If you are looking to purchase a hot air balloon, you can expect to pay quite a bit of money.
The balloons are going to vary in size and the number of passengers they can carry.
Some balloons are built for speed, others for performance, and some are for beginners.
Make sure you consider all the features and options when you purchase a hot air balloon.
How Much Does a Hot Air Balloon Cost to Buy?
The average hot air balloon cost for a small 2 person is $22,000.
To carry a pilot plus 4 passengers the average cost is $35,000 to over $45,000.
These prices include the Fuel Tanks, Gondola, and instruments.
It also does not include any ground equipment.
You will have to contact the manufacturers directly to get exact pricing.
The features and capabilities of the balloon are going to largely determine the pricing.
Let’s take a look at some pricing examples of hot air balloons.
1. UltraMagic H Series
If you are a new pilot in the market for a balloon, the UltraMagic H Series could be the perfect choice.
With the H Series, you will get durability combined with a very fair price.
The H Series is not a very large balloon, so you are only going to be able to bring about four people maximum on a flight.
For a person just getting into the world of hot air balloons, this will be just what is needed.
The H Series is going to be one of the more competitively priced options on the market.
When you reach out to UltraMagic about pricing, they will give you a specific price based on all of the features and options you choose.
2. Lindstrand A Series
Lindstrand Balloons USA makes three basic models, and the A Series is considered to be their base model.
If you are just starting out in hot air ballooning and want something that is easy to use and affordable, the Lindstrand is a great choice.
One of the things we like about Lindstrand is that they keep things rather simple.
You will notice that choosing between their models will be simple, and they help to guide you along the way as you make your choice.
Another great thing about Lindstrand is the color choices you will get.
With 20 options to choose from, you will get a design that you love.
In addition, there is a lot of customization that can be done to the basket.
3. FireFly 12B
FireFly is a very easy company to work with and has some great options for all different price ranges.
The 12B is a big balloon and is undoubtedly going to sit a bit higher on the price range.
This balloon is more than 86 feet tall, and because of that, you will have some added expenses.
For instance, you will need extra fuel tanks just to get the 12B up in the air.
You will spend close to 70,000 dollars on a 12B, so make sure hot air ballooning is something you plan to do for a while.
4. Cameron Balloons A-Type
The A-Type is a passenger balloon available in several models.
You can lift anywhere from five to 18 people with the A-Type, and it has tremendous strength.
The bulbous gores help to give the A-Type the lift it needs while still giving it a great look in the sky.
One of our favorite things about these Cameron A-Type balloons is that you will get a six-year warranty.
Certainly, this will be enough time to make sure this balloon is performing as it should.
Cameron is a bit secretive about their pricing, and they require some information from you before they will give you a quote.
You can imagine they are in the same range as other similar 5- to 18-passenger balloons.
5. UltraMagic MV Series The Racer
If you are a hot air balloon pilot who enjoys racing, the UltraMagic Racer is a great option.
For pilots who are new to racing and want a balloon that is fun to fly and slightly more affordable than other racers, the MV series is a great choice.
Although the Racer is not quite as technologically advanced as other racer models on the market, it still can get the job done.
If you get very competitive and involved in racing, you may want to consider something a bit more advanced.
UltraMagic will give you a quote on their website when you fill in all of the features and needs that you would have in your racing balloon.
6. Kubicek Ballons Model E
Kubicek makes some great balloons, but depending on where you live, the shipping could be quite expensive.
Overall, this is a mid-range company when it comes to the pricing of their balloons.
The E is a small balloon which is going to be the cheapest model offered by Kubicek.
Part of the reason it is so cheap is the size and the ability to fit people on the balloon.
Depending on the options you choose and the setup you go for, you will be able to bring one other person along with you for the ride.
The Kubicek E series balloon is a perfect choice for those who are just getting started in hot air ballooning.
7. Cameron Balloons O-Type
The Cameron Balloons O-Type is built for carrying passengers, commercial flights, or promotional work as well.
This is described as a fun balloon to fly, and versatility is certainly one of its strong points.
Of course, you will need to include the basket and other accessories, but with an entire O-Type package, you will spend right around $32,000.
8. FireFly 8
The FireFly 8 works as a commercial balloon and for personal use as well.
The FireFly 8 is about 67 feet high, which makes it slightly more manageable than the 86-foot FireFly balloon.
This balloon has 24 gores, and you can get a design that will suit your needs exactly.
The size also allows you to choose a few different size baskets as well.
Certainly, this will make things a bit easier when you have options as opposed to being stuck with one large basket.
9. UltraMagic M Series
The UltraMagic balloons offer some of the better values on the market.
You will be impressed with what you can get for the price of this balloon.
Overall, the UltraMagic is a good medium-sized balloon.
This option will be great for promotional use or for a small- to medium-sized commercial hot air balloon operation.
With the ability to fit eight people in total, you can start to recoup some of your money from the purchase of the Ultra Magic M Series in a short period of time.
The UltraMagic is a good balloon for advertising as well.
10. Cameron Balloons N-Type
The N Type is an excellent solution if you need to display artwork.
The surface of this balloon is going to be almost flat, and it will allow for showing off even the most complicated of designs.
This is mostly a promotional hot air balloon, and you will not use this for commercial or passenger flights.
Commercial-type balloons will have slightly different pricing, so you will have to contact Cameron Balloons directly to get the latest quotes on a hot air balloon like this.
11. Kubicek Model Z
The Model Z is going to be an option which could appeal to a large range of people.
With the Kubicek Z, you are going to get a lot of different choices and options.
If you are in the market for a hot air balloon but are not sure what to choose, chances are there are Model Z options that will work for you.
With the Model Z, you can choose something just for you and your family, or you can pick an option that will help you start a hot air balloon business as well.
When you start looking at some of the Model Z options that are built for 20 or more passengers, it is going to get quite a bit more expensive.
For the smaller balloons, the pricing will be significantly less.
12. Cameron Balloons Concept
The Concept is going to be the lowest cost of the Cameron balloons.
This is a lightweight balloon that will work for competition, a few passengers, or just a trip around the area for yourself.
Even though the Concept has the lowest cost in this lineup, you won’t have to worry about quality.
With Cameron Balloons being a leading manufacturer, they are not about to put out a bad hot air balloon option.
13. Lindstrand E Series
The Lindstrand E Series is their value balloon.
If you have big dreams of making a living in the hot air balloon industry, we don’t recommend purchasing this model.
The E Series is best for personal use, and it is more of a sport type balloon.
You will notice that the E Series is easy to manage and to fly.
It will not be overly large and cumbersome if you need to transport the balloon.
The basket sizes available on the E Series are going to be smaller than other options on the market.
You will have to fill out your information on the Lindstrand website to get a quote, but chances are this one is going to be priced very fairly compared to others on our list.
14. Kubicek Model P
If you are looking to start a hot air balloon business or grow your current business, the Model P is a great choice.
With the Model P, you can purchase a basket that will carry a large number of people.
Although commercial type balloons like this are going to be priced higher than the personal models, you will have the ability to make your money back.
The Model P is going to rival some of the highest priced balloons on the market.
15. Cameron Balloons Viva
The Viva is a lightweight model that is available in a teardrop shape.
If you enjoy some speed and performance flights, the Viva is a great choice.
The Viva will allow for some simple artwork but certainly not the amount that the N-Type will allow.
The Viva is not going to be the highest priced model, but you will have to contact Cameron to get a current quote.
While you have them on the phone, be sure to ask about financing as they do have some options.
16. FireFly 11B
The FireFly 11B is another balloon that will price out above the $60,000 mark.
The 11B is not quite as big as the 12, but it certainly is one of the larger balloons on the market.
The 11B is built for transporting quite a few passengers around.
If you are starting a new business and think it is going to be a big hit, the 11B should do the job for you.
17. UltraMagic S Series
The S Series is a great choice for those who like something a bit larger but sporty as well.
Depending on what size basket you go with, you can get a balloon that fits about seven people in total.
The S Series is a lightweight design which comes in a few different sizes to help you find a fit that works for your specific needs.
The S Series is going to be priced in the middle range, and UltraMagic will give you the exact figures on the pricing of this balloon as it will vary based on features.
18. UltraMagic V Series
The V Series by UltraMagic is going to be a bit smaller than the S Series in that it is a 24-gore design.
The shape of the balloon is more of a natural shape, and you can customize the artwork patterns on the balloon.
This balloon would work for a small business operation, but you will see most people using the V Series as a personal flight option.
19. Lindstrand X Series
As you may remember, Lindstrand has three basic models to choose from, and they are all very high quality.
The X Series is the higher-performing balloon for the more advanced flyers.
Although the X Series is not quite a racing design, it is often used in competition.
Our favorite thing about the X series is that it is going to burn considerably less fuel than other models.
The X Series balloons are going to be the most expensive from Lindstrand.
With their history of flying and the impressive background, they have certainly earned this ability to charge higher prices.
20. Ultra Magic N Series
If you have a functioning hot air balloon business and you want to add another balloon to your fleet, the N Series is a perfect choice.
There are several basket options which will work with the N series, and they are all going to allow for quite a few passengers.
One of the things we like the most about the N Series is that the safety features are great.
For something with a fair price that also has the ability to help you make some back, the Ultra Magic N Series is a great choice.
21. Ultra Magic Z Series
If searching for hot air balloons has you overwhelmed and annoyed, the Z Series could be a great choice to consider.
This is a simple design that will hold four passengers.
You won’t have so many decisions to make with a balloon like this.
The UltraMagic is a very popular balloon which has made its way around many countries.
You will be able to get this in a variety of color options so that you get something that works well for your style.
22. Kubicek eXtreme Racer
You may have noticed that all of these brands make a variety of models to work for all types of hot air balloon pilots.
The eXtreme Racer is a racing balloon for those who want to travel as fast as possible.
With racing balloons, you are going to notice that only the pilot and potentially one passenger will be able to go along for the ride.
Built with performance in mind, racing balloons can add up quite quickly in cost.
23. FireFly 10
The Firefly 10 is one of the most durable hot air balloons on the market.
It is priced a little lower than some of the other FireFly models, but it will still be right around $50,000 for this model.
The FireFly10 is going to work for passengers as well.
This is a large model that will carry a lot of people, but if you want something from FireFly, it won’t be a bad deal.
24. UltraMagic T Series
The T Series is a commercial type passenger balloon but for smaller groups of people.
The most you can fit on the UltraMagic is going to be 11 passengers.
For some hot air balloon pilots, this is all they are looking for.
The great thing about the T series is that it will be priced a lot lower when compared to other balloons.
Since this model is smaller and easier to manage, it may be better for a newer commercial hot air balloon pilot.
Again, UltraMagic will have you go through a quoting process to get the pricing on their T Series, but you will find this one to be priced quite a bit lower than the N Series.
25. FireFly 7B
When you want something that is affordable but also high performing, the FireFly 7B could be the best choice.
With the 7B, you will get a slightly smaller balloon, but it has lots of capability as well.
Most of the time, you are going to have a few passengers with you, but this will not be a balloon that will make you a ton of money carrying large groups around.
The 7B works for a newer pilot who does not want a large 80-foot balloon to manage.
This is a 57-foot balloon that has some great power and room for three fuel tanks.
A FireFly 7B is going to cost around $25,000 depending on the options you choose.
26. Kubicek SuperSport
With a sport balloon, you can expect some racing type features and some additional abilities to bring passengers along for the ride.
With the SuperSport, you can bring along three additional passengers with you.
The SuperSport is very expensive for what you get and has some looking at other sport balloons as opposed to this one.
One good thing is that the eXtreme Racer was developed with the technology discovered when making the SuperSport, and that Racer is a great balloon.
You will have to contact Kubicek directly for a balloon-like this, but you can expect to pay more than $50,000.
27. Cameron Balloons Z-Type
The Z Type is, without a doubt, a racing balloon.
Although the pricing changes often on these, you will likely be looking at about $20,000 for just the envelope.
The Z Type is powerful enough to work in both competitive and fun settings, and it has lots of room for customization.
You will have lots of ability to work on this 24-gore smooth envelope to make this a very unique looking balloon.
For the price people pay for hot air balloons, the ability to customize is certainly important.
28. UltraMagic B Series
The interesting thing about the B Series is that it was initially designed as a special order, and now it is one of their standard balloon shapes.
This is a popular shape and style which can be used for a variety of applications.
The UltraMagic B is a good option for people who are new at flying.
It is easy to maneuver and a great way to start a small hot air balloon operating a business.
The UltraMagic balloons are quite durable, and they are priced within a range that is fair for the market.
29. UltraMagic G Series
If you have been a hot air balloon pilot for quite some time, you know of the traditional bulbous shaped balloons that have started to dwindle away.
The G Series brings that shape back.
With this classic shape, you can create some very interesting designs.
This makes the G Series good for promotional reasons as well.
The G Series is not available in larger sizes for carrying a lot of passengers around as four people is about the max that this will fit.
30. Cameron Balloons ZL Racer
If you remember the Z Type Cameron Balloon, we explained that it was built for racing.
With the Z Type, you can race for fun or professionally.
If you race professionally, you are going to want the ZL Racer.
The ZL Racer will be more expensive because of its capabilities, but most serious pilots find it worth the extra money.
The ZL Racer is available in eight volumes and lots of features and upgrades for those who want the ultimate racing experience.
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