Festival Sherpa and Skyscanner have created a budget plan for you to head to one of the largest music and cultural festivals in Europe!
Courtesy : redbrick.me
The Sziget FestivalΒ is held every August in northern Budapest, Hungary, on Γbudai-sziget (“Old Buda Island”), a leafy 266-acre island on the Danube. More than 1,000 performances take place each year.Β In 2011, Sziget was ranked one of the 5 best festivals in Europe by The Independent. The festival is also a two time winner at the European Festivals Awards in the category Best Major European Festival in early 2012 and 2015. This year, the festival will be held from August 10 to 16 and feature acts like Rihanna, Muse, Sia, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Chemical Brothers, Sigur Ros and more.
The week-long festival has grown from a relatively low-profile student event in 1993 to become one of the most prominent European rock festivals, with about half of all visitors coming from outside Hungary, especially from Western Europe. It also has a dedicated “party train” service (with resident DJs) that transports festival goers from all over Europe.
The second event. in 1994, labeled Eurowoodstock, was headlined by performers from the original Woodstock festival. By 1997 total attendance surpassed the 250,000 mark, reaching an all-time peak in 2015 with 441,000 visitors from 95 countries (the daily capacity having been raised to 90,000). It is now being increasingly labeled as a European alternative to the Burning Man festival due to its unique features as “an electronically amplified, warped amusement park that has nothing to do with reality.”
Courtesy : magyartermekonline.hu
1. First and foremost you need to get your festival/camping passes sorted.
While Sziget has daily, 5 day and 7 day passes, we think the 7 day pass is the best value for your money. Also, if you buy from Viagogo, the 7 day passes are cheaper than on the official website. For about INR 15,000/- the 7 day pass will give you access to the festival, the possibility to camp anywhere on the island and showers.Β Since camping is really the best way to experience the festival, you can directly purchaseΒ a two person tent, with mattress and blanket for aboutΒ INR 7000/- or INR 3500/- per person. You can also buy an air mattress for approx INR 1500/-.
2. There’s great deals on flights on Skyscanner if you book right now.
A round trip flight from Mumbai to Budapest will cost you about INR 38,000/-. You can pre buy a 2 or 13 day CITYPASS for INR 900/- and INR 2500/- respectively to get to the festival. This will give you access to all public transport, shuttles and ferries within city limits.
3. Plan out your F&B spending.
Rates at the festival are quite reasonable. According to last year’s rates a pint of beer will cost you about INR 150/-. Keeping this in mind you should put aside about INR 20,000/- for all your F&B expenses.
4. Check out the local sights while you’re in Budapest.
If you have some spare time, you can always go into the city and visit some famous local spots like the Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle or unwind at theΒ SzΓ©chenyi Thermal Baths.
5. Final Round Up.
The total 7 day trip to the Sziget festival will cost you about INR 15,000/- (7 Day Festival Ticket) + INR 3500/- (Camping Gear Per Person) + INR 38,000/- (Return Flight) + INR 2500/- (13 Day CITYPASS) + 20,000/- (F&B) = INR 79,000 /-
Be sure to factor in other costs such as visa, miscellaneous expenses, sightseeing, local transport etc. before you go.
The Sherp wishes you a happy and safe journey!
