Bike touring - What does it cost?

I have not taken into account travel to destination expenses so once you have got to where you want to begin you become a cycling backpacker! You can choose to camp, to use cheap accommodation, hostels or to use Motels. In my six month tour its been a mixture of all of these with some opportunities to also be a guest staying with friends. Unfortunately I've experienced difficulty accessing hostels and camp grounds at the frequency I would have liked as they haven't existed on my route, - particularly in the USA, as using these facilities keeps your costs down and gives you a greater chance of meeting people.

Probably I have averaged around $A250.00-$A300.00/week on accommodation and maybe $A150.00 on meals, ( a mix of self-catering and restaurants). So, its not really expensive. At the moment I'm in a very good Motel here in Des Moines and paying $A50.00/night. With a travelling companion that would be only $A25.00/night.(This is very reasonable but its more a comment on the very favourable exchange rate that Australia currently has with the USA). Basically I'm spending daily a similar amount to the cost of living at home.

If I was on an organised commercial tour then I would be paying much, much more!


.....and if you consume alcohol....well that's not included above!