The idea of flying to another country to see a show might seem extravagant, but when you factor in that flights to nearby cities can cost less than a local taxi, it becomes a much more accessible proposition. Thousands of music fans travel internationally for concerts every week — these are the steps that make the experience smooth and memorable.
Step 1: Get the Tickets First
This might sound obvious, but it's the most important rule: secure your tickets before booking anything else. Nothing is more frustrating than a non-refundable hotel booking for a show you couldn't get into. For international buyers, ticket availability can vary — some platforms restrict sales to domestic payment cards or addresses.
Strategies for buying tickets from outside the country:
- Official international sales — major platforms like Ticketmaster and Viagogo sell internationally and accept international cards.
- The venue's own website — often sells internationally with fewer restrictions.
- Mobile ticket delivery — choose mobile or print-at-home tickets to avoid postal delivery issues across borders.
- Secondary markets — when primary sales are geo-restricted, secondary market platforms are usually accessible worldwide.
Step 2: Book Accommodation Strategically
For major events, accommodation near the venue fills up quickly. Book early, but choose refundable rates where possible in case of cancellations. Consider:
- Staying in the city centre rather than directly adjacent to the venue — central locations give more flexibility and dining/transport options.
- For multi-day festivals with camping, weigh the camping option seriously. It's cheaper, you're already on-site, and the social experience is often the best part of the trip.
- Sharing with other fans — concert travel communities on Reddit, Facebook groups and fan forums often match travelling fans looking for accommodation splits.
Step 3: Understand the Local Ticket Platform
Different countries use different primary ticketing platforms. Knowing which platform serves the country you're visiting helps you find the best availability:
- UK & Ireland: Ticketmaster UK
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland: Eventim
- France: Fnac Spectacles
- Scandinavia: Ticketmaster SE/NO, Billetlugen (DK), Lippu (FI)
- US & Canada: Ticketmaster
- Global secondary: Viagogo
Step 4: Plan Your Transport
Research how to get to the venue from your accommodation and, critically, how to get back after the show. Late-night transport options — the last train, night buses, taxi availability — can catch out the unprepared. For major shows ending after midnight, rideshare demand spikes and prices can be high. Planning an alternative or walking route in advance is always worth the five minutes it takes.
Step 5: Check Entry Requirements
Visa requirements, passport validity rules and entry conditions vary by country and nationality. Check the official government travel advice for your nationality before booking anything. Within the EU Schengen Area, travel is mostly frictionless for EU citizens. For travel outside this zone — UK, US, Australia, Latin America — check requirements individually.
Step 6: Get Travel Insurance
Festival and concert-specific travel insurance is worth the modest cost. Standard travel insurance may not cover "change of artist" cancellations, which are common. Specialist policies cover:
- Concert or festival cancellation
- Medical expenses at the event
- Lost or stolen tickets
- Flight and accommodation disruption
Time zones and on-sale times: When tickets go on sale at 10am local time in the venue's country, that can mean a very early morning or late night for you. Set an alarm and be ready at the right time — missing the on-sale by 20 minutes for a popular show can mean the difference between face-value tickets and paying triple on the secondary market.
Making the Most of the Trip
A concert abroad is more than the show itself — it's a chance to explore a city or region you might not otherwise visit. Use GIGMAP to discover if other artists are playing in the same city on nearby dates, potentially making a weekend trip into a multi-show adventure. Some of the best concert travel stories involve the surrounding days as much as the main event.
Use GIGMAP to find concerts in cities worldwide →