Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy 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.

Can I buy tickets if I am local?

Local tickets will be available via a local partner. If you would like to purchase one of these discounted tickets, instead of a regular accommodation package, please sign up here to be notified once they become available next year.

Where is the festival located?

ION takes place in Dhërmi, a coastal village on the Albanian Riviera located between the cities of Sarandë and Vlorë. It is the most beautiful spot on the entire coastline and a true hidden gem.

What is the best route to get to ION?

We recommend coming in via Corfu, which offers lower flight prices and an easier, more picturesque journey to Dhërmi. We organise boat transfers from Corfu port to Himarë or Sarandë for passport control, then the final leg of the trip is by bus. The bus, which is included in the price, will drop you off at a location near your accommodation in Dhërmi.

Alternatively, you can fly to Tirana but you would have to arrange your own transportation to ION. Taxis from Tirana cost around 70€-100€ per journey.

How do I get from the airport to Corfu port?

The best option is to take a taxi from the airport to Corfu Port (Kerkira). It takes about 15 min.

Where can I find out transfer times?

You can see the transfer timetable during the booking process or find them here.

Can I buy transfer tickets outside of the ION website / booking process?

No, transfer tickets can only be purchased during during the booking process, or via manage booking.

I have booked my flights, when will you take my flight information?

Your flight details can be added via manage booking at any stage before the event.

Do I have to stay for the full week?

You can come for the full week Wednesday-Wednesday, from Friday-Monday or anytime in between! We have three arrival days (Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th, Friday 10th September) and three departure days (Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th).

Where can I see accommodation options?

All accommodation options are shown during the booking process, based on how may are in your party.

Can I change or amend my booking?

Yes. Name changes incur an admin fee of £20 per name. Changes of flight times or dates should be dealt with directly with the airline. Please be aware that airlines may also charge their own fees. We allow name changes until a few weeks prior to the event.

Accommodation and date changes are also possible, these also incur an admin charge of £20pp. please contact us in info@ionalbania.com with any questions.

Can I explore Albania myself before or after the festival?

Absolutely, we strongly recommend going out and exploring the country. To do this you will need to make your own travel arrangements to/from Dhermi and explore where you would like.

How many people are expected to attend ION?

There are only 3000 tickets available for the 2021 edition.

What's 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 are available via the ticket page or manage booking.

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 is only one ATM in Dhermi and another in Drymades. You will need cash for restaurants and local shops but the festival area (bars, festival market) are contactless and you can use your RFID wristband to pay there.

What are the food/drink costs like at ION?

Restaurants are cheap and a meal will cost between £5 - £15. It's hard to say if places will increase prices during ION as this happens at a lot of festivals in Croatia from experience but customers will still be able to get cheap meals. Supermarkets are limited but do sell alcohol. Drink prices will vary from bar to bar ranging from €4-€8 depending on the selected drink.

Besides the music, what else is available?

The festival program is designed to allow for days to party, relax and explore the incredible surroundings. Besides the music events, we also offer a roster of fun-filled activities and wellbeing content, from yoga and beach massages to kayaking, snorkelling, paragliding and day excursions to explore the natural wonders of the Albanian Riviera.

When are the main acts/headliners performing?

The festival takes place between Wednesday 8th and the early hours of Wednesday 15th September. There will be smaller venues and stages open every day, although the main acts perform between Thursday and Monday.

What are the running times of the stages?

Running times vary during the week. Some stages are open only during the day, while others will host sunset sets and some will run through the night till sunrise. The full schedule will be released closer to the event. A lot of thought has been put into programming each stage in careful balance to each other.

There will be peaks and crescendos, as well as adequate time for decompression and restoration. To round out our time together, the week will come to an end with a unifying closing party.

What are the restoration activities available at ION?

Our Restoration program includes yoga, meditation, sound journeys and beach massages, inviting you to decompress, soothe aching limbs and reconnect with your surroundings as you move between festival and holiday modes.

Are these restoration activities included with the festival wristband?

No. Restoration sessions and treatments at a charge of €8 each, to discourage drop-outs. Places are limited, make sure to reserve your spot via this website once the Restoration timetable is announced.

This year we are donating the proceeds of the Restoration program to national Albanian charity, Fundjave Ndryshe, who build houses, schools and hospitals for those living in poverty across Albania, as well as providing earthquake relief.

Is the festival suitable for wheelchair users?

ION is set along a string of beachfront locations. Due to the location of the event, access for people with mobility impairments i.e. wheelchair users may not possible in certain areas. If you are a wheelchair user or have an impairment that may affect access, please get in touch with our customer service team to discuss how we can accommodate your requirements at info@ionalbania.com

Flights

If you are interested in booking your flights for September, please remember to refer to the airline’s website for further information on their booking policies. This is to ensure that you are covered in case of cancellation.

Transfers

The transfer schedule is available to check on the first page of the ticket page, as well as via manage booking.

If you are unable to locate a transfer that is suitable for your group, please contact our team and we will do our best to advise you on your options. If there is enough demand for boats for a specific time, we may consider adding additional ferries.

Ticket scammers

Given the surge in ticket sales across the industry in the past month, unfortunately this has also led to a surge in ticket scams.

The safest way to avoid these scams is by always purchasing your packages directly from the Ion website. We do not sell any of our packages through any third party agents.

Please note that we do not sell ‘Individual Tickets’ for the festival from any source. All tickets are sold including accommodation as part of a package.

If you wish to join an existing booking or action a name change, this can be requested either via our Customer Service team or via manage booking.

Please note that we only send out etickets 1-2 weeks before the event. If you see or receive an eticket in advance of this period, it will be a fake.

If you have any questions regarding the legitimacy of a ticket, please email us on info@ionalbania.com

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 Governments’ website, and research the visa requirements from your own country.

If you are travelling from the UK, via Corfu please note that 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.

Can I still travel to Dhermi with Brexit?

The majority of Ion customers travel via Corfu.

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.

What about health insurance?

While we cannot recommend specific insurance companies or policies, we advise that all our customers do extensive research around their own insurance policy to ensure they are covered extensively.

Are you introducing rapid testing as a condition of entry?

We are exploring all options and working closely with the Albanian government on different scenarios. If testing means we can deliver a safe event, we are prepared to implement this.

What happens if travel is not allowed?

We are constantly monitoring the travel situation to both Albania and Corfu. In the event of a full cancellation or rescheduled date, ticket-holders will be entitled to transfer their ticket to a rescheduled show, or a full face value refund on their package.

Will I get my money back if it is cancelled due to COVID?

In the event of a full cancellation or rescheduled date, ticket-holders will be entitled to transfer their ticket to a rescheduled show, or a full face value refund on their package.

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 traveling 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.

Will ION still go ahead if we have to quarantine on arrival in Albania or on return to the UK?

We continue to monitor the ever-changing global situation and the conversations about travel corridors between countries. At the moment, different options are being considered but there are no clear guidelines in place.

It is still too early to know what the situation will be like in September. However, if travel restrictions such as quarantines are in place it is very likely that the event won’t go ahead. We will review this before the final balance date so everyone can make a decision before having to pay anything further than the deposit.

Will I lose the £50 deposit if it gets cancelled?

In the event of a full cancellation or rescheduled date, ticket-holders will be entitled to transfer their ticket to a rescheduled show, or a full face value refund on their package. Which would include your deposit.

The only deductible amount would be the non-refundable £10pp booking fee.

Is it safe to travel to Albania?

Just like everywhere in the world, the situation in Albania is constantly changing. We are actively monitoring the situation and working closely with both the Government and local authorities regarding the safety and feasibility of the event.