What to do en route and on arrival

Some events issue maps and travel details of how to get to the site and other useful bits of information, always check out festival web sites in advance - it really does help to know where you're going! sites are always more confusing when you actually get there and surprisingly sometimes the signage isn't quite all it could and should be.

Check out the weather forecast - it might be hot and sunny where you are now but that can change - you will be walking miles one way or another and if you haven't got that waterproof and it rains...are you gonna be wet...and are you gonna be wet for a long time...and then you will probably develop the festival sniffles.

Take extra special care if you hitch hike - in this day and age it really isn't the most sensible option but if you do go for it do make sure you travel in pairs NEVER alone -and make sure you have a fully charged mobile on you.
If you're walking along country roads (festival sites are usually in the middle of nowhere) always face oncoming traffic and wear something bright and reflective when it's dark - you really don't want to be splattered all over some country road.

Plan your travel arrangements with care, taxis and other local transport may not be easily available in country areas and local services may not be able to cope well with the huge demand from a large event.

The public may arrive over a period of several days to a festival site, but remember that they often all want to leave all at the same time, the result is traffic chaos! - this usually leads to a bit of a free for all where tempers become frayed and festival spirit is lost. Best to resign yourself to the situation and be prepared for a long wait in long and boring traffic jams both on the way in and on the way out of a festival site - play some music, chill and maybe chat to those around you - losing it won't change the situation and will only make you feel uptight and harassed.

If you want to get a prime place with enough room for all your mates to be together you'll have to get to the site early, check the information carefully, some of the major events open for campers the day before the event starts. You don't want to end up with a long hike at the end of the night, and you don't want to be camped near the toilets! - getting there early will give you more choice about where you'll camp.

Only hand over your ticket at the gate on-site or wristband exchange (as appropriate) Beware bogus officials off site 'checking' tickets they may try to rip you off, never, ever show or give your tickets to them. Official staff are always in uniform and have ID on them - do remember that lost tickets or wristbands WILL NOT BE REPLACED, not under any circumstances - so take care of yours.

When you get to the venue get a site map as soon as you arrive and familiarise yourself with what's around you. There should be a guide in the program or available from the information tent. Find out where first aid and welfare services are then if you need them you can get there straight away and relatively easily.

Arrange a meeting point with your friends preferably before you get lost! best not behind the mixing desk - unless you like wandering around with 50 other lost people in the dark - choose somewhere well lit and not too crowded. Bear in mind that the "official" meeting point may not be accessible when the arena is closed (this does not apply at all festivals) and it might be wise just to have a different place to the one everyone else will use so that you all know you can easily find each other. If you do lose someone and you haven't made arrangements beforehand try the welfare tent or meeting point and hope they have the same idea!

Some (but not all) festivals have public telephones (usually ones that use phone cards and five hundred people waiting to use the phone in front of you) and mobile phone networks may not receive a signal on some sites - sometimes there are points to recharge mobile phone batteries but often there aren't - so bear that in mind.

At most festivals you will find message points at welfare or information places - you can leave messages here for friends or perhaps even arrange lifts if you need to - welfare may also be able to help with lifts and car sharing but please take care and always travel in pairs for your own safety.

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