Do you feel the call to be part of Burning Man?! Expect nothing less than an out-of-this-world experience when you enter Black Rock City! It’s like landing on another planet. Once you feel ready to embark on this adventure of a lifetime, it’s time to think about logistics such as purchasing tickets, organising transport and choosing your camp. To help you prepare for this popular art festival that happens annually in Nevada/USA, I have put this survival guide together.
Part 1 covers Tickets, Logistics, Accommodation & more.
Part 2 covers the Essential Packing List – the essentials to take along, what to leave at home and an overview of useful apps.
Plan ahead and mentally prepare
I know a number of people who have been talking about how much they want to go to Burning Man for many years now, but to this day haven’t made it. It takes some preparation and the right mindset to plan ahead. That’s why I encourage you to put the important dates (such as the official ticket release) into your calendar. Then, on the day when the tickets go on sale, all you have to do is execute!
It really helped me to visualise myself at Burning Man – and to realise that nothing could stop me if I really wanted to go. I was even prepared to quit my job should my boss not give me the leave that I had requested. This is not to say that you need to be that radical, but such an attitude certainly helps to make things happen.
Getting hold of your ticket
My advice would be to prepare in advance and set up your profile on the official website to be kept in the loop re. dates for the official ticket release. As of 2018, ticket prices ranged from $190 to $1,200 with regular tickets selling for $425 for the entire 10-day event. If you have the money, I would highly recommend opting for the more expensive pre-sale tickets. The reason why you’d want to invest $990 is to increase your chances of actually getting a ticket. This is what I opted for in my first year. I considered the surcharge to be my donation-like contribution to make it all happen.
Should you opt for the regular ticket sale, be sure that you log in on time and press ‘buy now’ on the dot as tickets literally sell out in seconds. If you missed out, there still is hope – as more tickets go on sale later on in the year. Most recently, tickets combining the bus ride and entry to Burning Man have been made available. Also, I heard rumours that discounted tickets for people with limited financial capacity don’t always sell out. So, go ahead and have a closer look at the different options and pick the one that suits you best.
As a matter of fact, I came across a number of people who got hold of their tickets literally during the last week before the gates open. At times, ticket holders can’t make it and are happy to pass on their tickets to others. I myself got hold of such a ticket my second year and found the change of name to be a very simple process.
How to get to Black Rock City
Once you have secured your ticket, it’s time to plan how to get to Black Rock City. For people like myself who fly in from overseas, the best option is to simply catch the Burner Express bus. You can choose between Reno and San Francisco as your port of embarkation. The advantage of getting on in Reno is that there are designated buses that stop at a grocery store to allow you to purchase your food last-minute.
The trip from Reno to Black Rock City should take no longer than 4 hours. To cover the 341 miles from San Francisco, one should allow roughly 6-8 hours. However, depending on traffic (especially when heading back to the city) allow plenty of time as traffic jams easily start to build. I once caught the Burner Express bus on a Monday back to San Francisco at 9 am in the morning. It took us more than 12 (!) hours due to heavy traffic (people were returning from a long weekend) which unfortunately meant that many burners missed their flights. My flight didn’t leave till after 11 pm so I just made it in time. Not enough time though to take a shower before boarding which meant that I rocked up in my office in Sydney the following morning with a really dusty look.
Advantages of the Burner Express Bus
Bus tickets are either one way or return. Prices vary depending on where you get on and how much luggage you have got. For example, a one-way ticket from San Francisco costs just over 115 USD, from Reno 80 USD. As a bonus, you can get on a bus on Saturday and arrive in Black Rock City before the gates officially open – without requiring an early access pass.
The other big advantage of opting for the Burner Express Bus is that it saves you time when entering and exiting Black Rock City. Imagine you have been driving 10 or more hours from San Francisco and finally get to the turnoff to Black Rock City. You are starting to feel all excited about your upcoming adventure – but then your vehicle comes to a full stop for the next 8 (!) hours or so. It’s the worst traffic jam ever. The gates are within reach and yet so far – simply because each and every vehicle gets to be fully inspected – looking for hidden passengers, drugs, etc in the most inaccessible places. The faster way of getting to Burning Man is to have your ID and tickets checked before getting on the bus and driving right through the gates without stopping at all. This definitely will save you valuable time! Plus, you have the opportunity to get to know your fellow burners on the way there and back. If necessary, you can purchase extra space to take a bicycle or extra luggage.
Radical self-reliance is one of the 10 principles which translates into the need to bring not only food for 10 days but also sufficient water to stay hydrated. Only those who catch the bus have the opportunity to pre-purchase water which makes life so much easier. All you need to bring is a 10-gallon plastic container (pre-purchase those foldable ones on either eBay or your local supermarket).
Accommodation options at Black Rock City
At Burning Man there are no facilities provided other than toilets, so you have to arrange your own accommodation. Sleeping in either tents or RVs and all its variations (incl. the popular version of a hired U Haul van) are the most common options unless you belong to the rich and famous who prefer to stay in luxury accommodation with air condition etc. (starting at $10K). My preferred home has been a tent. It’s simply the cheapest option and requires the least effort to organise. After all, I am someone who loves to explore and doesn’t spend much time in my temporary home.
Choosing your camp or no-camp space
Every camp has its own vibes, personality and rules. Most camps charge you a fee (ranging from 50 to hundreds of US dollars) to be part of the experience (which often includes food). Also, as part of the package, you are expected to spend a certain number of hours in service of others. As I am someone who loves to flow around freely and typically only returns to camp to find some sleep, I was very lucky to find a camp that perfectly caters for my personality. I got in touch with the organisers from the camp through a friend who reached out to his local burner community. My recommendation is to research the different camps and reach out to the one that appeals most to you. Alternatively, Hoverlandia offers space for the burners who catch the Burner Express Bus. While it appears less organised it is still an impeccable place to pitch your tent.
Choose your camp wisely to meet your own needs. With so much happening 24/7, it is important to have a place to withdraw to when one starts to experience some sort of overwhelm. Your camp will be your safe haven and go-to place when you simply need a break.
Trust me, there will be a point where you long to slow down and re-energise. After all, Black Rock City often presents a harsh environment with heavy dust storms passing through (with zero visibility) and temperatures ranging from 40 degrees during the day time and just above 0 degrees C at night. And yes, there have been years where heavy rainfalls have turned the space into a big mud pit. So, you want to be prepared and pack accordingly.
Check out the Essential Packing List to make sure you pack the essentials and leave behind unnecessary stuff.
