It might be a bit of a daft question but everyone talks about their trips/experiences etc but no one ever mentions expenditure on these trips.
Is it a taboo subject...? I would be interested in what it costs to do say a trip from the UK to Thailand via China for instance.

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The Balkans
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There are too many variables to answer with any degree of accuracy. Fuel? Some countries are more expensive than others. Accommodation? Well, will you be camping or staying in basic hotels or even better ones? Maybe not a good comparison but when I spent three months riding across the US and back in 2006, I treated it like 90 seperate days riding and always looked for the cheapest options, whether staying with cyber friends or in Motel 6 motels. Food? I would eat convenience food one day - two meals a day only - and a decent restaurant meal the next, with wine or every day. I used my credit card a lot and worried about the cost when I returned home. For my forthcoming Round Baltic Trip I have joined the YHA and shall stay in hostels, the cheapest way to doing it.

As Paul says it is a how long is a piece of string question, at a rough guess I would say £5,000 to £10,000 and take about 4 to 8 months for the trip you mention. The part through China could cost as much or more than the rest put together depending on the number in your group who make the crossing and route taken.
I don't think there is any taboo about talking money, it is not good idea to talk about how much you have with you or access to for your own safety, this is a public forum.

Depends! Are you going on a fully loaded 1200GS or slinging a backpack and tent over a Yamaha YBR? I've basically found that the more you have the more you spend ie the first time I was able to buy new, buy high-end equipment and fancy stuff like lightweight tents and MSR camping gear, I did (though with plenty of mistakes). After your first trip you'll learn what you need and what you don't. As for budget travel, this is a skill that can be learnt like anything else. When there is a will there is a way.

Thanks for replies guys. I have access to funds every month through a military pension and was trying gage whether or not I could cope. Is China quite expensive then?

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The Balkans
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Hello


Sure it's not easy to talk about money, as the others already mentioned it's useless to throw in some numbers.
No too trips cost the same.
If you have already done some trips with a bike you can easily build your personal budget since you know how you like to sleep, eat and the daily mileage.
The fuel depends on the distance and the country's gasprice.
The longer you take for a certain distance the more you have to spend on daily costs.
Then a very big part is shipping or in your case a guided tour through China instead of shipping.
Visa and insurance not to forget.
Also there might be costs at home, rent, food for the dog you left behind.
Put in the numbers, only you can do it.


sushi

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that's easy enough then, if you run out you just park up and do some sightseeing 'til the next payment comes in!

I would also factor in age. I find the older I get the more I spend because I have more and just don't want to put up with primitive conditions anymore. The body can no longer take so much abuse. or maybe it is been there done that and now expect more.

Whereas if you are young camping out on the ground every night and road side food on an uncomfortable bike in a dirty tshirt may be fine, as you get older you prefer more comfort, better restaurants, s in the evening and a proper bed. This increases your fuel, meal and accommodation costs. Frankly Ive spent enough time in the bush in tents on the ground. I just don't want to do it for long periods anymore. It just isn't fun. Rather go for a shorter period and stay in nicer places and eat lekker.

Im doing a 3000 km trip in July with my son as pillion. Although weekend trips we camp and braai, for a week long trip it will be restaurants. Accomodation will be with friends or guest houses. It will also be mid winter and I don't want to freeze in a tent at night, huddle around a fire and stink of smoke. Although he may be happy to rough it, dad wants a nice meal, drinks and warm bed at the end of the day, and the company of old mates. These wants must be factored in to trip costs.