Pennsylvania
Shared seats over the Amish farms around Bird-in-Hand start at $275, and flights run at sunrise and sunset all year. April to mid-November is the busy season, and Saturday sunset is Lancaster Balloon Rides' most popular slot.
| Operator | What you get | From | Length | Group | Min age | Weight limit | Cancellation | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shared Balloon Ride over Amish Farm LandIncludes Champagne toast on landing, or juice, soda or water |
$275 per person |
About 3 hours in total, about 1 hour in the air |
Check dates | |||||
Shared Lancaster County Hot Air Balloon RideIncludes Champagne toast, Refreshments, Transport from the landing site back to launch, Optional help with inflation |
$325 per person |
2.5 to 3 hours start to finish, about 1 hour in the air |
Typical flight 4 to 10 people |
6 and up | Typically around 1,000 lbs, varies with balloon size | 72 hours' notice to change or cancel online; weather cancellations rebook any time; $1 deposit, balance paid to the pilot after. | Check dates | |
Private Balloon Ride over Amish Farm LandIncludes Champagne toast on landing, or juice, soda or water |
$795 per group |
About 3 hours in total, about 1 hour in the air |
2 people at the listed price |
Check dates | ||||
Private Lancaster County Hot Air Balloon RideIncludes Champagne toast, Refreshments, Transport from the landing site back to launch |
$895 per group |
2.5 to 3 hours start to finish, about 1 hour in the air |
2 people at the listed price |
6 and up | 72 hours' notice to change or cancel online; weather cancellations rebook any time; $1 deposit, balance paid to the pilot after. | Check dates |
From each operator's own website, checked October 21, 2026. How we compare.
Lancaster Balloon Rides launches from 2727 Old Philadelphia Pike in Bird-in-Hand, a village on the eastern edge of East Lampeter Township where many residents are Amish or Mennonite. Old Philadelphia Pike, which is Route 340, runs through the village and on to the city of Lancaster, 6 miles west. The operator sells its flights as a float over Lancaster County's Amish Country, mentions snow-covered farmland in winter, and names no landmarks seen from the air.
Amish Country Balloon Rides says its shared flights cross Amish farmland near Bird-in-Hand and often launch from or land on Amish farms. It gives no meeting point online and books by phone. Lancaster Balloon Rides says its shared ride can climb to nearly a mile. On the ground, many Bird-in-Hand businesses play to visitors with an Amish theme, from horse-and-buggy rides to crafts.
Lancaster Balloon Rides flies at sunrise and sunset every day, weather permitting, because winds are usually calmest then. Sunrise passengers call its weather hotline (800-723-5884) any time after 4:30 am on flight day, and sunset passengers call two hours before launch. The outing runs 2.5 to 3 hours from start to finish, including the ride back from the landing spot, with about an hour in the air.
The ground crew prepares and launches the balloon, tracks it, and meets passengers wherever it lands. Lancaster Balloon Rides then holds a celebration with champagne, soda, water and light snacks before the drive back to the launch site; tips are not in the price and go to crew members directly. Amish Country Balloon Rides pours champagne, or juice, soda or water, after landing, and puts its private flights at about three hours with about an hour aloft. Its private evening flights land just before sunset.
Lancaster Balloon Rides flies year-round when weather allows and calls April through mid-November its busiest stretch, with Saturday sunset its most popular slot. It suggests booking at least 10 days ahead, though same-day seats sometimes open. It publishes no wind or rain limits. A weather cancellation can be rebooked at any time, while any other change or cancellation needs 72 hours' notice.
Discover Lancaster listed a Bird-in-Hand Hot Air Balloon Festival for September 25 to 26, 2026, run as a partnership with Balloon Shows USA. It promised tethered ascents, wagon rides, and tethered glows and laser shows once the lights came on at 8:30 in the evening. The Lancaster Balloon Festival & Country Fair, a sister business of Lancaster Balloon Rides, sells morning and evening flights Friday to Sunday, and had posted no dates beyond 2025 as of October 2026.
Lancaster Balloon Rides is run by The US Hot Air Balloon Team, which cites more than 30 years of flying. Its shared flight starts at $275 on its Lancaster County page and $325 on its booking page, and it says prices vary by season and day of the week. Private flights for two start at $895. Booking costs $1 per order online; the balance goes to the pilot after the flight, with 5% off for cash.
Its typical flight carries 4 to 10 people, with a weight limit of around 1,000 pounds depending on the balloon. Riders must be 6 or older, with no height rule. A basket with a door lets wheelchair users roll straight in, for passengers without full mobility. Changes and cancellations need 72 hours' notice.
Amish Country Balloon Rides lists $275 per person for a shared flight and $795 for a private flight for two, and books only by phone. Owner and pilot Ken Sklute says he has been a commercial pilot for more than 30 years and flew at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for 10 years. He says he has offered rides in Lancaster County for six years. The company publishes no age, weight or group-size rules and no cancellation terms.
from $275 per person
Shared Balloon Ride over Amish Farm Land and 1 more option
Owner and pilot Ken Sklute says he has been a commercial balloon pilot for over 30 years
from $325 per person
Shared Lancaster County Hot Air Balloon Ride and 1 more option
Run by The US Hot Air Balloon Team, which cites 30+ years of experience
Prices and policies come from each operator's own pages, read on October 21, 2026. Seasons, rules and local details come from the pages below.