Part 3: How do I get to Glasto?
What are the Glasto transport options?
Coach
As well as the coach + ticket packages, National Express run coach from cities and towns around the UK to the festival arriving on Wednesday and Thursday and returning on the Monday. Coaches from Manchester cost around £100 and from London are around £80 return
Car
A huge number of festival goers arrive by car with the car parks opening early on Tuesday evenings. Previously the car parks opened on a Wednesday morning but to ease congestion on the local roads the decision was made to allow car to park up on the Tuesday evening. However, there are no food and drink facilities, only limited toilets, so don’t expect an early start to the festival. Most people arrive, have a quick nap in the car and then join the queue in the early hours of the morning.
Car park pass prices have been increasing steadily with the 2023 pass costing £60. They can be bought on the gate for cash.
Our advice is not to display the pass in your window until you are within 10 miles of the festival site as it is an invitation to be stopped by those looking for contraband on the routes into the festival!
Which side of the festival should I park on?
You can park on the east or west of the festival site with the east side traditionally exiting faster on Mondays. When you arrive you don’t get to choose which field you park at, arriving early doesn’t necessarily mean you will be closer to the pedestrian gates. Also, if you leave, don’t expect to return to the same parking spot or even the same field. The marshals will route you to whichever field is being filled at the time.
Once you have parked up pick a gate and head over with your gear. Pedestrian Gate A and D are on the West of the festival and Pedestrian Gate B and C on the East of the site. We will discuss which Pedestrian Gates are best for which camping fields in part 5.
Campervans and caravans
At Glastonbury Festival, a camper van or caravan can be your home away from home amidst the music, arts, and mud. Here's what you need to know about these accommodation options:
Camper Van and Caravan Tickets
A separate ticket is required for your camper van or caravan in addition to your festival ticket. These tickets are usually sold after the general admission tickets. It's important to note that these tickets sell out quickly, so you'll need to be prepared.
Camper Van Fields
The festival provides specific fields for camper vans and caravans. The fields have a limited number of pitches, each providing a space for your vehicle and an awning or small tent. Spaces cannot be reserved and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Facilities
The camper van fields offer some facilities like water points, waste disposal points, and toilets. There are no electric hook-ups, so remember to plan accordingly.
Vehicle Requirements
Only certain vehicles are allowed as camper vans or caravans. Generally, it needs to have purpose-built sleeping facilities and fitted cooking or washing facilities. Converted vans and buses, trailer tents, and caravans are usually accepted. Standard cars and vans used for sleeping are not permitted.
Entry and Exit
You must have your camper van or caravan ticket ready to display on your windscreen when you arrive at the festival site. Once parked, your vehicle must remain stationary until the end of the festival. There is no re-entry if you leave the site with your vehicle before the festival ends.Train
Bicycle
Embrace the spirit of Glastonbury by opting for an eco-friendly and adventurous travel method - cycling.
Bike Locks and Security
Bring a good quality lock to secure your bike. The festival provides a free secure bicycle lock-up near Pedestrian Gate A, but spaces are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Arrival
On arrival, head for Pedestrian Gate A, which is closest to the bike lock-up area. Be aware that you will need to push your bike and gear through the ticket check and security search areas.
Cyclists camping
There is dedicated cyclings camping close to Pedestrian Gate A with dedicated showers. Looking at the 2023 map it appears to have been expanded this year. It is supported by the active Bike to Glasto Facebook Group.
Which campsites are the best?
See Part 5
Which campsites fill up fastest?
See these two pictures of Big Ground up the hill from the Pyramid Stage, the one on the right was taken two hours after the festival opened to the public. The one on the right is the same view the night before.
Can I make a camp with a big circle in between my friends tents?
Don’t tape off a section of campsite for your friends, you’ll annoy people around you and unless you are watching over the area, the chances are a campsite steward will remove it or campers will pitch their tents having removed it themselves. Often the campsite stewards will tell people to pitch in space that looks like it has been “saved” so don’t be disappointed if the space vanishes. Better to coordinate arrival with your friends and to be conservative in the space you use. If you leave a large space between your tents for a camp, expect someone to drop a tent into the middle of it. Space is tight, especially the closer you get to the main stages. That said, space for a few chairs and a place to stretch your legs between tents tends to be respected.
What are the Tipi fields camping like?
Tipis offer a touch of comfort and charm during your stay. Located in the Tipi Village, right by the stone circle, these spacious, 18-foot diameter canvas homes offer a unique, ready-to-go camping option.
One of the primary appeals of Tipi camping is the convenience. Arriving at Glastonbury to find your accommodation already set up can take a lot of stress out of the festival experience. The Tipis can comfortably sleep up to six people, making them a great choice for larger groups or families.
While the Tipis do not come furnished, the extra cost of your Tipi includes access to separate facilities within the Tipi Village. This includes compost toilets, cold water taps and a dedicated crew to help with any queries. However, be prepared for a more traditional camping experience, as there are no power points or heating sources within the Tipis.
The atmosphere in the Tipi Village is often quieter and more relaxed than the general camping fields, which can be a blessing. There was talk of a sea of blue tipis below Glastonbury on Sea but these have yet to make an appearance.
Is Glasto safe?
Like any festival there remains a problem with tent thefts and everyone should make as much use of the free lockups scattered around the site. Anecdotal evidence suggest Oxlyers suffers most on opening night but all campsites are vulnerable to it. the number of thefts that are reported are low considering the size of the festival and it is certainly safer than the pre-superfence days. Elsewhere, there are few reported incidents around the festival owing to the significant security and stewarding presence around the site. That said, you should take the same precautions that you would in any major city.
If the site is so big, how will I find my way around?
Below you will see a picture of a map with a yellow t-shirted campsite steward in front of it. These maps have percentage filled information written on them and are updated constantly over the first two days of the festival. If you are looking for space, find one of these stewards (they are in every camping area) and ask for guidance. They will point you int he right direction. Elsewhere there are signposts everywhere as you can see in one of the pictures below.
Where can I store my stuff safely?
Lock ups, lock ups lock ups! they are free and run by charity groups. You can store anything (anything legal) in them, even big bulky items. Take an extra wash bag and given them your keys, spare bank card, extra money and any other valuables. If you can, make a donation to support them. You can see what they look like in the final photo below.
If you must keep valuables in your tent keep the tent as messy as possible. the last thing you want to do is leave everything easy to find while you leave the tent unattended. During the night, keep valuables at the opposite end to the door or at the bottom of your sleeping bag. Basically make it as hard as possible for someone to quickly open your tent and grab valuables.
