How much does Burning Man Cost? How much money do I need to bring?
Once a year, tens of thousands of people gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. In this crucible of creativity, all are welcome.
Built on a philosophy of self-reliance and decommodification, the nine-day event is a experiment of sustainability.
The question on many first-time Burners lips is simple: how much does it really cost to go Fortunately, the guys over at Time Magazine’s Money have worked that out.
The price for Burning Man
Getting There
$450: Ticket + fees
$427: Round-trip average airfare to Reno estimated by Hopper (or fly straight into Black Rock City for an average $1,250)
$80: Vehicle pass
$130: Car rental from Reno Airport (or book an $800 RV for a four-day trip)
Food & Drinks
$135: Covers a few fresh groceries plus a supply of dehydrated camp food packets
$3: Pop-Tarts variety pack
$18: Beef jerky
$18: Trail mix
$30: Four 5-Gallon Water Carriers (Organisers recommend bringing 1.5 gallons of water per person per day)
$10: Gatorade 12-pack
$42: Two 18-packs of Corona beers
$30: Soft-side cooler
$32: Ice (Available on site for $4 per bag)
Survival Supplies
$30: Re-usable bottle
$20: First-aid kit
$10: Sunscreen
$16: Particle/dust mask (Or alternatively you could skip this and use an old scarf)
$10: Goggles (protect your eyes during dust storms)
$5: Ear plugs
$16: Emergency toilet
$5: Hand sanitiser
$12: Garbage and recycling bags
$10: Fire extinguisher (in case you feel the urge to burn your art)
$15: All-in-one tool
$10: Duct tape
$10: Headlamp
$17: Camping lanterns
$10: Car phone charger
$30: Small gas can & extra gas (stations are few and far between)
Toys & Camp Decor
$65: Used bike (don’t spend a lot for a set of wheels, because the Playa dust will never come off)
$9: Glow sticks
$23: Cabana or shade structure
$13: Solar lights to decorate your campsite
$250: Costumes
Camping
$100: Tent & heavy-duty stakes
$80: Camp stove (you’ll need if you want hot food)
$37: Warm sleeping bag
$10: Portable shower
Total Cost: $2,218