Sziget Survival Guide 2017

Everything you need to know to enjoy the party

Sziget 2017, one of Europe's largest music events, is at the forefront of what a festival should be. Situated on an island in the Danube, the festival draws a mixed international crowd of 90, 000 a day. Here you can stay in Budapest city centre, exploring the sights and its “ruin” pubs, before taking a tram or ferry to the grounds.

What? Sziget Festival 2017

When? August 9th - 16th 2017

Where? Old Buda Island, Budapest

Price? €70 for day tickets

The fact you are partying on an actual island (Old Buda Island) creates a fantastic community atmosphere in Budapest. Regardless whether you want to go for a day or the entire week, Sziget is a music festival like no other.

There is an incredible line-up this year, with headline performances like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kasabian, Pink, Interpol, PJ Harvey, Rita Ora, Jamie Cullum, The Chainsmokers, Major Lazer, Wiz Khalifa...and many, many more!

Image by Maël Racapé (Flickr/Creative Commons)

As one of the cheapest music festivals in Europe, there are a few things to consider before attending Sziget, so we’ve put together this survival guide for anyone planning to attend this summer.

Go cashless

Image by Emma Jespersen (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Sziget Festival is a cashless experience. Once you enter the site, you need to buy a pre-paid money pass and top up as you go. When you buy the pass you have to leave a deposit for the card (500HUF / €1).

- The Festipay Card is much easier than cash, as you don’t have to work out the exchange rates or use Hungarian notes to buy things.

- It's also a secure solution to cash, since you can disable your card if you lose it or transfer your balance to a new one at anytime. All you need to do is to is register your card in advance.

- Any remaining balance can be converted to cash at any time during the opening hours of the festival, but no later than the last day.

Bring sun cream, boots and condoms

Image by Brainbitch (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Budapest bakes over August and daytime temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees at peak periods. So if you don’t want to suffer from heat stroke, then make sure to bring plenty of Factor 50.

The hot temperatures can sometimes provoke a thunderstorm or two and with 90, 000 revellers on site that’s asking for mud. All music festivals become mud baths with a bit of rain, so bring your best boots if you want to stay mobile.

You’ll be able to buy sun cream and boots on the island of course, but it’s cheaper to bring them in advance.

Also, if you think you might get lucky, always bring protection :)

There’s more than just music

Image by Jonan Basterra (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Sziget is much more than just a music festival. The headline acts usually play in the evening, which gives you so much time to explore the other activities the island has to offer. Some cool things to check out during your visit to Sziget include:

- Going to the Cirque du Sziget

- Chilling out on the secret yoga beach

- Attending the ‘Labyrinth’ and getting your fortune told

- Getting soaked in the foam and dance arena

Sleep outside the Sziget Festival

If you don’t want to camp then you don’t have to. Thousands of festival goers choose to stay in cheap and comfortable hostels in Budapest city centre. Sziget is about 30 minutes by public transport (via train) or 20 mins by taxi, so you can stay anywhere in the city during the festival period.

Cheap hostels near Sziget Festival from only €8 per night

We have excellent availability in Budapest and you can book your clean and comfortable hostel today and save a fortune on your accommodation costs.

*Header image by Sziget Festival