Billionaires like to go from A to B in supreme comfort and style and think nothing of splurging on the finest and most exclusive modes of transport imaginable.
Read on to discover the private jets, opulent trains, prestige cars, and magnificent megayachts the super-rich use to travel the world. All dollar amounts in US dollars.
Sir Richard Branson has lots of planes at his disposal, but there are some routes his Virgin Atlantic airline doesn't cover. For short-haul trips to and from his private island Necker in the Caribbean, the British billionaire travels in his Dassault Falcon 50EX private jet.
A relatively affordable option, the aircraft can be picked up for just several million dollars.
Bill Gates calls the Bombardier BD-700 Global Express private jet he bought in 1997 his “guilty pleasure”. According to the New York Times, the Microsoft co-founder paid $21 million for the plane, which can seat up to 19 people.
Gates actually owns three more planes, including two Gulfstream G650ERs and a collection of helicopters. His private jet stable is thought to be worth in the region of $200 million (£157m) today.
Formerly chairman of India's Tata Group, Ratan Tata is the owner of a $22 million (£17.4m) Dassault Falcon 2000. The premium jet offers well-appointed interiors, cutting-edge safety features, and a transcontinental range.
Tata is actually a qualified pilot and takes the controls of his prized plane, as well as others owned by the Tata Group.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is an avid aviator with an impressive collection of aircraft that includes two bona fide fighter jets: a SIAI-Marchetti S.211 (pictured) acquired from the Italian navy and a decommissioned Soviet MiG-29.
Unfortunately for the billionaire, the US government grounded the ex-USSR jet, which it deems a weapon.
In 2005, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin spent $15 million (£7.8m) on a Boeing 767-200, acquired from Australian airline Qantas. The pair then spent an additional $10 million (£5.2m) redesigning the interiors to make it into a private jet suitable for 50 passengers.
Together with ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt, the tech titans own a formidable fleet of aircraft, including a Boeing 757 and two Gulfstream Vs, and even have their own private terminal at San Jose airport in California.
Hot on the heels of giving his wife a tricked-out private jet complete with a bar, master bedroom, and games consoles, Mukesh Ambani treated himself to a $73 million (£55.9m) Boeing Business Jet 2.
India's richest person opted for a luxe custom interior boasting everything from a sweeping business suite to a full-sized bathtub. Ambani has more than one plane in his collection, and his fleet also includes a Falcon 900EX jet and an Airbus 319.
Jeff Bezos is the proud owner of not just one but two Gulfstream G650ER private jets. The first was delivered in 2015, while the Amazon founder snapped up the second in 2019. Together, the planes are thought to be worth up to $150 million (£118m), small change for one of the world's wealthiest individuals.
Other billionaire Gulfstream G650ER owners include the aforementioned Larry Ellison and Bill Gates, and Elon Musk.
Donald Trump bagged the second-hand aircraft dubbed 'Trump Force One' in 2011 from the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for $100 million (£79m). The future president spared no expense revamping the plane in suitably blingy style.
The bathroom is dripping in 24-carat gold finishes and premium marble. The headrests of the plane's 43 seats are embroidered with the Trump family crest, and there's even an extra-special VIP area. Other facilities include a guest suite, a dining room, and a lounge that boasts a complete cinema entertainment system.
Equally ostentatious is the Sultan of Brunei's Boeing 747-430. The autocratic ruler purchased the jumbo jet for between $100 million (£79m) and $400 million (£315m), and dropped an additional $120 million (£95m) customising the interior.
Super-extravagant, the plane wows with 24-carat gold accents, Lalique crystal fixtures, and sumptuous leather sofas.
Rags-to-riches billionaire John Paul DeJoria may own three private jets, but the Patrón Tequila Express, the private 1927 railway car he bought in 1996, is his pride and joy.
DeJoria spent $2 million (£1.3m) renovating the carriage, which is decorated “Maharajah’s palace style” with gorgeous green velvet sofas, ornate chandeliers, and brocade drapes.
In 2018, Bernard Arnault's LVMH acquired high-end travel company Belmond, which made the French billionaire the ultimate owner of the peerless Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the world's most iconic train.
The Art Deco beauty, which travels between London and Venice and other European destinations, exudes timeless glamour and offers its lucky passengers unbridled luxury.
Arnault also counts the storied Royal Scotsman in his bulging portfolio. Described as a palace on wheels, the Caledonian train is the epitome of Edwardian sophistication and provides all the comforts of a romantic Scottish castle.
The perfect place to sip an aged malt whisky and admire the breathtakingly beautiful Highland scenery, its carriages are decorated with rich mahogany panelling and fine tweed furnishings.
The wonderfully exotic Eastern & Oriental Express, Asia's most opulent train, also belongs to the French billionaire. Travelling between Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, the train delights with cherrywood panelling and delicate Thai silk upholstery, not to mention an amazing open-decked observation carriage.
South America's classiest train, the Andean Explorer, which connects the ancient Peruvian cities of Cusco and Arequipa, is also part of the Belmond group. Decorated with furnishings that marry traditional Peruvian style with Art Deco, the train is a real gem.
Other deluxe trains now owned by Bernard Arnault's LVMH include the Belmond Grand Hibernian, which operates in Ireland, and the Belmond British Pullman.
Now for some classic supercar eye candy. First up is Donald Trump's 2015 Rolls-Royce Phantom, which he's likely to have paid something in the region of $500,000 (£395k) for.
The vehicle of choice for the billionaire, the grand car is the priciest in Trump's collection.
Elon Musk splurged more than £616,000 ($926k) in 2013 on James Bond's 1976 Lotus Esprit S1 Submarine car that featured in The Spy Who Loved Me.
Nicknamed "Wet Nellie", the submersible was built specially for the 007 movie at a cost of around $100,000 (£79k) and clad in a Lotus Esprit S1 bodyshell.
Jay-Z possesses one of the most enviable collections of cars in the world. The billionaire hip-hop magnate has a multitude of spectacular motors in his no doubt colossal garage, including an armoured Dartz Prombron SUV.
The rap icon reportedly paid $1.3 million (£1m) for the extra-tough vehicle.
Reality star and make-up mogul Kylie Jenner has no shortage of sensational supercars to choose from. They range from a custom Rolls-Royce and orange Lamborghini Aventador to this fantastic $1.4 million (£1.1m) Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta. Like the Aventador, it features Back to the Future-esque scissor doors.
That fabulous Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta isn't Kylie Jenner's priciest car – far from it in fact. The billionaire has a monochrome Bugatti Chiron tucked away in her garage.
Jenner bought the supercar for $3 million (£2.3m) in October 2019 and posted a video of her new buy on social media, but later deleted it after receiving criticism for showing off her wealth.
Mark Zuckerberg's taste in cars used to be pretty modest. The Facebook boss had long favoured models such as the VW Golf GTI and Honda Fit but made headlines in 2014 when he allegedly invested in a head-turning Pagani Huayra.
The carbon-fibre stunner is thought to have set him back around $1.4 million (£1.1m).
Along with his private jets, Bill Gates has a penchant for Porsche supercars, which he considers his other rare indulgence. The major philanthropist bought his first Porsche, a 911 Turbo, in 1979 and purchased a rare 959 in 1987.
Now worth up to $2 million (£1.6m), the supercar was impounded by US customs for 13 years and Gates, who recently acquired an electric Porsche Taycan, actually helped pass a law to make the model road-legal.
Back to Jay-Z. In 2010, the hip-hop star's mega-generous wife Beyoncé pulled out all the stops and then some for her husband's 41st birthday, gifting him a silver Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport.
The supercar would have cost her a cool $2 million (£1.6m), based on the list price for that year.
Walmart heir Rob Walton has built up an astonishing collection of classic cars, having spent millions of dollars in the process. Among his many exceedingly valuable models is a sublime 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa that Walton purchased for $12.1 million (£8.5m) in 2009, but the vintage vehicle could now be worth up to $40 million (£32m).
Unveiled in 2017 to much fanfare, the Rolls-Royce Sweptail is a one-off two-seater commissioned for a mystery billionaire, who reportedly splashed out $13 million (£10.2m) on the unique vehicle.
Needless to say, the Sweptail was the most expensive new car ever produced but didn't hold on to the record for long.
Bugatti snatched the accolade in 2019 with its one-off La Voiture Noire ("The Black Car"). The $18.7 million (£14.7m) masterpiece, which draws inspiration from the classic Type 57 SC Atlantic, was custom-made for an unnamed billionaire client.
Rumours which later turned out to be untrue suggested footballer Cristiano Ronaldo commissioned the car. Since then, it's been topped by Rolls-Royce...
In May 2022, Rolls-Royce unveiled its Boat Tail car, labelled "the most ambitious motor car ever created". The four-seater is shaped like a yacht deck at the back and measures almost 19 feet (5.8m) in length. The vehicle is rumoured to have a price tag of around £20 million ($25m) and is part of Rolls-Royce's new Coachbuild programme, where high-profile clients are invited to design their own unique cars.
Three Boat Tails are being made, each personalised to its owner, and billionaire rapper and car enthusiast Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé are thought to be one of the buyers.
The car that inspired La Voiture Noire is worth considerably more than the 2019 upstart. Indeed, the fabled 1938 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic, the jewel of Ralph Lauren's collection of prestige vehicles, has a value exceeding $40 million (£31.5m).
In total, the billionaire fashion designer owns 60 rare classic cars, including a 1929 Bentley Blower and a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin owns a magnificent yacht called Dragonfly, formerly Silver Zwei. Brin reportedly bought the 240-foot (73m) yacht for $80 million (£63.2m) in 2011, and it's said to boast a dance floor and open-air cinema.
In 2017, the Sydney-based yacht was reportedly available to charter for the price of AU$770,000 (then equivalent to $589k/£479k) per week.
The second wealthiest person in the world, according to Bloomberg, Bernard Arnault made his fortune by building up the formidable luxury brand empire LVMH. A man clearly accustomed to the finer things in life, it’s perhaps a given that a slither of Arnault’s $203 billion (£160bn) fortune would go towards purchasing and maintaining an exquisite yacht.
In 2015, Arnault purchased Symphony, a 333-foot (101m) vessel with eco-friendly credentials, including fuel consumption 30% lower than average, for $150 million (£118.5m). Onboard facilities include a state-of-the-art kitchen designed to produce the finest French cuisine and lavish entertainment suites.
Owner of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, Jerry Jones travels to games in style and is often snapped mooring up in his 357-foot (109m) superyacht Bravo Eugenia – that’s the length of the Cowboys’ home field at AT&T Stadium. Once a game’s finished, Jones’ yacht makes for the perfect after-party venue, with capacity to accommodate 14 passengers and 20 crew members, all of whom can easily be delivered onboard thanks to the vessel’s helipad.
Designed by Italian firm Nuvolari Lenard, this extraordinary vessel is rumoured to have cost more than $250 million (£197.5m) back in 2019.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison enjoys competitive sailing and the tech titan combined work and pleasure in 2000 when he founded a racing team called Oracle Team USA, which has made multiple successful appearances at the America’s Cup tournament since 2003.
In 2005, Ellison commissioned a 454-foot (138m) yacht called Rising Sun, which reportedly boasted an incredible 82 rooms, a wine cellar and a basketball court. Rising Sun was then sold to David Geffen for an alleged $300 million (£237m) in 2010, and Ellison replaced the epic yacht with a 288-foot (88m) vessel called Musashi, which he bought in 2013.
The 439-foot (134m) Serene was built in 2011 for Russian vodka billionaire Yuri Scheffler. Serene can comfortably accommodate up to 24 guests in 12 cabins and 62 crew members to keep this incredible yacht afloat and provide that luxury experience.
Formerly one of the most expensive yacht rentals in the world, the Serene was the go-to megayacht charter for the super-rich before it was taken off the market. In 2015, Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia snapped it up for approximately $562 million (£444m).
Putting other A-list superyachts firmly in the shade is Jeff Bezos' magnificent Koru. With a length of 417 feet (127m) and masts that reach as high as 230 feet (70m), it's officially the world's largest (not to mention tallest) sailing yacht.
Amazon founder Bezos, who's worth $114 billion (£90bn), spent an estimated $500 million (£404m) on Koru, which was delivered in April 2023 from Oceanco's shipyard. The incredible boat is expected to cost up to $25 million (£20m) a year to run.
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