Edinburgh Fringe on the cheap. Possible ?

AdamBrunt

Hi all,

As above really.

How much advance planning would it require to do the Fringe Festival on the cheap ? Or would it require none, you just need to know where to stay ?

Also, how do you find out who's taking part and when ?

Finally, is it suitable for young (under 10) children ?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards,

Adam

The_One_Who

If you haven't already booked accommodation you are going to struggle to find somewhere cheap, at least without having to travel far out of town. The train service during the Festival(s) is actually really good, so it's feasible to travel in for it.

The website (http://www.edfringe.com/) details who is playing, when, and the ticket prices. There are shows aimed specifically at children, yes.

There are free events, lots of things that are free-but-ticketed as well as free-and-unreserved. There are also events that are cheap and reasonably priced. There are also a lot of street entertainers, so it's possible to go for a day and not see any actual show, just move around and view the different performers. If you aren't fussed about what you see you can try the two-for-one events (details on the website) and/or the "half-price hut".

Edinburghlass_2

Quick answer is no, it can't be done on the cheap although there are loads of street entertainers for free

http://www.edfringe.com/

the Book Festival do a lot of things for young kids

http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/families

AdamBrunt

The_One_Who wrote: »

If you haven't already booked accommodation you are going to struggle to find somewhere cheap, at least without having to travel far out of town. The train service during the Festival(s) is actually really good, so it's feasible to travel in for it.

I realise it is probably too late for this year, I was thinking more in terms of next year.

Paying for the shows we would actually want to see wouldn't be a problem either, again I was thinking more in terms of accomodation & travel.

Edinburghlass wrote: »

the Book Festival do a lot of things for young kids

http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/families

Thanks

The_One_Who

Edinburgh is a walkable city (although perhaps not with a ten-year old in tow), so once there transport shouldn't be that big of an issue. Getting there is also easy with frequent trains and buses from all over.

If you are thinking of next year, I'd suggest booking your accommodation as soon as possible. It's a busy time of year and things fill up quickly! There are a lot of B&Bs, as well as hostels (that do family rooms) and budget hotels, but they all know it's their peak-season and so charge accordingly.

Edinburghlass_2

Just remembered the Free Festival Fringe

http://www.laughinghorsecomedy.co.uk/edinburgh/index.asp

Sign up for all the websites to get the programmes and alerts for next year and then you need to make a list of anything in particular you want to see and if they are popular folk then you need to be ready to book as soon as booking online is available. I spent from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm to get in the online queue for Book Festival tickets and still missed out on the one I really wanted, Jeremy Vine, Michael Palin was also sold out by 10.30.

However it all really depends on what or who you want to see, it can be a great atmosphere just wandering round all the outside venues without even going to a show.

Shah79

Try camping. THat's always fun..

Bigmoney2

Yes it can be done on the cheap

I went a few years ago, camped just outside Edinburgh at musselborough (did book this quite a while in advance though), got the bus in and just went to the free events. Lots of street theatre, laughing horse comedy events where good and free with donation box on the way out. The down side was that the last bus was around 10.30 so had to leave a few things before the end.

Not sure how suitable for a 10 yr old, the street theatre would be Ok, a lot of the stuff we saw was in pubs. You can order the programme before hand but its the size of a small phone directory so postage is high, its free to pickup during the festival.

lindseylocket

If your planning going next year , loads of shows do 2 for 1 tickets for the first monday and tuesday in August.
We got "Horrible Histories" for our kids this year.

The new programme comes out early June and you can book online straight away, the 2 for 1's can sell out pretty quickly.