11. Only carry cash. A good way to save at festivals is to only carry cash – that way you resist the temptation to swipe your card for everything you fancy that falls outside of your predetermined budget. However, if you do this, it’s really important to keep it safe and make sure you have an emergency fund set aside.
12. Check festival restrictions. Most festivals will have restrictions on the amount of alcohol or food you’re allowed to bring in, so you should check these before stocking up on costly supplies that might only be taken away from you anyway.
13. Skip the hotel. Festivals are renowned for camping and while a hotel might be your travel go-to, rates can skyrocket during peak festival seasons. On-site camping can be the best way to enjoy the festival season on a budget, especially as the general admission camping rate is generally included in the ticket price.
14. Set a daily budget. When you’re caught up in the buzz of a festival, it’s easy to get carried away and spend too much money on alcohol and food. Before you go, decide how much money you’d be happy spending across the whole festival and divide this across each day.
15. Keep your money safe. Festivals are notorious for being a hotspot for losing essential items, whether it’s car keys, IDs or cash. Tents are also very easy to break into, so it’s important to keep your money and valuables on you at all times wherever possible. Make sure you invest in a bumbag or similar suitable option.
16. Bring your own phone charger. If your phone starts to run out of money at a festival, you’ll often have to pay to charge it back up and could end up spending hours in a queue. Bring a large portable charger and avoid paying for items that you could otherwise access on your phone, such as overpriced festival programmes.
17. Recycle plastic cups. As festivals strive to reduce their carbon footprint, more and more organisers are offering schemes where festival goers can earn money for collecting recyclable rubbish. Check to see if your festival offers a scheme like paying 10p per cup, as this could help pay towards your weekend.
18. Drink free water. If the venue allows you to bring in outside beverages, doing so can be one of the best ways to save money at festivals. Pack your own drinks and snacks to avoid paying overpriced vendor rates. You should also figure out whether the festival has a drinking water source, like a fountain, and bring your own plastic bottles to fill and refill for free water all weekend.
19. Don’t buy an expensive tent. There’s no point splurging on a luxurious tent as the British weather and festival culture means you’re likely just to abandon it before the end of the weekend anyway. Save at festivals by opting for a cheaper tent and make use of the items you’re already bringing, rather than buying unnecessary luxuries like pillows.
20. Bring your own food. Vendors at festivals can be pricey, and you’ll need to scope them out early on to get a sense of their pricing and offerings. Lunch prices are often cheaper than dinner, so if you need one hot meal a day you should opt for lunchtime. Make sure to bring plenty of snacks to tide you over in your tent.
21. Don’t buy festival merch. Buying merchandise from your favourite band at a festival is often a mistake, as the prices are usually increased to meet the high demand. If your favourite artist is offering a bespoke hoodie to commemorate the festival, wait until the last day to buy it, as you’ll know exactly how much money you have left to spend.