From the tent to the rubber boots - don't forget anything with the ÖAMTC travel checklist. The festival season has started again and to enjoy the festivals, the mobility club has put together some tips for music fans.
"It's best to think about your journey and luggage in advance. A flashlight for searching at night, a power bank and earplugs for the night are important items that are often forgotten," says ÖAMTC travel expert Magdalena Draxler.
Camping at the festival – must-haves and tips
Arrival and set-up: When planning your journey, you should pay attention to the distance from the train/bus station or car park to the campsite. Otherwise, extensive equipment can quickly become a burden. "When choosing a campsite, you should leave enough distance from others so that you don't trip over guy ropes in the dark. Also, avoid pitches on the edge of fences - these places are often used as toilets," says Draxler.
Tent: Small igloo tents are well suited for occasional campers, as they can be set up quickly even in the dark. However, if you want to sit together with friends even when the weather is bad, you prefer to use the community tent - but setting it up takes much longer. You can find out which tent is most suitable from the Austrian Camping Club at: www.campingclub.at/zeltkauf-ratgeber.
Sleeping bag and sleeping pad: A good insulating mat and a sleeping bag are a must for the recovery phases. A comfortable alternative to sleeping pads are inflatable mattresses.
Clothing and hygiene: A rain poncho, rubber boots and cheap sunglasses are standard equipment for festivals. You should also always pack a thick sweater, socks and possibly a warm hat for sleeping. Hygiene items such as disinfectant, sunscreen or mosquito spray are indispensable. You can find all the must-haves in the ÖAMTC travel checklist "Festival" at www.oeamtc.at/reisecheckliste.
Festivals often rely on cashless payment and more environmental awareness
Sustainable Arrivals: Sustainability can be taken into account when travelling, for example by using carpooling and car sharing instead of travelling alone by car. It is now often possible to travel by public transport. "For example, there are special trains or connections for many festivals that are based on the schedule (Frequency or Nova Rock). The ticket itself usually also tells you whether public transport in and around the venue is included in the ticket price. It can be worth taking a look at the small print for any normal concert or festival ticket, especially in urban areas," says the ÖAMTC expert.
Pay local: More and more festivals are using a cashless system, which means that cash is only accepted at very few festivals. "It is important to find out about the payment methods in advance and whether credit is being added to the festival wristband, such as at Wacken, Balaton Sound or Frequency, whether card payments are accepted or tokens have to be organized in advance," advises the mobility club expert. The refund deadline for the cashless chip is often only valid for a few weeks after the event. If this deadline is missed, there is usually no way of getting the remaining amount.
Reduce waste and dispose of it properly: You should also keep an eye on the environment when celebrating. In addition to garbage bags to dispose of waste, it makes sense to plan food needs together to avoid waste. Regular rubbish disposal during the festival will beautify the site and save time on dismantling. The risk of injury from rubbish lying around is also reduced. Reusable food and drink containers help reduce waste. After the festival, all personal belongings and camping gear should be taken back home to keep the site clean.
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