Mar 10

How to Get to Burning Man

So you've bought your ticket and your gear- how are you going to physically get to burning man? Finding your way on Playa requires at least some level of planning, especially if you live far away. Here are the easiest and most cost effective ways to get to Burning Man.

Flying

People come to Burning Man from all over the world, so of course many people fly to get there. Most Burners recommend Southwest because it doesn't charge for the first two bags. I flew from Baltimore to Reno for my first burn, and I was able to bring two large suitcases and two carry-ons on my Southwest flight without getting charged. If you don't have any other way to access a bike, you can even bring that on the plane, though it was a big hassle. Instead, you could spend the money it costs to wrap and ship your bike on a thrifted bike from a bike shop in Reno, or pay someone to ship it in a container.

Fly into:

Reno is a 2.5 hour drive to Black Rock City; the Burner Express Bus stops here.
San Francisco is 5 hours outside of BRC; the Burner Express Bus also stops here.
Vegas is 7 hours; only recommended if meeting friends or if you are planning to take time to visit Vegas.

Getting from the airport to the desert

Burner Express Bus - These are obtained separately from your event ticket. It's even possible to schedule for a stop at Walmart so you don't have to search for a ride.
Burner Express Air - More expensive than a bus ticket, but it must be pretty cool to fly into Black Rock City!
Car Rental - the price varies, and they are likely to have extra fees for cleaning
RV Rental - these are hard to find after May, but are more convenient than car camping.
Rideshare - potentially free! Places to get a ride are outlined in survival guide which is updated every year.

All of the baggage I was able to bring on Southwest.

Tips for plane travel:

Plan how to transport your gear that you can't bring on the plane. It is possible to bring everything you need except for fresh food, which you can then buy at a grocery store in Reno.
If you decide to go shopping, make sure you don't buy so much that you can't take it back with you, or make a plan to donate the extra items on your way out. Don't leave your bike, cooler, or other discarded items on playa for others to clean up!
Consider renting a hotel and giving yourself a day to decompress before flying back. After a week or more of being in Black Rock City, being back in the "real world" can be disorienting.
Make sure to plan extra days off in case things go sideways and you need extra time, like the weather during Burning Man 2023.

Driving

Many people simply drive their car or RV to Burning Man. This is convenient due to the flexibility of travel, the convenient living space and water storage and the potential ability to tow art or other items. Carpooling can help reduce traffic during Exodus and give you someone to split costs with.

Before you hop in the car, make sure it will actually be worth it.

If you are coming from across the country, it may not be cheaper or easier to drive than to fly. During my first burn I was coming from the DC area, which would have been 50 hours of road time (each way!). This would have added a minimum of 5 extra days to my trip, likely more. The gas money alone would have costed more than a plane ticket. Because I was solo tent camping without much gear, it wasn't worth it - I simply took a plane and rode the Burner Express Bus.

However during my second burn I worked for DPW and wanted to have all of my gear with me and, so I made the road trip. I was coming from Texas instead of Maryland and made a few stops along the way to visit friends, so while it was still a long trip, it was well worth it.

If you're planning to rent a vehicle, be aware that rental companies will be on high alert for potential Burners, especially RV companies. It is a good idea to do so ahead of time to avoid fees, though this may not fool anyone.

Tips for Driving

Secure & check your load. Even once you get to Reno, the drive to Black Rock City will take several hours. It is important that your gear is secured on to your vehicle, and that anything inside your vehicle is not obstructing your view.
Get your car checked, especially if it is dripping. Fluids are still MOOP, and you will end up needing to either catch the drips with a container or find someone on playa who can help you fix it.
If you're traveling with someone, make sure they have space for all of your stuff and you coordinate on when to make stops for last minute gear or food.
I can't overstate the power of community. There is likely someone near you who has done the drive before and can give you intimate details on how to not hate your life by the end of it. Connect with your regional contact to meet seasoned Burners who can help you plan. Through these groups I have seen informative powerpoints, met for happy hours, and volunteered to work on art projects. I have also met some amazing people through Regional Burns.
Be prepared to thoroughly clean your vehicle, both inside and outside, when you return. The corrosive dust will get into any nooks and crannies exposed to the elements. Covering your vehicle with sheets or keeping it under a shade structure can help reduce buildup on the outside, and keeping the door closed as much as possible can help reduce the amount of dust inside your car.

The Burner Express

If you drive to Black Rock City on opening day, you can spend anywhere from 5 - 20 hours in line. There will be nothing around but other motor vehicles and maybe a few porto potties, and you will need to stay alert and in control of your vehicle. For many people, this is their personal version of hell. Thankfully, the Burner Express Program offers both bus and air travel to Black Rock City in order to reduce car traffic and encourage alternative transportation. For both services it is important to buy your ticket ahead of time.

Bus

The Burner Express Bus transports Burners from San Francisco and Reno to Black Rock City and back. Riding the bus allows you to bypass the line both in and out, provides reserved camping, and can include a shopping trip depending on the ticket you buy. You can purchase one way or round trip tickets. Check the official website for dates the bus will be running, and be careful when buying tickets. If you buy for the wrong date, it is can be tricky to try and reschedule (I know from experience). Having taken the bus, I would say that it was a very smooth process and I would definitely do it again.

Cruising past the line in the Burner Express Bus

Air Travel

Burner Express Air is a charter plane service that transports Burners from Southern California, the Bay Area, and Reno to Black Rock City (BRC) and back. Like all air transportation, there is a luggage limit, check in time, and extra charges if you pack over the allotted weight. While I don't plan on doing it, flying into Black Rock City sounds pretty cool!

Transporting Your Stuff

It is easier to get your body to Burning Man than all the food, water, clothes, camping equipment, and other things you need to survive in the middle of the desert. There are many ways to transport your items if you cannot drive it all down yourself.

Shipping container: Many communities on the east coast have organized local shipping containers for burners. You pay a small amount to rent space on the container, label everything, and then you only have to transport your body and your immediate needs.
Other shipping: You can ship your gear on a Greyhound bus or by FedEx Ground to a Reno pickup location and go from there.
Connect with a camp so you need less gear. Many camps provide shade, water, bikes, and other necessities. While you do pay camp fees, the amount will likely be worth it to avoid the struggle of doing all of these things completely on your own. Especially if you are a virgin burner, I would recommend joining a camp to make obtaining and transporting resources easier, as well as simply having more support, safety and fun.
Keeping gear nearby: If you will be coming back yearly, you can leave some of your gear with a friend who lives nearby or pitch in to rent a communal storage unit.

Tips for Moving Things

Decorate and label your bike beforehand as well as taking it to a bike shop for any issues. You don't want to finally finish unpacking only to realize you need to head to a bike repair camp instead of a party.
Make sure to label your gear with big colorful labels, especially if you're using Burner Bins (the hardy black containers with the yellow tops). Everything quickly starts to look the same when covered in playa dust, and you don't want to lose a bin or have someone grab yours.
If you're going to bring suitcases, consider getting used ones from the thrift store. I'm very glad I didn't buy brand new suitcases, because I felt no qualms about seeing them get tossed around in the airport and I don't mind that they are now permanently discolored with crusty wheels, even though I did my best to clean them.

Overall Tips and Tricks for Getting to Burning Man

Plan ahead. Getting to Burning Man last minute is possible, but it is not recommended, especially for virgin burners. Most people make a travel plan ahead of time to avoid logistics-related disasters. You are responsible for yourself, and no one will pick up after you if a lack of planning results in you missing the burn, getting there later than you intended, or spending more money than intended. Start planning as soon as you decide to go to Burning Man.
Bring your ticket! Its important to have your physical ticket and an ID with a matching name on hand. Ticket sales happen in phases, so keep an eye out for when your tickets will drop. If you are working with a low budget, low income tickets are available to help you afford the burn.
Iron out the details. Once you get yourself and your stuff to Black Rock City, you still have to get it all to camp. Make sure you have an address for your camp or an idea of where you will be open camping.
Plan for trash. Anything you bring on playa will also need to be taken out, unless of course you will be burning it (such as an art piece). Even then you need to prepare to clean up the waste created from this. Don't forget to make a plan for water, grey water, food, and power.
Participate in decommodification by covering your logos and brand names. This helps Black Rock City feel more immersive.
Connect with other burners. There is likely a regional group near you that has monthly meet-ups, an art camp working on a large piece that could use some extra hands, or a theme camp that has extra tickets.
Stay in the loop. Sign up for The Jackrabbit Speaks to stay updated regarding the upcoming burn.