So you made a bunch of money on cryptocurrency and you’re looking for a new expensive hobby to put your riches to use. Look no further than our list of the most expensive hobbies in the world below!
Wine Collecting
The world of wine collecting is a wild one!
If you have the capital, time and passion to learn about different wine types, flavors, vineyards, locations and the art of trading wine; wine collecting just might be the hobby for you.
Start slow with a few of your favorite bottles and grow from there!
According to fixr.com, the average price of a wine cellar (with climate control, finished floors and walls, and an insulated door) is approximately $33,750.
Don’t have a wine cellar? There are companies out there that will store your wine for you for a monthly fee.
Check out this article from Veranda.com to learn a few considerations and tips before starting your own wine collection…
Drag Racing
According to McNallyInstitute.com Professional Drag Racing cars can range anywhere from $275,000 – $350,000 with much of the cost coming from the high-powered engine.
Looking to get up to speed at a much lower cost?
Did you know that there are tons of race tracks around the country where you can bring your own car and put the pedal to the metal?
Once your car passes a technical inspection, you can expect to pay 20-30 dollars to make a couple runs around the track!
Check out this handy article from NHRA.com for more information…
Yacht Racing
Yacht Racing just sounds like an expensive hobby without much explanation doesn’t it?
If you are thinking about racing in the next America’s Cup, you may want to first start by saving for the ENTRY FEE, which is a cool 3 million dollars.
Not to mention the cost of the boat, crew, shipping the boat to races, maintenance and so on…
“I mean, maybe not as expensive as you may think. The base boat still obviously costs around $10 to 20 million. But the real costs start racking up when you have to pay for the upkeep, which can come in at anywhere up to $3 million every year.”
J-Class Yacht Owner
Check out the very interesting Gentleman’s Journal article “Could J Class yacht racing be the most expensive hobby on earth?” here…
Equestrianism
How much does a horse cost?
The average cost of a hobby-horse in the United States is about $3,000 according to the University of Maine.
If you are looking into the more expensive breeds, like a Thoroughbred or Arabian you could spend as much as $250,000.
As you can see there is a wide range of costs for just your horse; keep in mind there are many other expenses that come with horse ownership including boarding, veterinary costs, gear, transportation, food etc…
If you are looking for more information to get into equestrianism and horse-ownership check out this excellent breakdown from DeephollowRanch.com…
Classic Car Collecting
The cost of classic car collecting can obviously range depending on the type and number of cars that you collect. That said, most classical cars cost on average between $20,000 – $30,000.
Some of the most expensive classic cars have reached well into the millions of dollars, such as the 1963 Ferrari GTO which sold for a record-setting $53 million in 2013 according to Nationwide.com.
Classic car collecting is as expensive of a hobby as you want to make it. Prices can range based on many factors including condition, mileage, model, age, manufacturer etc…
Check out this article from ArtofManliness.com for beginner tips and tricks on getting into classic car collecting here…
World Travel
World travel can be an incredibly expensive hobby…or not.
Travel costs vary greatly depending on the experience you are looking to have and where you’re going. Much of the cost of travel comes from plane tickets, lodging, food and experiences.
The average international plane ticket cost is $1,368 according to USPassportServiceGuide.com.
Skiing
The cost of skiing gear can add up quickly. After buying skis, boots, poles, clothing, helmet, gloves and more you could be looking at between $500 -$1200 for basic gear.
That said, if you are a beginner is it advised that you rent your gear at first to learn what gear you like the best and what will suite your needs in the future.
According to SkiTripGuide.com the average price to rent basic ski gear for the day is approximately $40.
All things considered, skiing is an expensive hobby but excellent for outdoor lovers with the means to afford it.
Check out our article on The 7 Health Benefits of Downhill Skiing here…
Polo
Similar to Equestrianism, Polo is an expensive hobby involving the purchase not only of a horse, but membership fees, boarding fees, food, travel and general up-keep.
According to HorseRacingSense.com Polo Horses can cost upwards of $50,000.
If you are looking to get a foot-in-the-door and see if Horse Polo is the sport for you, many clubs offer lessons for between $1,000 – $1,500.
Check out this article from Business Daily for more information on Horse Polo and the costs associated with getting started…
Hot Air Ballooning
According to CrowSurvival.com the average price of a hot air balloon ride in the United States is typically around $120 -$300 per person for a 2-hour ride.
Hot Air Balloon prices can vary based on group deals, location and length of your ride.
If you are looking to own your own hot air balloon, this is a much more involved process and can cost you anywhere from $10,000 -$160,000 for the balloon alone according to HotAirFlyer.com.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering costs can vary greatly depending on your level of knowledge, your location and the gear you currently own.
Much of the cost of mountaineering comes with the cost to travel to your destination and paying for guide services if needed.
The cost of mountaineering guide services and all, varies greatly from mountain to mountain:
- The average cost to climb Mt. Everest is approximately $28,000 – 85,000 according to TheManual.com.
- The average cost to climb Mt. Rainier is approximately $1,627 – $2,068 according to SeattleTimes.com.
Regardless of the scope of your outdoor adventure; never head into the wild without the essentials. Check out our list of 10 Hiking Essentials for Every Adventure here…
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving required reliable gear, diving knowledge, a certification and access to diving areas.
All things considered Scuba diving is actually not a wildly expensive hobby compared to others on the list.
A decent set of scuba gear and a certification can cost anywhere between $700 – $1500 according to tdisdi.com.
Check out the Professional Association of Diving Instructors website to find Certification Courses in your area…
Flying Planes
Depending on your location, flight school, pace of learning, flight instructor experience and airplane you are learning to fly, getting your private pilot certificate can cost between $4,000 and $15,000 according to flyduluth.com.
If you are looking to OWN your own single engine plane you can expect to pay between $15,000 – $100,000 according to Investopedia.com. That doesn’t include the cost of fuel and storage!
If you are looking to learn more about getting your PPL (Private Pilot’s License) check out this helpful article from pilotinstitute.com.
Art Collecting
Whether you are looking to support your favorite artists, collect a piece of history or to invest, art collecting can quickly become an expensive hobby.
The cost of becoming an art collector will vary greatly depending on the prestige of the artist that you are buying and the size and age of the paintings. Buying an Original Picasso will cost more that buying a painting from a local artist, for instance.
Check out our A-Z List on Items to Collect for more ideas!
Check out this article from TheArtLeague.com for some solid tips and best practices before starting your art collecting hobby.
