During South by Southwest (SXSW), the city of Austin transforms into a multimedia mecca: innovative music, film, and technology come together to showcase creativity and game-changing initiative in each field from March 8th to March 17th. At SXSW, conferences, panels, concerts, and networking parties draw some of the industry’s biggest names and most notable up-and-comers, giving guests a dynamic inside look at the future of innovation. The downside, however, is that a SXSW badge (a festival pass) runs between $600 for the most basic access, to $1595 for a “platinum” level pass. Wristbands are also available at lower prices, but still clock in around $200. Not many young enthusiasts and entrepreneurs of film, music or tech have that sort of cash to drop on festival tickets, on top of travel and lodging expenses. So what are we to do? Does that make SXSW an out-of-reach experience for those on a budget? Not at all. During the festival, hundreds of ‘unofficial’ showcases, events, and parties happen under the radar, meaning with just an RSVP or a manageable entry fee, you can forego the expense of a badge and still have a fulfilling experience in Austin. That’s what I plan on doing, so here’s a breakdown on how to navigate SXSW on the cheap.
Book early.
SXSW takes place in the same timeframe as many spring breaks, meaning people will be going on vacation and flying all over the country, and plane tickets only get more expensive as time goes on. Planning your travel agenda ahead gives you the advantage of being able to afford flying directly in and out of Austin (rather than trying to save money by flying to a different city and then hopping on a bus, for instance), and also more time to focus on more important things, like the actual festival.We booked a roundtrip flight from Boston to Austin in early December, and the grand total was $315. Since then, ticket prices for the same dates have nearly doubled, and cost about $600. Ew. If you haven’t yet booked your flight, be prepared to fork over some hefty cash (to find the cheapest flights, don’t fly in or out on the weekend, when flights can be up to $200 more expensive than on a weekday). Or you can hit the highway and drive down: sites like Zimride and Rideshare provide carpooling opportunities for people with the same destination.
Don’t stay at a hotel.
Hotel rooms are in high demand during the week, meaning prices are jacked up unreasonably high–up to $700 a night for hotels closest to the Sixth Street attractions. Luckily, there are other options, and (again) the earlier you book, the more options you’ll find. Sites like AirBnB list postings for available condos and apartments that Austin residents are offering up to SXSW goers. (With thousands of people flocking to their city for the week, I don’t blame them for wanting to escape.) We found a studio apartment on East Sixth Street, within walking distance of the bulk of the action, and the best part was that the renter didn’t care how many people stayed there, so we split up the rate for the week, totaling $370 a person. Seeing as most of our time won’t be spent there anyway, all we needed was a place to crash after long days, late nights, and early mornings at a manageable price, and that’s what we got. If you’re scrambling for plans, find friends who booked in advance and bring an air mattress.
RSVP to anything and everything.
Without an official badge, you’ll still be completely booked up with free and unofficial events, parties, and shows throughout the week. While these are open to anyone, you’ll most likely need to RSVP in advance to get your name on the list before showing up at the door (and try to arrive early, since an RSVP usually doesn’t guarantee entrance). Websites like Do512 and Austin360 help you navigate and compile the events you need to sign up for, and a close perusing of Facebook and Twitter in the time leading up to the festival can guide you toward the unofficial parties put on by companies and record labels. If this sounds like too much confusing work, head to sx.getwillcall.com, which does all the RSVP’ing for you. All you have to do is login with Facebook, and Will Call finds all the parties/events/shows that require nothing but an RSVP during SXSW, and adds your name. (The process takes a bit of time so be patient.) Warning: your inbox will soon be flooded with ~100 confirmation emails from all sorts of events, so try not to enter your primary email account. These unofficial showcases happen all day, not just during the after hours, so you’ll have plenty to do the entire time, and for the most part, they’re totally free (and include other perks like free alcohol, food, and souvenirs.)
Do your research and make a game plan.
Going to SXSW without actually going to SXSW (officially speaking) means you have to plan a little more carefully, since you can’t just flash a badge at any entrance. I know; it’s not easy being poor. And especially for first-timers, planning can quickly become overwhelming. But since you’re dropping money on flights and lodging, you need to make the most of your time in Austin, and mapping out your list of must-see shows and events to attend is essential. Do512 has a “My SX” tab, which allows you to log in with Facebook and chart your top events, and websites like The Wild Honey Pie gather together lists of unofficial parties, free showcases, and where to sign up. The unofficial side of SXSW even has its own Facebook page, Unofficial SXSW Guide, which is constantly updated with free shows and parties. You can also follow @unofficialsxsw and @SXSWPartyList on Twitter for the most recent news and events, right up until, and during, the festival itself.
