I have found that I spend about $400 US/week in Mexico and Central America average. Less in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and more in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama. USA has cheapest fuel, most other countries 2x as much, but Mexico only 30% more than US. That is staying in cheap to moderate hotels, eating most meals in restaruants. Camping is seldom practical, except in beach areas. I think you could spend 20-30% less if you watched it, and stayed out of bars, but what's the fun in that? You will have other expenses on top of that, such as shipping across the Darien Gap, border crossings, and insurance. Alaska and Canada are more expensive, but free camping is much easier, so that helps. No experience in your other destinations. (Yet!)

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Andy Tiegs
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/ts...lsouth-america

We spent a year travelling and spent $60,000 CDN for two people on two bikes in Europe. We have the same budget for our 2007/08 trip through South America and up Africa to Europe but don't expect to spend as much. You're $30,000 U.S. should be plenty. We too are leaving in August 2007 but are heading straight south, having done the Alaska portion this summer in '06.

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Ekke Kok

'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

www.ekke-audrey.ca

I spend about 2 months touring Europe every summer, and average about USD $100 a day, exclusive of fuel. I don't camp and I don't drink, I usually stay in simple but good quality hotels.

My guess is that your expenses will be lower than this on most every continent except North America, where they will probably be about the same. So, $30K should be enough.

Oddly enough, I have found that I don't spend all that much money when I am actually riding (e.g spending 6 to 8 hours a day on the moto), but when I get tired of riding and decide to stay in one spot for a few days, expenses tend to rise.

Michael

The US, Canada and EU are really expensive, manage that your budget is just fine. The best way is to minimise your time there, espeically at the beginning. If, for example, you head south first, then by the time you reach Alaska/NA at the end of your trip you will have the frugal travelling thing sorted.

Camp in the US and Canada, preferably at the beautiful (yet expensive) national parks. Get the $50 1 year national park pass - which gives you free entry, but not free camping.
Camp in the EU, and consider free camping (i.e. not in camp grounds) every second night. Cook your own food.

Overall try to stay in small towns and commute into and out of the big cities in day trips - you'll save heaps this way.

Once you are through the expensive Western world then you can afford to reduce the amount of camping you do, albeit at a cost. You will also be able to cook less for yourself and enjoy the local cusine.

I budget $10-15 per day on accomodation, and stay in whatever that gets me in that location. In South America this often means a hotel with bano privado. In Alaska this means a tent.

Moving more slowly gives you more time for your money - e.g. if you find a great place and you have cheap accomodation, then consider staying for a few days. You get to chill for cheap, recharge your travel batteries, perhaps tinker with the bike in a location of your choice (as opposed to in a road somewhere), and read the latest on horizons....

Overall however, the best way to make the $30,000 last is simply to monitor your spending, and adjust your lifestyle and location accordingly. $30k is more than enough.
good luck

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http://www.elevatorfactoids.com

Wow... Grant made a link to one of my posts. I feel honored.

Just thought I would give you all an update. I was origionally planning on leaving august 2007. Then I thought that I wouldn't have enough money for a "real" trip until may 2008, so I was planning on that. Until about three weeks ago I decided that I have put off this trip long enough.

I don't have the $30,000 that I was planning on, but I came close enough. Well it'll have to be close enough. And I will be leaving august 20th (or as close as I can get) 2007.

Thanks to everyone who posted here, If this thread didn't teach me anything for sure, it sure taught me that you can spend very little money or a whole lot, and there is no telling how much YOU will spend until you hit the road.

I ended up buying a good condition 1996 xr650l and strapping some cheap bags to it. I will be sure to let you all know how it goes.

**an aside to the guy who was talking about spoilt brats**
I am one of those spoilt brats I guess. When I was born, my father had a great job selling shoes at a local department store, and my mother stayed home to raise me. I attended fancy public schools and even managed to get a job when I was 14. I have rarely if ever been hungry with no idea where my next meal is coming from. I have been lucky enough to start a business which has allowed me to save up money for this trip while limiting my monthly expenses to around $1100 US. I have been very spoilt as you might say.

But then again I imagine you have also. You were probably born in a 1st world country with access to an economy that can support you and your dreams. We are all spoilt brats, so deal with it** (rant off)

Hope to see many of you on the road.

Thanks,

Funk

Funk,
Well put. I spent 5 months in Mexico and stayed every night in a hotel, drinking and eating with no concern about the cost.
I spent a little over $10k.
You will do fine. Check out the "tent space" on ADVrider.com.

Most people will be happy to have you stay and live vicariously through you.

Travel well….


Peace, Love and Open Trails
K.



[QUOTE=funklab;

**an aside to the guy who was talking about spoilt brats**
I am one of those spoilt brats I guess. When I was born, my father had a great job selling shoes at a local department store, and my mother stayed home to raise me. I attended fancy public schools and even managed to get a job when I was 14. I have rarely if ever been hungry with no idea where my next meal is coming from. I have been lucky enough to start a business which has allowed me to save up money for this trip while limiting my monthly expenses to around $1100 US. I have been very spoilt as you might say.

But then again I imagine you have also. You were probably born in a 1st world country with access to an economy that can support you and your dreams. We are all spoilt brats, so deal with it** (rant off)

Hope to see many of you on the road.

Thanks,

Funk[/QUOTE]

__________________
If you’ve never stared off into the distance, then your life is a shame.
www.NationalCPRCertification.com

All this talk of budgets and planning is scaring the out of me. I am in Buenos Aires at the mo and i am trying to buy a bike for under 1000 USD.
I have no plan and no budget.!! I have until next October to get me and my intended bike to Mexico. Am i insane and crazy to be even attempting this. After i buy myself a bike and some gear i'll have about 5500 euros left in the pot!!
Is this even enough for fuel for me and my machine? Or should i just forget the whole spontaneous nonesense!!!
Gingergringo

Gingergringo,

Sounds like enough to get there and back.

No worries...

Mate,
I just got back form Mexico to Chile... 15 montyhs, ziz-zagged the whole way down. Had one big stop (4 months) in Colombia, and a 6 week detour via Medevac to Florida. I spent $13,000 USD to do that part.

Basically, if you just want the stickers... ride all the countries via the main drag and thyen move on you can do that leg in about 3 months, for about $3,000. If you wanna live it I did it bloody hard (max budget $7 accomodation) eat the local tucker, seldom buy a tourist etc..., but saw everything, and to be honest never went without. I was drunk constantly, high mostly and ate maginficent foods by following some basic principles:
1) Walk 2 block past the touro prcinct and the food/booze/craic is 4 times cheaper and twice as good...
2) Y buy a $30 guide book when a $3 copy can be done one block away...
3) Buy a Jap bike that is common (Honda is almost a rule in Sth America), I had a DR200 (way too small) and spent $5USD for clutch plate and $100 for a cam shaft (fitted)
4) Sell the bike and rebuy when you move continents (Research bets countires for buying/selling. I suggest Leave US with a bike and sell Peru or Chile with a lawyers assistance so you are in te clear if the "import" shiite gets hairy). Brazil is muy difficulte!
5) Panama to Colombia by boat via Colone... but be bloody careful, Colone is a shithole you will wanna escape very quickly. Wanting to get out too quickly cost me four days being held for ransom and a "Welcome Bcak To The World" letter from my consulate. There are simple ways to avoid this, I can let you know.

If RTW means Western Europe... you have no chance whatsoever! UR gonna have to work or do it how I do it... spend all ur money, go home and work, go away again...spend all ur money...etc....lol

I suggest if you really wanna have agreat trip plan a time not a detsination and see how far u get

Goodluck,
I am happy to send you heaps of (quetsionable) advice on the run if you like, feel free to email me.

Chris

"Of course I'm lost... how else could I find somewhere no-one has ever been!" Cpt Barbossa, Pirates3

Ginger... You'll romp it in mate, that's heaps of money.... Piece of piss. The main thread was talking about Round The World.

Mate: allow for a lot of time in Colombia on the way back. It is a mad party and a phenominally beautiful place, I was atounded by the range of landscapes so close to each other: bit friendlier than most of the other Latino cultures... I believe. (compliment to the Colombianos rather than ragging the others)

Oh, and Cusco, Peru DO NOT MISS Hostel Loki. $2 dearer for constant good time in a 600 year old ex-monastery and the best hot showers you'll see till you get back home.
Enjoy dude.

Dude,
I'm an Aussie just got bcak from that trip:
Two big adjustments for your budget if you wanna save.
a) Bikes: Buy there and sell in Chile/Peru (there are ways to do this, I did it last year)(US or colombia best) or; boat them ahead of you ( about $500 each ex: Europe, reckon equivalent Aus) ; book them as excess baggage at about $2.50 kg plus 70kg crate is a lot less than $10,000.

b) boat 2 x bikes/people from Colone in Panama to Colombia $400USD. You also get the advantage of sailing purple waters, stopping amongst the Kuna people, Flying fish, giant turtles, dolpihins, sharks. I just walked into shipping admin and asked about a boat. You may have to wait up to a week and Colone is a shithole, but it has the biggest Duty Free shopping in the world outside HongKong so there's a week for the missus lol... Panama city is only 3 hours from Colone so you could just book the boat and head back there while waiting.

There y'are mate. Now you owe me about 3,000 s when ya get back home to Aus.

just an update on our spendings so far.
Europe (Including Turkey) cost us about $110/day, due to the high cost of petrol and camping. I cannot see how you would be able to do this part cheaper, we slept many nights next to the road to save on camping fees. ($30 and up)
USA and Canada cost us about $80/day. This can be done in less, if you drive less distance in a day than we did (500km a day).
This includes all costs for two people including a lot of replacement parts on the bike(BMW1150GS)
Now we heading into Central and South America, where our cost should be half than that of USA ($40/day), or else we might run out of money before we reach Argentina.

Johan

Hi,

yes, 30000 USD is enough for the trip You plan. I just doing a world tour. You should calculate between 50-70 USD including all costs!

If You have more questions contact me directly

joachimvonloeben@web.de

maybe check out

Motorrad Weltreise - Joachim von Loeben - www.triparoundtheworld.de

cheers
joe