The Ultimate Guide on How to go to a Festival on a Budget

Going to a festival is a right of passage for many young people.  It was no surprise to me that my 17 year old daughter announced that she planned to go to a festival this summer.  Like most students she does not have a huge pot of cash and therefore we looked for the ultimate guide on how to go to a festival on a budget.

• First thing is to identify the festival you want to attend.  The price varies with the main festivals costing about £180- £200 per ticket. Initially this seems pricey but when you consider just how many top quality acts you will see over the course of a festival and compare that with a concert the price doesn’t seem that bad.
• View it as a holiday and it doesn’t seem so pricey, for young adults a festival is a great first holiday with friends.  It is only a couple of days and allows independance in a relatively safe and protected environment.  A short term loan from Swift Money makes it accessible for most.
• Buy the tickets using TopCashBack to save a little.  For Ticketmaster the cashback was 1.5% but I bought all four of Chloe’s friends tickets.  The Cashback amounted to £11 which is a saving.
• For travel to the event look at who the festival promoters has partnered with as they often run offers.
• National Express was our best option for coach travel.  They actually also have a promotion offering 25% discount when you book a return journey for 4 or more people.  this made the price just £16.75 each return.
• A day ticket is a money saving option if the cost of a complete weekend is out of budget.  V Fest for example offers day tickets at just under £90.
• Rather than buying a tent at full price, look on Facebook selling sites to pick up one second hand.  Alternatively look out for a good deal like this North Gear Camping Mars Waterproof 4 Man Dome Tent  which is just under £40 and if you split the cost just a tenner each.
• Food and drink will be a big expense at a festival so make sure you have enough money for that.  You can take your own drinks into the camping arena but not into the venue itself.  Maybe a reason that hip flasks are so popular with many again these days!
• Take cash and make it last!  Make sure you have a bum bag or similar to keep your money in.  The ATM machines will charge for each transaction and that is literally throwing your money away.  Don’t get caught out and plan ahead.
• The ultimate tip to get in for free is too volunteer- however the drawback is you are working!

These tips of practical advice on how to go to a festival on a budget, have we missed any other money saving tips out?

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EmmaB

Blogger, teacher and more importantly mum to 3. Emma shares money-saving and making tips around the web.