How Much is a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Wadi Rum
How Much is a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Wadi Rum?
Ah, Wadi Rum. The Martian landscape on Earth, the playground of adventurers, and—if you’ve seen ‘Lawrence of Arabia’—the ultimate cinematic backdrop. But let’s talk about what really matters: floating over this desert in a massive balloon while pretending you’re in a National Geographic documentary. The question is, how much does this once-in-a-lifetime experience cost? And more importantly, is it worth it? (Spoiler: It totally is.)
The Price Tag: Floating Ain’t Free
Let’s get straight to the point. A hot air balloon ride in Wadi Rum will cost you anywhere from 150 to 250 Jordanian Dinars (JOD) per person. For those of us who don’t automatically convert dinars in our heads, that’s roughly $210 to $350 USD.
Now, before you clutch your wallet and gasp, consider what you’re getting. This isn’t just some theme park ride where you pay for a three-minute hover. No, this is a sunrise glide over a Martian landscape, complete with towering sandstone formations, crimson dunes, and camels that probably have no idea why you’re floating above them.
What’s Included?
For that price, most packages typically include:
1- Hotel pickup and drop-off (because stumbling through the desert at dawn is not a good look)
2- Pre-flight tea or coffee (essential because you probably woke up at 4 AM for this)
3- A professional pilot who hopefully knows what they’re doing
4- A flight lasting 45 minutes to an hour (depending on wind conditions and whether or not you bribed the wind gods)
5- A post-flight certificate (so you can humblebrag about your adventure)
If you’re feeling extra fancy, some companies even offer champagne upon landing, because why not celebrate surviving an hour in a wicker basket thousands of feet in the air?
Is It Worth the Price?
Look, I’m not here to tell you how to spend your hard-earned dinars, but let’s be real: If you’ve already come all the way to Wadi Rum, you might as well go all in.
1- Unmatched Views: Seeing Wadi Rum from above is the kind of thing that makes your Instagram followers envious for years.
2- The Silence: It’s eerily quiet up there. Just the occasional blast of the burner and the sound of your own awe.
3- Bragging Rights: “Oh, you went to Wadi Rum? That’s cute. I floated over it.”
Pro Tips for Maximum Balloon Enjoyment
- Wear layers. The desert gets cold before sunrise, and shivering mid-flight is not cute.
- Charge your camera. Your phone battery will betray you at the worst possible moment.
- Book in advance. Flights fill up fast, and no one wants to be the person crying at the launch site because they didn’t get a spot.
- Don’t expect a smooth landing. The pilot may warn you to brace yourself, and yes, you might tip over. Just roll with it (literally).
Final Verdict? Just Do It.
Yes, a hot air balloon ride in Wadi Rum isn’t the cheapest thing on your itinerary, but when else will you have the chance to float above an alien-like desert at sunrise? You can always make more money—but you can’t always make more unforgettable experiences.
So go ahead, book the flight, and enjoy the ride. Just don’t drop your phone while trying to capture that perfect sunrise shot. Gravity doesn’t care about your vacation photos.
