Everything you need to know if you’re heading to The Island of Freedom this summer.
One of Europe’s hottest festivals, Sziget, is taking place from August 6 to 11 and JOE.ie has got any first-timers covered.
Below, you’ll find all of the information you need if you’re heading to Sziget.
What is Sziget?
Sziget is a huge six-day music festival that takes place on the Óbuda Island in Budapest.
The festival includes a varied program of great music performances on the island, as well as theatre, circus, workshops, dancing, art, food & drinks and much more.
Some of the headliners this year include Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Shawn Mendes.
Are there still tickets?
Yes, there still are some tickets available. There a few different kind of tickets available, depending on what kind of experience you’re after.
A single-day ticket costs €75 or you can also purchase a three-day pass from €225. There are four types of three-day passes depending on the date that you start.
Or if you are after the full Sziget experience, you can get yourself a six-day pass which starts from €355.
Those who are under 21 years of age can purchase a discounted pass from €225.
You can purchase tickets here.
How do I get there?
Ryanair fly direct to Budapest with a round-trip for those attending the full six days of the festival, costing around €386.
Sziget also offer “Szitizens” attending the festival a travel package that takes care of flights from Dublin plus a six-day pass from €749 or €699 for under-21s.
Once you’ve arrived in Budapest there are several ways to get to the island, including public transport which will take you right up to the entrance, or there is even a boat transfer available.
You can read more about the transport that links to Óbuda Island here.
Where do I stay?
There a few options when it comes to accommodation at Sziget.
Firstly, there is the option to camp. You can bring your own tent and set up anywhere on the island excluding at program venues or in designated upgrade camping areas.
You can also purchase pre-pitched tents for 2 to 4 people with prices ranging from €129 to €179.
There are other forms of camping available, including Siesta Camping which requires a separate Siesta ticket but does allow you more peace and quiet around your tent along with access to your own shower and toilet.
You will also find yourself near to the Sziget Beach if you fancy a dip in the water.
There are even more camping options, including family packages and caravan areas which you can find out more about here.
If camping isn’t your style, then don’t worry because you’re in luck as there are package deals with some hotels and the festival.
Many of these hotels are bang smack in the middle of Budapest and you can save up to €318 through these packages.
Check them out here.
Visiting Budapest
If you’re planning on attending the festival for a while, it’s worth your time checking out Hungary’s capital city.
Budapest has a lot to offer to just about any kind of traveller.
Some of the must-see sights include the Thermal Baths such as the ones in Széchenyi or Gellért.
Or you can take a cruise along the city’s Danube River and check out all of the sights from the water.
There is also a plethora of museums for those who wish to become a little more cultured, including the National Museum and the National Gallery along with the Underground Railroad Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.
To make exploring the city even easier, get yourself the Budapest Card. This gives you unlimited public transport plus free access to a number of free and discounted tickets to the thermal baths and other attractions. You can learn more about it here.
What else is on the island?
It’s not just music at Sziget, there is so much more. After all, it’s not every day a music festival takes place on a beach.
You can relax until your heart is content on Sziget Beach, watching the majestic River Danube and cool off in the water. The perfect day at Sziget begins with Tai Chi on the beach before listening to singer songwriter acts in the afternoon, then eep house DJs and live acts till the morning.
There is so much to see, including a circus, theater, museum quarter, a cabaret show and much more.
The festival also has its own funfair and showcases several art workshops throughout the day.
Is it cashless?
Yes, it is. It is an important thing to know if you’re heading to Sziget that they do not take cash. In Hungary, they use the Hungarian Forint (HUF) and those attending Sziget can pay using their own cards or you can use the festival’s contactless wristbands.
You can top up these wristbands at stations dotted around the island or using the Sziget website via your Festival Account.
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