Save.co.uk helps festival virgins on a budget
It’s now less than a month until the UK festival season kicks off with the Isle of Wight festival on 11th-13th June. Every year the festivals attract more and more big name bands – this season will see everyone from Muse, Slash and the Prodigy to Rolf Harris, Stevie Wonder and 80s favourites Roxy Music gracing the stage – so let’s just hope that the weather holds out.
However with money pretty tight for lots of people this year, the festival season can blow a serious hole in your budget. The average cost for a full ticket to one of this year’s festivals is £180 and that doesn’t include money for travel, food, tents, sleeping bags and dodgy hats. For many festival goers the total cost of a festival weekend can top the £500 mark.
With that in mind Save.co.uk’s money saving experts have compiled the following tips to help first time festival goers keep their costs down and have also put together a ‘Festival Feast’ of vouchers to help you get money off everything from tickets and travel and wellies and this year’s must have festival fashions.
“Festivals don’t have to cost the earth if you plan in advance,” says Save’s money saving expert, Jackie Warrick. “There are obvious areas such as food and drink where vendors make the most of a captured audience and hike up the prices. Bring your own and a couple of cooler bags and you‘ll save a small fortune. In general festivals can be done pretty cheaply if you know how.”
Top tips for Festival savings
1. Bring your own food and drink and a couple of cooler bags to keep things fresh. Where you can, buy cans and dried food as this won’t go off and avoid bringing glass to festivals. Don’t forget your can opener though!
2. Chances are at some point it will rain so keep your clothing cheap and cheerful, with at least one waterproof top. There is a fair chance you’ll be throwing some of it away at the end of your stay!
3. Buy tickets direct from the festival websites to avoid surcharges and steer clear of tickets being resold online unless you are buying from an authorised dealer. Festivals, like big sports events, attract fraudsters.
4. Think about the weather and how much time you are spending outside. There will be people selling wellies and/or sun cream onsite but you can expect to pay 200% more so make sure you are covered for all eventualities.
5. Not everyone comes to enjoy the music. Festivals are a big draw for thieves and fraudsters. Make sure your insurance covers anything expensive – like cameras – or leave them at home.
To help first time festival goers get more for their money Save.co.uk has a range of money off vouchers available on its website. Some of the best deals currently on offer include:
Festival Equipment:
Millets – 20% off rucksacks, up to 50% off slapping bags & camping accessories: save.co.uk/vouchers/millets
Festival Chic and clothing essentials:
Asos – Free delivery on orders over £75: save.co.uk/vouchers/asos
Dorothy Perkins – 10% off: save.co.uk/vouchers/dorothy-perkins
Barratts – 10% off: save.co.uk/vouchers/barratts
Topman - 30% off selected items: save.co.uk/vouchers/topman
Capturing the best bits:
Boots – BOGOF disposable cameras: save.co.uk/vouchers/boots
Getting there and back:
Easycar – 10% off car hire: save.co.uk/vouchers/easycar
National Express – 30% off online student coach booking: save.co.uk/vouchers/national-express