EXIT Festival 2012 - 12th-15th July 2012 Return Flights to Belgrade from £150 see www.fly.co.uk

Festival Newbies' Tips

Please click on the section titles below to go straight to the information you want.

How to get from the UK to the Exit festival
Coach travel from Hungary
Trains from Budapest
Arrival in Serbia
Money
Mobiles
Camping
Apartments
Food and Drink
Local Transport
How much money do I need?
Electricity
The Legal Stuff
NoviSadians
Cops
Driving from the UK
Warning
Smoking
Security
Ticket Touts
Exit festival - FAQ for the festival itself

Culture Vultures - if you're travelling this far to the festival it would be a shame not to also check out the delights of the countries that border Serbia - click here to find out more

HOW TO GET FROM THE UK TO THE EXIT FESTIVAL

Budget Airlines Easy jet or Wizzair to BUDAPEST HUNGARY is  popular as some festival goers want to take a look round Budapest before or after the fest & it is cheap in comparison. It's a top destination with most airlines. Lots of other airlines fly there but are more expensive.
Also this year www.fly.co.uk are offering return flights to Belgrade from £150 - new rates for Exit Festival 2012.

Budapest is 200 miles from Novi Sad & there is a border crossing which can be a bit of a nightmare. It's a 5.5 hr minibus transfer - direct from the airport to Novi Sad or can be considerably longer by coach.
There are also trains twice a day. There's a regular shuttle service from Budapest airport to the train station.

You could get a flight to some other eastern European capitals & then train it to Novi Sad.

Longer journey

Belgrade direct:
National airline Jat or BA. Pricey but only 50 miles from Novi Sad. Taxi share or minibus is the quickest way from the airport to the Exit festival. Or take a shuttle to Belgrade City train or coach station.

You could use other European airlines with a stop over in Germany or Switzerland and then fly onto Belgrade. It's a cheaper way to Belgrade but involves a couple of hours wait at interlinking airports.

Trains direct from UK are possible but can be expensive with several change-overs.

OSIJEK Croatia:
Last year this was the cheapest but not so popular route.
Planes leaving twice a week meant revellers staying on a week instead of 5 days.
It’s only around 70 miles from Novi Sad.
This is a relatively new service and this year its being provided by Ryan Air.

Driving direct
See Ed's tips below

There are no coaches direct from The UK.
Over the years this has been tried with few takers & has been scrapped as a bad idea.

Coach Travel from Hungary to EXIT festival

If you're coming from Hungary don't bother stocking up on fags - Serbia is much cheaper.
Coach travel time is approx 5-6 hrs but can be more, depending on queues at border crossings.
Stops are made at service stations en route in Hungary.
Their currency is the forint but they also take euros.
Ask for change in euros you don't want to get lumbered with forints.
Novi Sad is approx 60 miles from the Hungarian border.
The whole journey is not very scenic as flat as East Anglia & definitely no breath takers here.

The town is also very flat until you go a few miles out across the river you will see the skyline of hills.
The festival in the fortress is on the outskirts & if you have time 20mins out you really see some good stuff.
Try 3hrs out on the scenic trails & now you're talking.

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About Trains to EXIT from Budapest, Hungary:
"The most common question we receive is: 'would you recommend taking a train from Budapest or Balaton?' In our opinion, if you get first carriage tickets, it's not too bad! But even then, you might find UK revellers cramming into your own pre-paid space.

Overall, this is your holiday, so I would avoid the cattle trains and relax in comfort straight to the Exit festival by taking a private taxi, bus or car rental. After 4 days of hard partying, you'll praise your good sense, to have boycotted the public buses and trains and to have organized your Exit festival transfers.

Why risk the extra hassle of getting to the Exit festival, when there is a direct service being offered. We know, as we speak from experience."
Quote-Vamos Travel

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Arrival in Serbia

All bars/ cafes normally ask for payment when you are leaving so it could come in handy if you've just arrived - grab a bite to eat & a drink while your pal goes & gets some cash.

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Money for EXIT festival

Euros are not accepted in bars clubs & restaurants.
Dinars can be bought at the border but there's a better rate in town if you can wait.
If you're  bringing some hard cash, make sure all notes are clean, no tears, no matter how small & definitely no red ink markings or writing on them - they will be rejected with a shrug of shoulders & that can be irritating & downright inconvenient.
Both £20 notes are still being accepted.
Hole in the wall machines - plenty in town but they vary in what cards they accept but you will find most i.e. Cirrus Maestro Visa MasterCard Amex.
They don't charge for withdrawals although your card provider might.
If you’re sorting out your financial situation for Exit Festival
the best advice seems to be to dispense with Traveller’s cheques – they are a real hassle
First you’ve got to find a bank that accepts them
Last year I had Amex & had a real run around trying to find a bank that accepted them plus you must have the original till receipt.
Then you have to wait for the bank to verify their authenticity with Head Office (For any traveller’s cheques)
All in all – A lot of hanging around & time-wasting. Ed

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Mobiles

Mobile sim cards can be bought for around £2 and top ups are £3 and can be charged at most kiosks. A number of places in town can unlock your phones for around a fiver depending on the type of phone.
Calls are around 10p per minute to other Serbian sim holders & a lot less for texts.

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Camping at EXIT festival

You can book a pitch to camp Here is more info on the campsite.

As the camp is enclosed with a wire fence, are there any tickets to get in, or can anyone enter the campsite?
Entrance and accommodation in the EXIT Camp is permitted only to guests with special bands that they receive at the reception upon arrival. 

Who is responsible for items lost during safe-keeping at reception?
Exit Festival takes responsibility for any items lost while in safe-keeping. The Festival can only guarantee the safety of items left at reception and not for items left in tents.
If you have any other questions not listed above
Please contact ed@exitconnectuk.com


What do I need to check in?
Upon arrival into the camp it is necessary to bring your ID or Passport to the reception in order for your identification to be verified and your temporary residence to be registered with Serbian authorities.

 Are there security guards in the camp?
There are security guards at the Exit Festival Camp Site looking out for your safety. They are responsible for controlling the entrance into the camp and are also there for help and information, as well as the staff at reception.

How many showers and toilet facilities are there?  Are the showers enclosed and is there hot water?
160 toilet booths, 150 water taps and 75 shower cubicles with hot water.

What food and drink facilities  are available in the camp?
Just outside the campsite you can find Foodland where you may purchase a wide variety of food and drinks at affordable prices.

Are lighting fires and having barbecues allowed?
No

Are there parking facilities for campers?
Parking cars and motorcycles are permitted only in the allocated parking areas. There is a parking area near the camp as well as it’s own parking lot with 150 places

First  Aid?
First Aid teams are stationed inside the camp itself, as well as theRed Cross

Be warned camping is very hot and the site can be quite noisy with the on-going party vibe. But you don't have to camp, even if you're backpacking, with a little thought beforehand you could book an apartment, a hostel room or a hotel room.
Find more information on the ExitconnectUK Accommodation page....

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Apartments for EXIT festival

Mostly within a 3mile radius of Exit.
Cab fares (legitimate prices) shouldn't cost more than a couple of quid to shuttle you around.
Recommend aircon apartments if you can get them.
Most apartments are the high rise type 60's built.
Mostly small one bedroomers squeeze in 4.
Normally have terraces if you leave the windows open at night you may have some unwelcome guests (mozzies) so be prepared with repellent sprays & creams you can buy in town. Chemists there are called APOTEKS by the way.

A lot are very basic Nelson Mandela House themed decor.
Yes some of they even have the famous plastic quilted bar.
Incidentally they love "Only Fools & Horses" so mention Del Boy & you'll set them off.

Actually there are some great appts especially the new builds most have aircon & are right in the heart of town.

There are houses to let but rarely do they have the manicured gardens we are used to & most are old & quite basic but the hospitality & enthusiasm of the owners makes up for that.

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Food / Drink during EXIT festival

Places to go
Absolutely loads of cafes, restaurants & bars
& by the way their decor puts ours to shame a lot of Italian style influence -
no worries there!!

But I really love the old style places with the dressed up frowning waiters and dark dull decor.
White table clothes & local brews & the traditional national coffee (Turska cafe) - a small cup.
Three quarters coffee & the rest water - an ideal caffeine hit.
If you're lucky you might be sitting next to a reader who will tell your fortune.
They turn the cup upside down can tell your fortune by the residue left on the walls of the cup a bit like our tea leaf readers.
Don't know about the teeth though.

The goulashes & soups are nice
Mixed Grills
Huge portions by our standard
Lots of meat
Too much to eat
Try ordering one to share

Pizzas Pizzas & more Pizzas
But be careful as its a Serbian custom to smother them with tomato ketchup!

There is a McDonalds but no cheap deals here almost as expensive as the UK

Tipping
In general the locals don't tip so when you do you make a buddy for life.
Restaurants only� - don't get carried away now.

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Local transport around Novi Sad and to EXIT festival

Where is the nearest railway station to access Exit Festival?
The nearest railway station is on the far side of the city away from Exit festival A straight bus ride from the station on a number 3

Can I go to and from the festival in a taxi? Where can I find taxis?
You can take a cab to get to the festival, but you have to leave the vehicle as soon as you cross the bridge on the right river bank. You can find taxis to your left once you cross the bridge. Five minutes walk to the festival.
Taxis equiv of £1.50-£2.00 around town.
Mainly metered cabs but these can even treble their rates to the unsuspecting tourist. Cabbies - stretch your hand out for change otherwise you may not get any.
Last year some Exit Festival goers were fleeced by taxis when trying to get transport back from the festival in the early hours. Beware of cabs that switch their meters off as you are definitely asking to be ripped off as others experienced triple the normal rate. Whatever you pay during the day there is a standard 20% surcharge after midnight & you should pay no more than that.

Can I take a bus to get to Exit Festival and where are the stops?
You can get to Exit if you get on bus number three and nine, and you should get off at the first stop after you cross the bridge. After that it's a five-minute walk to get to the festival.

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How much money do I need for EXIT festival?
£20 per day will give you a great time!!
Beer @ £ a pint fags @ £1.50 for a decent brand (but watch out as most places now non smoking) local spirits extremely cheap but imports i.e. whisky etc can be expensive.

£5 for a meal £2 for a huge burger or roll with chips.
All visitors have been amazed how cheap it is & have had trouble spending their money.

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Electricity in Serbia
Voltage the same no worries.

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The Legal Stuff
The British Consul provide some good advice. This document is a year or two old but as the Consul say the advice hasn't changed since then its still useful. Download it here.

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The Novi-Sadians

The Novi- Sadians are moderate drinkers & party-types. You  rarely see them walking in a crooked line. Be prepared for shocked looks of amusement as you lie down between the restaurant tables legless.

Language

Ed says: Since my earlier postings over 5 years we are now seeing a change in the new generation with more & more people speaking ENGLISH..
However in most shops & municipal services people rarely speak English.

People in this town are helpful & friendly although the language barrier problem can give the wrong impression.
They are however sometimes in awe as to the amount of people suddenly appearing in their town.

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The Cops

These guys are serious dudes so behave when in their gunsights - no shit.

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Fancy driving all the way from UK to EXIT festival

One night stop over in Austria
Ferries
Fuel/ Meals/ Drinks etc
Allow £150 per head.

36hr trip including overnight stop-over in Austria ( 2 driving).
Hungary is a little cheaper than Europe but they're catching up fast.
Lights on while driving (24hrs a day) otherwise on the spot fines.

Watch your speed - don't follow the local speeding motors you will be targeted.

Serbia

You need a green card
Check with your insurance company most don't cover Serbia
Be prepared to fork out £70 for third party basic insurance at the Serbian border
A bit of waiting around though
Minimum term is one month

Fuel is about 10% cheaper in Serbia

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ACCIDENT?

We got whacked in the back by another vehicle while out there
What a “palava”! We thought the best thing was to call the cops
They came sorted some paperwork between us and then gave the guy a “on the spot fine” for careless driving.
We then had to contact the other driver the next day to arrange to meet him at his insurer’s office. Really lucky my wife spoke the lingo coz no one spoke a word of English in the offices.
The company made us position both our vehicles the way the impact occurred to check the damage coincided.
They took photos, wrote out a report and told us to get a quote for repair in the UK.
We had to deal direct as our insurance didn’t want to know as we were only on bare minimum cover (although we were ”fully comp” in the rest of Europe.)

We emailed the quote to them…really thinking it would be unlikely we would get anywhere at all and that it would be a long haul……
A week later they asked us to open a euro bank account (if we did not already have one)
A further week on they passed the quote & paid up
I must say I did not expect the result so quickly.
All in all not a bad service!!!
I was expecting far worse…. Ed

PARKING

You can pay by text if you have a “serbian sim” card
So easy - just park, key in your reg & send to number displayed in bay.
You can pay for 1hr or 2hrs & you even get a text message when your times up.
They don’t have wheel clamps out there but if you park illegally there is a good chance you will get towed away.

SPEEDING

Old fashioned mobile police speed cameras always on the new bridge and various main streets (the dual carriageways) nicking people with on the spot fines.
           
New law - While driving during the day, like most of its neighbouring countries, you must have your lights on dip.
Don’t put parking lights only that is also “nickable”

TRAFFIC LIGHTS

I really don’t know why there aren’t more accidents…
When the green lights on to turn right- don’t move but wait- as the green light for pedestrians can also be on at the same time. You can’t actually see it and its the same can be for oncoming traffic!
Why bother with lights in the first place!!!

Also on Sundays they flash amber all the time which means you can go but watch out for other cars from all directions.

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Warning
Hungary only allows strict limitations on booze & fags & are aware of cheap stuff being brought across the border especially from Serbia.
You take your chances there.

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Smoking
In 2010 it was announced that smoking was to be banned in public places. Seems the Serbs didn't take the restrictions lying down. The powers-that-be have modified the plan. The result? You now find tables where you can smoke as well as the non-smoking ones.

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Security:
It is pretty crime free in this town but Exit Festival visitors can be targeted Last year there were a few isolated cases of stolen cameras & phones & unfortunately a couple of “break ins”. These were in properties outside the centre. Cash was stolen but luckily credit cards & passports were untouched.
You do not need a lot of cash & as there are plenty of ATM’s to withdraw money on a daily basis We want you to enjoy your time at Exit Festival so please take a few simple precautions.
Keep your passports in a safe place not in your luggage or handbags.
Carry a small amount of cash £25 daily will be adequate.

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Ticket Touts::
Unlike what we are used to Tickets sold by these means are not sold at over inflated rates.
Also we have not heard of any cases of dodgy tickets
There are private sales of Exit Festival Tickets & these are usually bona fida.
Exit Festival pay some of their staff in tickets rather than cash. These are then sold on in exchange for cash & are perfectly legal.
The good news is that as time passes any unsold tickets are actually sold at below face value as Exit Festival staff are anxious to get some cash in.
There is no reason to be suspicious. It is quite common.
However if in doubt ask the seller to escort you to Exit Festival with the ticket(s) & that way you can be 100%.

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THESE TIPS ARE BASED ON ED'S OWN EXPERIENCES, BUT ARE FOR GENERAL GUIDANCE ONLY.

Culture Vulture - Exit Festival in Serbia is a perfect platform to broaden your horizons and venture into other parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

HUNGARY
Budapest City has got to be a real “must” to visit for pre-exit festival celebrations. Surrounded by the Buda Hills with the river Danube carving its way through the middle of this amazing city makes this a truly special place.
Buda the old historic part of town a real feast for sightseers with the majestic Buda Castle & also featuring old synagogues, churches and museums with stunning baroque period architecture.
Pest is the heart of it all with the hustle & bustle of a big city steeped in a rich culture and an abundance of activities.
Marvelous architecture and a real blend of old and new coming together in this “must see” city
This 24 hour Metropolis with a wide range of bars & clubs bolstered with the diversity of visitors from around the globe makes clubbing a truly memorable experience.
Awesomely cheap prices on food & drink will whet your appetite for the Exit Festival town of Novi Sad with even better things to come.

Accommodation in the city is cheap with an abundance of hostels. Here are a few links to hostels recommended by previous Exit Festival travellers.
Hostel City Pest Ráday utca 43 Budapest, 1092

Unit 7/22 Terez korut (Oktogon), 6th district Hostel

Boulevard Hostel Jokai ter 4 Budapest 1061

Transport links are generally good with Budapest boasting its own metro system 
Shuttle buses direct to the airport make it easy to get to Ferighey Airport where you can connect with your airport transfers to & from Exit Festival

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SUN, SEA, SEDUCTION
Serbia and the rest of the Balkans and former Yugoslavia offer a wealth of outstanding natural beauty history and culture.

CROATIA

One reason that the Croatian coastline is so beautiful, is that it contains more than one thousand dazzling islands. If you were to look out to sea from anywhere along the Croatian coastline, it would be unusual for you not to see a green speck in the distance! Most of the islands, however, are small and uninhabited and there are therefore only 20 or so larger islands which are popular with tourists.

The Dalmatian coastline starts from the Istrian coast(Near Trieste Italy) going all the way down to Dubrovnik and a little further on to the smaller Montenegron coast (formerly Serbia & Montenegro)
Dubrovnik Split & Porec are some of the best known seaside resort towns in Croatia
Plitvice Lakes the best known National Park in Croatia, , is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

EXIT FESTIVAL OVER but not the partying. Get down to Pag Island (The New Balkans Ibiza)

PAPAYA CLUB officially the best sea side open air venue in the Balkans
If you fancy something a little different from the usual Ibiza clubbing holiday, but still want to see top DJs play while you dance on gorgeous sandy beaches… then get yourself down to the Papaya Open Air Club on Pag Island in Croatia.

Papaya club is open every day from 10am till 7am and is situated on the famous Zr?e beach, which is 50 miles to the nearest Airport Zadar and is Croatia´s hotspot for party holidays. With 4 different clubs, 24hr entertainment, beach parties everyday and thousands of beautiful people flocking to the beach its not wonder that Beach Zr?e has earned its reputation as the place to be in Croatia.

Club Papaya spreads over two thirds of an acre, divided into six terraces, all themed around nature. Whatever your mood, there will be a place to suit: whether it be in the VIP room, or on the dance floor. All can be enjoyed in the refreshing summer breeze enriched with the scent of sea salt.

In the daytime, you can relax with a drink at one of the bars, pools or Jacuzzi, or for you thrill-seekers out there, dare to go on an adrenalin dive down the slide – rising from the club and into the pool. The infamous After-Beach parties all start at 4pm, where everyone dances whilst listening to the very best sexy house music. In the evening, you can dance till the early hours of the morning under the starry night, surrounded by azure blue pools, until the sun comes up. You really will fall in love with this gorgeous, hedonistic island.

The summer season opens in mid June with festivals & one night events going on through out the summer with some of the biggest names in dance music.
More of whats on & up to date details-   http://www.papaya.com.hr/

MONTENEGRO
A couple of years ago Montenegro was still part of Serbia but they separated amicably and it is now independent from Serbia.
Travelling from Exit Festival this is the nearest area for outstanding beauty

The pearl of the Mediterranean and unique in many ways it is situated in the south of the Adriatic. There is nowhere else where you can find so much natural wealth, beauty, isolated beaches, clear lakes, fast rivers and gorgeous mountains – like you can in the small country of Montenegro.

Wake up in morning to views of the beautiful Adriatic coast, have lunch on the banks of the “Skadar” Lake, and enjoy delightful evening walks in the Montenegrin Mountains. This is surely a place that cannot leave you indifferent.
Montenegro has many other remarkable characteristics: history, culture, tradition, great weather conditions, clean air, beautiful nature, and a crystal clear blue Adriatic Sea ... This tiny country is part of the Balkans and part of the Mediterranean, very near Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Albania. Despite its small size there are so many contrasts and so much natural beauty.

If you can’t do the trip this time cos’ Exit Festival has extinguished your energy then bookmark it & put in on your priority visit list for the future.

MACEDONIA
Ohrid is a town marked by a combination of culture and natural beauty & is one of the most beautiful towns in Macedonia. There is a central town square with striking oval fountains,  and the archeological remains of a Roman coliseum ( currently being restored)
Situated on the coast of Lake Ohrid, the town has become a great tourist attraction with its historical value and natural rarities.

Macedonia’s most prominent characteristics are numerous monasteries and churches, clear lakes & spectacular scenery.

BULGARIA & ROMANIA
Recent new additions to the EU are very close to & equally steeped in cultural & historic interest.

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THESE TIPS ARE BASED ON ED'S OWN EXPERIENCES, BUT ARE FOR GENERAL GUIDANCE ONLY.

CONTACT US

For enquiries and information:
E-mail info@EXITconnectUK.com
Call Nick direct - 07505 960 674 or 01926 827557

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Leamington Spa, Warks, CV32 4RB