What to Wear for a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Dubai (+ First-Flight Guide)

For a Dubai hot air balloon flight, wear light layers you can remove as the morning warms up, closed flat shoes, and bring a cap or light jacket for the pre-dawn cold. The single most common surprise for first-time flyers is the temperature — even in a city known for heat, 4 AM in the desert is genuinely cold, and it’s cooler again once you’re airborne at altitude.

What should you wear for a sunrise balloon flight in Dubai?

Layering is the key idea. Start with a breathable base layer, add a light jacket or sweater you can take off once the sun is up and you’re back on the ground, and skip anything too bulky — you’ll be standing in a basket, not sitting, so freedom of movement matters. Avoid loose scarves or anything that could catch on the basket rail or burner equipment. A cap is worth packing too, both for warmth before sunrise and sun protection once you land.

Is it cold in a hot air balloon at 4,000 ft?

Yes — expect it to feel a few degrees cooler in the air than it does on the ground, on top of an already cool pre-dawn start. Combined with the light morning breeze at altitude, most guests are glad they layered up rather than dressed for daytime Dubai heat. The good news: once you land and the sun is fully up, temperatures climb quickly, so you’ll likely be shedding a layer or two by breakfast.

What shoes work in a balloon basket and on sand?

Closed, flat shoes are the practical choice — sneakers or light hiking shoes work well. Sandals and open shoes aren’t ideal for the basket floor or for the sandy ground around the launch site, and heels are a genuinely bad idea on sand. If your package includes dune bashing, quad biking or a camel ride, closed shoes matter even more.

What should you bring — and leave at the hotel?

Worth bringing:

• A phone or camera (secured with a strap or in a zipped pocket)
• Sunglasses for once the sun is up
• A light jacket or layer for the pre-dawn cold
• Any ID required for your booking (passport, Emirates ID, or other government-issued ID)

Better left at the hotel: valuables you don’t need for the morning, bulky bags (the basket has limited space), and anything you’d be upset to drop — the basket floor has gaps and a dropped item can be genuinely hard to recover mid-flight.

What does a first flight actually feel like?

Quieter and gentler than most first-timers expect. Take-off is a slow, steady lift rather than a sudden jolt — you’ll notice the ground receding gradually rather than feeling thrown backward the way you might on a plane. Once airborne, the ride is smooth; the main sound is the occasional burner blast, and between those it’s genuinely peaceful. Landing involves a soft skid rather than a hard stop, and the crew briefs you on the brace position beforehand so it’s not a surprise.

Is it safe if you’re scared of heights?

Many guests who describe themselves as nervous about heights say a balloon flight feels different from other high-altitude experiences — there’s no ledge, no sensation of looking straight down over an edge, and the basket itself feels solid and enclosed rather than exposed. The ascent is slow enough that your body has time to adjust, rather than the sudden climb of a rollercoaster or a plane takeoff. If height anxiety is a real concern, mention it when booking — the crew can offer reassurance and positioning tips before you fly.

Can you take photos and videos on board?

Yes — phones and cameras are welcome, and most guests take plenty of photos during the flight. A wrist strap or secure pocket is worth using so nothing slips out of the basket. If you’d rather focus on the experience and let someone else capture it, the Edited Flight Video add-on (AED 200, included free on the Private Balloon Flight) gives you professional footage without needing to film it yourself.

Ready to book? See the full package list or check the sunrise flight timeline for exactly what your morning will look like, hour by hour.