Bungee jumping is extreme, accessible, affordable, and thrilling. Hot air balloons offer a unique but equally thrilling experience that is quite different from bungee jumping. Many thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies want to pair the two experiences together. So, can you go bungee jumping from a hot air balloon?
Yes, you can go bungee jumping from a hot air balloon. You’ll jump from at least 165 feet high, other extreme tours you jump from 2,000 feet or more. You will be strapped into a harness that is secured to the hot air balloon basket, you are either pulled back up with a winch or un-clipped to go skydiving.
You can find hot air balloon bungee jumping services all over the world, including Bulgaria, Sweden, and the United States. Although it isn’t as popular as you would think, the tours are certainly limited. Follow along as we explore everything that you need to know before you go bungee jumping from a hot air balloon.
Can You Bungee Jump from a Hot Air Balloon?
You can bungee jump from a hot air balloon, and it’s one of the most thrilling action sports experiences. The combined experience of being in a hot air balloon and bungee jumping is more extreme than doing either individually. Most services have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old for bungee jumping from a hot air balloon.
How Does It Work?
The experience starts with an instructional safety briefing. Your pilot or the crew will explain the importance of your harness, the bungee cord, and where to stand as you ascend. From there, you will take off and soar in the air anywhere between 165 and 2,000 feet, possibly higher!
The crew will strap you in and check your harness and bungee cord to make sure it is safe. You can only jump once you reach the designated jump site. Once you reach the jump site, they will double-check your safety harness and bungee cord.
Now, it is time to jump. The crew will help you stand up and get steady. You must jump while you are over the designated jump zone, so there is no time to hesitate. After you jump, you will come up and down several times until you slow down and it’s time for them to pull you back up.
Sometimes skydivers partake in hot air balloon bungee jumping and will just un-clip or cut themselves off the bungee and begin their freefall. This is taking hot air balloon bungee jumping to the next level.
Watch this video of hot air balloon bungee jumping in action, the jump starts at 1 minute but the full video is great:
How High is the Hot Air Balloon?
Bungee jumping from a hot air balloon typically involves flying at least 165 feet in the air. However, some services take up as high as 25,000 feet. You typically have to pay more to fly higher because of the cost of fuel and the duration of the flight.
In many cases, the height of your bungee jump is at the discretion of the pilot. They take note of the wind conditions, the comfort of the passenger, and the jump site.
How Do they Pull You Back Up?
The crew on the hot air balloon pulls you back up by the bungee cord. This typically involves a winch system that steadily brings you back to the balloon. Once you are back on the hot air balloon, the pilot will slowly descend the hot air balloon to the ground or go for a sightseeing ride.
Is Hot Air Balloon Bungee Jumping Different from Standard Bungee Jumping?
The main difference between standard bungee jumping and jumping from a hot air balloon is that it’s a more extreme experience. Standard bungee jumping involves walking or hiking to a jump site, such as a bridge, and jumping. Hot air balloon bungee jumping includes a fun ride in a hot air balloon hundreds of feet (or thousands) above the ground.
The added experience of soaring through the air in a hot air balloon makes it feel more akin to skydiving than bungee jumping.
How Much Does It Cost to Bungee Jump from a Hot Air Balloon?
It typically only costs $250 to bungee jump from a hot air balloon, and it’s worth every penny. The cost varies between companies, operators, and your location. Many services also offer tiered packages at different costs depending on how many people you go with or how high you jump from.
Some companies charge over $2,000 to take you up to 25,000 feet. That is because this requires more fuel and the experience lasts longer.
3 Best Places to Bungee Jump from a Hot Air Balloon
1. BUNGY STHLM in Sweden
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If you ever find yourself in Sweden, you have the chance to experience one of the best hot air balloon bungee jumps in the world. It costs 4795 SEK per adult which is the equivalent of approximately $450 U.S. dollars. Here is there price breakdown:
| Student/Youth Price | 4,315 SEK |
| Adult Price | 4,795 SEK |
| Group of 5 Price | 21,575 SEK |
BUNGY STHLM offers standard balloon rides or deals that include bungee jumping.
You will jump between 265 and 600 meters which are higher than many hot air balloon bungee jumps anywhere in the world. The maximum jump height is the equivalent of 1,968 feet, which is absolutely amazing!
2. Izvos, Bulgaria Bungee over the Legendary Belogradchik Rocks
New #Tour in #Bulgaria #AdrenalineExtreme https://t.co/9yrwmlaSaO Hot Air Balloon Bungee-Jump Experience over the Legendary Belogradchik Rocks pic.twitter.com/8lKvaVmAye
— TravelToe (@TravelToe) May 23, 2019
Look no further than Izvos, Bulgaria Bungee over the Legendary Belogradchik Rocks for the best hot air balloon bungee jump in Bulgaria. This experience is unique as it has the backdrop of the gorgeous Belogradchik Rocks.
You jump from 50 meters (164 feet) and bounce over a beautiful landscape. This is the best option for large groups as they can take 10 people at a time.
3. StL Bungy in Kansas
StL Bungy in Kansas offers one of the best hot air balloon bungee jumping values you can find. It currently only costs $125, but it has cost up to $250 previously. Anyone over 18 years old is welcome to jump from the balloon unless they weigh over 260 pounds.
You can also go on the flight if you are 16 or 17 years old as long as a parent or legal guardian is with you. It is located near Topeka, Kansas which is home to many natural beauties, so you have plenty to see in the nearby area after your jump.
As of 2023, the StL Bungy in Kansas is no longer open for booking.
What is the Hot Air Balloon Swing?
Hot air balloon swing, also known as “cloud swing” or “sky swing,” is a thrilling activity that involves swinging from a hot air balloon basket while it’s suspended in the air. The swing is made of strong ropes that are attached to the balloon and securely fastened to either a seat or a handle bar.
The person swinging is not connected like they are when bungee jumping, they are fully geared up to go skydiving and can jump from the seat or let go of the handle to begin their free fall whenever they please.
This thrilling activity is not a “book it and go” tour, it is performed by professionals such as the RedBull team, take a look at the hot air balloon “Mega Swing” performed by RedBull athletes:
Is Bungee Jumping from a Hot Air Balloon Legal in the USA?
Bungee jumping from a hot air balloon is not explicitly illegal in the USA, but it is not commonly offered due to safety concerns and regulatory restrictions. Before attempting this activity, it is absolutely essential to consult with an experienced and licensed operator who can ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place.
It’s always important to check local regulations and restrictions in the area where you plan to participate in this activity as rules and laws change frequently.
You should go bungee jumping from a hot air balloon because it’s one of the most memorable extreme sports experiences in the world. Riding in a hot air balloon alone is thrilling and extreme. Adding the extra element of bungee jumping from between 165 and 2000 feet is breathtaking.
It is a unique experience because you get the benefits of skydiving in the sense that you can see the world beneath you from a different perspective. Hot air balloon bungee jumping is also affordable and costs as little as $250 in many cases which is reasonable for extreme sports activities.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!