Transport
Transport
Getting to an event is half the job; getting back is the other half, and often the harder one. Visitors arrive at different times but leave almost all at once, when the last song plays or the fair stalls close. So for this kind of trip you choose transport not only by journey time, but by how you will get back to your accommodation late in the evening. Below is a comparison of the main options, what to check in advance and how to survive the hour when the entire festival is heading for the stops.
Plan the way back before the way there: that's where a celebration most often turns into a queue.
How to get to the event
| Mode | Advantages | What to bear in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Takes you to the city centre, you can rest on the way, an overnight service saves you a night's accommodation | On big event dates tickets sell out earlier than usual; check your arrival time against the start of the programme |
| Coach | Reaches towns and venues the railway doesn't; organisers sometimes lay on dedicated services | Traffic jams near the site on the day; check where to board for the return journey |
| Plane | Fast over long distances | Getting from the airport, security checks and hand luggage rules for festival gear; a delay can eat into the start of the programme |
| Car | Freedom with your luggage and departure time | Car parks near the site fill up early and the centre may be closed; after a long day, the driver is tired |
| Local transport after the event ends | Inexpensive and usually runs until late evening | Stops near the site are packed; walk to the next one or wait for the crowd to thin out |
What to check before you go
- Start and finish times of the programme, and the times of the last services back
- Whether local transport changes on event days and where this will be announced
- Whether the site has parking and whether you need to book a space
- Where the nearest stops and stations are and how to walk to them
- Exchange and refund terms for your travel tickets if the event is postponed
- Whether you can bring a folding chair, a mat or a large backpack
When everyone leaves at once
- Leave just before the finale or wait half an hour after it; both help you avoid the peak
- Agree on a meeting point in advance: the signal often drops near the exit
- Keep your phone charged and your return ticket available offline
- If a stop is packed, walk on to the next one; it is usually less crowded
- Don't get behind the wheel straight after a long day on your feet if you feel very tired
Related sections
- Plans
How to plan a festival trip step by step: ticket, travel, accommodation, a plan for the day, mistakes and a checklist.
- Routes
Three sample routes: a festival weekend, a fair with a walk around the centre, an exhibition and a museum in one day.
- Questions
Short answers about tickets, travel and accommodation on event dates, and about the day on site.
Sources
- Official websites of cities and events
- EMERCOM of Russia — safety advice for mass 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.