Balloon rides don't have to be expensive. There are many variables which influence the price of a hot air balloon trip including the time of year the trip is planned and the number of passengers in attendance. As someone who grew up in an extended family of hot air balloon designers and pilots, allow me to offer the following tips on how to get the most out of your money.
Tips for Hot Air Ballooning at a Discount
The biggest rule of thumb to remember when searching for discount hot air balloon rides is this: no discount is worth a compromise in safety. There are just as many disreputable hot air balloon charter companies as there are reputable ones (if not more). If the cost of your ride seems too good to be true, then it probably is. In the long run, you are much better off paying a little more for a ride in a quality balloon led by an experienced pilot.
Once you have found the charter company you'd like to use, there are many things you can do to keep the cost down. One suggestion is to book your flight during off-peak hours. The most expensive flights usually take place during sunrise and/or sunset. Avoid these hours and select a time in between. Another tip is to buy in bulk. If you know a bunch of people who are interested in going on a balloon ride, see if you can purchase all of your tickets together as you will more than likely get a better deal.
Leave the frills at home. Unless it is a super-special occasion, opt out of the flights offering champagne and/or picnics as these tend to be pricey. Instead, spend your money on a longer flight without all of the unnecessary bells and whistles. You also might want to consider a winter flight. Seeing as the most popular time for balloon rides is during spring and summer, a winter flight is all but guaranteed to render a discount and the views will be just as spectacular!
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