A Complete Guide to Riding in Lithuania’s Hot Air Balloons

You will not find anything that resembles summer in Lithuania more than an evening sky dotted with hot air balloons. I had wanted to fly in one over the country ever since I first had the idea to visit, but my first trip back in 2019 was outside the season in which this was possible. Six years later, I finally ticked this experience off my bucket list. 

Prior to joining my hot air balloon ride in Lithuania, I had only flown in one on a single previous occasion. This was back in the UK, and I was very young, so I didn’t remember much of it. Naturally, I had lots of questions and was really curious to see what flying over Lithuania would be like. 

If you’re planning to do the same, you’ll also no doubt be curious. Based on my experiences and first-hand research, I’ve put together this complete guide to riding in a hot air balloon over Lithuania. You’ll find all the essential information you need to help you prepare and make the right choice. 

Flying in a Hot Air Balloon in Lithuania: The Basics

My Experience Riding a Hot Air Balloon in Lithuania

My girlfriend and I rode with Smile Balloons as part of our summer 2025 trip through the Baltic region. After debating about whether we should for a couple of days, I realized that I would regret not doing so and decided to book our ride. 

We paid €140 each, which I thought was pretty decent. Everything else in Vilnius is very affordable, so this was a worthwhile splurge, in my opinion. The price has gone up since I traveled, so keep this in mind when booking.

Originally, I wanted to fly early in the morning. However, we had to be flexible (as I’ll discuss later); in the end, we went for an evening flight instead. It was just as magical, and I have no regrets. 

Our original plan was to fly over Vilnius, but we instead went over Trakai Castle and the Lithuanian countryside. To be honest, I’m actually happy we did it this way—though I’d definitely love to fly over Vilnius itself on a future trip. 

After booking our flight, one of the organizers reached out to me via WhatsApp. We were told that the initial flight time wasn’t possible, and due to the weather, we needed to reschedule for another day. 

Everything was pretty simple, though; we had a (tentative) rescheduled time before too long. Since the weather can change, and the hot air balloons need permission to fly, you’ll likely also be playing it by ear. We still had a few days in Vilnius, though, so this wasn’t an issue. 

Meeting in Vilnius & Driving to the Starting Point

On the day of our flight, and after everything was confirmed to go ahead, we met our driver on the outskirts of the Old Town in Vilnius. From here, we drove to Trakai and into the countryside. Then, the team started inflating the balloons.

We flew at the same time as many other hot air balloon providers. You will receive details on where the meeting spot is, depending on where you’re staying and the provider you pick. In addition to Vilnius, you can also fly above Kaunas. 

If you’re staying in Kaunas or another part of Lithuania, I definitely recommend arranging a convenient meet-up spot before the day of your flight. 

Before Flying, We Received a Briefing

We waited in a field while the hot air balloons were being inflated. It was very humid, and the mosquitoes and horseflies were clearly delighted about their free dinner 🫠. But… it is what it is. 

Before we flew, we received a briefing with all the information we needed. Our pilot told us that there would be no noise apart from when he topped up the gas in the hot air balloon. This was a surreal experience, I have to say; for some reason, I was expecting it to sound like being on an airplane. Still, it was—to use a cliché word—tranquil.  

We were also informed that while it was warm at ground level, it would be colder as we got into the sky. For me, who sweats profusely any time the temperature is above -10ºC and was very much suffering, this was music to my ears. 

Our pilot also told us that despite regularly flying hot air balloons for over a decade, he has never landed in the same place twice. While he could control how high we flew, the wind basically blew us wherever it wanted. 

Flying Over the Lithuanian Countryside

We were the first hot air balloon to take off, and by this time, the sun had started to drop lower. As a result, we got some beautiful lighting, which—as a photographer—I was of course very happy about. Before too long, we rose over the place where we had parked, and the others were waiting to take off. 

My girlfriend and I shared the balloon with a mixture of other people, and while there wasn’t a lot of space on board, there was enough for everyone. One thing I should mention is that we did not have any harnesses and whatnot; the barrier was pretty high, but you might get freaked out if you’re scared of heights (in those cases, I would strongly reconsider flying). 

Our balloon flew over the iconic Trakai Castle, which in and of itself is an easy and fun day trip from Vilnius. It’s undoubtedly Lithuania’s most famous castle, and it’s just as beautiful from the air as it is from the ground. 

In addition to the castle, we also flew over the town of Trakai itself. Moreover, we glided over a number of lakes and forests… I’ve said multiple times that Lithuania is a hugely underrated country, and I firmly felt that I was seeing some of Europe’s prettiest landscapes while we were there. 

Eventually, our hot air balloon landed close to a farm. When we got there, the cars that had driven us from Vilnius to the starting point were there to greet us. 

After landing, we received a celebratory glass of champagne and toasted together. Moreover, we got our own certificates to confirm that we had completed the flight. I still have these at home, as they’re a nice memory, even though I should definitely congratulate the pilot for his job; I was just there taking photos and admiring the views 😄. 

Good to Know: Food Usually Isn’t Included

While the glass of champagne was included as part of the fee we paid, food was not included. This will generally be the case when you fly in a hot air balloon in Lithuania.

We had a pretty big lunch beforehand, so I wasn’t too worried about waiting until afterward. Well, until I actually started to get hungry, anyway. We went for some food in Vilnius after, but I recommend eating before for evening flights. 

If you’re flying in the morning, you can always go for a nice breakfast once you’ve finished. 

Flexibility Is Vital When Booking a Lithuania Hot Air Balloon Ride

As I mentioned earlier, we had to fly at a different time—and on a different day—than originally planned. This was not an issue for us because we still had a few days in Vilnius, but it would have been if we had booked it just before leaving. 

You can also choose your preferred route, but you’ll have no control over this. The weather and wind direction will play a big role in where you can and cannot fly. Moreover, the hot air balloon pilots need permission before flying anywhere. 

If you’re prepared for these, you won’t have much to worry about. However, if you’re set on one specific route, I do encourage you to be open-minded. 

What to Look Out for When You Choose a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Lithuania

There isn’t a huge difference between the main hot air balloon ride providers in Lithuania, and you’ll often fly at the same time as the others. However, you will find a couple of private rides—in addition to others that you’ll share with strangers.

I wasn’t too bothered about sharing a hot air balloon with random people, and as a result, I just went for a normal ride. However, you can always consider a private ride if that’s what you’d prefer (it’s great for anniversaries, birthdays, and honeymoons, too). Private rides are significantly more expensive than the shared ones, so keep this in mind.

The main reason I picked Smile Balloons was that I first read the reviews and wanted to ensure safety. However, all the hot air balloon providers in Lithuania must adhere to strict EU regulations. Pilots are also very experienced, and the balloons are checked regularly. If you want extra peace of mind, though, I definitely recommend looking at your specific operator in more detail. 

Budget won’t really be a significant factor unless you’re choosing between public and private. Most of the hot air balloon rides cost roughly the same. While we paid €140, the price has increased since then; expect to pay around €180 to €190 instead for shared rides, and around €1,300 for private ones.

Some hot air balloon rides do include extra perks, such as city tours. These naturally cost more.  

Booking Your Tickets

I strongly recommend booking your tickets in advance, as hot air balloons are popular with tourists and locals. Apart from one other person, everyone else on our balloon was Lithuanian. 

You can book tickets online in advance. Once you do, you’ll receive the information you need—such as contacting the operator to arrange the trip. Depending on your choice, you can also get free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

If the operator needs to rearrange the ride, this will be free of charge. 

When Do Hot Air Balloons Fly in Lithuania?

For the most part, hot air balloons in Lithuania fly between the middle of April throughout the summer season. They’ll then stop flying at the end of October for the winter period. We visited Lithuania in August, which was better for more predictable weather. 

Some hot air balloons will fly in February and March, but pretty much the whole industry shuts down for at least some of winter. 

Do I Recommend Joining a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Lithuania?

Despite hesitating before booking (which I acknowledge is silly for a bucket list experience, but I digress), I can firmly say that riding in a hot air balloon is well worth the money. Doing so was the highlight of my summer trip to Lithuania and the entire Baltic region. 

Getting to see Lithuania from above and admire the countryside, along with Trakai Castle, was super nice. Our pilot was also happy to communicate in English with us, which meant that we got all the information we needed. I also felt safe throughout the trip. 

The only people I would not recommend flying in a hot air balloon are those who are scared of heights and anyone with heart problems. The heights thing is huge, in particular; even I felt uneasy at times, as anyone would be if they were hundreds of meters in the air. You also shouldn’t take these tours if you’re pregnant.

Otherwise, I loved riding in a hot air balloon—and when I return to Lithuania, I will likely do it again. If you’re on the fence, my recommendation is to just do it. 

Final Thoughts

Lithuania is synonymous with hot air balloons, and if you get the chance to, you definitely should ride in one. Regardless of where you fly over, it’s a memorable experience and a great way to see the country from a unique angle. 

Even though I’d have loved to fly over Vilnius, going above Trakai Castle and its surroundings wasn’t a bad backup plan. You’ll need to be flexible in your planning, but if you are, this is definitely something worth adding to your itinerary. 

Now that you’ve read this guide, you should have a better idea of whether you should ride in a hot air balloon over Lithuania when you visit. If you need more help, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll assist in any way I can. 

Before Visiting Lithuania, Don’t Forget These…

• Get an affordable eSIM with Saily
• Check out my guide on how to spend 3 days in Vilnius
• Read my other Baltic travel guides
• Sign up for a free Wise account and pay in EUR like a local, while waiving exchange fees