs a pilot to operate it for flying.
Besides a pilot, you will need crew members to operate other things. You also need employees to keep track of flights and finances. That’s why more things get added to the expense.
Extra Services:
Most of the air balloon rides include champagne and snacks during the rides. And while you think you are getting them for free, let me give you the spoiler: they are not free and the price of the drinks and foods are included in the price of the ride.
How To Buy A Hot Air Balloon?
There are a few things that you need to follow to make your money worth spending for a balloon. And they are:
- Choose the type of balloon you want to buy. There are several types of them and they are used for different purposes.
- Then decide which design or color you want. Should it be red, yellow, or blue? Or, maybe you would want a printed design.
- Then you need to pick the necessary accessories that your balloon will require. If it is for business purposes, having a list ready beforehand can help.
- Just like the type of envelopes, there are different types of baskets too. Depending on how many people you want to ride on the balloon, the basket size would be bigger or smaller.
- Once everything is decided, you can seal the deal by signing the purchase agreement and making the deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding hot air balloons and rides:
Is A Hot Air Balloon Ride Dangerous?
Even though hot air balloon rides may look scary and dangerous, you would be surprised to know that this aircraft ride is much safer than car or bus rides. Unexpected occurrences during air balloon rides are very rare.
Even if there is an accident, chances are that it happened because of bad weather conditions. So, I suggest you ride on a day when the weather is good.
How Long Does A Hot Air Balloon Ride Last?
Well, how long do you want it to be? Usually, a hot air balloon ride lasts one to three hours. A long ride can be fun if you are up for it. But if you are not a person who is friendly with height, you might not last more than a few minutes.
For the first time riders, I will suggest you go for short rides. In this way, it will be easy for you to find out if you like it. Sometimes the rides last four to five hours and they are more expensive.
How Much Does A Hot Air Balloon Cost To Rent?
That depends on a few things like how long you want to ride and how many people will be riding. It also depends on the location and the weather. Depending on the situation, a ride may cost $200-$300 per person. If you are renting for a longer time, you may have to pay around $400-$500 per person.
How Much Does A Couple’s Hot Air Balloon Ride Cost?
Some hot air balloon ride businesses offer riding packages. A couple’s hot air balloon ride can cost around $500-$600 per couple. But if you are in a location that charges more for rides or have added offers, it can cost around $800-$1000 per couple.
Conclusion
I hope your question “how much does a hot air balloon cost?” has been answered thoroughly. Riding a hot air balloon is a thrilling experience many of us thrive for. But sometimes these experiences do not come for free or at a low price.
If you are hoping to save some money, then I would suggest you look for weekday deals. And if you are considering buying your own hot air balloon, make sure to consult an expert first.
Hi, I’m Daniel Kemp. I’m a sportsman who is always ready to go at any moment. I love sports because it makes me a complete person. I’m into ball games, lacrosse, tug of war, and so many others. I see sport as a paramount aspect of life that excludes no one so that everyone can be part of the sporting society.