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Hot Air Balloon Dubai with Kids: Ages, Height & Tips

By Qunoosh Published: September 20, 2026 Updated on: October 08, 2026 5 min read
Back to Blog Articles Deluxe Exotic Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast — prices updated today 3,000 AED 4,000 AED

A sunrise balloon flight is one of those experiences children remember for years: the roar of the burners, the huge balloon lighting up in the dark and animals running across the dunes below. But with a 4 am start, age rules and a basket to climb into, parents understandably have questions.

Here's everything you need to know before booking a hot air balloon ride in Dubai with kids.

Quick Answer

  • Minimum age: 5 years. Children under 5 cannot fly.
  • Height: your child should be tall enough to see over the basket wall and able to stand for the whole flight.
  • Child prices start from 959 AED (self-drive) and 999 AED (with transfers).
  • Children must fly with an adult and be able to follow the landing instructions.
  • The Deluxe package with breakfast is usually the best fit for families.

Age Rules

The minimum age for a hot air balloon flight in Dubai is 5 years. As with adults, each child needs a passport copy and their weight declared at booking, under GCAA regulations.

If your family includes a toddler, they can't join the flight. Some families split up for the morning, with one parent flying with the older children and the other staying at the hotel, or book two separate mornings.

For the Adventure package, children aged 5 and over can fly, but quad bike riders must be 16 or older.

Height: Can Your Child See Over the Basket?

There's no single published height limit, but there is a practical one. Balloon baskets have high walls for safety, typically around chest height on an average adult. A child who is too short won't see much of the view and may find it hard to hold the landing position.

As a rule of thumb, if your child is around 1.2 m (4 ft) or taller, they'll usually be comfortable. If they're smaller than that, or you're not sure, contact our team before booking and we'll check with the operator.

Is It Safe for Children?

Balloon flights in Dubai run under GCAA regulations, with licensed pilots and weather checks before every flight (see is hot air ballooning safe in Dubai?). For children, the key points are:

  • Landings can involve a bump or the basket tipping gently. Children need to hold the rope handles and keep their knees bent, so practise the position with them during the briefing.
  • Burners make a loud roar and give off heat overhead. A cap helps, and it's worth warning younger kids about the noise.
  • Standing: the flight is up to 60 minutes standing up. There's no seating, except in the special Breakfast in the Sky basket.

Child Prices

PackageAdultChild
Standard (meet at location)999 AED959 AED
Standard (with 4x4 transfers)1,099 AED999 AED
Deluxe with breakfast1,199 AED1,099 AED
Adventure with quad bike1,350 AED1,250 AED
Overnight Desert Safari1,995 AED1,795 AED

For larger families, a private charter for up to 10 guests (8,999 AED flat) can work out at a similar cost per person, with the basket to yourselves.

Best Packages for Families

Deluxe with breakfast: best all-rounder

After a very early start, a hot buffet breakfast at the desert camp, a camel ride and archery keep kids happy and give the morning a proper finish.

Private charter: best for bigger families

No strangers, no rush, and you can position the children where they can see best. Private 4x4 transfers are included.

Overnight Desert Safari: best adventure

Older kids love this one: a vintage Land Rover wildlife drive, falconry, dinner and a night in a cabana, then the balloon flight in the morning. And no 4 am hotel pickup.

Save 25%
Deluxe Exotic Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast
Dubai

Deluxe Exotic Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast

Approx. 5-6 Hours (Early Morning) Pickup Mobile
Starting From
3,000 AED 4,000 AED
Details
Private Hot Air Balloon Charter (Up to 10 Guests)
Dubai

Private Hot Air Balloon Charter (Up to 10 Guests)

Approx. 4-5 Hours (Early Morning) Pickup Mobile
Starting From
8,999 AED
Details
Save 33%
Overnight Desert Safari with Hot Air Balloon Flight
Dubai

Overnight Desert Safari with Hot Air Balloon Flight

Overnight (Afternoon to Next Morning) Pickup Mobile
Starting From
3,000 AED 4,500 AED
Details

Tips for Flying with Kids

  • Put them to bed early the night before, and let them sleep in the car; transfers leave around 4 am.
  • Dress in layers. Desert mornings can be cold from November to March, and it warms up quickly after sunrise. Closed-toe shoes are a must. Our desert outfit guide helps.
  • Bring snacks and water, especially on packages without breakfast.
  • Toilet stop at the launch site before take-off.
  • Talk them through it: the noise, the landing position and that the balloon will move gently.
  • Plan a quiet afternoon; everyone will be tired.

Other Family-Friendly Desert Ideas

If your children are under 5, or you want another desert day, see our guide to a desert safari with family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 4-year-old go on a hot air balloon in Dubai?

No. The minimum age is 5 years.

Do children need a passport copy?

Yes. Every passenger, including children, needs a passport copy and their weight provided at booking.

Can my child sit down during the flight?

Standard baskets have no seats. The Breakfast in the Sky experience uses a specially designed seated basket.

What if my child gets scared?

Most children are calm once airborne, as the balloon moves very gently. Talk to the pilot during the briefing; the crew are used to flying with families.

Thank you for reading All UAE Tours Blog!

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It's easy to tilt when leaning on the basket edge.Avoid the basket rim in the corner of your frame, or use it on purpose as a frame.Shoot in bursts during the burner flames and sunrise.Shoot RAW (or ProRAW on iPhone) if you edit; sunrise colours recover much better.Which Flight Is Best for Photography?Every flight follows the same sunrise schedule. The advantage of a private balloon is space: you can move to either side of the basket without squeezing past other guests. Breakfast in the Sky uses a seated basket with a butler, which is great for relaxed lifestyle shots. For couples, an evening desert photoshoot pairs well with a morning flight.[tours codes="AUT-HB-08,AUT-HB-09,AUT-HB-03"]Practical Tips on the DayWipe your lens before take-off; condensation can form when moving from a warm car into cold desert air.Keep a cap on; heat from the burners is noticeable, and it keeps glare off your screen.Hold on during landing. Put the camera away when the crew asks you to take the landing position.Put the camera down for a few minutes. Seriously, just watch the sun come up.Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I bring a selfie stick?Short handheld sticks are usually fine if secured with a strap, but check with the crew during the briefing, as space is limited on shared flights.Can I fly a drone to film the balloon?No. Drones are not allowed around balloon operations.Do I get any photos from the operator?You receive a flight certificate. Photo packages may be offered on the day by the operator; ask the crew at the launch site.Also read: what you see from a hot air balloon in Dubai.

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