Money can’t buy everything, but having stacks of cash can certainly lead to some pretty amazing adventures. Some of the coolest hobbies in the world are also the most expensive.
Whether you’re a multimillionaire, or you’re simply dreaming of taking up a new pricey pastime, you’ve come to the right place! Read on to explore the 10 most expensive hobbies around the globe.
What Are The Most Expensive Hobbies in the World?
1) Skydiving
It’s amazing how much some people are willing to pay to voluntarily fall from the sky. Skydiving is an extreme sport that draws well-to-do folks worldwide. The cost for one jump is approximately $300, according to the Long Island Skydiving Center. Of course, fees vary by location.
Thinking of spending your hard-earned cash on a one-off freefall? If so, you’ll probably want to splurge on a photo and/or video package to relive the experience and share it with loved ones, which will set you back even more. And let’s face it… One jump just isn’t enough for most folks, as skydiving is highly addictive.
Celebs who enjoy taking to the sky include Will Smith, Tom Cruise, and Liam Hemsworth.
2) Scuba Diving
If you prefer the sea over the sky, scuba diving may be your high-priced hobby of choice. Extensive training is necessary, along with gear and the cost of certification, which can cost several hundred dollars alone.
Scuba diving novices typically purchase a mask, snorkel, and fins, and experienced divers usually own a full set of high-dollar gear. Add a wetsuit and the dive itself, and you’re looking at a costly underwater adventure.
Noteworthy divers include Bill Gates, Tom Cruise, and Tiger Woods, among many others.
3) Car Racing
Daredevils worldwide can’t resist getting behind the wheel and cruising at top speeds. Along with a racecar, this extreme sport requires expensive safety gear, and we won’t even mention the cost of life insurance for a racer.
This habit-forming hobby can set you back up to $100,000 or more. Famous racers include Patrick Dempsey, Craig T. Nelson, and Tom Cruise, who seems to be enamored with a variety of extreme sports.
4) Flying
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that flying an aircraft is a high-dollar pursuit. Lessons cost thousands of dollars, and a license will set you back an additional $5,000 or more.
Aside from the training and licensure, planes typically cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, making flying one of the most expensive hobbies in the world.
There are many stars who have fallen in love with flying. Celebrity pilots include Angelina Jolie, Tim McGraw, Dr. Phil McGraw, and you guessed it… Tom Cruise.
5) Ballroom Dancing
Perhaps the most surprising costly hobby on our list is ballroom dancing. Learning the steps takes time, and lessons from a trained professional aren’t cheap. In fact, private lessons generally cost anywhere from $50 to $200 each.
Folks who are serious about the sport may spend up to $100,000 for a single competition, making ballroom dancing one of the highest-priced hobbies out there.
Just look at the past 27 seasons of Dancing With the Stars, and you’ll discover dozens of celebs who fell in love with this style of dance. Star-studded winners include Rumer Willis, Kellie Pickler, and Donny Osmond.
6) Yacht Racing
Most folks can’t afford to step foot on a yacht, let alone race one. Yacht racing is an elite sport reserved for the rich and famous. The price of a “basic” yacht is exorbitant, starting at $2 million. But seriously, if you can afford a yacht, why would you settle for basic? A decked-out vessel can cost upwards of $8 million!
To keep a yacht race-ready, monthly maintenance fees will set you back approximately $100,000. It’s virtually impossible for a non-millionaire to venture into this pricey arena. Famous racers include Stephen Colbert, Liam Hemsworth, and Mark Ruffalo.
7) Mountain Climbing
The level of exhilaration one experiences after climbing a mountain is only rivaled by the price it costs to take up this pricey hobby. Fees include the cost of a guide, plus permits, gear, and travel-related expenses.
Many climbers dream of ascending Mt. Everest, but the 29,029 feet climb can cost more than $45,000, plus personal equipment, training, and an endless supply of physical and mental energy.
Celebs who enjoy mountain climbing include Jessica Biel, Mandy Moore, and Ann Curry.
8) Poker
While virtually any form of gambling can drain a bank account in no time flat, high-stakes poker takes serious guts, as an average pot consistently exceeds $1,000. That number may not seem too outrageous, but with an average of 25 hands per hour, the wins (or losses) add up quickly.
Famous poker players include Ben Affleck, Tobey Maguire, and Kevin Hart.
9) Equestrianism
Who doesn’t love horses? These majestic animals are awe-inspiring, and it’s easy to understand why so many folks enjoy riding them. Unfortunately, equestrianism requires a lofty budget, with one horse costing up to $100,000. Basic equipment (for both the horse and the rider), lessons, entry fees, and transportation add a considerable amount, making this a sport for the wealthy.
Famous riders include Johnny Depp, Jamie Foxx, and Madonna.
10) World Traveling
While many folks dream of traveling the world, very few individuals have the funds to leave their lives behind, even temporarily. Traveling costs include transportation, accommodations, food, and sightseeing money (because very few attractions are free), making it nearly impossible to travel the world without buku bucks. In fact, trotting across the globe would likely cost no less than $20,000.
Famous globetrotters include George Clooney, Bill Murray, and Helen Mirren.
11) Car Collecting
Car collecting really is a show-stopping hobby. In fact, it is probably one of the most expensive hobbies in the world due to the fact that once you have collected just a handful of cars, your collection will most probably already be worth millions.
We aren’t talking about collecting battered 2008 Mazda 3 models or similar tired cars, car collecting is more about fancy expensive cars that you would probably be scared to drive around in some neighborhoods. With that being said, there are a lot of car collectors that like to purchase old vintage cars for renovation and re-sale; now that is a way to collect and work on cars all while making some money from your hobby.
12) Art Collecting
Collecting fine art is about more than just looking at a colorful and attractive painting or sculpture. Art collectors love the story behind the piece just as much as the work of art itself.
Buying just one painting could cost a collector more than $1000. One of the largest attractions for art collectors is that the pieces you buy often increase in value over the years.
13) Ice Sculpting
Ice sculpting has no limits and can be as exaggerated as the artist wishes it to be.
Ice sculpting is a great way for people to let their creativity run wild. Ice sculpting takes a lot of time and practice to get right. Ice sculptures melt very quickly, and after just a few hours of enjoyment, you are left with a puddle of cold water to show for it. You might have seen images of exquisite ice sculptures in videos or images of celebrity get-togethers as these sculptures are considered a show-stopping centerpiece.
14) Exotic Pets
Keeping exotic pets like lions is one of the most expensive hobbies in the world.
Some examples of exotic pets are lions, tigers, scorpions, ferrets, pumas, and spiders. As you can see from those examples, some exotic pets are rarer than others. There is a lot of controversy surrounding exotic pet keeping, and in many countries, there is a list of banned exotic pets that are forbidden under any circumstances.
15) Polo
Horses are beautiful animals that only the lucky few can own. Keeping horses for the purpose of playing polo is a very expensive thing to do. The initial cost of buying an entry-level polo pony could cost you upwards of $15,000. Anyone looking for a trained polo horse can expect to pay a whopping $200,000, and that is just the start! Polo is a very upper-class hobby that is associated with members of the royal family and country leaders.
How to Enjoy High-Cost Hobbies without the Lofty Price Tag
While all of the hobbies on our list aren’t necessarily accessible to all, there are a few ways you can try them without blowing your life savings. Below are a few money-saving tips:
- In many cases, you can rent equipment rather than purchasing your own. For hobbies such as skydiving and scuba diving, you don’t have to splurge on fancy gear. Check with local shops and instructors for information on renting the necessary equipment.
- Look for discounts. Check out Groupon for amazing deals on activities you’ve been wanting to try. You can also contact companies directly to ask about rates and any available discounts.
- Don’t buy everything brand new. Look for gently used equipment to keep costs low. Keep in mind that splurging is sometimes necessary, but many items can be purchased secondhand for deeply discounted prices.
- Borrow when you can. Contact your fellow daredevils and ask to borrow their equipment, especially when you’re trying out an activity for the very first time.
- Don’t splurge on optional gear. You don’t need all of the bells and whistles available for your chosen hobby. Don’t fall for gimmicks. If you stick with a hobby, you may want to treat yourself later.
Looking for a hobby that’s not reserved for the world’s most wealthy? Check out our list of 100+ Hobbies to Try This Year for more inspiration.