Questions
Travellers' questions
Before an event trip there are usually more questions than before an ordinary journey: on top of travel and accommodation there's the ticket, the entry rules and the crowd. Here we have gathered the most common ones, arranged by stage, from buying a ticket to the evening on site. The answers are short. When it comes to refund deadlines, prices and timetables, we don't give figures; instead we tell you where to check them: with the organiser, the ticket seller or the carrier.
For almost any question about an event, its official website has the most accurate answer. Our job is to tell you what to look for there.
How we choose the questions: we take the ones most often asked by people travelling to an event in another city, and answer without made-up dates, prices or promises.
Tickets
Where is it safest to buy a ticket?
From the organiser or from a seller they list on their official website. Second-hand tickets and tickets from dubious websites may turn out to be invalid.
What is an e-ticket and how should I keep it?
It's a ticket with a unique code that is scanned at the entrance. Save it on your phone and as a separate copy, and never post a photo of the code on social media.
Can I get a refund on a ticket?
Refund terms are set by the seller or organiser, and in Russia separate rules apply to tickets for entertainment events; other countries have their own consumer rules. Read them before you buy and keep your receipt.
Do I need ID at the entrance?
Sometimes, especially if the ticket is in your name. This is stated in the entry rules on the event website.
Travel and accommodation
When should I book accommodation?
As soon as you've decided to go and bought your ticket. Demand for rooms rises around big events, and the convenient options run out earlier than usual.
Is it better to stay near the site or in the centre?
Near the site it's easier to get back after the finale; the centre is more interesting during the day. Think about how you'll get back late in the evening.
What if there's no accommodation left in the city?
Look at nearby towns with good connections to the site, and check when the last services leave.
Is it worth going by car?
Possibly, if the site is out of town and you have a lot of luggage. But car parks fill up and the centre may be closed, so read the organisers' announcements in advance.
At the event
What should I take to a festival?
Water if it's allowed, a hat, a rain poncho, a power bank, a small first-aid kit and a little cash. Leave everything else at your accommodation.
How do I avoid getting lost in the crowd?
Agree on an easy-to-spot meeting point and a time to meet in advance, and keep your phone charged.
Can I bring children to a celebration?
It depends on the event: the entry rules say whether children are admitted and from what age. Choose daytime hours, stay at the edge of the crowd and put a note with your number in your child's pocket.
Who should I call in an emergency?
On site, security or the first-aid point. Otherwise, call the single emergency number 112 (in Russia and the EU) or your local emergency number.
Related sections
- Plans
How to plan a festival trip step by step: ticket, travel, accommodation, a plan for the day, mistakes and a checklist.
- Transport
Train, coach, plane, car and local transport after the finale: the pros, the pitfalls and the way back.
- Notes
A catalogue of the magazine's standalone notes and articles about travelling to festivals and celebrations.
Sources
- Event organisers' ticket sale and refund terms
- EMERCOM of Russia — safety advice for mass events
- Official websites of cities and events
Information is correct as of the date it was prepared. Event programmes, entry rules, ticket sale and refund terms and holiday transport services all change, so check them on the official websites before you set off.