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 is best to think about travel 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. Extensive equipment can otherwise quickly become a burden. “When choosing a campsite, you should leave enough distance to others so that you don't trip over guy ropes in the dark. In addition, avoid edge spaces near 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: Rain poncho, rubber boots and cheap sunglasses are standard equipment for festivals. For bedtime, you should always pack a thick sweater, socks and possibly a warm hat. Hygiene items such as disinfectants, sunscreen or mosquito spray are indispensable. All must-haves can be found in the ÖAMTC “Festival” travel checklist at www.oeamtc.at/reisecheckliste.

Festivals often rely on cashless payment and more environmental awareness

Sustainable Arrivals: Sustainability can already be taken into account upon arrival, e.g. B. by using carpooling and car pooling instead of traveling alone by car. In the meantime, it is often possible to travel by public transport. “So there are special trains or connections for numerous festivals that are based on the schedule (Frequency or Nova Rock). On the ticket itself you can usually find information as to whether public transport in and around the event location is included in the ticket price. A look at the fine print can be worthwhile for any ordinary concert or festival ticket, especially in urban areas,” says the ÖAMTC expert.

Pay local: More and more festivals are using a cashless system, ie cash is only accepted at very few festivals. “It is important that you find out about the payment methods in advance and know whether a credit will be transferred to the festival wristband, e.g. B. at Wacken, Balaton Sound or Frequency, whether card payment is accepted or whether tokens have to be organized in advance,” advises the expert from the mobility club. The return transfer period for the cashless chip is often only valid for a few weeks after the event. If this is missed, there is usually no way to get 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.