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3830 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants The Bikini Bottom Express thumbnail image

3830 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants The Bikini Bottom Express
Images 6Description 
3830 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants The Bikini Bottom Express
  • The Bikini Bottom Express thumbnail
  • The Bikini Bottom Express thumbnail
  • The Bikini Bottom Express thumbnail
  • The Bikini Bottom Express thumbnail
  • The Bikini Bottom Express thumbnail
  • The Bikini Bottom Express thumbnail

LEGO 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express is a SpongeBob SquarePants set from 2008 currently valued at $200 for new and sealed sets. Originally retailing for $19.99, the set has gained 901% in value since retiring in December 2009, with annual appreciation averaging 9.01%. On the used market, values range from $64 to $90 based on condition. Its value has eased over the last three months, so the market leans down.

The Bikini Bottom Express Value (New/Sealed)

This chart represents the current new/sealed value of the set The Bikini Bottom Express since December 2016. Very high accuracy
LEGO 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express is a SpongeBob SquarePants set released in 2008, containing 210 pieces and 3 minifigures. The set builds the Bikini Bottom bus with a spinning rear propeller and a detachable roof for interior access. Accessory builds include a bus stop sign and a small ticket booth with a working ticket dispenser. Minifigures are SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, and a bus driver.

The Bikini Bottom Express has gained about 9.0% a year since it left store shelves, and a sealed copy now sits near $200. We forecast roughly 12% more over the next year. The average used price is $75 for those in good overall condition. New and sealed listings currently range from $225 to $399. The 3 included minifigs account for approximately 36% of the set's total value. The set was available for 24 months, from December 2007 to December 2009.
Collector and Investor Standing
The SpongeBob SquarePants line has a special pull for collectors, and this bus brings the Bikini Bottom Express Bus Driver, a figure found in no other set. SpongeBob and Patrick chasing tickets at the machine give the scene its familiar chaos. Plenty of members own the bus or want one, which helps explain its strong investor standing.
78/100
Collector
Better liked than most
Exclusive Bus Driver gives this line appeal
87/100
Investor
Well ahead of most
Members own or want this bus
All regions

For Sale (New/Sealed)

 (US) The Bikini Bottom Express (3830) BOX HAS PUNCTURE ON FRONT
BrickEconomy Choice
$175.00
(DE) The Bikini Bottom Express from BrickLink seller Gavial $222.85
+11.4%
(US) SpongeBob SquarePants: The Bikini Bottom Express (3830) $250.00
+25.0%
(US) SpongeBob SquarePants 3830 Bikini Bottom Express Bus NIB $300.00
+50.0%
(US) SpongeBob SquarePants: The Bikini Bottom Express (3830) $399.00
+99.5%
(US) SpongeBob SquarePants 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express NEW Bus Stop Patrick $399.99
+100.0%
Picked for your region

Sale Trends

This chart shows the sales trends of new/sealed 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express.

Market Momentum

Bearish
The value of 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express has eased over the last three months. It is growing slower than similar retired SpongeBob SquarePants sets, though member interest remains steady and high.
DemandLower half in SpongeBob SquarePants
Very high demand and rising
12 months agoToday
SupplyFewer than most in SpongeBob SquarePants
Listings down 40% this month
12 months agoToday
Growth vs peers+18% typical for SpongeBob SquarePants
-26% over the past year
12 months agoToday
Outlook:67% bearish·0% neutral·33% bullish
Why it's moving, signals and outlook

The Bikini Bottom Express Minifigs

The Bikini Bottom Express contains 3 minifigures. Bikini Bottom Express Bus Driver is exclusive to this set.
bob015
Bikini Bottom Express Bus Driver
Bikini Bottom Express Bus Driver - bob015
Exclusive
Value $18.74
bob002
Patrick
Patrick - bob002
5 sets
Value $22.01
bob001
SpongeBob
SpongeBob with basic I'm Ready look - bob001
3 sets
Value $31.86

Sets in SpongeBob SquarePants

3827 Adventures in Bikini Bottom

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2006
Pieces / Minifigs 579 / 3
Availability Retired
3827 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Adventures in Bikini Bottom
Retail $39.99
Value $383.23
Growth  +858.3%
Annual growth 8.1%

3818 Bikini Bottom Undersea Party

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2012
Pieces / Minifigs 471 / 4
Availability Retired
3818 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom Undersea Party
Retail $49.99
Value $300.21
Growth  +500.5%
Annual growth 9.4%

3826 Build-A-Bob

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2006
Pieces / Minifigs 445 / 1
Availability Retired
3826 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Build-A-Bob
Retail $29.99
Value $437.17
Growth  +1357.7%
Annual growth 8.7%

3834 Good Neighbours at Bikini Bottom

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2009
Pieces / Minifigs 425 / 3
Availability Retired
3834 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Good Neighbours at Bikini Bottom
Retail $39.99
Value $259.33
Growth  +548.5%
Annual growth 9.0%

4982 Mrs. Puff's Boating School

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2007
Pieces / Minifigs 393 / 3
Availability Retired
4982 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Mrs. Puff's Boating School
Retail $49.99
Value $263.99
Growth  +428.1%
Annual growth 7.4%

4981 Chum Bucket

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2007
Pieces / Minifigs 337 / 3
Availability Retired
4981 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Chum Bucket
Retail $34.99
Value $434.37
Growth  +1141.4%
Annual growth 9.8%

3825 Krusty Krab

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2006
Pieces / Minifigs 295 / 3
Availability Retired
3825 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Krusty Krab
Retail $19.99
Value $441.37
Growth  +2108.0%
Annual growth 10.0%

3831 Rocket Ride

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2008
Pieces / Minifigs 279 / 3
Availability Retired
3831 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Rocket Ride
Retail $29.99
Value $366.33
Growth  +1121.5%
Annual growth 9.1%

3817 The Flying Dutchman

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2012
Pieces / Minifigs 241 / 3
Availability Retired
3817 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants The Flying Dutchman
Retail $24.99
Value $200.71
Growth  +703.2%
Annual growth 11.2%

3832 The Emergency Room

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2008
Pieces / Minifigs 236 / 3
Availability Retired
3832 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants The Emergency Room
Retail $29.99
Value $233.14
Growth  +677.4%
Annual growth 8.6%

3833 Krusty Krab Adventures

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2009
Pieces / Minifigs 209 / 3
Availability Retired
3833 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Krusty Krab Adventures
Retail $24.99
Value $258.12
Growth  +932.9%
Annual growth 11.7%

3816 Glove World

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2011
Pieces / Minifigs 169 / 4
Availability Retired
3816 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Glove World
Retail $19.99
Value $178.66
Growth  +793.7%
Annual growth 11.8%

3815 Heroic Heroes of the Deep

Theme SpongeBob SquarePants
Year 2011
Pieces / Minifigs 95 / 3
Availability Retired
3815 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Heroic Heroes of the Deep
Retail $14.99
Value $191.75
Growth  +1179.2%
Annual growth 12.8%

The Bikini Bottom Express Questions

What is LEGO 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express worth?

A new, sealed copy of The Bikini Bottom Express is worth about $200 today. A used copy in good condition goes for about $75.

Is LEGO 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express still available?

No. The Bikini Bottom Express left LEGO's shelves in December 2009 after a run of about 2 years. New copies now come only from the secondary market, where sellers on eBay and BrickLink set the price.

How has LEGO 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express performed since its release?

The Bikini Bottom Express is now worth 901% more than its $19.99 retail price, or roughly 9% a year on average.

What is the one-year forecast for LEGO 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express?

In twelve months, The Bikini Bottom Express could be worth around $224, about 12% more than today. That is the view for the year ahead. In the short term the market reads bearish. On balance, demand, supply and price point down. Like any forecast, this is an estimate.

How many pieces does LEGO 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express have, and which minifigures are included?

The Bikini Bottom Express is built from 210 pieces, or $0.10 per piece at retail. The 3 minifigures included are Bikini Bottom Express Bus Driver, Patrick and SpongeBob. As a group the minifigures are valued at around $73, about a third of the set's value, led by SpongeBob at $32. Bikini Bottom Express Bus Driver is exclusive to this set.

Top lists

My Collection

The Bikini Bottom Express Reviews

61 reviews
4.9
Collectors
Investors
“This is the first SpongeBob LEGO set released in 2008. This the first SpongeBob LEGO set to contain a fish person mini figure. The bus driver's hands are yellow, despite the fish's head being green.”
Full review at spongebob.fandom.com
BrickEconomy Expert Review
“The set impresses with its inclusion of unique figures like the original SpongeBob and Patrick, along with a new Bus Driver character who intriguingly can accommodate a hat, despite an odd choice of yellow hands that deviate from expected color norms. The set features a kelp piece and a functional ticket dispenser, enhancing its realism. The bus itself is noted for its standout design.”
 
Excerpts from third-party reviews

About SpongeBob SquarePants

The LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants theme was based on the Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants television series and licensed by the LEGO Group in 2006. A number of sets were released over the five-year period ending in 2011. The sets werer based upon the adventures and life of SpongeBob SquarePants. The theme was discontinued when LEGO's rival, MEGA Brands, acquired the license for SpongeBob SquarePants.
Summary
SpongeBob SquarePants The Bikini Bottom Express set 3830 was released on December 22, 2007, retailing for $20, it has since been retired. New, unopened sets are valued at $200, used ones can be found for $75.
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Will SpongeBob™ ever catch the bus?

All aboard for new adventures with SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, and the Bikini Bottom Express. The bus keeps leaving without SpongeBob and Patrick! Can they get their tickets from the machine before it speeds away again?

Lift roof off the bus to seat Spongebob and Patrick inside!
Propeller on the back of the bus really spins!
Bus measures 6" (15cm) long!
Description provided by LEGO©