Street performers on the Royal Mile at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015, Edinburgh, Scotland
There’s always so much going on (Picture: Getty)

At first glance, heading to the Edinburgh Fringe (August 4 to 28) can seem prohibitively expensive.

You have to think about travel and accommodation, and then there is the issue of the tickets to see the shows.

UK, Scotland, Edinburgh, Fireworks exploding above illuminated Edinburgh Castle during Edinburgh Fringe Festival 22 things only Edinburgh residents will understand about the Fringe Festival

Not very budget friendly when you consider that even beds in 16-person dormitories can go for over £60 a night.

However, after taking part in it for the past five years, I have some super savvy Fringe hacks you can use to see it all on a budget.

Accommodation

Vector illustration of hand drawn man sleeping on the sofa
Accommodation doesn’t need to cost a fortune (Picture: Getty)

Forget hotels, hostels and Airbnb – performers and industry types are your friends.

Many will hire flats for the whole of the run, and to help with costs, they will often have a ‘spare room’ (ie the lounge) available as and when for anyone willing to throw them some coin.

It’s all very unofficial, so be nice and send polite emails.

Also, there will be a glut of fellow performers who have had to cancel at the last-minute, or might even have to leave the festival so their rooms will be up for grabs.

In my case, we hired a seven bedroom flat for six people one year, out of sheer desperation, and ended up hiring out the seventh bedroom as and when.

Pros: It’s cheaper than hotels, nicer than hostels and you get to spend time with people who are taking part in the festival.

Cons: You might have to spend time with people who are taking part in the festival. So make them a cup of tea and gently suggest they have an apple occasionally..

But don’t start writing to Jimmy Carr to ask if you can us his sofa.

Instead, you can find posts and make your own inquiries in places such as support groups and forums on Facebook.

Travel

 A bus belonging to Megabus company is parked at La Reserve area,
(Picture: Serge Mouraret/Corbis via Getty Images)

As ever, it’s best to book as much in advance as you can.

While train tickets will likely have been snapped up, coach companies like Megabus are still offering journeys from London to Edinburgh for £10-12. Admittedly it’s a bit of a trek at nine hours.

National express are also doing overnight coaches for £12, so maybe take a pillow and get comfy.

Tickets

An Edinburgh Festival Fringe entertainer performs on the Royal Mile
(Picture: Awakening/Getty Images)

Edinburgh Fringe has an amazing selection of shows you can see that are absolutely free.

Laughing horse have a great selection, and PBH’s Free Fringe have had award-winning shows and performers in their venues, including Sofie Hagen and Richard Gadd.

The big fringe guide doesn’t show all the free fringe shows (after all, performers are on a budget too), so grab a Wee Blue Book from one of the many people handing it out for free, or download the PBH Free Fringe app.

However, while they are free to go in, they’re not free to leave. Make sure you leave a donation in the bucket afterwards as performers have to pay their own way, too.

Pyratrix Circus attends a photocall at Studio 24 for the show 'Alice in Wasteland'
(Picture: Awakening/Getty Images)

If you want to see a ticketed show, the first Monday and Tuesday (August 7 and 8) have 2-for-1 offers. Sometimes, you can even get a sneaky comp from flyerers outside the venue, but I wouldn’t bank on this at all.

The Half Price Ticket Hut on the Mound Precinct will knock 50% off tickets to certain shows every day, so get there early to grab a bargain.

You can also apply to review shows for various sites and get your tickets totally free.

Each one has a different set of skills so make sure you check their guidelines thoroughly. At the time of writing, Fringe guru, Broadway Baby and Fringe Review were just some of the major sites looking for volunteers.

Food

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUuPr_PhgvA/?taken-at=2090069

You may have great intentions of cooking your own, and that’s just dandy. However, you’re in Edinburgh! Make the most of it, cheaply.

Everyone, ever, is going to recommend the Mosque Kitchen in Nicolson Square – and so they should. They offer a great selection, including vegetarian and vegan food.

Wings in Old Fishmarket Close is also a favourite, with its ‘Ninja wings, good beer, great price’. So good, in fact, there’s often a wait. So I wish I hadn’t told you about it now.

If you’re dashing between shows in Cowgate, grab a slice of the best pizza I’ve ever had from the little pop-up underneath St George IV Bridge. You’ll find it, just follow the smell. Or me.

Make money at the Fringe

 A man hands out flyers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
(Picture: Scott Campbell/Getty Images)

Yes, it’s even possible to make money while you’re at the fringe.

If you’re chatty, have an outgoing personality, and get enthusiastic about shows then we are all desperately searching for flyerers at every point of the Fringe.

Again, it’s a great way to meet performers, see shows and get some inside info if you’re interested in performing at the Fringe yourself one day.

Fringe Flyerer Network is the place to head to. You can get paid upwards of £10 an hour, and sometimes a bonus if you fill a room for many of the shows.

Perform at the Fringe

Ennio Marchetto in The Living Paper Cartoon at the Pleasance as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
(Picture: Robbie Jack/Corbis via Getty Images)

If you’re a budding stand-up comic, there are many compilation shows that will let you have five minutes of stage time.

Look for the ones on the free fringe, and drop them an email beforehand. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, just ask whoever is running the show you’re watching.

Often, there will be drop-outs and we’ll need last-minute replacements, especially in the last week.

Be good though and don’t go over your five minutes, especially if you’re a newbie. Plus, it may look easy, but don’t think you can wing it. Have something prepared.

See the Fringe in London

In June/July, performers are gearing up and often do previews at various venues in London. This is where you can see them cheaply, or even for free.

Google your favourites to see if they’re playing anywhere, or keep an eye on listing sites.

It’s not as much fun though, I can promise you that.

Edinburgh Fringe really is an amazing experience, and it’s a shame it can be so expensive. But there are ways around it, and hopefully you can enjoy it all without spending a fortune.

Now spend all the money you’ve saved by coming to see my show ‘Crossbones’ from August 3 to 27.

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