I have done my very best to ensure all the below is accurate and hopefully it all adds up! Some costs were difficult to keep track of especially when I was using cash as I did not keep a record of what I spend money on - which looking back on now, would have been great to see. There was no luxuries (although I do remember getting a manicure for $6 while in town!) all the money was basically spend on food, accommodation and equipment. I'm racking my brains to think what else I could of spent it on - but that's trail life. Towards the end of the trail, I was very much having to spend more than I wanted to as I didn't have the time to go to cheaper places to get food. If I was in a town and I visited a subway, I would pack out an extra sandwich and cookies, so costs like that do add up. Also food and accommodation in the White Mountains was expensive as well, as I did not have the time to do the work for stays, which is also an option for thru -hikers
US$2,165 / £1,681
Costs While on the Trail (See below)
US$3,686 / £2,944.28
Total Cost of Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail including all gear, food and accommodation, as well as insurance, plus flights to and from the USA.
US$5,851 /£4,625.28*
*This does not include other expenses I had coming out of my bank account every month such as - my mobile phone bill as well as the website and podcasting hosting costs.
Further Breakdown of where the money was spend - while on the trail
Food (Both from supermarkets as well as eating out while in towns)
June - US$101.21 / £82.81
July - US$515.49 / £410.46
Aug - US$613.51 / £489.81
Sept - US$129.39 / £103.59
Total Food Costs = US$1,359.60 / £1,086.67
Accommodation (This will also include laundry costs while staying at hostels)
June - US$215.98 / £175.52
July - US$198.04 / £157.85
Aug - US$163.51 / £131.25
Sept - US$172.26 / £138.07
Total Accommodation Costs = US$749.79 / £602.69
Food & Accommodation (When unable to separate costs)
June - US$ - / £ -
July - US$115.76 / £92.33
Aug - US$ - / £ -
Sept - US$160.40 / £124.36
Total Food & Accommodation Costs = US$276.16 / £216.69
Equipment (I bought while on the trail, shoes (X3), socks, sleeping bag liner)
June - US$ - / £ -
July - US$124.90 / £99.18
Aug - US$160.95 / £128.97
Sept - US$ - / £ -
Total Equipment Costs = US$285.85 / £228.15
Cash out (Will have been spend on food & accommodation)
June - US$303 / £238.16
July - US$202.50 / £156.60
Aug - US$102 / £78.33
Sept - US$ - / £ -
Cash Costs = US$607.50 / £473.09
Fees (Card Transactions)
June - US$16.92 / £12.56
July - US$10.00 / £7.43
Aug - US$6.61 / £4.90
Sept - US$4.60 / £3.41
Total Fees Paid = US$38.13 / £28.30
Miscellaneous (Transport to trail, REI & cinema trip)
June - US$375.91 / £300.41
July - US$10.50 / £8.28
Miscellaneous Costs = US$386.41 / £308.69
A pretty pie chart! - Total % of Costs £
Costs While on the Trail
Comparison June, July, August & September
Total Spend for June - US$996.10 / £809.46
Total Spend for July - US$1,177.19 / £932.13
Total Spend for August - US$1,046.58 / £833.26
Total Spend for September - US$466.65 / £369.43
Total spending US$3,686 / £2,944.28
Days on Trail June - 28
Days on Trail July - 31
Days on Trail August - 31
Days on Trail September - 10
Total day on Trail - 100
Cost per day - June - US$35.57 / £28.90
Cost per day- July - US$39.24 / £30
Cost per day - August - US$33.76 / £26.87
Cost per day - September - US$46.6 / £36.90
Total cost per day = US$36.86 / £29.44
June Miles - 539.4 miles therefore 539 miles
July Miles - 684.1 miles therefore 684 miles
August Miles - 728.2 miles therefore 728 miles
September Miles - 238.3 miles therefore 238 miles
Total Miles = 2,190
Cost per mile June = US$1.84 / £ 1.50
Cost per mile July = US$1.72 / £1.36
Cost per mile August = US$1.44 /£1.14
Cost per mile September = US$1.90 / £1.55
Total cost per mile = US$1.68 / £1.34
Further Blog Posts to Read
Costs Before the Trail
