Booking choice: The sunrise flight with breakfast, from $239 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Balloons need calm, stable air, which you get in the hour or two after sunrise and before sunset, never in the middle of the day. In Phoenix, sunrise flights run every day of the year, weather permitting, while sunset flights are seasonal because afternoons are too hot and bumpy for most of the year.
Both are beautiful. The choice comes down to your dates, your budget and how you feel about a 4:30 AM alarm.
The quick answer
Choose sunrise if you are visiting between April and October, want the lowest price or want breakfast: flights run daily from $199. Choose sunset if you are visiting between November and March, hate early starts and do not mind paying from $250, with appetizers rather than breakfast.
What is the difference between sunrise and sunset flights?
Sunrise flights run all year, cost less and end with a toast or breakfast; sunset flights run only in the cool season, cost more and end with appetizers.
| Sunrise | Sunset | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Every day, all year | About November to March |
| From (adult) | $199 to $239 | $250 to $269 |
| Check-in | About 1 hour before sunrise | Mid-afternoon |
| After landing | Toast, snacks or breakfast | Toast, snacks or fruit and cheese |
| Air | Usually the calmest of the day | Calm, but more variable |
Visiting outside winter? Sunrise is the flight that runs every day.
Check dates for the sunrise flight with breakfastWhich is cheaper?
Sunrise: shared sunrise flights start at $199, against $250 for the cheapest sunset flight.
Hot Air Expeditions also lists its afternoon flight at $259 per adult on its own site, $20 more than its sunrise breakfast flight.
When do sunset flights run?
Only in the cooler months: Rainbow Ryders flies sunsets from November to March, and Hot Air Expeditions from November 1 to March 15.
From spring to autumn, afternoon heat stirs up thermals that make flying unsafe, so operators stick to sunrise. In summer, sunrise check-in can be as early as 4:30 AM, before the heat builds.
Which has better light and views?
Both are golden; at sunrise you watch the sun clear the mountains, and at sunset the desert glows as the sun drops.
One sunset flyer noted that the balloon is not usually in the air at the exact moment of sunset, because it must land with enough light; the ceremony on the ground happens with the sunset behind it. At sunrise you are typically airborne as the sun comes up.
Which is calmer and less likely to be cancelled?
Sunrise usually has the steadiest air of the day, which is why most balloon flying everywhere happens in the morning.
Both can be cancelled for wind. If your dates are tight, a sunrise flight early in your trip gives you the most chances to rebook.
Want the calmest air and the best ratings? Rainbow Ryders flies sunrise from Glendale every day.
Explore Rainbow Ryders at sunriseCan you get breakfast on a sunset flight?
No. Breakfast belongs to the morning: Hot Air Expeditions' sunrise flight serves it, and its sunset flight ends with a fruit and cheese plate.
See balloon rides with breakfast for what each flight serves.
Which suits families and non-morning people?
Sunset suits young children and night owls; sunrise suits early risers, jet-lagged visitors from the east and anyone flying in summer.
Visitors from Europe or the East Coast often find a 5 AM start surprisingly easy in their first days. Families with small children may prefer an afternoon check-in when it is available.
So which should you book?
Sunrise unless your trip is in winter and you really cannot face the alarm.
- Summer or autumn visit: sunrise, the only option.
- Want breakfast: the Hot Air Expeditions sunrise flight.
- Lowest price: Arizona Balloon Safaris at sunrise.
- Winter visit, hate early starts: a sunset flight from $250.
Ready for the sunrise? Check dates for the breakfast flight.
Check dates for the sunrise flight with breakfastFrequently asked questions
Are sunset balloon rides available in summer in Phoenix?
No. Sunset flights run only in the cooler months, roughly November to March; in summer, balloons fly only at sunrise.
Is sunrise or sunset better for photos?
Both give golden light. Sunrise has long shadows over the saguaros while you are in the air; at sunset the landing ceremony happens against the sunset.
How early is a sunrise balloon ride?
Check-in is about an hour before sunrise: 4:30 to 5:00 AM in summer and about 5:45 to 6:30 AM in winter with Rainbow Ryders.
Ready to book
Choose your flight
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Sunrise Balloon Ride with Champagne Breakfast
- A 45 to 60 minute sunrise flight with an FAA-licensed pilot
- Champagne or sparkling cider toast at the landing site
- Catered breakfast in the desert, served at tables
Rainbow Ryders Sunset Balloon Ride
No 4 AM alarm: a dusk flight from November to March
Desert Sunset Balloon Flight with Champagne
A sunset flight with a fruit and cheese plate on landing
