29 Most Expensive Hobbies In The World: What They Really Cost

Some hobbies cost a few hundred pounds a year. Others cost more than most people earn in a lifetime.

Having covered luxury travel and lifestyle across 37+ countries, we’ve had a front-row seat to the world’s most extravagant pastimes – from watching polo ponies thunder across a grass arena in the Cotswolds to sipping investment-grade Burgundy at a private wine cellar in France. What unites the hobbies on this list is the same thing that defines luxury itself: the combination of rarity, craftsmanship, and serious financial commitment.

Below, we rank the most expensive hobbies in the world by scale of investment, covering everything from space tourism to luxury watch collecting, with real cost breakdowns at each level.

What Is the Most Expensive Hobby in the World?

Space tourism currently holds the crown, with a single suborbital flight costing upwards of $450,000. However, when you factor in ongoing annual costs rather than a single experience, superyacht ownership and Formula 1 team ownership routinely surpass everything else – running into tens of millions per year.

Polo, private jet ownership, and thoroughbred horse racing are the pursuits most commonly associated with “old money” wealth, while newer entrants like luxury watch collecting and rare whisky investment are gaining serious traction among a younger generation of high-net-worth collectors.

1. Space Tourism

Space tourism represents the absolute pinnacle of expensive hobbies. This emerging field offers civilians the chance to experience what was once reserved only for professional astronauts.

What it costs:

• Suborbital flights (Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin): $450,000 – $600,000
• Orbital flights to the International Space Station: $55-90 million
• Private space missions: $100+ million

The experience includes extensive training, medical evaluations, and the ultimate thrill of seeing Earth from space. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are making this once-impossible dream accessible to the ultra-wealthy.

2. Formula 1 and Professional Motorsports Racing

Formula 1 and professional motorsport represent the ultimate in racing hobbies. This isn’t just about driving fast cars – it’s about competing at the highest levels of motorsport.

What it costs:

• Formula 1 team ownership/sponsorship: $100+ million annually
• Professional racing car development: $1-5 million per vehicle
• Entry-level professional racing (Formula 3/4): $500,000+ per season
• Track time, crew, and logistics: $50,000-200,000 per race weekend

Even amateur-level serious racing requires custom-built vehicles, professional pit crews, and substantial ongoing costs. For those who love motorsport from a distance, our guide to the most expensive car brands puts the engineering investment in context.

3. Private Jet Ownership

Owning a private jet is one of the most expensive ongoing hobbies for the ultra-wealthy – and one of the most visible status symbols in the world.

What it costs:

• Purchase price: $3 million (light jets) to $75+ million (large cabin jets)
• Annual maintenance: $500,000 – $1 million+
• Hangar fees: $50,000 – $200,000 annually
• Crew salaries: $200,000 – $500,000+ annually
• Operating costs: $2,000 – $8,000+ per flight hour

Many wealthy owners customize their aircraft with bespoke interiors, advanced entertainment systems, and personalised features – adding millions to the headline purchase price.

4. Superyacht Racing and Ownership

Superyacht racing and ownership takes maritime luxury to the extreme – and then some.

What it costs:

• Superyacht purchase: $10 million – $500+ million
• Annual operating costs: 10-15% of purchase price
• Racing modifications and performance upgrades: $1-10 million
• Professional crew: $300,000 – $2 million+ annually
• Race entry fees and logistics: $100,000 – $1 million+ per event

Superyacht racing events like the America’s Cup involve vessels costing hundreds of millions and require teams of professional sailors, engineers, and support staff. It is possibly the most socially exclusive sport in the world.

5. Playing Polo

Often called the sport of kings, polo is one of the oldest team sports in the world – dating back to ancient Persia – and remains one of the most exclusive.

I once took a beginner polo lesson at an exclusive club in the south of England, and even at that introductory level, the cost of equipment, horse hire, and professional instruction was striking. To compete seriously is an entirely different financial proposition.

What it costs:

• Polo ponies: $25,000 – $250,000+ each (players typically need 4-6 horses)
• Annual horse care: $15,000 – $30,000 per horse
• Club memberships: $3,000 – $50,000+ annually
• Equipment and gear: $10,000 – $25,000
• Tournament travel and entry fees: $25,000 – $100,000+ annually

Our guide to how to play polo covers everything you need to know if you’re curious about getting started.

6. Luxury Watch Collecting

Collecting investment-grade timepieces has become one of the fastest-growing expensive hobbies among high-net-worth individuals worldwide. Unlike many hobbies on this list, watches can appreciate significantly – certain Rolex and Patek Philippe references have increased in value by 300% over a decade.

Having visited Swiss watch manufactures over the years, we can attest to how extraordinary these pieces are in person. Holding a truly exceptional timepiece changes your perspective on what craftsmanship can mean.

What it costs:

• Entry-level luxury watch (Rolex, Omega): $5,000 – $15,000
• Mid-range collectible (Patek Philippe Aquanaut, AP Royal Oak): $25,000 – $100,000+
• Rare or limited edition pieces: $100,000 – $5 million+
• The most expensive watch ever sold at auction (Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime): $21.19 million
• Specialist storage, insurance, and servicing: $2,000 – $20,000+ annually

Our guide to the most luxurious watch brands is a good starting point for anyone curious about building a collection.

7. High-End Art Collecting

For many people, art is a source of beauty and inspiration. For serious collectors, it’s also one of the most complex and costly hobbies imaginable.

Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” sold for a record-breaking $450 million in 2017 – but even a modest collection of works by emerging artists can involve tens of thousands in acquisition, insurance, and storage costs.

What it costs:

• Authentication and provenance research: $5,000 – $50,000+ per piece
• Insurance: 0.5-2% of artwork value annually
• Climate-controlled storage and security: $10,000 – $100,000+ annually
• Transportation and installation: $5,000 – $50,000+ per move

Our guide to the most famous painters in the world provides context on whose work tends to hold – and grow – its value.

8. Premium Wine and Rare Whisky Collecting

Beyond casual appreciation, the pursuit of rare and vintage bottles has become an investment-grade hobby among the ultra-wealthy.

I completed the WSET wine course to better understand what separates a truly exceptional bottle from a merely expensive one – and the rabbit hole goes very deep. A single bottle of 1945 Romanée-Conti sold at auction for $558,000.

What it costs:

• Rare vintage wines: $1,000 – $500,000+ per bottle
• Vintage whiskey from closed distilleries: $5,000 – $100,000+ per bottle
• Professional wine storage facilities: $5 – $50+ per bottle annually
• Insurance and authentication: $1,000 – $10,000+ annually
• Auction fees and expert consultation: 10-25% of purchase price

The Perfect Collection of 3,900 whiskies sold for $9.1 million across two auctions. Explore the most expensive wines in the world for more on what makes certain bottles so extraordinary.

9. Michelin-Starred Gastronomy and Fine Dining Travel

For a certain kind of traveller, the destination is not the country – it’s the table. Serious fine dining tourism, built around chasing three-Michelin-star restaurants across multiple continents, is one of the most rarefied and quietly discussed expensive hobbies in the world.

What it costs:

• Three-Michelin-star tasting menus: $300 – $1,000+ per person (food alone)
• Wine pairings at top restaurants: $200 – $2,000+ per person
• Reservations at the world’s most exclusive restaurants (Noma, El Celler de Can Roca, etc.): months or years in advance; some require travel packages of $5,000-10,000+
• Annual spending for serious gastronomy travellers: $50,000 – $250,000+

The hidden cost is time – the world’s most sought-after reservations require a level of planning and flexibility that itself implies significant wealth.

10. Collecting Cars

Amassing a collection of modern and vintage cars is an enduring expensive hobby among the ultra-wealthy. A 1954 Mercedes Formula One race car sold at auction for $29.7 million; a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B fetched $19.8 million.

What it costs:

• Specialized storage facilities: $200 – $2,000+ per car monthly
• Expert maintenance and restoration: $10,000 – $100,000+ annually per car
• Insurance: $2,000 – $25,000+ annually per car
• Transportation to shows and events: $1,000 – $10,000+ per trip

Whether you prefer luxury American car brands or British car brands, a serious car collection is as much a passion project as it is an investment strategy.

11. Professional Horse Racing and Breeding

While horse riding is expensive, professional racing and breeding represents an entirely different level of investment – one that has attracted royalty, billionaires, and sovereign wealth funds.

What it costs:

• Thoroughbred racehorses: $100,000 – $10+ million each
• Training fees: $45,000 – $100,000+ annually per horse
• Veterinary care and breeding: $25,000 – $100,000+ annually
• Jockey fees and race entries: $10,000 – $50,000+ per race
• Breeding rights: $25,000 – $500,000+ per mating

Some elite racehorses have sold for over $16 million, and annual training costs alone can surpass those of an exotic car fleet.

12. Flying Your Own Plane

Flying is one of the most technically demanding expensive hobbies – and one of the most rewarding. Whether you’re working toward a private pilot licence or already own a turboprop, the costs escalate quickly.

Training costs:

• Private pilot licence: $8,000 – $20,000
• Instrument rating: $5,000 – $15,000
• Commercial licence: $15,000 – $30,000

Aircraft costs:

• Small single-engine aircraft: $100,000 – $500,000
• Multi-engine aircraft: $500,000 – $2 million+
• Turboprop aircraft: $2 million – $10 million+

Annual operating costs:

• Hangar fees: $200 – $2,000+ monthly
• Insurance: $2,000 – $20,000+ annually
• Maintenance: $10,000 – $100,000+ annually
• Fuel: $50 – $500+ per hour

There is nothing quite like the perspective shift of looking down at a world you usually only see from the ground.

13. Downhill Skiing and Heli-Skiing

Skiing can range from a modest annual trip to an extraordinary ongoing commitment. At the top end, the costs are significant.

What it costs:

• Luxury resort day passes: $150 – $300+
• Ski-in/ski-out accommodation: $1,000 – $10,000+ per night
• Private instruction: $500 – $1,500+ per day
• Helicopter skiing: $1,000 – $3,000+ per day
• High-end equipment: $3,000 – $8,000+ annually

Our guide to the most luxurious ski resorts in the world covers the destinations where serious skiers aspire to be seen – from Courchevel to Aspen. For those who prefer the European mountain experience, our guide to the best Alps villages is worth bookmarking.

14. Playing Golf

Golf can range from affordable public courses to exclusive private clubs where membership itself can feel like a hobby. The most expensive element is often the club affiliation and travel to legendary courses.

What it costs:

• Exclusive club initiation fees: $50,000 – $500,000+
• Annual dues: $5,000 – $50,000+
• Golf trips to legendary courses: $5,000 – $25,000+ per trip
• Professional instruction: $100 – $500+ per session
• Custom-fitted equipment: $3,000 – $8,000+ per set

Membership at elite courses like Augusta National is effectively impossible to purchase – it requires connection and invitation beyond mere money. See our guide to the most prestigious golf courses in the world for a look at what serious golfers aspire to play.

15. Cigar Collecting

Fine cigar collecting has long been a hobby of kings, heads of state, and high-net-worth individuals. At its most serious, it involves dedicated humidors, investment-grade aged Cubans, and auction prices that rival fine wine.

What it costs:

• Entry-level premium cigars: $20 – $100 each
• Rare aged Cuban cigars (pre-1990s): $500 – $5,000+ per cigar
• Limited edition box sets and humidors: $1,000 – $50,000+
• Walk-in climate-controlled humidor installation: $10,000 – $100,000+
• Annual spending for serious collectors: $20,000 – $200,000+

Rare limited editions now regularly fetch five-figure sums at specialist auctions – making cigars one of the quieter investment-grade collectibles.

16. High Stakes Poker

Professional poker requires substantial bankroll management and can involve enormous sums. Unlike many hobbies on this list, it’s theoretically possible to make money – which is precisely what makes it so seductive.

What it costs:

• Tournament buy-ins: $1,000 – $1+ million
• Cash game bankroll requirements: $100,000 – $10+ million
• Coaching and training: $500 – $2,000+ per hour
• Travel to major tournaments: $50,000 – $200,000+ annually

The World Series of Poker Main Event has a $10,000 buy-in. The highest stakes cash games in Macau and Las Vegas can involve millions per session.

17. Scuba Diving and Technical Diving

Advanced scuba diving – particularly technical diving, rebreather use, and deep-water liveaboard expeditions – is significantly more expensive than recreational diving.

What it costs:

• Technical diving equipment: $5,000 – $15,000+
• Rebreather systems: $8,000 – $20,000+
• Underwater photography equipment: $5,000 – $50,000+
• Liveaboard expedition cruises: $3,000 – $15,000+ per week
• Private dive boat charters: $2,000 – $10,000+ per day

Electric underwater scooters from our watersports toys guide can add another $1,500-8,000 to the kit list, while underwater ROVs for serious exploration reach $100,000+.

18. Skydiving and Wingsuiting

While basic skydiving costs $200-300 per jump, advanced disciplines like wingsuiting and BASE jumping are far more expensive – and considerably more dangerous.

What it costs:

• Wingsuit training and certification: $3,000 – $8,000+
• High-end wingsuits: $1,500 – $3,000+ each
• BASE jumping equipment: $5,000 – $15,000+
• Travel to prime jumping locations: $10,000 – $30,000+ annually

In wingsuiting, the skydiver wears a webbing-sleeved suit that generates lift, enabling a glide ratio rather than a freefall – one of the most extraordinary sensations in extreme sport.

19. Mountain Climbing and Expedition Alpinism

While basic mountain climbing can be affordable, expeditions to major peaks require serious investment in logistics, permits, and specialist equipment.

What it costs:

• Everest expedition: $35,000 – $100,000+
• K2 or other 8,000m peaks: $50,000 – $150,000+
• Specialised mountaineering equipment: $5,000 – $15,000+
• Training and preparation: $5,000 – $20,000+
• Insurance and emergency evacuation coverage: $1,000 – $10,000+

The Nepal government alone charges $11,000 per person for an Everest permit – and that’s before you’ve hired a single Sherpa.

20. Hot Air Balloon Ownership

Individual hot air balloon rides cost around $200-400 per person. Owning and operating your own balloon is an entirely different proposition.

What it costs:

• New hot air balloon: $25,000 – $75,000+
• Pilot certification: $5,000 – $10,000
• Annual inspections and maintenance: $3,000 – $8,000
• Insurance: $2,000 – $5,000+ annually
• Chase vehicle and equipment: $15,000 – $40,000

21. Competitive Go-Karting

Go-karting can range from a casual track afternoon to serious competitive racing. At the professional end, the costs rival those of many other sports on this list.

What it costs:

• Racing go-kart: $8,000 – $15,000+
• Safety gear: $1,000 – $3,000
• Annual racing season: $15,000 – $50,000+ (including travel, entry fees, maintenance)
• Engine rebuilds: $2,000 – $5,000+ per season

Many Formula 1 drivers began their careers in competitive go-karting, making it the most accessible gateway into professional motorsport.

22. Competitive Ballroom Dancing

Professional ballroom dancing involves significant ongoing costs for competitions, costumes, and intensive private coaching.

What it costs:

• Professional coaching: $100 – $300+ per hour
• Competition gowns and tailsuits: $2,000 – $15,000+ each
• Competition entry fees: $200 – $1,000+ per event
• Travel to major competitions: $25,000 – $75,000+ annually

23. Rare Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting may seem like a quaint pursuit, but at the highest level it involves extraordinary sums and international auction competition.

What it costs:

• Iconic rare stamps: $10,000 – $10+ million each (the British Guiana 1c Magenta sold for $9.5 million)
• Specialised storage and preservation: $1,000 – $10,000+ annually
• Authentication and grading: $100 – $5,000+ per stamp
• Auction house fees: 10-25% of purchase price

24. Sneaker Collecting

High-end sneaker collecting has evolved from subculture hobby into a genuine investment category, with rare shoes selling for hundreds of thousands at major auction houses.

What it costs:

• Rare vintage sneakers: $1,000 – $500,000+ per pair
• Limited edition releases: $500 – $50,000+ per pair
• Authentication and storage: $1,000 – $10,000+ annually
• Insurance for valuable collections: $2,000 – $20,000+ annually

A pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype sneakers worn by Kanye West at the 2008 Grammys sold at Sotheby’s for $1.8 million – a record for any sneaker.

25. Trap and Clay Shooting

Competitive trap shooting is one of the most traditional expensive hobbies among landed gentry and country house culture, and remains a significant financial commitment at the competitive level.

What it costs:

• Competition shotguns: $5,000 – $50,000+
• Annual ammunition: $2,000 – $10,000+
• Range fees and club memberships: $1,000 – $5,000+ annually
• Competition travel: $5,000 – $25,000+ annually

26. RC Planes and Advanced Drone Racing

High-end radio controlled aviation and competitive FPV drone racing have become surprisingly expensive hobbies – combining technical precision with significant ongoing equipment costs.

What it costs:

• Turbine-powered RC jets: $15,000 – $50,000+
• Giant scale aircraft: $5,000 – $25,000+
• Competition FPV equipment: $3,000 – $15,000+
• Club memberships and insurance: $500 – $2,000+ annually

27. Private Island Rental and Ownership

The pursuit of private island experiences – and ultimately ownership – is one of the clearest expressions of extreme wealth as a lifestyle.

What it costs:

• Private island rental: $10,000 – $100,000+ per week
• Private island purchase: $1 million – $100+ million
• Annual maintenance and staffing: $500,000 – $5 million+
• Infrastructure development (electricity, desalination, connectivity): $1 million – $20 million+

Owning a private island is less a hobby and more a worldview – it requires the resources of a small corporation to sustain.

28. Owning a Luxury or Exotic Pet

Certain pet breeds sit at the extreme end of the exotic animal market – and their ongoing care costs can rival those of running a small business.

Some of the world’s most expensive cat breeds and most expensive dog breeds can cost $5,000 – $100,000+ to purchase.

What it costs:

• Exotic animal purchase (where legal): $10,000 – $100,000+
• Specialist veterinary care: $5,000 – $50,000+ annually
• Custom housing and enrichment: $10,000 – $200,000+

Most exotic pets are illegal to own in many countries and US states. Always verify local legislation before considering this route.

29. High-End Astrotourism and Observatory Travel

A growing niche in luxury travel, serious astrotourism involves travel to the world’s darkest skies paired with access to private or semi-private observatory telescopes.

What it costs:

• Professional-grade amateur telescopes: $10,000 – $150,000+
• Dedicated observatory construction: $50,000 – $500,000+
• Private astrotourism expeditions (Atacama, Namibia, Antarctica): $5,000 – $30,000+
• Astrophotography equipment: $5,000 – $50,000+

As light pollution reclaims more of the night sky, access to truly dark skies has itself become a luxury good.

How Much Do People Spend on Their Hobbies?

According to industry surveys, the average person spends $200-300 per month on their hobbies. That figure becomes almost irrelevant when you’re talking about the pursuits on this list.

For ultra-luxury activities – yachting, space tourism, Formula 1 – annual spend can reach tens or hundreds of millions. Even the more accessible entries, like luxury watch collecting or fine dining travel, can easily consume $50,000-250,000 per year for serious participants.

What unites them all is that the expense is rarely the point. The point is the pursuit itself – the craftsmanship, the community, and the experiences that only money can access.

Frequently Asked Questions: Expensive Hobbies

What is the most expensive hobby in the world?

Space tourism is currently the most expensive single-experience hobby, with suborbital flights starting at $450,000. For ongoing annual costs, Formula 1 team ownership and superyacht racing easily surpass everything else.

What hobbies do billionaires have?

Billionaires commonly pursue yacht ownership, private aviation, polo, fine art collecting, luxury watch collecting, and thoroughbred horse racing. Newer additions include space tourism and investment-grade rare whisky.

What is a good expensive hobby to take up?

Luxury watch collecting and premium wine or whisky collecting are considered among the most accessible entry points, as they can begin at a relatively modest scale and have genuine investment potential. Golf and skiing offer expensive versions that still allow for participation at various commitment levels.

What are expensive hobbies for men?

Polo, Formula 1 racing, luxury watch collecting, golf, and aviation are traditionally considered among the most popular expensive hobbies for men. Car collecting and rare whisky are also highly popular.

What are expensive hobbies for women?

Equestrian sports (including dressage and show jumping as well as polo), fine art collecting, competitive ballroom dancing, and luxury travel are among the most popular expensive hobbies. Luxury watch collecting and fine wine are increasingly popular across genders.

The Most Expensive Hobbies in the World: Final Thoughts

Whether it’s competing at superyacht regattas, pursuing a Michelin-star tour across three continents, or building an investment-grade watch collection, the hobbies on this list share one thing in common: they demand real commitment, not just money.

We’ve encountered many of these pursuits through our work covering luxury travel and lifestyle worldwide, and what consistently strikes us is how seriously their participants take them. These aren’t hobbies adopted for show – they’re genuine passions that happen to require extraordinary resources.

For more on the world’s most exclusive lifestyle pursuits, explore our coverage of luxury lifestyle tips and the most expensive items in the world.

Note: All cost estimates can vary significantly by location, quality level, and current market conditions. Prices reflect 2025-2026 data where available.

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