As has been the case with most secondary and tertiary Taiwan experiences, my interest in Taiwan’s balloon festival began germinating during the summer of 2020 when I was “trapped” on the island. (I put this in quotes, of course, because Taiwan isn’t a bad place to be stuck.)
I did a lot of travel that summer, including to Taitung, where the festival takes place. But for one reason or another, I didn’t make it up to the Luye Highlands then.
The good news? I finally made it to the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival this year (which is 2024, in case you happen to be reading this article in the distant future). The better news? I’m here to break it all down for you today.
Why I Waited Until Now to See Hot Air Balloons in Taiwan
As I hinted at in the introduction to this post, I don’t actually remember why I chose not to go to the Taiwan balloon festival in 2020. I do believe it took place that year—it wasn’t until 2021 and especially 2022 that Taiwan shit the bed over covid—but I was probably just too busy with other travel to go. After all, I did go to Kinmen in July of that year; I spent a week in August up in Yilan.
As far as why this year—again, 2024 if you’re reading as I write this—ended up being the one? Well, to start with, I needed to be in Taitung anyway, in order to begin my journey to Lanyu and Lyudao. Initially, if I’m honest, I planned to stay in Taipei an extra day, and to connect directly from Songshan to Taitung to Lanyu Airport. However, upon realizing that my planned last day in Taipei coincided with the last day of the balloon festival, I didn’t have a choice.
How to Attend the Taiwan International Balloon Festival
Buy tickets in advance
If you do want to take a balloon ride, you absolutely must buy tickets advance, ideally right when they go on sale. (TIP: Keep an eye on the official website of the event) to see when this will be! While you can queue on the day-of to ride in a stationary balloon, there’s no chance of riding in a real one unless you book in advance.
(Or don’t)
As I mentioned before, most of the Taiwan balloons of note at this event are stationary, and are blown up simply to be photographed and observed. I’ve flown in hot air balloons all over the world (most notably in Cappadocia, Turkey) and had no particular interest in doing so in Taiwan.
Arrange transport to Taitung
In order to attend this festival, you’ll first need to travel from Taipei (or wherever else in Taiwan you happen to be) to Taitung. If you are in Taipei, you can fly nonstop from Songshan Airport; you can also take a train from Taipei Main Station. Trains to Taitung also depart from Kaohsiung.
(And within Taitung)
Although trains do stop at Luye Station, and there are buses within Luye, I don’t think this is the smartest strategy for seeing the Taiwan balloon festival. Rather, I’d suggest starting in central Taitung, renting a car and driving there. This will allow you to enjoy the event with greater freedom and flexiblity.
Have a backup plan
And frankly, you may very well need both. The first afternoon session I tried to attend, for example, ended up getting rained out. Had I not rented my own car, my entire day would’ve been wasted. Instead, I had a great meal, chatted with locals and explored deserted temples.
Other Things to Do in Taitung
Taitung is one of the most underrated corners of Taiwan. I get that it’s far away, but there are plenty of amazing things to see there if you’re able to make it:
- Explore Taitung City, especially enjoying the view from Liyushan Mountain.
- Enjoy the beauty of Taimali Beach, even if it isn’t great for swimming.
- Make excursions to Lanyu (Orchid Island) and Lyudao (Green Island).
- Drive northward to Hualien or southward to Kenting National Park.
TIP: Whether for hot air balloons in Taiwan or to discover the rest of Taiwan’s East Coast Scenic Route, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your trip.
Other FAQ About the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Where is the hot air balloon festival in Taiwan in 2025?
Taiwan’s largest hot air balloon festival will take place at Taitung’s Luye Highlands in 2025. While the exact dates are yet to be announced, it will definitely take place during late July and early August. Plan on being in Taitung then if you think you’ll want to see the balloons.
How much is the hot air balloon ticket in Taiwan?
The cost of a balloon ride at the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival is modest, at just NT$550 during the week and NT$650 on the weekend, i.e. under 20 USD per person regardless. The issue is that rides go on sale (and, usually, sell out) months in advance; in a sense, they’re priceless.
Where is the hot air balloon in Taiwan?
Hot air balloons lift off from multiple locations in Taiwan throughout the year. However, the largest and most famous hot air balloon event is the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival, which takes place between mid-July and mid-August at the Luye Highlands in Taitung County.
The Bottom Line
Will attending the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival change your life? Almost certainly not. Most of the balloons on display there are purely ornamental, with tickets for the few ones you can actually fly in sold out months in advance. On the other hand, if you plan to be in Taitung (or taking a road trip along Taiwan’s East Coast) anyway, then I’d argue you have very little to lose in stopping by the festival to check things out. At a minimum, you can have a cup of locally-grown tea and a chat with locals, even if (as I experienced on the first day I was there), weather grounds the balloon. Need personalized help planning your trip to Taiwan? Hire me to do it for you!
