Cost calculations?

[EdwardWalker]

Has anyone taken the time to figure out what it costs to "live on the road" for say one full year?

Assuming one is riding daily in a round-the-world trip; does anyone have any real-world numbers on what a full year came to financially? Ball park figure...

Did you do pre-trip budgeting and then how did it turn out compared to your pre-expectations?

[This message has been edited by EdwardWalker (edited 19 October 2001).]

[Chris Scott]

It depends how much you will rough it - Mondo did RTW on the cheap by never using hotels but the cost is always more than you expect. Dont think poor countries are cheap unless you live like a local peasant. Africa (esp West Af) is expensive, Asia is much cheaper on gas, food & lodging but the carnet racks it up - When RTW, shipping adds up too. In my book I estimate to cross Africa and back from UK $6000, India and back $4500 and RTW over a year $16,000 - these are on the high side but in my opinion, realistic. South America i dont know so well spm,e expensice liike Argentina and Chile I believe, while the Andean countries are less pricey. I think Grant offers some cost estimates somewhere on this site

Chris S

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

[Lisa]

We left the UK on September 21st to travel overland through Europe, Turkey, Iran, Pakýstan to Indýa. Then SE Asýa, South Afrýa to Egypt up the east Afrýcan coast and possýbly South Amerýca.
We are on 2 býkes and have reached Eastern Turkey havýng done 4,000 mýles so far.
We budgeted 10,000 pounds each for the year about 53 pounds per day combýned. So far we have had no problems stýckýng below that even through Europe where we camped most of the týme. In Turkey we're averagýng about 40 pounds per day for the 2 of us ýncludýng food, hotels, and fuel for both býkes. We are not necessarýly stayýng ýn the cheapest places but easýly fýnd hotels for 7 pounds per nýght for the both of us ýncludýng breakfast. Fuel ýs relatývely cheap at about a dollar a lýtre - but agaýn you can buy cheaper ýf you want - we have been goýng for Super.
Obvýously there have been no shýppýng costs so far - but hopefully that gýves you some ýdea.
Our websýte www.chasingthesun.org has full detaýls, travel journal, photos and contact detaýls ýf you want to stay ýn touch.
Happy and Safe Rýdýng
Lisa

[PanEuropean]

I spent 8 weeks touring Europe (Ireland to Poland and back) this past summer. I stayed in hotels, but not in expensive ones - mostly 3 star places in smaller towns. My main criteria in choosing a hotel was security for the motorcycle. I ate in restaurants, however, I don't drink alcohol and simple food is OK for me, so that kept the cost down.

My expenses averaged USD 100 a day, including fuel and road tolls, admissions, entertainment, laundry, maps, etc. The bike was new so there were no maintenance related charges.

I travelled alone. If I had taken a passenger with me, the only additional cost would have been food for the passenger.

No matter how you plan it, it's going to cost more than you expect and more than you budget for. But, in the end, I think you will agree that it was worth it.

[Mombassa]

I've traveled a lot, and as such have a good idea as to what it costs, on average. On my website, under "money", I've detailed all the costs for bike, spares and living expenses. The daily budget ($37CDN/day) is the biggest expense.

K

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Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net