Long gone are the days when all you needed for a festival was a tent and a keg of beer. Nowadays, festivals have become much more elaborate, and can therefore be much more expensive. In this read, we are going to prove a few simple and straightforward tips that will guide you on your festival getaway.
Before you pack, let alone embark on the trip, ensure you have a budget that reflects how much you are willing to spend for the festival. If you are organized, you can do fine by spending a little, but if you have been looking forward to the event and wish to splash out, that’s also an option. From hot tubs to great champagne, there won’t be a limit on what you can spend on these events. Consider checking the festival website for a better idea of what to expect.
However, it is imperative to be honest with yourself regarding how much you can afford to spend. While it can be tempting to splash out and drown in the magic of the festival, you’ll probably want to go slow on the prosecco bottles. You will be there for the whole weekend and the last thing you want is to miss the rest of the awe because you went all out during the first night. Make a realistic budget, and stick to it.
The Food and Drinks Aspe
Food at festivals usually comes at a higher price tag as food vendors pay a lot for their pitch and need to make that money back. So, save some money by carrying food and eating breakfast before you enter. Pack easy to carry snacks to help you go through the day. If you’d like to stock up on a few nibbles, there’s a huge Waitrose near the Ferry Port.
You’ll want to budget for drinks if you like to enjoy booze during festivals. Prices for pints can be steep and outside alcohol is not allowed in the main stage section. However, you are allowed to bring your own alcohol (in non-glass containers) to the campsite.
Also, the campsite is located a considerable distance from the main arena, so make sure to eat beforehand and plan meals accordingly for the day.
Crossing the Solent:
It is advisable to book your ferry in advance for the festival weekend to avoid inflated prices. Isle of Wight ferry ticket prices vary based on travel time and whether you bring a car, so it’s recommended to compare prices and travel options beforehand.
If you want to save some more money, consider travelling as a foot passenger. You can use a website like Liftshare to carpool with other people headed to the same destination. Alternatively, you can ride a bus from the ferry port to the campsite.
How Much Money to Take With You?
To help you come up with a good and realistic budget, we have calculated and presented the average costs of attending the festival from Thursday afternoon to Monday morning.
– Standard camping weekend ticket for an adult (including booking fee) is £208.20
-Camping gear costs between £50 and £80
-Travel expenses (Including ferry crossing and parking) are between £90 and £117
-Food and drinks will cost you around £50 a day, totaling £200.
The entire trip should cost you approximately between £550 and £610
If you do not want to pitch your own tent or find camping too noisy, you don’t have to worry. You will come across a wide range of experiences including ready pitches tents, quiet locations, and even VIP experiences. If this festival is your only big holiday this year, you may want to look into the luxury VIP experiences, just be careful to not go beyond your budget.
Additional Expenses:
You don’t want the festival you have been looking forward to turning into a stressful experience and so, include other expenses you’re likely to incur into the budget. Whether you will be buying fairy wings or glow necklaces at the trade stands or splurging into a hot tub, all costs add up and it is best to be aware.
A hot tub will cost you anywhere between £25 and £50, a phone charging service £20, and luxury loos for the entire weekend will set you back at least £30.
With these tips, you should be able to budget properly for the Isle of Wright festival.
