Frequently Asked Questions
Ticket Information
What are the dates for ION Festival 2023?
ION Festival will take place between the 6th and 13th September 2023.
Do you sell tickets without accommodation?
No, all ION tickets are sold with accommodation. This is to avoid over-inflated rates during the festival week and to ensure sustainable prices for ION for this year and beyond. We aim to provide the best festival experience and being able to manage the accommodation for our guests enables us to deliver a smoother festival. We charge hotels and apartments the same commission as Airbnb so this only makes your price better.
When will I receive my ticket?
You will be emailed an e-ticket along with pre-trip information a few weeks prior to the event. Your e-ticket can be exchanged for a wristband when you arrive at the festival. Details of where to pick up your wristband will be sent to you in your pre-trip information email ahead of the event.
Can I stay for less than the full week?
The minimum stay is 4 days (3 nights). However, we recommend staying for the full week to make the most out of ION Festival.
The main acts perform Thursday - Monday. There will be smaller venues open on the other days with opening and closing parties taking place.
Besides the music, we also offer other experiences including wellness classes and holiday activities like kayaking and boat trips.
What is the accommodation like?
There are options for everyone, from cosy 3* hotels to exotic beach huts and fancy 5* hotels, all at excellent prices.
Does any of the accommodation come with a kitchen / cooking space?
Yes, we have a couple of options that have cooking facilities in the apartments. Check out the apartment descriptions for full info.
How big are the rooms?
Most of the accommodation options hold 2-3 people, with the largest accommodation having room for 8 people. We advise splitting larger groups across multiple rooms. You can always book a few rooms in the same hotel or hotels nearby to keep the group together.
Are there any options for solo travellers?
Yes there are some options for solo travellers although these are very limited. We recommend booking as soon as tickets go on sale as these usually sell out quickly.
If you cannot find anything suitable, you can join the ION Facebook group to team up with others to share accommodation.
How far is the accommodation from the festival?
There are 3 areas where you can stay: Dhërmi, Perivolos and Drymades. The festival takes place in Dhërmi which means you can simply walk to and from the festival area.
We operate a shuttle bus service between Dhërmi, Perivolos and Drymades so even if your accommodation is not within walking distance, it’s still easy to get to and from the festival site.
• Dhërmi: All the accommodation around Dhërmi beach is within walking distance from the stages, with some hotels located inside the festival area. Hotels here are in high demand and usually sell out quite quickly.
• Drymades: The neighbouring beach to Dhërmi is a short drive away from the festival and offers a great selection of shops, restaurants and beach bars during the day.
• Perivolos: The area in between both beaches, is only a 5-minute drive away from the festival site.
What happens if someone in the group can no longer make it?
Think of this as any other summer holiday. If someone can no longer make it, you can either find a replacement, or cover the cost between the remaining people in the group. In some cases we may be able to offer the possibility to change to a smaller accommodation, but this is always subject to availability.
If I have an empty bed in my room can I add someone to the booking at a later date?
Yes, no problem! There are a few simple steps to follow to add a person to your booking if you have the space in your accommodation you will need to:
Head to the ‘change my booking’ tab on your ‘manage booking’ portal.
The system will then formulate a cost to add the new guest which includes the cost of the festival wristband.
The new guest will then need to pay a deposit to secure their place on the booking.
Can I buy a ticket from someone else?
Tickets for ION Festival are sold exclusively via our website. We have been made aware of attempts of fake tickets being circulated and sold. Do not buy tickets directly from people posting on social media as there are many scammers targeting popular events.
We will not send out e-tickets until the week before the event so anyone claiming to have one is definitely fake. If you are concerned or suspicious please email our customer service team and they will be able to verify whether the ticket is legit.
If you want to buy a ticket the best way is to join our ticket waiting list here.
Do you offer discounted tickets for residents of Albania and Kosovo?
Yes, we have a separate allocation of discounted wristband-only tickets that don’t include accommodation for residents of Kosovo and Albania.
These will be available closer to the event.
What is your cancellation policy?
As with any other holiday or hotel reservation, cancellation fees apply on a sliding scale, depending on how close to the departure date you decide to cancel.
• Before 50% payment deadline: You can cancel your booking and get a refund of any amounts paid so far, except the deposit.
• After the 50% payment deadline: You can cancel your booking and get a refund of any amounts paid over the 50% of the cost
• After the 100% payment deadline: At this point, the payments would have been made to travel and accommodation suppliers and we won’t be able to get your money back from them. However, we can offer a name change so if you find someone to take over your booking we can offer you the ability to transfer your booking to another person.
You can read our terms and conditions here.
Can I change a name on my booking?
If you would like to change a name on your booking please contact us on info@ionalbania.com. Please note that a £25 administration fee per name change applies. Please notify us of the change no less than 30 days before the day on which the package starts.
What happens if the event cannot go ahead?
If the event can’t go ahead, you will be able to either roll over your booking to a rescheduled date or receive a refund so you can book with full confidence.
Travel
What is Albania like?
When it comes to travel, there are few mysteries left in Europe. Albania, by contrast, is still almost unheard of as a destination, and probably the last short-haul European sunspot that hasn't become a beach-holiday stalwart (yet).
The Albanian Riviera is an unspoiled, naturally stunning Mediterranean setting with turquoise waters, sandy beaches and a rich archaeological and cultural heritage. It is more exotic and undeveloped than surrounding countries, which makes it the perfect destination for escaping the crowds.
Is it safe?
Absolutely. Albanians are very hospitable to visitors and they have been welcoming festivals with open arms for the years now. The country was under a communist dictatorship for decades and has only recently started opening up to international tourism. They are very proud of their beautiful country and happy that we have decided to visit them.
Expect crystal clear waters, great hospitality, shockingly good food, and some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean.
Do I need a visa or travel permit to travel to ION?
As our guests travel from all over the world, we recommend that you visit your own Government’s website, and research the visa requirements from your own country.
European, British and American citizens can enter the Republic of Albania as a tourist without a visa. However, some time limits may apply for some of them.
If you travel via Corfu, please check with your own Government if there are any requirements to enter Greece.
Can I still travel to Dhërmi after Brexit?
Since the 1st Jan 2021, tourists from the UK will be able to travel to countries in the Schengen area, which includes Greece, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist. Which includes attending cultural or sports events.
If you are travelling to Greece and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
If you are flying straight to Albania, please note that British citizens can enter and remain in Albania for a maximum of 90 days in every 6-month period without a visa. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 3 months from the date of entry into Albania.
Do I need health insurance?
While we cannot recommend specific insurance companies or policies, we advise that all our customers do extensive research around their own insurance policies to ensure they have the appropriate cover.
Do I need to be vaccinated to attend?
Entry to the event will not be dependent on having a vaccination but we are at the discretion of the various governing bodies involved, and what their requirements are in regards to travelling to the event.
At the moment, most countries seem to require either proof of vaccination or a negative test.
As stated in our T&Cs, we can only provide general information on the subject and would recommend you continue to monitor the ongoing updates provided before making a booking. If you fail to comply with the travel requirements set by the governments we won’t be able to offer you a refund and standard cancellation T&Cs apply.
As always, our booking policy remains the same and in the event of a full cancellation or rescheduled date, ticket-holders will be entitled to either transfer their ticket to a rescheduled show, or receive a refund on their package.
Festival Information
When does ION take place?
ION is from Wednesday 6th September until the early hours of Wednesday 13th September.
How many people are expected to attend ION 2023?
There are only 3000 tickets available this year. ION is an intimate festival experience where quality means more than quantity.
Usually, this means that tickets are in high demand but if you join the waiting list and have your group ready to book as soon as tickets go on sale you should be able to join us on the sunny beaches of Dhërmi to enjoy the experience.
What kind of amenities are available in Dhërmi?
Dhërmi is a small coastal village, there are medical services, bars, restaurants and several small shops. There are very limited ATMs in Dhermi and Drymades. You will need cash for restaurants and local shops but the festival area (bars, festival market) are contactless. You can top up your RFID wristband via card payment and use your wristband to pay within the festival site.
What are the food/drink costs like at ION?
Restaurants are cheap and a meal will cost between 8-15 euros. Supermarkets are limited but do sell alcohol. Drink prices will vary from bar to bar ranging from 3 - 6 euros depending on the selected drink.
Besides the music, what else is available?
The festival program is designed to allow you to spend your days partying, relaxing and exploring the incredible surroundings. Besides the music events, we also offer a roster of fun-filled activities and well-being sessions, from yoga and beach massages to kayaking, snorkeling, paragliding and day excursions to explore the natural wonders of the Albanian Riviera.
Here are some of the places we recommend visiting:
• Gjipe: a secluded beachside forest that is only accessible by boat and hosts music Friday to Monday. This is not only one of the most incredible party locations you will ever dance in but the perfect place to spend the day too. You can relax by the beach, dance in the forest or stroll along the canyon.
• Grama Bay: A stunning bay only accessible by boat. Due to the lack of facilities, this exotic beach is likely to be deserted on your arrival, and remain all yours for the day.
What is the easiest way to get to ION from my accommodation during the festival?
Many hotels are within walking distance of ION, there will also be a regular shuttle bus running to and from the festival for any guests staying in Drymades or Dhërmi town. Tickets for the shuttle bus can be purchased via ‘manage booking’.
How do I get to ION?
You can fly to either Corfu or Tirana. We offer transfers from both airports that will drop you at the nearest stop to your accommodation. You can add these when you book your ticket or at a later date via the manage booking portal.
Seats are limited. If you don’t book one of these you will have to make your own way to the festival.
How do I get from Corfu airport to the port?
The best option is to take a taxi from the airport to Corfu Port (Kerkira). It takes about 15 minutes. There will be taxis waiting in front of the airport.
Where do I get my transfer from Tirana airport?
Head out of the airport and you will find one of our reps in a pink hi-vis vest with ‘Mainstage’ written on the back. They will take your name and escort you to your minibus.
Where can I find transfer times?
A full list of transfer times will be available to view during the booking process. Please make sure your flight times are compatible with your selected transfers.
I need to leave on Saturday or Sunday, how can I get to the airport?
You will need to make your own arrangements to get home if you need to leave over the weekend.
If you are travelling to Corfu, you can check the public ferry timetable here: https://ionianseaways.com/timetable or https://www.finikas-lines.com/lines
Please note: you will need to go to Saranda and then on to Corfu. This will require arranging a taxi from Dhërmi to Saranda costing approx. €100. Once in Saranda, you can take the ferry to Corfu port.
Wellness
What kind of activities are available?
Our expert wellness team will host a variety of wellness sessions, from yoga to mindfulness, guided meditation to soundscapes, and gong baths that incorporate electronic music and ancient instruments. All levels welcome!
Are these included with the ticket?
There is a charity donation to join each session and all profits are donated to a local Albanian Charity. Places are limited, make sure to reserve your spot once the 2023 programme is announced!
What is your cancellation policy?
You can read our terms and conditions here
Accessibility
Where can I find information on the venues?
We will provide viewing areas where possible for accessible customers and PA's only. The areas will have a good line of sight to the stage and seating if required.
Empire, Splendor, & The Cove are all accessible via ramps, although some parts of the venues are via stair access.
Unfortunately, Gjipe is not currently accessible for some mobility impairments as the boats are unable to safely load & unload due to rough seas and steep gangways.
Can assistance animals attend the event?
Assistance animals are welcome within the festival site. Please note, some areas of the festival may not be suitable for an animal due to loud noise.
Proof may be required that the assistance animal is registered with a recognised body.