Hot air balloon rides in Chiang Mai
A balloon flight over Chiang Mai depends on calm, dry mornings. The most comfortable months are December and January, with highs around 85°F (30°C) and about 1 rainy days a month.
Photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top hot air balloon rides in Chiang Mai
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How to pick a good hot air balloon ride
- Flights leave around sunrise, when the air is calmest. Expect a pickup one to two hours before dawn.
- Balloon flights are often cancelled for wind or rain. Book early in your trip so there's time to rebook.
- Time in the air is usually about an hour; the whole outing, with transfers, takes three to four.
- Check basket size. Smaller baskets with 8 to 12 passengers feel very different from 20-person ones.
Chiang Mai month by month
Averages for Chiang Mai, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 86 (30) | 91 (33) | 96 (35) | 98 (37) | 94 (35) | 92 (33) | 90 (32) | 89 (32) | 90 (32) | 89 (32) | 87 (31) | 85 (29) |
| Low °F (°C) | 60 (16) | 62 (17) | 68 (20) | 74 (23) | 76 (24) | 76 (25) | 76 (24) | 75 (24) | 75 (24) | 73 (23) | 68 (20) | 62 (17) |
| Rainy days | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:07 pm | 6:24 pm | 6:34 pm | 6:41 pm | 6:51 pm | 7:02 pm | 7:05 pm | 6:52 pm | 6:27 pm | 6:02 pm | 5:46 pm | 5:49 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for hot air balloon rides in Chiang Mai?
December and January. Expect highs around 85°F (30°C) and about 1 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are April and August.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Operators cancel when wind, rain or low cloud make flying unsafe, and usually offer another date or a refund. August is the rainiest month in Chiang Mai, so leave spare days if you travel then.
Where can I book hot air balloon rides in Chiang Mai?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
