I was wondering the same before I went on my first trip. With a few adventures under my belt I’m confident to give you an answer.
Is overlanding expensive? Overlanding doesn’t have to be expensive. The average costs depend on your vehicle, travel style, travel speed and other factors. Buying and outfitting an overland 4x4 on a budget can be done for around US$ 5000. Most people spend between US$ 20 and US$ 100 per person per day traveling.
Do you want to know more about the costs of overlanding? In this article we dive into the preparation costs and the daily costs of overlanding. Giving you a realistic expectation of how to budget for your overlanding dream.
Why do we think overlanding is expensive?
You might remember, the first time you saw an overlanding rig or learned about this style of travel. It has been gaining popularity around the world. There is something magical about traveling by road to places you have never been before.
The sense of adventure, adrenaline running through your veins. It is something you can imagine yourself doing. But those first images you saw of big overland trucks and a quick google told you that you need to be rich to be able to afford such a style of traveling.
Don’t be fooled by shiny advertorials or popular instagram profiles! Not everything is what it seems on social media and consumerism has taught us that companies are only interested in selling us the latest and greatest to increase their profits.
The reality is that there are many different ways to overlanding with a similar wide variety of budgets. So wether you are on a shoestring budget or not, overlanding can also be for you! And trust me, as soon as you have taken your first trip. You will never want to do anything else.
The difference between preparation costs and daily costs
The costs of overlanding can be broken down into two categories. The money you spend before even traveling a single mile or kilometre, also known as preparation costs. And the cash you spend on a daily basis when you are traveling around, the daily costs.
What is the cheapest way of overlanding?
There are many different definitions of what overlanding exactly is, but for the sake of this article we just assume you take a vehicle and drive it from one place to another. Can be over a weekend through the roughest terrain you can find for 2 years spanning multiple continents.
The choice of vehicle affects your budget immensely. Have you ever considered overlanding by (pedal) bicycle? Even I, at a born and raised Dutchie wouldn’t even consider this, but I’ve met plenty of people who did. It is by far the most affordable way of traveling based on your daily expenses.
As I said, I know it is not for everyone. With ever step up in comfort, you spend more on preparation costs. A motorcycle is cheaper than a car. A car is cheaper than a 4x4. A 4x4 is cheaper than a truck. Comfort comes at a price. Not only when we talk about vehicle type, but also when we talk about the range within the different vehicles.
The prices mentioned are all averages, there is always a way to get things done cheaper or more expensive depending on if you are willing and able to do a lot of things yourself. Also, 4 wheeled vehicle travel tends to be cheaper because most of us do that as a couple sharing costs such as fuel and maintenance.
How to keep your preparation costs low
When we are talking about a big overland trip, the ones spanning multiple continents, most people save up for years before leaving. In this time you have a lot of time to contemplate, compare and be tempted by great salesmen that you absolutely need the best of the best for your trip of a lifetime.
But every cent you spend on preparing, you cannot spend on traveling. Sometimes, taking less time to prepare is better, especially when you are on a budget.
Taking the vehicle that you have
First of all, I’m pretty sure you have a vehicle standing in front of your door. Maybe even two or three! A bicycle, a motorcycle or a car. These are all vehicles you can travel with. If your travel itch is so bad that you need to scratch it now, don’t waste any more time or cash on picking out a new vehicle and take the one that you have. Get a few minor upgrades like offroad tires and off you go!
Taking the gear that you have
There is no need to buy everything new for your first overland trip and it is also better for the environment (the one that you are planning to enjoy). So start by looking around your house. We all have nooks and crannies where stuff has collected over the years but you haven’t looked at in years. See what you can find in your attic, garage or under the bed.
Next, move over to the next location and check out the house of your parents, friends or family. What is already there that could be used for your trip? A tent, even if it is an old one… pack it and take it on your test trip.
Collect all of the things in one place. Download a packing list and check off the things that you have found or that you can borrow from others.
I lost my original tent on the bumpy roads of the Pamir highway and all I could get my hands on was this tent. So I took it, because camping is the best way to explore while overlanding. I would not have want to miss this spot.
Be honest with what you really need
There are probably items on the list that you don’t have, but let me point out two things before you run to the store. This is a list that somebody else created based on their experience and comfort level. Neither of those might be the same for you.
So before going shopping, take a hard look at the list and scrap any items you feel you don’t need. A fridge? Sure, it can be convenient but it doesn’t fit on a motorcycle so it is not 100% necessary. A rooftop tent? Probably very convenient, but if you aren’t planning on sleeping between roaming wild lions you can just use your old ground tent.
Go for second hand vehicles and gear
This guy got a 4x4 second hand and kitted it out for less then US$ 5000! Pre loved, second hand or whatever you want to call it is the best way to go when you are on a budget. Besides your regular websites such as gumtree, craigslist or willhaben you can check out buy and sell overland facebook groups or forums for the items that are specific to overlanding.
- FB: Overlanding Parts
- FB: Overlanding Buy & Sell America
- FB: Overlanding Buy & Sell Europe and Africa
- Overland Sphere Forum
- Overland Bound Forum
- Horizons Unlimited Forum
- Expedition Portal
Feel free to laugh, yes that is a skateboard on the back of my bike. Like I said, I was too stubborn to take a test trip so I overpacked. Big time. So don’t be a fool like me, but get the gear you think you need and head over to a local campsite, so you are smart enough to leave the skateboard at home.
Take a test trip with the bare minimum gear
Before you get everything perfectly in order, take out all the gear that you have collected so far and bring it for a weekend test trip. Just being out there, handling the things that you intend to take will give you so much clarity into where you are willing to invest to get a bit more convenience and what will do for now. You can always upgrade your equipment when it breaks beyond repair along the way.
If you are stubborn, like me and forgo the test trip, it is unavoidable that you take too much stuff with you. Dragging around items you won’t use at all just because in your head you thought you might need them. Thinking too much about the what if’s quickly increases your packing list. Don’t fall for it and take that test trip. Pack as minimal as you can and you will thank me later.
Getting out there with less is better than staying at home
Now that COVID hit all of us and we are spending more time in our own house, going on overlanding trips, even if it is just small ones for the weekend is more important then ever. Research shows that going into nature reduces stress significantly, something we forget sometimes. So getting out there with what we have and what we can afford is a million times better than staying at home saving up for a dream that might never become a reality.
An old chevy will take you to the same places a shiny new landrover will. It might not be as fast or as comfortable but in the end you will have the same views for less.
How to keep you daily costs low
Now the other side of your budget plan is going to be focussed around daily costs while traveling. Those will include fuel, food, accommodation, park fees, entertainment fees, maintenance and repairs amongst other things depending on the length and goals of your trip.
Camping vs hotels
I think we can all agree that heading into nature is an important attraction of overlanding, so we will be spending most of our times outdoors. But wild camping or bush camping is not allowed everywhere so we might have to spend some cash on campsites.
Planning on visiting a city? You’ll most likely want to spend some time roaming around without having to commute through busy traffic everyday so a hotel or apartment will save you that time but will add a huge burden on your budget.
Maybe you are looking forward to the luxury of a hot shower and clean white sheets and if you are willing to spend that cash, then that is absolutely fine. Especially in South East Asia hotels can be quite cheap so you are not ever breaking the bank.
A great way to save costs is to do some couch surfing either pre arranged via various websites or spontaneously. It is the best way to meet the locals and to learn about new cultures. Depending on your character, I’m an introvert by nature, it can be quite tiring when done a few days in a row. Here are some websites that you can use to find a couch Free or in exchange of volunteering
- Couchsurfing
- Workaway
- Warm Showers (bicycle only)
Cooking vs going out for dinner
Obviously, cooking yourself is going to be cheaper than going out for dinner every night. But you don’t need to bring freeze dried food bags for your 3 week long trip. I find them quite expensive for the amount of nutritional value. If you are just there for the convenience, be my guest. But shopping local is not only going to support the communities you are traveling through, but also save you on costs. And what is better than roasting your own veggies over an open fire?
Going slow vs going fast
There is a big difference in going fast vs going slow when it comes to budget. Traveling slow means you spend more time exploring and relaxing than driving. Giving you time to research your destinations in depth instead of reaching your destination after a long day of driving exhausted from the day quickly running to the nearest restaurant to eat and the closest hotel for a decent night of sleep.
Going faster, your main budget expense will be petrol whereas slower travellers spend most of their money on food. Sometimes you don’t have a choice, it’s either this or nothing. But slowing down can increase the experience of the trip greatly.
Short trips tend to be more expensive
A weekend trip will be more expensive on a daily basis than a whole year on the road. Petrol costs increase for shorter trips because you tend to do long stretches on the highway to get to the destination for that weekend whereas on longer trips you might only drive 100 - 200 km or 70-140 miles a day.
Traveling together is always cheaper then traveling solo
When you travel together you can share many things along the way. Hotel costs, food costs, maintenance, shipping etc. Cutting those costs in half has a huge influence on your budget. If you don’t have a partner to travel with, you can always consider taking a two wheeler instead of a 4 wheeler.
Leave a comment down below, how do you keep your costs low?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get into Overlanding?
The average startup costs to get into overlanding with a 4x4 are about $21,000 on average. However it can be done for much less. Once you've got all the necessary gear it will cost about $40 per person per day to travel fulltime.
How much does it cost to overland full time?
On average, people spend US$40 per person per day traveling overland fulltime. That should include everything from fuel to insurance. Some continents are cheaper then others and travel style also heavily influences budget.
How do you get paid to overland?
The reality is that most people don't get paid to overland. There are several ways to make money on the road but nobody is handing out free money.
Do you really need 4x4 for Overlanding?
No, you really do not need a 4x4 for overlanding. It is perfectly possible to travel overland in a 2wd, by bicycle, motorcycle or in an expedition truck. It all depends on your style but mostly your budget.
Can I overland with a 2WD?
Overlanding in a 2WD is possible. It will limit the choice of trails you can take. The most important thing is to have the right tires, decent ground clearance and the proper safety equipment.