In TBC Classic, an epic ground mount costs 600 gold for the Journeyman Riding skill at level 40, while epic flying (280% speed) costs 5,000 gold for the Artisan Riding skill at level 70, plus roughly 100–200 gold for the flyer itself. Reputation discounts of up to 20% at Exalted can shave the training bill down further.
The big number people mean by "epic mount" is almost always the epic flyer. The 5,000 gold is training only — you still buy the actual 280% mount separately, and it's cheap by comparison.
Riding skill costs at a glance
| Riding tier | Level | Speed | Training cost |
| Apprentice | 30 | +60% ground | ~35g |
| Journeyman (epic ground) | 40 | +100% ground | 600g |
| Expert (normal flying) | 60 | +150% flying | 800g |
| Artisan (epic flying) | 70 | +280% flying | 5,000g |
So a fresh level 70 chasing epic flight is looking at roughly 5,100–5,200 gold all-in: 5,000g for Artisan Riding plus the mount purchase. Prices shown are the standard vendor rates before any faction discount.
How much is epic flying in TBC Classic?
Artisan Riding, the skill that unlocks 280% flight speed, runs 5,000 gold and requires level 70. That's the single most expensive purchase most players hit in the Burning Crusade, which is why so many people grind hard for it right after dinging 70.
The mount model itself (the flying tiger, nether ray, etc.) is a separate purchase, usually around 100–200 gold, so budget a little on top of the 5,000.
Can you get a discount on riding training?
Yes. Reputation with the faction that sells the training reduces the price — up to a 20% cut at Exalted. Hitting Exalted before you train can drop Artisan Riding meaningfully, so it's worth checking your standing before you hand over the gold.
How much gold should I save for level 70?
Aim for around 5,200 gold to cover epic flying training plus the flyer. If you haven't bought epic ground riding yet, add the 600g for Journeyman on top. Many players fly at normal 150% speed (800g) first and upgrade to 280% once their gold recovers.
PewPewShop can help if you'd rather skip the grind — vetted human pros offer gold-farming coaching, play-together carries, and progression help to get you flying without the endless daily-quest slog. No bots, no cheats, just experienced players who know the fastest honest routes. Reach out if you want a hand getting to that 5,000 gold faster.