Quick facts
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Guy hasn't said yet- Location: Dubai
- Duration: Flights typically 50 to 60 minutes
- Price from: AED 999 child, AED 1,099 adult (operator's site, checked Oct 2026)
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Map: Hot Air Balloon Rides Enquire / book More adventure Related: flying lessons uae
Balloon flights in Dubai go up around sunrise, when the desert air is calmest. In the episode Paris flies with Balloon Adventures and spots green patches across the sand, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve below and a falcon flying alongside.
Make a morning of it
Paris followed his flight with a 1950s Land Rover safari through the reserve with Platinum Heritage and a visit to a Bedouin camp. The reserve is home to Arabian oryx and gazelles.
Other balloon operators
ActionFlight, a GCAA-approved operator, flies sunrise balloons over the Ras Al Khaimah desert. Its site says flights typically last 50 to 60 minutes and lists standard adult flights at AED 1,099 and child flights at AED 999, with transport from most emirates included (checked 30 October 2026). It also combines balloons with aerobatic flights.
What to know
- Expect a very early pick-up.
- Flights depend on wind and can be cancelled on the day.
- Dress in layers: desert mornings in winter are cool.
Pair it with a desert safari or camel racing.
From the Guy in Dubai video archive
About The Wild Adventure of Hot Air Ballooning
How air ballooning is hands down the best way to see the Dubai desert. From the sky, early in the morning, it's a mystic experience where the shadows from the dunes slowly disappear.
If you are lucky you might see some Gazelles, and if you do the experience I did with Platinum Heritage and Dubai Balloons, then you may meet a falcon who will demonstrate how they catch their pray at altitude.
The UAE desert is certainly worth seeing, but this is an experience everyone should try.
FAQ
When do hot air balloons fly in Dubai?
Around sunrise, when winds are calmest.
How much is a hot air balloon ride per person?
ActionFlight lists standard adult flights at AED 1,099 on its site (checked 30 October 2026). Prices vary by operator and package.
Which operators appear on Guy in Dubai?
Balloon Adventures flew Paris; Platinum Heritage ran the Land Rover safari and camp.
Sources
Facts checked October 2026. Opening times, age limits and seasons change, so confirm with the operator before you go.
Ask Guy in Dubai