Vilnius & Trakai: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Pickup & Wine

Summary

Float over Vilnius Old Town or Trakai Castle at sunrise

You’ll float above Vilnius or Trakai in a hot air balloon as city rooftops or castle towers drift beneath you. With hotel pickup and a friendly local pilot guiding the way, you’ll sip sparkling wine midair and catch those early-morning colors only seen from above. There’s nothing quite like that hush before landing.

What’s the experience like?

Hands gripping the basket edge tighter than I’d admit, I watched our pilot—Romas, I think he said—test the wind with a little strip of fabric. The grass was still damp near Vilnius Old Town, and there was this faint smell of cut hay mixed with city coffee drifting up. Romas just grinned and said something about “perfect morning for flying.” I didn’t know what to expect from a hot air balloon ride over Vilnius, honestly—I mean, how often do you get to float right above those baroque rooftops?

The first few minutes were quiet except for the burner’s whoosh and someone’s nervous laugh (okay, mine). You could see all of Vilnius laid out below—church spires poking up through mist, cobbled lanes twisting like old stories. Our guide pointed out Gediminas’ Tower and tried to tell us which church was which. At one point he handed me a glass of sparkling wine—at 7am!—and told me it was tradition here after landing. I almost spilled it when we drifted right over a flock of pigeons rising from a square.

Some days, flights can’t go over Vilnius because of airport traffic. We ended up in Trakai once when the weather changed last minute—no big deal since they handle all the transfers. Floating above that island castle in Trakai felt different: more lakes, more green, and this odd silence except for kids shouting somewhere far below. The light on the water was unreal; I still think about that view sometimes when I hear geese overhead back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot air balloon ride over Vilnius or Trakai

• Transfer to launch site
• Fly over Vilnius Old Town
• Observe UNESCO heritage site
• Fly over Trakai castle if Vilnius flight unavailable
• Return from balloon landing

Top questions

Can you fly a hot air balloon directly over Vilnius Old Town?

Yes, but flights over Vilnius depend on weather and airport restrictions; sometimes flights go over Trakai instead.

Is hotel pickup included in the hot air balloon tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included with your booking.

How long does the balloon flight last?

The flight usually lasts between 45 and 70 minutes.

What happens if weather conditions prevent flying over Vilnius?

If flying over Vilnius isn’t possible due to weather or air traffic, you’ll be transferred to Trakai for your flight instead.

Is sparkling wine served during the flight?

Yes, a glass of sparkling wine is included as part of the experience.

Are children allowed on the hot air balloon ride?

Children must be taller than 120 cm and accompanied by an adult; not recommended for kids under 7 years old.

Is there live commentary during the balloon ride?

Yes, your pilot provides live commentary on board throughout the flight.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off wherever you’re staying in Vilnius or near Trakai, all taxes and fees handled ahead of time so there’s no fuss at launch, live commentary from your pilot while floating above rooftops or lakesides, a glass of sparkling wine to toast midair (yes—even in the morning), and about 45–70 minutes drifting wherever the wind decides to take you before heading back down to earth together.