Choose Trakai if you:
Dream of flying over lakes and a medieval island castle – the classic Lithuanian photo.
Plan a proposal, anniversary or family trip and want a more intimate, nature‑centric setting.
Choose Vilnius if you:
Want to see one of Europe’s few capitals where balloon flights are allowed directly over the city.
Prefer a lively skyline mix of baroque towers, rivers, and modern districts.
Scenery
Vilnius: UNESCO-listed Old Town, baroque church towers, Neris River and a vibrant mix of historic and modern skyline.
Trakai: Island Castle surrounded by lakes and forests – the classic postcard-perfect Lithuanian landscape.
Vibe
Vilnius: Urban and vibrant – ideal for city breaks and first-time visitors who want to discover Vilnius from above.
Trakai: Romantic and tranquil – perfect for proposals, anniversaries and relaxed family trips.
Best for
Vilnius: City explorers, photography lovers, people on a Vilnius city trip who want to see the capital from the sky.
Trakai: Couples, families, nature lovers and anyone seeking the fairy-tale castle-over-lakes bucket list experience.
Meeting point
Vilnius: Around Vilnius; the final launch site is chosen by the pilot on the day for the
Reserve your spot with ease through our convenient online booking system.
Lift off and float gracefully through the skies, taking in breathtaking scenery.
Touch down safely, knowing you've experienced something truly extraordinary.
1–2 days before
Make sure you have the confirmation email or voucher code saved on your phone – you will need it when meeting the crew.
12 – 24 hours before
Share the exact meeting time, pickup details, and location.
Eat a light meal and avoid heavy alcohol before the flight so you feel comfortable during the 3–4 hour total experience (preparation, flight, post‑flight ceremony).
At the meeting point
Listen carefully to the pilot’s safety briefing and follow instructions during inflation, flight and landing.
Ask any last‑minute questions about health, motion sickness or nerves – the crew is experienced and happy to help.
We contact you via WhatsApp first. If WhatsApp is not available, we will reach you by email, SMS, or phone call using the details provided in your booking.
Please double‑check that your phone number, WhatsApp, and email are correct when booking, and keep an eye on your inbox (including spam/junk folders) before the flight.
How long does the experience take?
The flight itself is about 1 hour, but with preparation, briefing, inflation and post‑flight ceremony, expect around 3–4 hours in total.
Can children fly?
Yes, children are welcome; the recommendation is that they are at least 110 cm tall to see over the basket safely and minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Is it cold in the balloon?
It is usually similar to ground temperature or slightly warmer near the burner; wind chill is minimal because the balloon moves with the wind. Dressing in layers is still recommended.
Is hot air ballooning safe?
Hot air ballooning is considered one of the safest forms of aviation when operated by licensed, experienced pilots and under strict weather criteria. Smile Balloons uses modern equipment and highly experienced pilots.
Feel ready and excited?
Want to share the experience as a gift?
EXCELLENT Based on 152 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor Jan GVerified Incredible in the best way possible Incredible adventure. Due to the bad weather it wasn't sure it was happening, but the organizers checked every option to make it possible. In the end they drove us 80 minutes to a different city, so we could start from there and wouldn't miss it.They went above and beyond.The flight was unbelievable. One of the coolest things I have done so far. The pilot was super nice and gave us many intersting facts. Everything went perfectly and I can't recommend this enough. Won't be the last flight for sure.Posted on Tripadvisor alan sVerified Brilliant Experience this trip was extremely well organised, we had arranged to go on Sat evening but we were advised in plenty of time that the weather wasnt suitable, they arranged for the following evening which was fine, we were kept upto date by Whattsap with all the details, the staff were fun and friendly, and very experienced. The views were brilliant and the whole experience was great. The staff on the ground take photos which they Whattsapp to you. Finished with a traditional glass of Champagne, which was very appropriate on this trip as a very pleasant Belgian lad asked us to film him proposing to his girlfriend, fortunately she accepted.Brilliant experience.Posted on Tripadvisor Michael RVerified Balloon Ride Flawless organisation including pick-up from the hotel.Great experience with a flight team that loves what it is doing.Posted on Tripadvisor Amanda HVerified lovely private balloon tour We had a magical early morning balloon ride with Albertas. Albertas had contacted us via WhatsApp the day before to ensure that pick-up would go smoothly in the morning, which it did. We took off from the same field as another group going at the same time, which meant that we could get some lovely pictures of another balloon flying over the same area. The fog over the fields was particularly beautiful, and we had lovely clear views over the lakes around Trakai. I am actually terrified of heights (cable cars and ladders are bad for me), but once we were up in the air, the basket felt very stable, and it wasn't scary at all.Posted on Tripadvisor PsomiVerified Ballooning over Lithuania This was an incredible experience! The team was very professional and flew us safely across the Trakai Region. Highly recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor Katherine SVerified Amazing! It was amazing. Pick up was easy and well organised in advance. Transport was comfy and easy. The balloon was an amazing experience and the pilot was informative and friendly. Champagne upon landing was great good! Then Transport back was again easy, quick and comfy.Posted on Tripadvisor MerrynVerified Honest review by solo traveller Honest review from a solo traveller. Was contacted day before booking to see if I would change from afternoon flight to morning flight, this did not suit my plans. Communication was excellent regarding pick up point. Joined with 3 other passengers. Arriving at launch site was advised i would be joining another company with 10 other passengers as I was a solo passenger and sky divers would be joining this flight. Just because I am one person doesn't make me less important!I had already missed the other companies safely briefing, was given a written guide of what to expect and sign here form.Was then told to get into a basket with 10 other passengers. You could not move.They were not impressed that I Joined and I also not impressed. This was not was I had been expecting or been told about. But had little choice out in the fields of Trakai if I wanted to join a Balloon tour. The company that I Joined Oreivystes Centras and their pilot Giedrius Leskevicius where absolutely awesome. I would not hesitate to recommend them.They were more than accommodating and would not take payment for the flight, I had to pay Smile Balloon. Was dropped back to my hotel and not a pick up point. Oreivystes Centras all the way. I did have a booking for a Vilnius Balloon flight a few days after the Trakai one and when I contacted them to cancel thinking it was Oreivystes they knew all about my experience!Goes to show a good experience travels far but a bad experience travels even further... they already knew that what they did to me was not acceptable.Posted on Tripadvisor Bob OVerified Smile in the sky Smile is a very professional and easy going balloon operator, it is highly recommended. Vytas flew us over Trakai together with some skydivers who left us midway. It is a serene and beautiful experience to float high in the sky and it is worth it to book with this companyPosted on Tripadvisor Talon BVerified A must do Amazing experience. The views were great the guides were great everything was great. I was a little nervous because the weather kept pushing back the flight but they communicated great and were able to reschedule when it was safe to do so. I had a great timePosted on Tripadvisor Iain HVerified You must do this if you're in Vilnius What a wonderful experience. We got picked up at our hotel and driven to the take off location which was rural and outside Trakai. We then flew over the area and our pilot pointed out things of interest and explained about ballooning. The landing was great fun and the sparkling wine and certificates were a surprise.
Choose Smile Balloons for your hot air ballooning adventure and let us turn your dreams of soaring through the skies into an unforgettable reality. Choose from a variety of convenient flight times to suit your preferences and enjoy the skies on your terms.