Wow, wow, wow. A balloon flight in Vang Vieng is truly an unforgettable experience. Float in a basket among the mountains of Laos and enjoy the insane views. In this article, read everything you need to know if you want to take a balloon ride in Vang Vieng: what the cost is, how and where to book and what to think about.
Content of this blog:
Where can I book a balloon ride in Vang Vieng?
The very best provider for a balloon ride in Vang Vieng is Above Laos. This is also immediately the most expensive (anno 2023 $130 for an hour), but at Above Laos the balloon ride does take a full hour. With all other providers, the flight time is between 25 and 40 minutes.
The best providers for a hot air balloon ride in Vang Vieng are:
- Above Laos
- Vang Vieng Tour Laos
- Laos Trip
- Lao Flying Media
Further down in this article you will find a comparison for each provider on flight duration, start time, cost and contact information.
Different types of balloon rides
Because there are multiple providers for balloon rides in Vang Vieng, you’ll also see varying durations and flights. In addition, you can choose a balloon ride early in the day or just in the late afternoon.
Balloon ride in Vang Vieng over the village
The cheapest option is to float over Vang Vieng town. You’ll still see insane views of the limestone rock formations around Vang Vieng. You take off somewhere just outside the village, you fly a bit over the houses and streets of Vang Vieng and you land on the other side of the village.
Balloon ride over the mountain / in the valley
There is also a flight that goes over the mountain or valley. In this flight, you float higher than in the flight over the village. You see more nature instead of the streets of Vang Vieng. The balloon flight over the mountain also takes longer than the flight over the village.
Balloon ride during sunrise or sunset
Furthermore, you still have the choice of taking the balloon ride in Vang Vieng early in the day during sunrise or just later in the day at sunset. So both balloon rides are during golden hour which is going to make for a breathtaking experience. With both balloon rides, you have a chance of golden skies and beautiful views. With a sunrise ride, you can see the morning mist hanging over the landscapes, adding an extra dimension to the view. We ourselves did the balloon ride during sunrise. If you don’t mind setting your alarm clock around 5:00, you can go for the first option.
How long does a balloon ride in Vang Vieng take?
The duration of the balloon ride in Vang Vieng depends on which flight you choose. The flight over the village takes between 25 and 35 minutes, depending on the provider. The flight over the mountain takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
In addition, weather conditions also play a role in the length of time of a balloon ride. The wind is a determining factor in exactly how long the balloon ride in Vang Vieng takes. This is why balloon ride providers always give a time frame rather than giving you a guarantee of an exact time.
How much does the balloon ride in Vang Vieng cost?
It depends on the provider, but on average a balloon ride in Vang Vieng costs between $108 and $130 (prices in 2024). Included is transportation from your hotel to the balloon launch site. After the balloon ride, you will also be returned to your hotel. Depending on the provider, you sometimes get some water and/or snacks after the balloon ride.
It is always cheaper to pay for the balloon ride in dollars instead of kip. Because the Lao kip has had massive inflation for years, locals prefer U.S. dollars to their own currency. As a result, you get a terribly bad exchange rate if you want to pay the amount in kip instead of dollars.
Therefore, make sure you bring enough dollars on your trip to Laos. Are you coming from Cambodia? Then you can already get some extra dollars from the ATM there and take them back to Laos. It is harder to get dollars in Laos and in Cambodia you get a much better exchange rate. You can, of course, get dollars from a money exchange bureau.
Balloon ride in Vang Vieng: flight duration, start time, prices and contact information by provider
In the overview below you will find a detailed summary of the information for each provider listed. This way you can make an informed choice with which provider you want to make the balloon flight in Vang Vieng (note: this is data from 2024 and can always change. Always check with the provider how long and where you will fly, etc.)
Above Laos
Type of flights
- Balloon ride over the valley with sunrise
- Balloon ride over the valley with sunset
Flight time
- Between 35 and 75 minutes
Start time
- Sunrise: 05:20
Sunset: 15:20
Prices
- $135 per person
Contact details
- WhatsApp: +856 20 98 849 401
Vang Vieng Tour Laos
Type of flights
- Balloon ride over the village sunrise
- Balloon ride over the village sunset
- Balloon ride over the mountain sunrise
- Balloon ride over the mountain sunset
Flight time
- Over the village: 25 to 45 minutes
- Over the mountain: 45 to 60 minutes
Start time
- Sunrise: 05:00
- Sunset: 15:15
Prices
- Over the village: $115 per person, children (2-8 years) $60
- Over the mountain: $135 per person, children (2-8 years) $90
Contact details
- WhatsApp: +856 20 55 208 283
- Website: https://www.vangviengtourlaos.com
Laos Trip
Type of flights
- Sunrise over the village
- Sunset over the village
Flight time
- 30-35 minutes
Start time
- Sunrise: 05:50, 06:20 or 07:00
- Sunset: 16:00
Prices
- $110 per person
Contact details
- WhatsApp: +856 20 94 022 553
Lao Flying Media
Type of flights
- Sunrise over the valley
- Sunset over the valley
Flight time
- 25 to 30 minutes
Start time
- Sunrise: 05:40
- Sunset: 16:00
Prices
- When paying in cash: $110, 2,500,000 kip or 3,900 baht per person
- If paying by card: $115 per person
Contact details
- WhatsApp: +856 20 55 623 536
Tip: book a balloon ride in Vang Vieng on time
Taking a balloon ride is a hugely popular activity in Vang Vieng. That’s why you really need to book on time. Above Laos in particular fills up very quickly. Most providers of balloon rides in Vang Vieng are full 3 to 7 days in advance. Therefore, be on time with booking.
What if the balloon ride doesn’t happen?
A balloon ride cannot always take place. This is for safety reasons or because visibility is not good enough. In either case, of course, you don’t want to be in a hot air balloon. Safety comes first anyway, and a balloon ride you pay more than 100 euros for should also pay off with stunning views and a great experience.
Therefore, before you book or pay, it is a good idea to clearly agree what the provider’s terms will be in the event that the organization cancels the balloon flight.
What about fear of heights?
I (Noƫlle) also suffer greatly from vertigo. Still, I really wanted to do the balloon ride in Vang Vieng. The first few minutes are very uncomfortable and you will find that you will probably cling very hard to the basket of the balloon. After a while, you can relax a little more and enjoy the view.
We went up really high at one point, which I was a bit anxious about. After this we thankfully started to descend and got a lot closer to the ground again. All in all, I found it very exciting (throbbing armpits and clammy hands) but I wouldn’t have missed the balloon ride in Vang Vieng for anything!
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