My top 10 tips for making the most of the Edinburgh Festival
1 Before you arrive, get a programme and make a shortlist of what you’d like to see, otherwise you will be overwhelmed with choice.
2 If there are shows you simply can’t miss, book them in advance. As soon as a show receives good reviews in the national press, it will sell out.
3 Most seats are unreserved, so arrive at your destination early to ensure a good view.
4 Allow plenty of time to get to your venue. Edinburgh isn’t big, but to get from A to B takes much longer than you might think because of the steep hills. Many shows do not allow entry to latecomers (I learned to my cost).
5 Always carry a waterproof and an umbrella! It’s also a good idea to wear wellies or flat shoes (lots of rain and cobblestones) and have a pair of waterproof trousers to hand (I’m not joking).
6 Make sure you have plenty of loose change. Buses don’t give change, neither do parking meters, and although many shows are free, it would be churlish not to give a donation to the performer.
7 If you visit the festival in the first week, many shows have 2 for 1 tickets, bookable in advance.
8 The Virgin half-price hut has seats for hundreds of shows (for the next 24 hours). The names and the times of the shows are displayed on an electronic board above the hut – make sure you look these up and decide what you’d like to see before you join the queue, as it moves quickly.
9 Don’t pre-book every moment of your trip. You’ll be given a lot of flyers (and sales talk) by students and performers, and you’ll probably be tempted to see something you wouldn’t have originally chosen.
10 The city is exciting, crowded and buzzy during the festival. If you need some peace and quiet, head for the Botanical Gardens just north of the city centre.
