When you have deep pockets, the road (or sky, or sea, or even magnetic fields) can become a playground. Below you’ll find the 10 most unusual ways money can move you, ranging from a prototype hoverboard that levitates on liquid nitrogen to a nuclear‑powered mega‑jet that could double as a floating hotel. Buckle up – or hover, or dive – because these rides are anything but ordinary.
10 Most Unusual Modes of Travel
Even though Marty McFly’s 2015 hoverboard lives in an alternate timeline, the idea isn’t pure fantasy. Back in 2015, Lexus unveiled the SLIDE – a bamboo‑and‑carbon‑fiber board that actually floated a few inches above a concrete surface. The teaser video, just 37 seconds long, showed a sleek board hovering with a faint vapor trail, hinting at a future where skateboards glide on magnetic fields.
The SLIDE is a prototype, but the underlying tech has been around for over a century thanks to maglev trains. The board uses a superconducting system that latches onto magnetic patches embedded in the ground. Earlier Kickstarter projects, like the Hendo hoverboard, also employed magnetic levitation, though they required a specially prepared surface. While the Lexus model needs a concrete track with built‑in magnets, you could theoretically construct your own hover‑track in a private garage.
Its main drawbacks are a hefty 11.5 kg weight and the necessity to replenish liquid‑nitrogen coolant roughly every ten minutes. On the upside, that coolant creates a mesmerizing fog that trails the board, making every ride look like a sci‑fi movie. As the cheapest entry on this list, it still carries a price tag that’s not publicly disclosed, but you can safely assume it’s the most affordable of the lot.
9 Tron Lightcycle
Virtual reality gave us Tron lightcycles decades ago, but only recently have engineers managed to bring a physical version into the real world. The result isn’t a fully functional light‑wall‑leaving beast, but it’s a faithful carbon‑fiber and fiberglass replica that looks straight out of the movie, complete with hubless wheels and a dazzling array of LEDs.
Built by Parker Brothers Concepts, the lightcycle comes with a custom‑designed helmet to complete the experience. Prices range from $35,000 to $55,000, depending on the configuration. The first generation, of which only five units were ever produced, was powered by a small gasoline engine, while the second generation switched to an all‑electric drivetrain for smoother acceleration and quieter operation.
Although it won’t let you carve light trails across a digital grid, riding one will certainly turn heads at any tech expo or private party. The package does not include a spandex jumpsuit, but the futuristic aesthetic alone makes it a coveted collector’s item for anyone who grew up watching the neon‑lit world of Tron.
8 Hoverbike
Channeling the iconic hoverbikes of Star Wars, Aero‑X’s hoverbike is essentially a compact hovercraft that looks and feels like a motorcycle. It can zip across a variety of terrain at 45 mph and lift up to 20 feet off the ground, thanks to two horizontal propellers that generate lift.
The company markets the vehicle as a “crossover” and suggests it could serve ranchers, emergency responders, or border patrol agents. At a price tag of $85,000, however, it is more of a luxury toy than a practical workhorse. The design emphasizes noise reduction, yet the rotary engine required to keep the propellers spinning efficiently raises concerns about emissions and fuel consumption.
While the hoverbike is an eye‑catching novelty, its real‑world applications remain limited. The rotary engine, reminiscent of the one Mazda famously struggled to make clean, adds a layer of complexity that may deter widespread adoption. Still, for the affluent thrill‑seeker, it offers a taste of sci‑fi freedom on Earth.
7 Jetpack
Jetpacks have leapt from the pages of comic books into reality, but they remain an expensive, high‑risk experience. In 2015, JetPack Aviation’s CEO flew a jetpack around the Statue of Liberty, reaching altitudes of 10,000 feet and speeds of 55 knots. Their newer JB‑10 model pushes those limits even further, offering higher ceilings and faster velocities.
Pricing varies widely: Mexico‑based TAM sells a “rocket belt” for roughly $250,000, while Britain’s Gravity Industries offers an Iron‑Man‑style jet suit for about £380,000 (approximately $480,000). These devices are primarily testbeds for military and emergency‑service applications, and they require extensive safety gear, including tethered harnesses, due to the inherent dangers of strapping a jet engine to your back.
Flight time remains a major limitation, often measured in mere seconds or a few minutes before fuel runs out. Nonetheless, the wealthy act as early adopters, providing valuable data that could eventually make personal flight more accessible – albeit still a niche market for the foreseeable future.
6 Flying Car
Flying cars have long been a staple of futurist speculation, yet the practical compromises of blending road‑worthiness with air‑worthiness have kept them from mass adoption. The result is a vehicle that often underperforms in both domains, typically costing more than a conventional car plus a private plane combined.
In 2023, the FAA gave the green light to Alef Auronautics’ Model A, heralded as the first vehicle that can truly drive like a car and then take off vertically. It tops out at a modest 25 mph on the ground but can cruise at 110 miles per hour in the air, with a 200‑mile range on wheels. The all‑electric design boasts a 110‑mile aerial range and a 200‑mile road range, making it a versatile, albeit slow, commuter for the affluent.
Pricing starts at $300,000, with a $150 reservation fee or a $1,500 priority‑booking option. While it may not replace your daily driver, it offers a glimpse of a future where vertical take‑off and landing become a routine part of personal transportation for those with deep pockets.
5 Amphibious Limo
Amphibious limousines solve a very specific problem for the ultra‑rich: seamless transfer between a superyacht and a shoreline venue without the need for a dinghy or speedboat. Nouvoyage’s Limousine Tender 33, priced at $2 million, stretches 33 feet and boasts a plush interior that screams corporate opulence, complete with a retractable roof, gull‑wing doors, and even an onboard toilet.
On water, it can cruise at 30 knots, while on land it reaches 85 mph, providing enough speed to make a dramatic entrance at events ranging from Cannes film premieres to exclusive dinner parties. Its design prioritizes luxury over practicality, turning every arrival into a statement of wealth.
While the concept may appear excessive, it fills a niche for those who wish to transition from sea to street in style, avoiding the unsightly sight of stepping out of a small inflatable boat onto a dock. In short, it’s the ultimate status symbol for the maritime elite.
4 Personal Blimp
For two decades, Lockheed Martin quietly engineered a helium‑filled airship capable of cruising 1,400 nautical miles at a top speed of 60 knots. Its unique air‑cushion landing system lets it touch down on water, land, or even unprepared surfaces without the need for mooring ropes, using a vacuum‑based hold‑down mechanism.
Although the project never found a buyer and was eventually shelved, the concept demonstrated that large‑scale, low‑speed airships could be viable. Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has taken the baton, offering the Airlander 10 for $50 million. While not a speed demon—cruising at 80 mph—the blimp offers a greener alternative to jets, with ample interior space for lounges, suites, offices, spas, and even sushi bars.
These floating habitats are ideal for long‑range adventures, from remote safaris to polar expeditions, and they even host unconventional events like private parties. Though slower than conventional aircraft, their sheer novelty and eco‑friendly profile make them a compelling choice for the affluent explorer.
3 Private Train
Private railcars are a rarity, but a handful of ultra‑wealthy individuals own fully customized observation cars. Former Amtrak CEO Wick Moorman refurbished a 1948 Sandy Creek car with bedrooms, a kitchen, and a lounge, turning it into a luxurious RV on rails. Another Pullman sleeper belongs to the president of the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners, who organizes annual private cross‑country trips for members.
These private cars hitch onto public trains, paying $3.67 per mile plus $1,800 a month for storage. Amtrak has discouraged the practice, citing operational disruptions, prompting some to consider building their own dedicated locomotives. Enter the G Train—a $350 million, 1,312‑foot locomotive with 14 cars, some featuring fold‑out dining wings and a glass shell that can switch between transparent and opaque at the press of a button.
The G Train promises a mobile palace, complete with space for personal automobiles, motorbikes, and even a rooftop lounge. While the price is astronomical, it represents the pinnacle of private rail travel, offering an unparalleled blend of luxury, privacy, and the romance of the rails.
2 Luxury Submarine
When the ultra‑rich seek true privacy, they dive beneath the waves. The Migaloo M7, a 928‑foot luxury submarine, dwarfs even the massive Russian Typhoon nuclear subs. Powered by diesel‑electric engines, it can travel 1,000 miles between refuels and dive to depths of 1,500 feet.
Inside, the M7 is a floating palace: helipads, swimming pools, hangar bays, and lavish viewing rooms. It also carries a fleet of tenders, including hot‑air balloons, SUVs, an amphibious limousine, and minisubs for exploring shipwrecks or underwater caverns. Though the builder hasn’t disclosed an exact price, estimates hover around $2.3 billion, potentially making it the most expensive private asset ever sold.
Safety concerns, operational costs, and the sheer complexity of maintaining a vessel of this size have delayed construction, but the concept showcases how deep pockets can turn the ocean into a private playground.
1 Nuclear‑Powered Mega‑Jet (Concept)
Imagine a flying cruise ship so massive it could host 5,000 guests, complete with pools, theaters, restaurants, and even a medical center. That’s the vision behind Tony Holmsten’s “Flytanic,” a nuclear‑powered, AI‑controlled mega‑jet that resembles a jumbo jet on steroids, with a massive central dome and a tail‑section viewing deck.
While still a concept, the design relies on a compact nuclear reactor that could power the aircraft for years without refueling. The sheer scale allows other aircraft to land on its top deck, turning the interior into a floating city in the sky. According to researcher Hashem Al‑Ghaili, such a vehicle could become feasible within the next two decades.
If realized, the Flytanic would redefine luxury travel, offering a blend of speed, sustainability, and unprecedented scale. Until then, it remains a tantalizing glimpse of what the future might hold for those willing to invest in the extraordinary.