Hot air balloon rides in Phoenix at a glance
A hot air balloon ride in Phoenix takes off from the open desert on the edge of the metro area, drifting over saguaros, washes and the mountains around the Valley of the Sun. In Sedona you float past red rock buttes instead. Both are sunrise experiences: the air is calmest just after dawn, so you meet very early and are back by mid-morning.
Phoenix has more operators and more flights, which makes it easier to find a date. Sedona has fewer flights and higher prices, but its scenery is hard to beat. If you are staying in one area, simply fly there.
Phoenix or Sedona: where to take a hot air balloon ride
Two very different landscapes, two different price levels.
Phoenix and Scottsdale
Flights launch from desert sites north of the city. You see the Sonoran Desert from above, giant saguaro cactus, the mountain ranges and the sun rising over the Valley. Several operators fly here, morning flights run all year, and some add sunset flights in the cooler months.
Sedona
Balloons launch on National Forest land west of town and drift past the red rock formations. Only a small number of operators hold permits from the Coconino National Forest, so seats are limited and prices are higher than in Phoenix. Book early for spring and autumn weekends.
Getting there
Phoenix flights are easy to add to a city stay or to the start of a road trip. For Sedona you need to sleep in or near town, because the meeting time is around dawn.
Where to stay in Sedona →Our pick
If Sedona is on your route and the budget allows, fly there for the red rocks. If not, a Phoenix desert flight is excellent value and often easier to book at short notice.
Phoenix vs Sedona balloon flights compared
General differences based on operator information and booking platform listings in October 2026. Exact prices and times change with the season.
| Phoenix | Sedona | |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Sonoran Desert, saguaros, desert mountains | Red rock buttes and canyons |
| Flight time | About 45–60 minutes | About 1 hour, up to 1.5 hours |
| Whole outing | About 3–4 hours | About 4 hours |
| Season | Morning flights all year, sunset flights in winter | Flights through much of the year, weather permitting |
| Price level | $$ | $$$ |
| Availability | More operators and dates | Few permitted operators, book ahead |
| Best for | Value, short notice, Phoenix stays | Once-in-a-lifetime views |
Our picks: hot air balloon rides
Two balloon flights over the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix and one near Tucson.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Balloon ride with champagne and catering
A balloon flight with hotel pickup and catering, so you don't have to drive in the dark.
Check availability →
Tucson balloon ride with breakfast
The southern option, over the desert near Tucson, with champagne and breakfast. Still few reviews.
Check availability →Hot air balloon flight with champagne
A small-group flight over the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix, finished with the traditional champagne toast.
Check availability →Hot air balloon rides in Arizona
Sunrise balloon flights over the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix and Scottsdale, with live prices and availability.
What a balloon morning looks like
Balloon days start in the dark. Most outings follow the same pattern:
- Before sunrise: you meet at a check-in point or are picked up at your hotel, then ride to the launch site. Launch sites are chosen on the day, depending on the wind.
- Inflation: you watch the crew lay out and fill the envelope, first with cold air from a fan, then with heat from the burner. It is one of the best parts of the morning for photos.
- The flight: around an hour in the basket, standing. The pilot controls height, the wind decides the direction, so nobody knows exactly where you will land.
- Landing and celebration: a chase crew follows by road and meets you at the landing spot. Many flights end with a champagne toast or a light breakfast before you are driven back.
In total, plan about three to four hours, or a little more with a hotel transfer. Keep the rest of the morning free, because a weather hold can shift the schedule.
Season, weather and cancellations
Balloons only fly in calm, dry conditions. Plan with some flexibility.
Best season
October to April is the most comfortable time to fly in the Phoenix area. Summer flights do run, but they start very early to beat the heat. In Sedona, winter mornings are cold, so dress warmly.
Best time to visit Arizona →Weather cancellations
Wind, rain and storms ground balloons, and the pilot makes the call, sometimes only at the launch site. During the July to mid-September monsoon, thunderstorms make cancellations more likely.
Book early in your trip
If the flight is cancelled, you can usually rebook or get a refund. Scheduling it on one of your first mornings leaves room for a second try.
Change rules
Operators often require 24 to 48 hours' notice for changes by you. Read the cancellation terms of each listing before you pay.
Age, weight and fitness
Balloon flights are gentle, but you need to be able to climb into a waist-high basket, stand for about an hour and handle a landing that can end with a bump or a short drag.
- Children: operators set a minimum age and height. A minimum of about 5 years and 48 inches (122 cm) is typical, but rules differ.
- Weight: you are usually asked for each passenger's weight when booking, because the pilot has to balance the basket. Some operators have limits or surcharges, so check before you book.
- Health: balloon flights are generally not suitable during pregnancy or with serious mobility or back problems.
- Clothing: closed shoes for the landing field, layers for the chilly start and a cap, because the burner is hot above your head.
Combining your flight with other Arizona experiences? See Saguaro National Park for more desert scenery, or things to do in Sedona and Sedona jeep tours for the red rocks from the ground.
Hot air balloon rides in Arizona: frequently asked questions
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Phoenix?
Most Phoenix sunrise flights were listed at about $200 to $300 per adult in autumn 2026, often including a toast or breakfast. Taxes, fees and hotel transfers can add to that. Sedona flights cost more.
Is a Sedona hot air balloon ride worth it?
If you can afford it, yes. Seeing the red rocks catch the first light is spectacular. Seats are limited, so book well ahead in spring and autumn.
What time do hot air balloon rides start?
Around sunrise. Check-in or hotel pick-up is usually before dawn, so expect an alarm well before 6 am in summer and a little later in winter.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The flight is cancelled for safety, and you can usually rebook or get a refund. Book it early in your trip so there is time for a second attempt.
Is a balloon ride scary if I am afraid of heights?
Many people with a fear of heights are surprised. The basket moves with the wind, so there is almost no breeze or swaying, and the ride feels very calm.