Tucson Balloon Rides
Tucson Balloon Rides
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About
Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides offers 'Sonoran Sunrise' flights followed by a delicious champagne brunch. Flights are an hour long and include beautiful mountain & desert panoramas, post flight champagne brunch, pictures of your flight and free pick-ups/drop-offs from all Tucson resorts and hotels.
Tucson, Arizona
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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Tucson Balloon Rides
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
217 reviews
Excellent
204
Very good
7
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Brooke S
New Canaan, CT1 contribution
Feb 2022
Going on a hot air balloon was on my husband's bucket list. I, myself, am a little afraid of heights and would never have signed up for this otherwise. We were visiting Tucson with our 6 and 8 year olds and because the hotel didn't have childcare at 6am (the meet up time), I had to book them to come with us. The booking was very easy to do online. The directions were clear and the owner/pilot was in touch with us via text the night before to confirm weather conditions. There is a very decent write up on their webpage for those who have a fear of heights to read. I think it was helpful. Everyone was on time for the pickup and the drivers were polite and professional.
It was exciting to see the balloon laying on its side and being filled with hot air. My kids loved the moment it raised above the basket. Also lovely to see as the sun rose in the sky. We all climbed in and liftoff wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it might be. There is a peacefulness about hot air ballooning. And aside from having a white knuckle grip on my two kids - it was absolutely lovely in the air.
Kevin the pilot is amazing - he used different altitudes to "steer" us in the right direction. And he expertly soared us through a mountain pass which was super exhilarating. It was awesome to look out and see buildings and mountains, but I also LOVE the pictures that the ground crew took of us!! They are expert photographers and you will walk away with stunning photos of you in the balloon. My friends are so impressed!!
We landed in a pima cotton field and celebrated with mimosas and snacks before heading back to Tucson.
If this is something you've never done before, I urge you to sign up - you will not regret it. It's so different and unique, it's something you'll talk about for the rest of your life. Truly spectacular and I am so glad we did this. Thank you Tucson Balloon Rides!! Family memories that will last a lifetime!
It was exciting to see the balloon laying on its side and being filled with hot air. My kids loved the moment it raised above the basket. Also lovely to see as the sun rose in the sky. We all climbed in and liftoff wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it might be. There is a peacefulness about hot air ballooning. And aside from having a white knuckle grip on my two kids - it was absolutely lovely in the air.
Kevin the pilot is amazing - he used different altitudes to "steer" us in the right direction. And he expertly soared us through a mountain pass which was super exhilarating. It was awesome to look out and see buildings and mountains, but I also LOVE the pictures that the ground crew took of us!! They are expert photographers and you will walk away with stunning photos of you in the balloon. My friends are so impressed!!
We landed in a pima cotton field and celebrated with mimosas and snacks before heading back to Tucson.
If this is something you've never done before, I urge you to sign up - you will not regret it. It's so different and unique, it's something you'll talk about for the rest of your life. Truly spectacular and I am so glad we did this. Thank you Tucson Balloon Rides!! Family memories that will last a lifetime!
Written March 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenM
1 contribution
Apr 2023
The entire process of booking the trip was handled professionally and without issue. The ride itself was humbling, exciting, and so peaceful. The first part of the balloon ride was so peaceful it made us all whisper when anyone tried to talk. Kevin shared little tidbits of Tucson geography and history while he expertly maneuvered the balloon. And he nailed the landing! I'm ready to go again!
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millers
2 contributions
Apr 2021
My husband and I are in our 60s, and this was our first hot air balloon ride. What an amazing time we had! Kevin and his crew were extremely knowledgeable and experienced, so we felt completely comfortable in their capable hands. Our balloon held 7 passengers, and we flew over the desert, mountains, and valley. The ride was so smooth that we hardly noticed we were moving. Kevin shared a wealth of information about flying, strategy, winds, etc, and he answered questions about everything we were passing over below. After landing we were treated to a delicious brunch and mimosas! We were each presented with a flight certificate, and later in the day we received an email link to lots of photos of our adventure. We highly recommend this to anyone, even if you’re slightly nervous about heights. This will be one of the most memorable experiences you have.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keith46er
Livonia, NY165 contributions
Mar 2020
vacationing in Tucson just before everything blew up with covid pandemic, my wife and I took our first ever hot air balloon ride with Tucson Balloon Rides and we certainly made a great choice. Captain Kevin and his crew met us promptly at the designated location and took us to the launch site where he gave us a rundown of the morning and all the important safety information. In no time at all, we were launching into the air! The trip was beautiful and Kevin added just the right amount of commentary about everything we could see and hear from our balloon. The scenery was fascinating and the flight seemed only minutes (it was an hour and twenty minutes) long before we were gently settling onto a gravel roadway without even a small bump. The breakfast treats after the trip provided a nice way to chat with the other guests and the flight crew.
Remember to layer up as the early part of the flight can be chilly, warming up nicely as the sun rises.
Thanks, Kevin , for making our first trip so memorable.
Remember to layer up as the early part of the flight can be chilly, warming up nicely as the sun rises.
Thanks, Kevin , for making our first trip so memorable.
Written April 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil_Ferreira
Vancouver, Canada15 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
From pickup to drop off, this was a wonderful experience. Kevin and his chase crew were great and made it a fun event. Kevin piloted the balloon excellently and provided informative commentary during the flight. I highly recommend using Tucson Balloon Rides for a fun and very well organized trip. The champagne breakfast after landing was very good and was a perfect end to a very memorable flight.
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John R
3 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
All of the 5 star reviews for Kevin and his team are 100% correct! They run a very professional, fun, and safe experience. We took our parents up for their 75th birthdays and it was exceptional! The flight was unforgettable, and the breakfast/mimosas along with the photos sent afterward were an awesome and appreciated touch. If you are interested in seeing the sunrise over the mountains from a hot air balloon while gently soaring over thousands of saguaro cactus, I highly recommend Kevin and this company!
Written March 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anjeanette R
Dayton, OH10 contributions
Dec 2021
Our family of 5 (with 3 teens) had a spectacular ride with Kevin at Tuscon Balloon Rides! Perfect weather conditions and an incredible view of the sunrise on the mountain range. Fun seeing the beautiful properties below us and the gorgeous desert landscape. If you think hot air balloon rides are scary, think again! You ascend and descend so gradually that it is very calm and peaceful. I'm even a little afraid of heights and not once was I afraid on this ride! Kevin has an immense amount of experience in flying hot air balloons and it shows. Ended the ride in a field with a champagne brunch/snack. The crew even takes photos of your flight and shares them with you the same day! Highly recommend this company & experience!
Written December 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Armstrong
4 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
I would highly recommend Kevin and company for a hot air balloon experience you won’t forget! The sunrise balloon ride was unforgettable! The crew knew their business and got it done quickly and efficiently. Takeoff was exceptional and going over the Saguaro National Monument was beautiful! We also skirted along the edge of the hills and saw wildlife, farms, neighborhoods and the Maraña airport. It was fun to watch the planes takeoff and land from the air. Along the way Kevin was happy to share information about ballooning and how everything works. He seemed to be very well-informed and very safe. I never felt like we were at any risk. Kevin explained that he’s been doing this for 17 years, and his experience showed. Breakfast at the end was delicious! My favorite part other than the total silence while in the air was the free photos taken by the crew that are available after the experience. Totally worth the price! My hubby says it’s the closest thing to feeling like a bird!
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
casualtraveler002017
Annapolis, MD5 contributions
Apr 2022
Kevin took me, my wife, and 3 kids on a wonderful adventure. We requested a "private" flight as I was hoping not to fly with others and Tucson Balloon Rides provided. Kevin and his staff were punctual, engaging, polite, and informative. The views from the basket were amazing and the only noise was from the intermittent flames keeping the balloon afloat and the expressions of joy from my kids. I can't think of a better way to watch the sun rise and the mimosa's after the flight were well received. I would recommend this group without hesitation. My kids said this was the best day of their trip and it was worth waking up at 3:45 am. (we are not morning people).
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingBears2012
San Francisco, CA3 contributions
Nov 2022
Kevin and his team are spectacular and come highly recommended. It is rare to find a true master at this craft who is also so incredibly enthusiastic about his passion. The attention to detail, passenger comfort, hospitality and safety really showed. It put some of our first-time flyer family members who were nervous totally at ease and everyone had a terrific time. Wishing Kevin and the crew much well deserved success in their business and hope to fly again with them!
Written November 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrPooh2015
Texas Gulf Coast, TX46 contributions
Can you balloon ride all year or what months? I am thinking October 2020
GinRum
3 contributions
Are there any hot air balloons that go past 3000 feet that also allow for skydiving from the balloon.
Fabrics3
Brookings, OR34 contributions
Need to know how much for adults and if you have any openings Feb 2, 3, 4 or 5th? Also how far are you from Oro Valley? Thanks so much.
Cathy H
Merida, Mexico14 contributions
Do you have rides in March 2016 (specifically March 22)?
What are the rates and how long is the ride?
T W
19 contributions
Our ride was about an hour, Because we had a wedding party waiting for us... Rates for us was higher because of that reason, we had to reserve the balloon for just us. it was $675.... Which included the balloon ride, champane toast and homemade bannana bread at the park. The rates are on the website. But if you want to do a wedding or reserve the balloon for a group or couple you would probably need to call them.
Couple rates are on the website, but if you had a group it would need a specific quote. The balloon we were in coud have fit 4 plus the pilot...